Temperance From Tobacco: A Biblical Exposition on Tobacco by Dr. R.T. Cooper - HTML preview

Closing Remarks

I've never been so excited and anxious to write a project as I was to write this one. Yet at the same time, I was a bit nervous about how well this book would be received by some people. Nervous because I know tobacco is "tolerated" and "acceptable" among some camps of people, even "Fundamental Christians." I certainly hope this exposition opened the hearts and eyes of those who don't have an objectionable perception of tobacco.

I was very excited about this project because I was chomping at the bits to expose this life-killing evil. Tobacco is very contrary to the purity and holiness that believers are to have. "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;" (Tit. 2:12).

Aforementioned, many people permit tobacco and avoid ever bringing it up. But isn't that why our churches have gotten so worldly and gone dead? We no longer take a stand against sin. We no longer love holiness. We've sold out the presence of God because we don't want to "offend" people. Well if you preach the Bible it will offend! "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Heb. 4:12).

This ministry, Temperance Awakening, is a "spin off" of the ministry, Word Awakening. I founded the preaching, teaching and writing ministry Word Awakening to ignite a revival. If we want revival we must have temperance. Remember temperance is an element of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22,23). If we want revival we must give God all that we have. "And the LORD said unto me, Arise, take thy journey before the people, that they may go in and possess the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give unto them. And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?" (Deut. 10:11-13). We must have a completely pure heart and not be brought under the power of any. "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." (1 Cor. 6:12).