What Does Scripture Really Say about Drinking, Smoking, and Tattoos?

[rethink88]

There are many hot-button topics that Christians like to debate their freedom in today. Smoking, drinking, and getting tattoos seem to be near the top of that list. Many people have dug their trenches and are planted firmly in their camp. But what does scripture say about these topics?

What Does Scripture Really Say about Drinking, Smoking, and Tattoos?

What do you think?

 

[faroukfarouk]

There are many hot-button topics that Christians like to debate their freedom in today. Smoking, drinking, and getting tattoos seem to be near the top of that list. Many people have dug their trenches and are planted firmly in their camp. But what does scripture say about these topics?

What Does Scripture Really Say about Drinking, Smoking, and Tattoos?

What do you think?

I think moderation would be a key. It's a word that features in Philippians 4. (Mind you, there is no need for anyone to pursue any of these activities.)

Some ppl subscribe to the 'List of no-nos for holiness', but as long as it's not heretical, immoral or illegal, then moderation is the key, I reckon.

 

[Sam91]

I wouldnt get a tattoo because it says somewhere about braiding yr hair, fine clithes. I am meant to get rid of my vanity etc so defo no tattoos for me

 

[Mudinyeri]

Don't drink, don't smoke, don't chew ... don't go with girls that do. I'm pretty sure that's in First Opinions or I-say-uh.

There are, literally, hundreds of commands/laws in the Old Testament. Some modern Christians have chosen a few to continue to observe. Other modern Christians have misinterpreted others. And other Christians have made up some new ones of their own.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I wouldnt get a tattoo because it says somewhere about braiding yr hair, fine clithes. I am meant to get rid of my vanity etc so defo no tattoos for me

I can see exactly where you are coming from.

And when it comes to vanity, I can understand what you are saying.

And if you don't want one, then this is absolutely your decision.

I guess also there is the matter of motive; some Christian get faith based tattoo designs because they are proven effective in witness conversations. My wife and I talked to a young lady with the whole of John 3.16 inked on her wrist area; it was her favorite Bible verse and mine also; and I'm sure other conversations have arisen as a direct result of her decision to have it done.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I wouldnt get a tattoo ...

PS: This is the sort of thing I meant, FYI:

thetattoohut dot com

 

[faroukfarouk]

I wouldnt ..

PS: Not your style, maybe, but these are based on Galatians 5, the fruit of the Spirit.

pinterest dot com

jaciezook dot theworldrace dot org

 

[pescador]

I am not under law but under grace. 1 Corinthians 6:12: "Everything is permissible," but not everything is helpful. "Everything is permissible," but not everything builds up.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I am not under law but under grace. 1 Corinthians 6:12: "Everything is permissible," but not everything is helpful. "Everything is permissible," but not everything builds up.

A good consideration.

 

[thesunisout]

There are many hot-button topics that Christians like to debate their freedom in today. Smoking, drinking, and getting tattoos seem to be near the top of that list. Many people have dug their trenches and are planted firmly in their camp. But what does scripture say about these topics?

What Does Scripture Really Say about Drinking, Smoking, and Tattoos?

What do you think?

I think that giving Christians excuses to drink, smoke and look like the world is far more damaging than any legalism that has crept in. I see far, far, far more Christians looking like the world than I find legalists shooting from their foxhole.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I think that giving Christians excuses to drink, smoke and look like the world is far more damaging than any legalism that has crept in. I see far, far, far more Christians looking like the world than I find legalists shooting from their foxhole.

There is a sense in which it would be easier if alcohol did not exist at all.

Easier if medical science had advanced 1000s of years ago so that the curative element of wine were not used in countries where there is little tradition of pasteurized milk and treated water, etc.

I agree that anything is bad, to excess.

 

[DawnStar]

Don't drink, don't smoke, don't chew ... don't go with girls that do. I'm pretty sure that's in First Opinions or I-say-uh.

There are, literally, hundreds of commands/laws in the Old Testament. Some modern Christians have chosen a few to continue to observe. Other modern Christians have misinterpreted others. And other Christians have made up some new ones of their own.

Yes I have found that many Christians like to use the Old Testament for a sledge hammer when it comes to telling others what they should or should not do. Yet these same Christians pick and choose which Old Testament rules to endorse and which ones to ignore. It would be interesting to see how many of these pick-and-choosers eat pork, lobster and crab.

 

[Sam91]

Yes I have found that many Christians like to use the Old Testament for a sledge hammer when it comes to telling others what they should or should not do. Yet these same Christians pick and choose which Old Testament rules to endorse and which ones to ignore. It would be interesting to see how many of these pick-and-choosers eat pork, lobster and crab.

remind me why lobster and crab were banned. I never noticed that in there? X

 

[faroukfarouk]

remind me why lobster and crab were banned. I never noticed that in there? X

Hi Ms. Sam! I think there was an oblique reference to Acts 10 & Peter's vision about meats in the Old Testament that were now no longer to be considered unclean; by extension, it refers to the new Gospel relationship with Jews and Gentiles and to the understanding that the New Testament believer is no longer under the law but under grace.

 

[DawnStar]

remind me why lobster and crab were banned. I never noticed that in there? X

Leviticus 11
10 But all creatures in the seas or streams that do not have fins and scales—whether among all the swarming things or among all the other living creatures in the water—you are to regard as unclean. 11 And since you are to regard them as unclean, you must not eat their meat; you must regard their carcasses as unclean. 12 Anything living in the water that does not have fins and scales is to be regarded as unclean by you.

 

[DawnStar]

By the way there are 613 laws in the Old Testament. Good luck in keeping them.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I wouldnt get a tattoo because it says somewhere about braiding yr hair, fine clithes. ...

Well, it is of course a personal choice and depends on how exactly we read the NT, but of course a lot of Christians find faith based tattoo designs - some of the artwork is amazing - to be very effective in witness conversations.

Trying to remember; did I tell you about the young lady that my wife and I talked to with the whole of John 3.16 tattooed on her wrist area?

 

[Sam91]

Yes u did. I thought that tatoo was a nice reminder for her and a goid opening point to talk about jesus.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Yes u did. I thought that tatoo was a nice reminder for her and a goid opening point to talk about jesus.

Oh okay, sorry! Repeating myself in my old age, LOL.

Seriously, she seemed a really nice young lady, rather shy; she said John 3.16 was her favorite Bible verse and I told her it's mine also; and I'm sure that other conversations have arisen as a result of her being willing to have it done.

Which presumably is the whole point. (For those who wish to do it, of course.)

I know some ppl don't like tattoos aesthetically. I know some Christians don't like the idea, either. (Which is fine.)

 

[Victor E.]

There are many hot-button topics that Christians like to debate their freedom in today. Smoking, drinking, and getting tattoos seem to be near the top of that list. Many people have dug their trenches and are planted firmly in their camp. But what does scripture say about these topics?

What Does Scripture Really Say about Drinking, Smoking, and Tattoos?

What do you think?

Throughout the entirety of God's Word, it is reiterated that we do not follow human rules and human regulations any longer. "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed". However, The real question is how much of a stumbling block is this to others and to yourself? We are heavily encouraged to set the example and I feel the more we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice out of perfect love we may find that we do not need to "try" to stop doing these things. Simply an opinion (I have 2 concealed Tattoos underneath my garments so they do not affect Job Employment, in hindsight it also serves a double purpose).