The Bible has plenty to say about the big stuff, like stealing, lying, and treating other people badly. But tucked between those familiar teachings are some surprisingly specific instructions about food, clothing, conversations, and even what you do on your day off.
Some sound surprisingly modern. Others might make you glance suspiciously at your bacon breakfast or favorite jacket.
But there’s an important catch. Not every Old Testament restriction is considered binding on Christians today, and different religious traditions interpret certain passages differently. With that in mind, here are 13 biblical warnings and rules that deserve a closer look.
Gossiping About Someone, Even When the Story Is True
That juicy workplace story might be too tempting to keep quiet, especially when everyone else is discussing it.
But Leviticus 19:16 warns against spreading damaging information about others. Ephesians 4:31 also discourages malicious speech.
The interesting part? Something doesn’t necessarily become fair to share simply because it’s true. Before sharing someone’s personal business, consider whether it serves a legitimate purpose or just adds another chapter to the rumor mill.
Wearing Wool and Linen Together
Your wardrobe might contain one of the Bible’s more unexpected clothing combinations.
Deuteronomy 22:11 specifically prohibits wearing garments made from wool and linen together. The restriction, known in Jewish tradition as shatnez, remains part of Orthodox Jewish religious observance.
However, this isn’t a blanket prohibition against all blended fabrics. Your cotton-polyester shirt isn’t what the verse describes, and many Christians don’t consider the ancient clothing restriction binding today.
Telling Those Convenient Little White Lies
We’ve all heard excuses like, “Sorry, I didn’t see your message,” when someone simply didn’t feel like replying.
Ephesians 4:25 instructs believers to put away falsehood and speak truthfully with one another.
The passage doesn’t distinguish between dramatic lies and convenient everyday inventions. Still, honesty doesn’t require revealing every private detail. Sometimes, a polite refusal is better than an elaborate fictional emergency.
Getting a Tattoo
That meaningful tattoo commemorating a loved one has an interesting biblical connection.
Leviticus 19:28 prohibits certain bodily markings, making tattoos one of the most frequently debated biblical restrictions.
According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, 32% of American adults had at least one tattoo.
However, scholars disagree about the original purpose of the ancient prohibition, and Christians disagree about whether it applies today. The verse is real, but claiming every modern tattoo violates Christian teaching oversimplifies the issue.
Holding Onto a Grudge for Years
Remember that argument from five Christmases ago? The one that still makes family gatherings awkward?
Leviticus 19:18 explicitly warns against revenge and holding grudges. Ephesians 4:31–32 similarly encourages believers to abandon bitterness and practice forgiveness.
That doesn’t mean ignoring wrongdoing or pretending every damaged relationship should be restored. You can release resentment while maintaining reasonable boundaries.
Eating Bacon, Shrimp, and Certain Other Foods
A bacon cheeseburger and shrimp cocktail might seem perfectly ordinary, but both raise questions under ancient Israelite dietary laws.
Leviticus 11 prohibits eating pigs and aquatic creatures without fins and scales. That excludes pork and shellfish such as shrimp.
These instructions were originally addressed to Israel, however. Many Christian traditions interpret New Testament passages as permitting these foods, while others, including Seventh-day Adventists, maintain biblical clean-and-unclean distinctions.
So no, eating shrimp doesn’t automatically mean every Christian is breaking a religious command.
Drinking Until You’re Drunk
A considerable difference exists between enjoying a glass of wine and deliberately drinking until you lose control.
Ephesians 5:18 directly warns against drunkenness, while Proverbs 23 describes the consequences of excessive drinking.
Interestingly, the Bible doesn’t universally condemn wine itself. John 2 describes Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding.
Christian traditions differ on alcohol abstinence, but the biblical warning against drunkenness is much clearer than any supposed universal ban on drinking.
Letting Money Run Your Entire Life
There’s nothing automatically wrong with wanting a comfortable home, reliable savings, or a better-paying job.
The warning appears when money becomes the center of everything.
Matthew 6:24 says people cannot serve both God and money. Meanwhile, 1 Timothy 6:10 warns about the love of money, not money itself.
That’s an important distinction. Financial responsibility and generosity can coexist, but making wealth the ultimate measure of personal worth raises the very concern these passages address.
Treating the Sabbath Like Any Other Workday
For many people, weekends have become an endless parade of errands, emails, grocery shopping, and unfinished tasks.
Exodus 20:8–11 commands Sabbath rest on the seventh day, extending the instruction to workers, household members, and even livestock.
But here’s where interpretation matters. The biblical seventh-day Sabbath is Saturday, while many Christians worship on Sunday. Seventh-day Adventists continue to observe Saturday as the Sabbath, while other traditions understand Christian obligations differently.
The ancient command certainly emphasized rest, but its modern observance isn’t uniform.
Using Words to Humiliate Someone
That sarcastic comment might earn a few laughs, but the Bible asks readers to consider what their words accomplish.
Ephesians 4:29 discourages corrupt or destructive speech and encourages communication that benefits others.
The teaching reaches beyond a simple list of forbidden swear words. Deliberately humiliating someone, making cruel personal attacks, or using insults to embarrass others fits the warning more closely than harmless joking.
Sometimes, what you say matters less than why you’re saying it.
Saying “I Swear” to Make Yourself Sound Convincing
Ever promised something by saying, “I swear on my life”?
Matthew 5:33–37 contains Jesus’ teaching against oath-taking, emphasizing straightforward honesty instead. James 5:12 reinforces the instruction.
Interestingly, Christians don’t all interpret this the same way. Quakers traditionally refuse oaths, while Catholic teaching permits solemn oaths for serious and legitimate reasons.
The everyday lesson is refreshingly simple: your ordinary words should be trustworthy without requiring dramatic promises.
Related:9 Common Phrases Liars Frequently Use
Checking Horoscopes or Consulting Fortune-Tellers
Reading your horoscope over morning coffee might feel like harmless entertainment.
However, Deuteronomy 18:10–12 prohibits divination and consulting spirits. The Bible doesn’t specifically mention modern horoscope apps or tarot cards, but some religious traditions connect them with those ancient prohibitions.
A 2025 Pew Research Center report found that 30% of American adults consulted astrology, tarot cards, or fortune-tellers at least annually. Most participants did so primarily for entertainment rather than serious guidance.
That distinction matters when considering how ancient religious instructions might apply to modern activities.
Treating Rich People Better Than Everyone Else
Ever noticed how someone with an expensive outfit or impressive job title can suddenly become the most important person in a room?
James 2:1–9 directly challenges this behavior.
The passage describes a wealthy visitor receiving special treatment while a poorly dressed visitor is pushed aside. James condemns the unequal treatment.
The lesson isn’t that successful people deserve less kindness. It’s that wealth, appearance, and influence shouldn’t determine someone’s basic dignity.
After all, treating someone well shouldn’t depend on what they can do for you.
Related:7 Things People Blame on Religion That Are Actually Just Culture
The Bigger Lesson Behind These Biblical Warnings
The most surprising thing about these passages isn’t necessarily the clothing restrictions or forbidden foods. It’s how often biblical teachings return to everyday questions about honesty, fairness, self-control, and how we treat other people.
Some rules belong to ancient Israel’s particular religious practices, while others remain central to Christian moral teaching. Understanding that difference makes the Bible much more interesting than simply a collection of surprising prohibitions.
And perhaps the most useful question isn’t how many rules you’ve accidentally broken. It’s how thoughtfully you’re treating the people around you.
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