The Bible has given us many rules to follow. Some of them may be a little outdated for today’s standards, but many we still respect. Here are 18 things we are not supposed to do, according to the Bible.
Mixing Fabrics
Leviticus 19:19 prohibits a person from wearing clothing made from two different threads. For example, Bible.com tells us that the quote goes, “Don’t wear clothes made of two kinds of material.” This is supposed to reflect the broader principles of separation and purity.
Round Haircuts
According to Leviticus 19:27, cutting your hair on the sides of the head where it’s round is prohibited in the Bible. This rule is most likely associated with rituals and appearances that make you distinct from other groups. It seems this is no longer a rule that the majority of Christians abide by in modern times.
Touching Pig Carcasses
Deuteronomy 14:8 writes that pigs are unclean, and therefore the touching of their carcasses is prohibited. It’s part of the dietary laws that help us distinguish between clean and dirty animals. This can also mean there are implications when it comes to things such as touching a pigskin football.
Fortune Telling
Turning to mediums or spiritists isn’t allowed, as Leviticus 19:31 teaches. It’s seen as a betrayal of trust in God and something that’s considered dirty or unclean. This rule was known to carry severe penalties, which showed just how seriously it was taken.
Eating Shellfish
Leviticus 11:10 describes shellfish as detestable and bans anyone from eating it. It’s a part of the kosher dietary laws that define clean and unclean foods, and shellfish has become one of the dirtier foods to eat. This rule can reflect the broader themes of obedience and purity in Christianity.
Tattoos and Body Markings
Desiring God writes, “There is one explicit reference to tattooing in the Bible: Leviticus 19:28. It says: ‘You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves. I am the Lord.’” This rule is in place because God created your body, so you should show it respect.
Divorce
Marriage is considered sacred in Christianity, which means people are not allowed to get divorced. Mark 10:8–12 speaks out against divorce, writing that marriage is seen as something that should be lifelong. In Christianity, divorce was seen as being just as bad as adultery.
Wearing Gold
1 Timothy 2:9 advises against wearing gold, pearls, and any costly garments. This is because a person should focus on modesty rather than wealth. It’s a critique of materialism and the outward show of wealth. This rule can reflect the importance of moderation in life.
Eating Seafood Without Scales or Fins
Leviticus 11 tells us which seafood creatures can be eaten and which can’t. It comes down to food that’s considered clean and unclean. Fish with scales and fins are fine to eat, but a person should avoid eating aquatic animals such as jellyfish, octopus, and catfish.
Working on the Sabbath
According to Exodus 20:10, a person should always rest on the Sabbath, which means not carrying out any form of work. It’s important that a person stick to this, as rest is needed for reflecting and spiritual purposes. A person can work six days a week but must rest on the seventh.
Ignoring Judicial Decisions
It’s written in the Bible that a person must attend all court duties when they’re called. Deuteronomy 17:8–13 makes it a rule that you should follow judicial decisions and respect authority. It reflects law and order in a community with priests and judges used to maintain societal norms.
False Prophecy
Making up a false prophecy is not something you’re supposed to do. Deuteronomy 18:20 warns against creating false prophets, and if a person does, it will be punishable. It shows just how important trust and honesty are in the Bible, especially when it comes to spiritual leadership.
Women Speaking in Church
According to 1 Corinthians 14:34–35, women are restricted from speaking in congregational settings, such as in church. This shows the cultural and historical context of what the church used to be like in the early days. However, there’s still an ongoing debate about this in modern times.
Praying with Head Covered (Men)
Men should always pray with their heads uncovered. This is written in 1 Corinthians 11:4, which advises men not to pray with anything on their heads because it dishonors them. Head coverings have always been an important part of religion, and abiding by their rules reflects an understanding of worship.
Charging Interest on Loans
The Bible prohibits charging interest on loans to your countrymen, but to foreigners, it’s fine to do so. This rule is written in Leviticus 25:35–37 and is supposed to be a way to show community support and prevent exploitation. It can also go beyond the Bible and be seen as having compassion towards the poor.
Eating or Cooking a Goat in Its Mother’s Milk
In Exodus 23:19, it’s written, “You shall not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.” This rule is still apparent in Jewish tradition, as meat and dairy products are separated. This rule can even reflect deeper meanings as it speaks about ethical treatment towards animals and is symbolic of purity.
Planting Different Types of Seeds Together
Leviticus 19:19 states that two different seeds should not be planted together. This bizarre rule is explained by Jewish News, which writes, “This law is from a pre-Darwinian time when it was believed the creation of plants and animals ended on the sixth day of creation.”
Adultery
Adultery is something that’s prohibited in the Ten Commandments. This commandment can be found in Exodus 20:14 and is thought to be considered a serious moral violation. Even in modern times, adultery is still viewed as this. It shows just how important trust and fidelity are in relationships.
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