Christian Life

The Bible’s Position on Tattoos, Marijuana, and Alcohol

by Dale Partridge & Veronica Partridge

There’s a fine line between the behavior rules associated with religious legalism and the heart posture of personal holiness. As Christians, we are to recognize both the grace of God and freedom in Christ to partake in certain taboo activities while at the same time obeying the Scriptures, submitting to the government (Romans 13), and ensuring that our example is not stumbling another brother in sister in the Lord.

Tattoos, marijuana, and alcohol are common issues that ride this theological fence. In this episode of Real Christianity, Dale and Veronica Partridge discuss the biblical parameters, admonitions, and doctrine on these important topics.

Additional Resources

Scripture References

  • Leviticus 19:28

    “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.”

  • Deuteronomy 12:4-5

    “You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way. But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there.”

  • John 4:24

    “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

  • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

    “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

  • Psalm 104:14-15

    “[God gives] wine that makes glad the heart of men.”

  • John 2:10-11

    “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”

  • 1 Timothy 5:23

    “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.”

  • James 4:17

    “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”

  • 1 Corinthians 8:9-13

    “But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.”

  • 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

    “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.”

  • Romans 14:12-13

    “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.”

  • Romans 14:21

    “It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.”

  • Romans 13:1-2

    “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”

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After watching or listening to this episode, what is your opinion? Do you have any questions or comments? Maybe you have something to add to the discussion? If so, let us know in the comments below.

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