Ever feel like you’re constantly breaking the rules? Turns out, God might be a lot cooler than you think. Get over all the guilt trips and fear-mongering – there are a lot of things you probably think God forbids but He’s actually totally fine about — no need to freak out!
1. Tattoos
Despite what some preachers might claim, the Bible doesn’t actually forbid tattoos, Huffington Post confirms. The oft-cited Leviticus 19:28 is referring to pagan mourning rituals, not ink. If you want to get some meaningful body art that honors God, go for it. Just make sure it’s not some drunken mistake you’ll regret later.
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2. Dancing
Contrary to popular belief in some circles, dancing isn’t inherently sinful. In fact, the Bible mentions joyful dancing many times, like when David danced before the Lord. Problems only arise if you’re bumping and grinding in a way that leads to impure thoughts. So feel free to bust a move, but keep it classy.
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3. Playing cards
Some well-meaning Christians act like a deck of cards is the devil’s stationery. But there’s nothing wrong with some friendly hands of Euchre or Spades. Card games can be great for fellowship and family bonding. Gambling addiction is the real issue to watch out for.
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4. Fantasy novels
From Narnia to Lord of the Rings, many beloved fantasy stories have strong Christian themes. Don’t be afraid to enjoy this genre in moderation. God gave us imagination for a reason. Just be discerning and avoid graphic content that glorifies darkness rather than pointing to the true Light.
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5. Feeling angry, jealous, sad – all those messy human emotions
God didn’t create us as emotionless robots. It’s okay to feel the full range of human emotions – even the negative ones. What matters is how you deal with them in a healthy way. Bottling up your emotions is like shaking up a soda bottle – eventually, it’s gonna explode. God gave us emotions for a reason; let them teach you about yourself without letting them control you.
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6. Needing a break from church
Burned out on Sunday services? Feeling disconnected? Sometimes stepping away for a bit can actually refresh your faith. Spend time in nature, volunteer with those in need – connect with God in a way that feels meaningful to you. Church can be great, but your relationship with God shouldn’t be confined to a specific building or routine.
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7. Listening to secular music
Every genre of music has artists singing the truth and artists peddling lies. Don’t fall for the sacred-secular divide. Discern lyrics song by song rather than sanctioning entire styles. Enjoying a “secular” song that celebrates loyal love or takes an honest look at the human condition isn’t apostatizing. But if a “Christian” band is pushing theological poison, change the station.
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8. Disagreeing with other Christians
Not every Christian is going to agree on every single issue, and that’s okay. You can have respectful discussions and differing viewpoints without compromising your faith. Remember that Jesus hung out with all sorts of people, not just those who agreed with him. Sometimes you learn the most from folks who challenge your way of thinking.
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9. Voting Democrat (or Republican)
Newsflash: God isn’t registered with any political party. No matter how many spiritual-sounding radio ads you hear, He doesn’t have a favorite candidate either. Seek His guidance, vote your conscience, and respect those who see things differently. Now if only the folks in Washington could grasp that concept!
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10. Being friends with people who believe differently than you
God calls us to love our neighbors, not just the ones who share our exact beliefs. Being a friend to someone of a different faith doesn’t threaten your own. It’s a chance to learn, build bridges, and show God’s love in action. Plus, hanging out with people who are exactly like you gets boring pretty quick, doesn’t it? Diversity is what makes life interesting!
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11. Having a beer (or wine, etc.) if you’re of legal age
Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into high-quality wine, not Welch’s grape juice. Drunkenness is undeniably a sin, but a glass of wine or a beer with dinner isn’t going to send you to hell. Appreciate alcohol as one of God’s gifts, not a forbidden fruit. But if you can’t control yourself, better to abstain entirely.
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12. Reading other holy books
Learning about other religions doesn’t weaken your Christian faith – it strengthens it. By all means, read the Quran, the Vedas, the Tao Te Ching. You’ll likely discover nuggets of God-given truth. And you’ll definitely develop a deeper appreciation for the unparalleled wisdom of God’s Word. Expanding your knowledge honors God.
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13. Getting a divorce
Sometimes, despite every effort, a marriage dies. Abuse, abandonment, adultery – God allows divorce in these cases because he hates the sins destroying the covenant. It’s not the unforgivable sin some make it out to be. If your marriage ends, grieve the loss, learn from it, then let yourself heal. God still has a future for you.
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14. Acknowledging that virginity is not purity
Physical intimacy has become an idol in the church through obsessive, shame-based purity teachings. But spiritual purity is so much more than what you do with your reproductive organs. Giving up hardcore stuff is great, but don’t neglect envy, gluttony, and gossip. Sexually active but repentant people aren’t damaged goods. God looks at the heart.
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15. Choosing to stay single
In some Christian circles, people act like getting married and making babies is mandatory, like joining God’s procreation pyramid scheme. But Paul said singleness is a gift too, allowing undivided devotion to God. So if you’re thriving while going solo, don’t let anyone make you feel like a failure. Make the most of the life stage you’re in.
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16. Taking antidepressants
You’ve prayed, you’ve stood on God’s promises, and you still feel hopeless. It’s not because you lack faith. Mental illness is real, and God works through therapy and medicine as much as miracles. Asking for help isn’t weak – it’s the first step toward wholeness. Don’t let stigma hold you back from health. As the Mental Health Grace Alliance confirms, God is okay with you taking antidepressants. Promise.
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