Body modification, including piercing, tattooing, scarring, branding, cutting, and outright mutilation, has been an increasing trend in recent years. Body piercing-the insertion of jewelry in various body parts-has graduated from the traditional ear lobe piercing to the piercing of noses, navels, breasts/chests, tongues, eyebrows, cheeks, genitalia, and more. Many Christians have a piercing or two, and some have many more than two; no matter what the issue, it’s good to stop and consider what the Bible says.
This topic will be a very sensitive one for many in this day and age. As you all know, many people like to get different types of tattoos and body piercing put on the different parts of their bodies.
You will see people getting tattoos on just about any part of the human anatomy, even on their most intimate, personal, and private parts. The same goes with the different types of body piercing.
For those of you who are really wanting to know what the Lord may think about this issue, I would challenge each and everyone of you to go before Him in prayer and ask for His direct opinion on this matter. I know there is a bit of a rift in the Body on this issue right now.
On the one side are those who believe that God’s command back to the Jewish people in the Book of Leviticus no longer applies to any of us in this day and age since we are now operating under a New Covenant with Jesus and we are now no longer under the law, but under grace.
On the other side are those who believe that this command still applies to everyone in this day and age, and that God has not changed His mind on this issue.
In addition to the verse from Leviticus, I believe there are several other verses that you have to match up with that one to get what God’s opinion may really be on this issue.
The Scripture Verses:
I believe there are few key Scripture verses that need to be grouped together to get what God’s opinion may really be on this issue.
1) You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord. Levi. 19:28.
The very first verse is from the Book of Leviticus back in the Old Testament. God was telling His chosen people what they could and could not do in their personal relationship and interaction with Him.
As we all know, God gave them quite a bit of rules, regulations, and commandments that He wanted them to abide by. This one particular command was one of them.
Notice this verse specifically isolates not only tattoos, but any “cuttings on the flesh”, which I believe relates to all of the different types of body piercing people are now getting these days.
Also note that God was referring to them making any kinds of tattoos or cuttings in their flesh “for the dead.” Lord God was flat out telling His own people that they were not to engage in this type of activity. Notice that God uses the word “any” tattoos and “any” cuttings” in their flesh.
If Lord God did not want His special chosen people back in the Old Testament to be putting on any kinds of tattoos and cuttings in their flesh, does He still have that same opinion today with all of His New Testament believers?
2) Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Matt. 5:17-18.
3) Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. 1st Cor. 3:16-17.
4) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1st Cor. 6:19-20.
Forming a biblically informed opinion on body piercings/tattooing requires us to examine the principles of the Word of God and ask ourselves some pertinent questions:
• What is my motivation for getting a body piercing/tattooing?
Our motives are important in any decision we make (Prov.16:2), especially something as permanent and potentially life-changing as a body piercing/tattooing.
• Am I trying to find identity in a subculture?
Body piercing/tattooing has given rise to a definite subculture, and many people try to “find themselves” by joining the bodymod community. While joining a particular cultural group might help in evangelizing that group, to join simply to “find oneself” is not biblical. As believers, our identity is in Christ: “You died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3).
• Am I submitting myself to seek pressure?
Doing anything out of a desire to please one’s attention is spiritually hazardous. We are to follow the Lord Jesus (see John 21:21-22). Those who follow peer pressure in getting a body piercing/tattooing find themselves in the ironic position of having proclaimed their uniqueness through conformity.
• Am I stressing appearance over substance?
The Bible clearly emphasizes the inner spiritual qualities of a person and downplays the “outward adornment” (1st Pet. 3:3-4). The majority of our effort should be directed at increasing in godliness, not grooming a particular look.
• Am I drawing undue attention to myself? Any item of clothing, accessory, or jewelry worn simply as a fashion statement runs the risk of feeding pride in that it draws attention to the wearer. Bringing public focus to certain body parts, pushing boundaries, or creating a flashy display is not a godly reason for a body piercing, especially when we have this command in Scripture: “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility” (1st Pet. 5:5).
• Will this body piercing/tattooing be an obstacle to ministry?
It’s conceivable that, in some situations, having a body piercing/tattooing will aid a believer in his witness to others. And, if the piercing/tattoo is decorated with Christian-themed jewelry, it could be a conversation-starter that leads to spiritual themes. But, for others, certain types of body piercings/tattoos may hinder attempts to share the gospel.
We are Christ’s ambassadors, delivering God’s message to the world (2nd Cor. 5:20). We must consider what message the body piercing sends and whether it will aid or detract from representing Christ and sharing the gospel.
• Where do I draw the line?
According to Guinness World Records, the record for total body piercings is 453 (male) and 462 (female). Those considering multiple piercings should be able to answer the question “how much is too much?” with specificity. At what point does body modification become extreme? How far can Christians go and still “honor God with your bodies” (1st Cor. 6:20)? Beyond piercings, questions should be asked about scarification, branding, facial flesh tunnels, skin implants, split tongues, pointed ears, sharpened teeth, and other things promoted within the modern bodymod community.
Of course, we could also ask where we draw the line on other, more socially acceptable body modifications such as breast implants, tummy tucks, face lifts, and such. Some of the same questions about motivation and appearance need honest answers if we are to do “all for the glory of God” (1st Cor. 10:31).
An important scriptural principle on issues the Bible does not specifically address is that, if there is room for doubt whether it pleases God, then it is best not to engage in that activity. Anything that does not come from faith is sin (Rom. 14:23). Our bodies, as well as our souls, have been redeemed and belong to God (1st Cor. 6:20). Since our bodies belong to God and are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we should make sure it is His will before we modify them with body piercings.
So, if Lord God is telling His chosen people that He did not want them tattooing or putting any kinds of cuttings into their flesh - and their bodies were not even considered to be the temple of His Holy Spirit back in those Old Testament times - then how much more seriously should this command be taken by all New Testament believers, since all of our bodies are now considered to be the actual temple of the Holy Spirit?
As the above verses are telling us, our bodies have now become the temple of the Lord Himself.
We are no longer our own. As a result, we should be doing everything we can to glorify our God - which includes glorifying Him in our bodies as the above verse is telling us to do.
Marking up our bodies with the different kinds of tattoos and body piercing may not be what the Lord had in mind when He is telling us to glorify Him in both our bodies and our spirits.
And just as we would never consider marking up or defacing any parts of an actual Christian Church building - in the same way I do not believe that our Lord wants us defacing or marking up any parts of our physical bodies.
For those of you who have a good ability to pick up an inner witness from the Holy Spirit on many different matters in your life, simply tap in and see what kind of inner witness you get from Him once you entertain the thought of wanting to put any kind of tattoo on your body, or make an attempt to want to put any kind of body piercing on your navel, tongue, eyelids, breasts/chests or to any parts of your genitalia - knowing full well that you carry His presence right there on the inside of your physical body.
What kind of witness do you get from the Holy Spirit when you tap in to see what His opinion may really be on this kind of a matter?
My own inner witness tells me that He does not want us getting any kinds of tattoos or cuttings done on our bodies - and that if we do, it is a form of defilement since our bodies are now His Holy Temple.
