I'm A Christian & I Have Tattoos & Piercings.
I have read that in Borneo tattoos are used to ward off harm and disease. In the Polynesian culture, some say tattoos are a right of passage into manhood. Some American Indians believed that “war paint” protected them in battle. Some say that there are those in Burma today who believe that a tattoo over the heart can stop bullets. I’ve also read that to some Samoans the tattoo is a show of respect for the god-quality within themselves or evidence that you can bear pain. Some cultures believe that tattoos can give them magical power. And then, of course, in the bible there are instances of people who were tattooed to worship their false gods or to honor the dead.
Tattoos and piercing during the Old Testament days were done in pagan tradition and to mark slaves. Under the law in the Old Testament people were told in 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.” Even though we don’t live under the law of the Old Testament, many people wonder if this now justifies getting various piercings in today’s society.
In Exodus 21:6 the Bible tells us if a servant wanted to remain servant to his master he would have his ear pierced to prove that he will be that way forever. In Genesis chapter 35 Jacob was told to “put away the foreign gods” among the people and to cleanse themselves. In verse 4 this included taking out their earrings from their ears.
The choice to permanently pierce or mark your body is complelely up to you. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” I’ve known Christians who’ve gotten tattoos representing their Christian faith. I don’t have a solid opinion on this matter - not that mine would particularly make a difference anyway. I too have tattoos and my ears piercing, but thats just me.
Just recently, I got my tongue pierced. I thought about it for years. I have read the reference in Leviticus and understand it to mean that people were cutting and mutilating their bodies and tattooing their bodies to honor the dead in a form of pagan practice. There was also a time later when Christians wanted gentiles to be circumcized because of the law and Paul specifically stated that this was wrong. He said that this was too heavy of burden to carry. Jesus says that His burden is easy and His yoke is light.
Tattoos and piercing during the Old Testament days were done in pagan tradition and to mark slaves. Under the law in the Old Testament people were told in 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.” Even though we don’t live under the law of the Old Testament, many people wonder if this now justifies getting various piercings in today’s society.
In Exodus 21:6 the Bible tells us if a servant wanted to remain servant to his master he would have his ear pierced to prove that he will be that way forever. In Genesis chapter 35 Jacob was told to “put away the foreign gods” among the people and to cleanse themselves. In verse 4 this included taking out their earrings from their ears.
The choice to permanently pierce or mark your body is complelely up to you. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” I’ve known Christians who’ve gotten tattoos representing their Christian faith. I don’t have a solid opinion on this matter - not that mine would particularly make a difference anyway. I too have tattoos and my ears piercing, but thats just me.
Just recently, I got my tongue pierced. I thought about it for years. I have read the reference in Leviticus and understand it to mean that people were cutting and mutilating their bodies and tattooing their bodies to honor the dead in a form of pagan practice. There was also a time later when Christians wanted gentiles to be circumcized because of the law and Paul specifically stated that this was wrong. He said that this was too heavy of burden to carry. Jesus says that His burden is easy and His yoke is light.
I have always wanted a tongue piercing because I believe it looks different. I’m a unique person and I like things that are a different. I think that God created me this way just as He creates everyone with different charateristics and likes and dislikes. I don’t think that a tiny hole in my tongue can be considered mutilation and I definitely didn’t do it to honor the dead! (Although, there are several piercings that can cause health problems and are done for the wrong reasons and should be considered mutitating.)
I have also thought about the fact that maybe my piercing can help both Christians and non-believers to realize that just because a Christian has a piercing doesn’t mean that we can’t or aren’t living for Jesus.
Maybe some of you feel that we have something in common and Christ can use this to help me plant seeds. I know that some of my neighbors and friends don’t like the piercing, but they know that I love the Lord and I’m not living in rebellion. How are we going to reach the lost if we’re scared to be around them … or they’re too scared or even intimidated to be around us??
I have also thought about the fact that maybe my piercing can help both Christians and non-believers to realize that just because a Christian has a piercing doesn’t mean that we can’t or aren’t living for Jesus.
Maybe some of you feel that we have something in common and Christ can use this to help me plant seeds. I know that some of my neighbors and friends don’t like the piercing, but they know that I love the Lord and I’m not living in rebellion. How are we going to reach the lost if we’re scared to be around them … or they’re too scared or even intimidated to be around us??
Genesis 24:1-51, the servant sent to find Rebekah puts a ring in her nose and bracelets on her arms in a type of marraige arrangement for Isaac. I think God looks at our hearts, not at ouward appearances.
This can be a problem though because people in today’s age tend to take the bible in the way they want to. What you need to do is let the spirit interpret the bible for you in your own personal way.
Some Christians, who believe that these practices are always wrong, claim the verse… Leviticus 19:28 “‘Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.’” NIV … as saying that all marks on your body (ie. piercings and tattoos) are wrong. But this passage does not say that. It specifically warned the Israelites to not follow the common practice in the area of cutting your body or marring it (tattoos) in honor of the dead; whether that be a person or a demon god who is spiritually dead (see also Deuteronomy 14:1, 1 Kings 18:28, Jeremiah 16:6).
In Mark 5:5 this demon possessed person was ‘marking’ with an intent to injure and cause pain. Anyone who cuts themselves or tries to hurt themselves in any way should seek help (this could be with sharp objects, or in the form of bulimia or anorexia). It is possible that some who get tattoos and body piercing (especially in excessive numbers or very tender spots) fit into this category. This is a principle expressed indirectly in many places in Scriptures, that love of one’s self is natural (see Matthew 22:39, Galatians 5:14, James 2:8, 1 Sam 18:3). This would make hatred of (or desire to harm) one’s self unnatural.
This can be a problem though because people in today’s age tend to take the bible in the way they want to. What you need to do is let the spirit interpret the bible for you in your own personal way.
Some Christians, who believe that these practices are always wrong, claim the verse… Leviticus 19:28 “‘Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.’” NIV … as saying that all marks on your body (ie. piercings and tattoos) are wrong. But this passage does not say that. It specifically warned the Israelites to not follow the common practice in the area of cutting your body or marring it (tattoos) in honor of the dead; whether that be a person or a demon god who is spiritually dead (see also Deuteronomy 14:1, 1 Kings 18:28, Jeremiah 16:6).
In Mark 5:5 this demon possessed person was ‘marking’ with an intent to injure and cause pain. Anyone who cuts themselves or tries to hurt themselves in any way should seek help (this could be with sharp objects, or in the form of bulimia or anorexia). It is possible that some who get tattoos and body piercing (especially in excessive numbers or very tender spots) fit into this category. This is a principle expressed indirectly in many places in Scriptures, that love of one’s self is natural (see Matthew 22:39, Galatians 5:14, James 2:8, 1 Sam 18:3). This would make hatred of (or desire to harm) one’s self unnatural.
Instead of giving a command on this issue, the Bible does give principles that can (and should) be applied. Such as:
1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
The bottom line in everything we do needs to be - does it glorify God? Needless to say, many messages on tattoos are obviously not to glorify God.
If any of this is being done out of rebellion it obviously isn’t glorifying to God. All rebellion is sinful … 1 Samuel 15:23a For rebellion is like the sin of divination…
If it’s being done out of vanity, again it will not be glorifying to God … 1 Peter 3:3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.
Your question to yourself always has to be, “what’s my motive?” God judges motives and actions … Proverbs 16:2 All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
Yes, tattoos mean and have meant a lot of things to a lot of different people. Superstition. Pagan worship or beliefs. Power. Strength. Rebelliousness. Love. Tattoos have become so common that many people say, “What’s the big deal? It is just an outward expression of an inner feeling, desire, belief, or mood.”
But yet the question still remains: is it ok for a Christian (who also has a desire to “express” himself or herself) be tattooed or pierced?
1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
The bottom line in everything we do needs to be - does it glorify God? Needless to say, many messages on tattoos are obviously not to glorify God.
If any of this is being done out of rebellion it obviously isn’t glorifying to God. All rebellion is sinful … 1 Samuel 15:23a For rebellion is like the sin of divination…
If it’s being done out of vanity, again it will not be glorifying to God … 1 Peter 3:3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.
Your question to yourself always has to be, “what’s my motive?” God judges motives and actions … Proverbs 16:2 All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
Yes, tattoos mean and have meant a lot of things to a lot of different people. Superstition. Pagan worship or beliefs. Power. Strength. Rebelliousness. Love. Tattoos have become so common that many people say, “What’s the big deal? It is just an outward expression of an inner feeling, desire, belief, or mood.”
But yet the question still remains: is it ok for a Christian (who also has a desire to “express” himself or herself) be tattooed or pierced?