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Question: "What does the Bible say about tattoos and body piercings?"
We’ll see what the answer is in this video, and at the end I’ll give you to some helpful
resources, so you can dig a little bit deeper, so stick around for that.
The Old Testament law commanded the Israelites, “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or
put tattoo marks on yourselves.
I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:28).
So, even though believers today are not under the Old Testament law, the fact that there
was a command against tattoos should raise some questions.
The New Testament does not say anything about whether or not a believer should get a tattoo.
We do have this command in 1 Peter 3:3–4: “Your beauty should not come from outward
adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet
spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
Granted, this passage is directed at Christian women, but there is a principle here that
may be apropos: namely, a person’s external appearance should not be the focus of our
attention.
Much effort goes into “elaborate hairstyles” and “fine clothes” and jewelry, but that’s
not where a woman’s true beauty lies.
In the same way, tattoos and body piercings are “outward adornment,” and we should
be careful to give more effort to the development of the “inner self,” regardless of our
gender.
In relation to tattoos and body piercings, a good test is to determine whether we can
honestly, in good conscience, ask God to bless and use that particular activity for His own
good purposes.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”
(1 Corinthians 10:31).
The New Testament does not specifically command against tattoos or body piercings, but it
also does not give us any reason to believe God would have us get tattoos or body piercings.
An important scriptural principle on issues the Bible does not specifically address is
if there is room for doubt whether it pleases God, then it is best not to engage in that
activity.
Romans 14:23 reminds us that anything that does not come from faith is sin.
We need to remember that our bodies, as well as our souls, have been redeemed and belong
to God.
Although 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 does not directly apply to tattoos or body piercings,
it does give us a principle: “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; you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your body.”
This great truth should have a real bearing on what we do and where we go with our bodies.
If our bodies belong to God, we should make sure we have His clear “permission” before
we “mark them up” with tattoos or body piercings.
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And check out the details section below this video: There’s a book I highly recommend,
along with other articles that will help you better understand what the Bible says about
tattoos and body piercings.
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