I know this next 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. You have people getting piercing on their noses, navels, eyelids, nipples, tongues, and genitalia.
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.
For what is worth, we are going to give you our opinion on this subject. 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.
Again, we do not want to get dogmatic on this issue. This is just our own personal interpretation of what we feel God may be trying to tell us in these specific verses. You are each responsible for getting your own answers from the Lord on this issue.
For the record, we do not believe the Lord wants any of His people getting any kinds of tattoos or body piercing put on any parts of their body.
The Scripture Verses
I believe there are 5 key Scripture verses that need to be grouped together to get what God’s opinion may really be on this issue. I will go ahead and run them all together, and then comment on how I feel they may be shedding some light on this very controversial issue.
- “You shall not make ANY CUTTINGS IN YOUR FLESH for the dead, nor TATTOO ANY MARKS on you: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:28)
- “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.” (Matthew 5:17-18)
- “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)
- “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.” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
- “If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” (1 Corinthians 3:17)
I believe that when you put all 5 of these verses together, one right next to the other, and then study what the Lord is trying to tell you in these verses, I believe it is possible to pick up what God’s opinion may be on this very controversial issue.
Commentary
1. 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.” Back in those days, many people had the practice of marking up their bodies with tattoos and different types of cuttings as a way of mourning and paying respect for those who had just passed on.
God the Father 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. He was not cutting them any slack on this issue – and He was wanting absolutely no cuttings or tattoos of any kind, shape, or form put anywhere on their bodies.
If God was telling them that He was not wanting any kinds of tattoos or body piercing put on their bodies as a way of mourning for the dead, then I also believe that you can extrapolate off this command and assume that God did not want them doing this for any other possible reason, whether it be for the dead or not.
The wording is just too strong in this verse to think that God was only referring to doing this as a way of mourning for the dead. I believe the tone and intensity of these words are showing us that God did not want His chosen people to be doing this for any reason whatsoever.
These people were being called to be God’s special chosen people. They were being called to become separate from the things and ways of this world – especially from some of the pagan practices of many of the people who were still inhabiting parts of their Promised Land.
If God the Father 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? I believe that He does, and this will now lead us into the second verse above.
2. In this second verse above, Jesus Himself is telling us that He did not come to do away with the laws of His Father and the prophets. He says that these laws and commandments are still in effect until “all is fulfilled,” which I believe refers to when we get the New Heaven and New Earth after the 1000 Year Millennium Kingdom has passed.
Notice that Jesus says “till heaven and earth pass way.” These words perfectly describe what will happen when we get the New Heaven and the New Earth as described in the Book of Revelation.
It says that our earth and heaven as we know it now will pass away, and in its place we will be getting a new heaven and a new earth. Until this glorious, final event actually occurs, Jesus is telling us that all of the laws and commandments of His Father are still in full play.
This means that all 10 of the commandments are still in effect, along with all of the commands on engaging with any parts of the occult.
Unless the New Testament specifically does away with some of these specific laws and commands back from the Old Testament, I believe that we have to assume that God still wants all of us to abide by them. And this command that we are not to tattoo or cut into any part of our flesh still applies to everyone in this day and age.
The Bible says that God does not change, that He is the same today as He was yesterday. If God the Father is telling us that homosexuality and anything to do with the occult are abominations in His sight back in the Old Testament, then He is not going to be changing His mind just because we are in New Testament times.
Granted, we are no longer under the law, but under grace in our New Covenant with Jesus. But this does not mean we can start engaging in activities that were expressly forbidden by His Father back in the Old Testament
. As Jesus has stated in the above verse, all of the moral laws from His Father have not been done away with at this time, and they will not all be done away with until we get our New Heaven and New Earth. And until that even happens, I believe God wants all of us to do our best to abide by them.
So if God the Father was not wanting His chosen people back in the Old Testament to be putting on any types of tattoos or cutting into any parts of their flesh, does this same command still apply to all of us in this day and age? I believe that it does, and these next three verses will tell us why.
3. The last three verses listed above are all telling us that our bodies have now become the temple of God’s Holy Spirit. Notice that God is specifically telling us that it is our human physical bodies that have now become the temple of His Holy Spirit.
Think of the ramifications of this statement – that since our human physical bodies are now literally carrying the Holy Spirit Himself on the inside of us once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, that God is now telling us that our physical bodies have now become the actual “temple” of His Holy Spirit.
Notice in the last verse that God is using the words “defiles the temple of God,” and that anyone who attempts to defile His holy temple will be destroyed.
God then ends this statement with talking about our physical bodies being the temple of His Holy Spirit. In other words, God does not want our temples, which are our physical bodies, to be defiled in any way, shape, and form. Is putting any kind of tattoo or body piercing on our physical bodies a form of defilement with the Lord? I believe that it may be.
Also consider this fact. The Jewish people did not have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of them back in the OT. Jesus had not yet come to die for all of our sins, so the Holy Spirit was not living on the inside of the Jewish people like He is now doing with all New Testament believers.
This means that the physical bodies of the Jewish people back in those days were not considered to be actual temples of the Lord since they did not have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of them.
So if God the Father 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 second last verse above 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.
Again, you will each have to get your own interpretation as to what all of these verses are trying to tell us.
Conclusion
As I said at the top of this article, each Christian will be responsible for getting their own direct answer from the Lord on this very controversial issue. I believe that when you put all 5 of the above Scripture verses together side by side, the answer might be in the correct interpretation of these verses.
Without question, the last three verses listed above are telling us that our physical bodies are now considered to be the temple of our living God since we now carry His Holy Spirit on the inside of us.
I believe that our physical bodies are now more sacred, more precious, and more special in the Lord’s eyes than the four physical walls of any church may be since God is now calling our bodies His actual temple.
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.
This is why I believe God made sure to put this specific command in His Word.
When God is using the words “any” tattoos and “any” kinds of cuttings in the flesh, He is not making any exceptions with this kind of activity. I personally believe that God is letting all of us know, loud and clear, that He does not want any of us marking up our bodies with these kinds of defilement.
As a side note, I will leave you with a personal testimony from a good close friend who went to God after she had got her navel pierced. When she first called me up to tell me what she had done, I told her about the above verses. However, I told her not to take my word or opinion about this. I told her to go direct to God the Father to get His direct opinion on the matter.
She did, and shortly thereafter God came through loud and clear for her. He told her that He did not approve of it and that He wanted it removed. The revelation she received back from Him was that He was looking at this piercing like a smudge mark or dirt mark on her physical body.
When she called me back up and told me what she had received, I received an immediate vision in my mind’s eye of a young 5 year old boy coming back into his parent’s house. He had just fallen into a mud hole and he had mud caked all of over his face.
I then saw the mother have an immediate and instinctive reaction to want to go and get a wash cloth to wash all of the mud off his face. Can you imagine a mother just sitting there letting her child have all of that mud remain on his face for the rest of the day?
I believe that God may be having the same kind of reaction to many of His own when they start putting tattoos and different kinds of body piercing on various parts of their bodies.
Again, this testimony is a personal and private testimony. You will each have to get your own witness on it, as well as getting your own interpretation on the above verses from our Bible.
I will leave you with one last challenge on this issue:
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 in your navel, tongue, eyelids, 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.
We have had quite a few people write in asking our opinion on this matter since this is still such a popular trend and fad in our society. For what it is worth, all of the above is our own personal opinion on this matter and the biblical reasons as to why we feel this way.
Related Articles
What Is The Difference Between The Old Testament and The New Testament
FAQs
What does it say in the Bible about tattoos and piercings? ›
The Bible warns against tattoos in Leviticus 19:28 (Amplified) which says, “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord.”
Where in the Bible does it say its OK to have tattoos? ›Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.”
Are piercings against the Bible? ›Some Christians who are against body piercing use the “Book of Leviticus” to support the view that body piercing is a sin, arguing that you “should never mark your body”. While others read the same Book and interpret the marking of the body as more figurative than literal.
What does a nose piercing symbolize in the Bible? ›Culturally, the piercings signified the social status of the individual and their right to access other ceremonies. For women, it displayed their ability to acquire a husband. For the husband, it displayed his ownership and right to his wife. For men, it presented the boy now as a man and his place is society with men.
What is the purpose of piercings? ›The reasons for piercing or not piercing are varied. Some people pierce for religious or spiritual reasons, while others pierce for self-expression, for aesthetic value, for sexual pleasure, to conform to their culture or to rebel against it.
What does the Bible say about rings? ›Although wedding bands aren't directly mentioned in the Bible, other types of rings are mentioned throughout many passages, particularly in Genesis. Abraham's servant gave Rebekah a nose ring to claim her as Isaac's bride (Genesis 24:22).
What does the Bible say about cremation? ›In 2 Kings 23:16-20, Josiah took the bones out of the tomb, burned them on the altar, and “defiled it.” However, nowhere in the Old Testament does the Bible command the deceased cannot be burned, nor are there any judgments attached to those that have been cremated.
What tattoos say about a person? ›The researchers in this study concluded that not only do those with tattoos have higher levels of need for uniqueness, sensation seeking, and thrill and adventure seeking, but they have lower levels of self-esteem, attend religious services less, and are generally much less educated than individuals who did not have ...
Is it a sin to drink alcohol? ›But the Bible goes further than admitting that drinking is simply allowed. Throughout Scripture, the production and consumption of beer and wine are often connected to the covenant promises of God. Under the old covenant, wine is a blessing (Deut 7:13; 11:14) and the absence of wine a curse (28:39, 51).
Where in the Bible was Jesus pierced? ›addition: ἄλλος δὲ λαβὼν λόγχην ἔνυξεν αὐτοῦ τὴν πλευρὰν καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ὕδωρ καὶ αἷμα. And someone else, taking a spear, pierced his side and there came out water and blood. ἀλλ᾽ εἷς τῶν στρατιωτῶν λόγχῃ αὐτοῦ τὴν πλευρὰν ἔνυξεν, καὶ ἐξῆλθεν εὐθὺς αἷμα καὶ ὕδωρ.
Is it against Christianity to get a tattoo? ›
Some Christians take issue with tattooing, upholding the Hebrew prohibition. The Hebrew prohibition is based on interpreting Leviticus 19:28—"Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you"—so as to prohibit tattoos.
Why do people get tattoos and piercings? ›Many people partake in them to express their personality or aesthetic. Previous research on tattooed and pierced individuals has linked them to having lower self-esteem and a higher need for uniqueness. Trauma survivors may turn to body modification as a way to overcome past experiences.
What biblical woman wore a nose ring? ›Genesis 24 tells how the adventures of our foremother Rebekah began with a nose ring. One evening, when Rebekah went to draw water from the well outside of Aram-Naharaim, she saw a stranger standing with ten thirsty-looking camels.
What does the Bible say about a wedding ring? ›The use of wedding ring is not commanded in the Bible, and there is no indication that it was ever practised in the New Testament. The use of finger ring in the Bible was as a symbol of authority.
What came out of Jesus when he was pierced? ›When they came to Jesus, He was already dead so they did not break His legs (John 19:33). Instead, the soldiers pierced His side (John 19:34) to assure that He was dead. In doing this, it is reported that “blood and water came out” (John 19:34), referring to the watery fluid surrounding the heart and lungs.
What is the symbolism of body piercing? ›4000 to 2000 B.C. Similar to tattooing, body piercing also has a long history, which includes being used as a symbol of royalty and courage. In some hunting and gathering societies, body piercing and tattoos have long been used in initiation rites and as symbols of socialization and enculturation.
What piercings symbolize? ›The definition of piercing is “the insertion of jewelry into various parts of one's body.” Historically, in may societies piercing has been considered a symbol of royalty and elitism or even virility and courage; some even believe that pierced ears can ward off the evil eye.
What is the most painful piercing for a woman? ›The clitoris is also quite sensitive and contains thousands of nerve endings. Even if you're pretty tolerant to pain, a clitoris piercing may hurt many times worse than any other piercing pain.
Are nose rings in the Bible? ›It (piercing the nostril) is mentioned in The Bible in Genesis 24:22 Abraham requested his oldest servant to find a wife for his son Isaac, the servant found Rebekah, and one of the gifts he gave her was a “golden earring” the original Hebrew word used was Shanf, which also translates as “nose-ring” (Morrison).
What are the 7 rings in the Bible? ›The 7 rings include: the engagement RING (the beginning), the wedding RING (the commitment), discoveRING (the real you), perseveRING (the work), restoRING (the fixing), prospeRING (the goal), and mentoRING (the payback).
What finger do Christians wear wedding ring? ›
But you might be wondering on what finger is the wedding ring worn? For example, Christians tend to wear the engagement ring on the left ring finger and the wedding band on the right, while Jewish wear the wedding ring on the left hand.
Do you reunite with your spouse in heaven? ›HAVING RELATIONSHIPS WITH SPOUSES, LOVED ONES IN HEAVEN
A. Yes to both. The reunion will take place, but not as husband and wife. We learn this in Jesus' explanation to the Sadducees: "When people rise from death, there will be no marriage.
The reunion of believing loved ones
When Paul writes to believers who grieve the loss of a loved one, he offers them this comfort: “We who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17, emphasis mine).
Of all world religions, Islam is probably the most strongly opposed to cremation. Unlike Judaism and Christianity, there is little diversity of opinion about it. Cremation is considered by Islam to be an unclean practice.
What does having a lot of tattoos say about you? ›According to a study 22% (of 540 individuals) possessed at least one tattoo. Further analyses showed that, compared with non-tattooed individuals, tattooed participants had significantly higher scores on extraversion, experience seeking, need for uniqueness, and held more positive attitudes toward tattoos.
What are the benefits of tattoos? ›- Benefits the Immune system. Research has proven that multiple tattoos boosts the immune system. ...
- Reduces Stress. ...
- Increases Self Esteem. ...
- Job Opportunities. ...
- Benefits In Athletics.
One of the most common psychological explanations for tattoos is that they are a form of risk-taking behavior. This theory suggests that people who get tattoos are more likely to be impulsive and thrill-seeking. They may also be more likely to take other risks, such as engaging in risky sexual behaviors or using drugs.
Can Christians be cremated? ›For most Christians today, the question of cremation is largely left to individual discretion. Many Christians choose cremation as an alternative to burial, while still retaining those aspects of their traditional funeral practices that allow them to honor the lives of their loved ones and glorify God.
Can Christians drink coffee? ›If that sounds a little religious, it's no coincidence. Coffee is an acceptable vice. Unlike alcohol, which many evangelicals either abstain from or approach warily, coffee has been enthusiastically embraced.
Is it a sin to drink a beer? ›They held that both the Bible and Christian tradition taught that alcohol is a gift from God that makes life more joyous, but that over-indulgence leading to drunkenness is sinful.
Who was the man who pierced Jesus? ›
Longinus (/lɒnˈdʒaɪnəs/) is the name given to the unnamed Roman soldier who pierced the side of Jesus with a lance; who in medieval and some modern Christian traditions is described as a convert to Christianity. His name first appeared in the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus.
What does blood and water symbolize? ›It invokes the Divine Mercy that is given to the humanity from the cross of Jesus. Blood and water from his side pierced by a spear (John 19:34) symbolizes the grace of sacraments: help and forgiveness (cf. Diary 299). This is also the meaning of the red and white ray in the Divine Mercy image.
What is the meaning of John 19 34? ›In this passage, the Lord makes known that it was Him incarnate who was crucified. This verse also offers a glimpse into the future, telling us that Christ will return in his second coming with his visible wounds. The whole world will see the firstborn over all creation who has been crucified and pierced.
What religion does not allow tattoos? ›Tattoos have been used for thousands of years as important tools in ritual and tradition. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have been hostile to the use of tattoos, but many religions, in particular Buddhism and Hinduism, make extensive use of them.
Why do females get tattoos? ›Nowadays, women view tattoos in a variety of different ways - for some, tattoos appeal to ideals about empowerment and taking control of ones femininity and body. For others, tattoos are worn as a badge of self expression, or to mark an important life event or change.
What does the Bible say about divorce? ›In the first, Matthew quotes Jesus as saying: “It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of porneia (sexual immorality), makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” (Matthew 5:31-32).
What do you call a person who does tattoos and piercings? ›Body art practitioners are those who perform tattoo, piercing, permanent cosmetics and branding on a person's skin.
What do you call a person who loves tattoos and piercings? ›Stigmatophile: a person who loves tattoos; piercings.
What is a tattoo and piercing called? ›Body art is art made on, with, or consisting of, the human body. The most common forms of body art are tattoos and body piercings.
What is Leviticus 19 18? ›ESV You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. NIV 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
What does Deuteronomy 28 say? ›
The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you.
What was Jesus's full name? ›Jesus' name in Hebrew was “Yeshua” which translates to English as Joshua.
Where did piercings originate from? ›The oldest mummy ever discovered in Egypt had ear piercings. Ancient African civilizations had customs of piercing lips and tongue. In fact, the earliest evidence of facial piercing was discovered in 2020 in the skeleton of a man who lived about 12,000 years ago.
What does Leviticus 18? ›"`Do not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. Do not have sexual relations with either her son's daughter or her daughter's daughter; they are her close relatives. That is wickedness. "`Do not take your wife's sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living.
What is Matthew 22 39? ›ESV And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. NIV And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. '
What is Romans 12 19? ›19 Dearly beloved, aavenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
What does 10 fold mean in the Bible? ›ten·fold ˈten-ˌfōld. -ˈfōld. : being 10 times as great or as many.
What does 30 fold mean in the Bible? ›" : to 30 times as much or as many : by 30 times. brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold Matthew 13:8 (Authorized Version)
What does the Bible say about women's clothing KJV? ›[5] The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
What were Jesus last name? ›We often refer to Jesus as Jesus Christ, and some people assume that Christ is Jesus's last name. But Christ is actually a title, not a last name. So if Christ isn't a last name, what was Jesus's last name? The answer is Jesus didn't have a formal last name or surname like we do today.
What language did Adam and Eve speak? ›
The Adamic language, according to Jewish tradition (as recorded in the midrashim) and some Christians, is the language spoken by Adam (and possibly Eve) in the Garden of Eden.
What is Jesus's actual birthday? ›In the New Testament there is no mention of Jesus' date of birth. Even the Encyclopaedia of Theology and the Church says: "The true birthday of Jesus is unknown". This is not surprising, because people at that time were completely unaware of the year and the day. To this day the true birthday of Jesus is still unclear.
Who was the first person to have a piercing? ›Ear piercing tradition is said to have started about 5000 years ago by the Europe's oldest mummy named Otzi, who was found on the border between Austria and Italy with her ears pierced.
What is the oldest piercing? ›The ear-lobe was probably man's first attempt at piercing, due to the ease at which it is pierced. The oldest mummified body to be found with pierced ears and expanded earlobes (7-11mm in diameter) was found frozen in an Austrian Glacier, and tests show it to be over 5,000 years old!