Tattoos and Piercings, a Christian thing?
More and more we see people sporting tattoos and piercings, including Christians, but what does Scripture say about this and what is God's view to this popular trend?
The only mention in the Bible that could be related to tattoos says:
Lev 19:28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
There are many arguments regarding this, such as it being and Old Testament law, therefore not relevant and so on, so what can we say about this and what is God's point of view?
Really, the only answer I can give comes from personal experience. My own stand is not to mark my flesh by way of tattoo or piercing because I want Christ in my heart to define me, not some markings on my flesh. When I got saved at the age of 25 (2 weeks before my 26th birthday), I had two big ugly earrings in my left ear, one a ring that was approx 2" (5cm) in diameter and the other a dagger that was about the same size. The first thing I did when Jesus came into my life was to remove them because I felt strongly that that is what the Lord wanted of me. It's a decision that I still feel good about, not wanting to defile my body in any way as it belongs to Him.
Another experience that I had was an interesting one. I saw a young man in church and the Lord showed me clearly that it was on this young man's heart to get tattoos and piercings. The Lord also told me to speak to him, saying something to the effect that he should not get tattoos or piercings because he belonged to the Lord, and the Lord in his heart, worked out through his life should define him, not tattoos or piercings. The young man's jaw dropped as he looked at me in astonishment and asked "How did you know I was going to get them done?" He was obedient to the Lord's direction and refrained from going down that path.
Surely you could argue, a tattoo of a cross or Scripture would be a good thing and a testimony to our faith, but a tattoo or piercing defines you. It's something that you take on as an identity and molds your character, whereas it should be Jesus in your life that defines you, and displayed in the way of (Gal 5:22) the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
At the end of the day, no-one except Jesus can really tell you what to do. If you're not sure, just ask Him. He said "My sheep know my voice", so if you are one of His, expect an answer. Sometimes the answer comes in the way of a feeling, discerning right from wrong as led by the Holy Spirit.
You could also ask yourself "Why do I want a tattoo?" I tend to think that if one is honest with oneself, the reason is more to do with satisfying the flesh rather than being pleasing to God.
The only mention in the Bible that could be related to tattoos says:
Lev 19:28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
There are many arguments regarding this, such as it being and Old Testament law, therefore not relevant and so on, so what can we say about this and what is God's point of view?
Really, the only answer I can give comes from personal experience. My own stand is not to mark my flesh by way of tattoo or piercing because I want Christ in my heart to define me, not some markings on my flesh. When I got saved at the age of 25 (2 weeks before my 26th birthday), I had two big ugly earrings in my left ear, one a ring that was approx 2" (5cm) in diameter and the other a dagger that was about the same size. The first thing I did when Jesus came into my life was to remove them because I felt strongly that that is what the Lord wanted of me. It's a decision that I still feel good about, not wanting to defile my body in any way as it belongs to Him.
Another experience that I had was an interesting one. I saw a young man in church and the Lord showed me clearly that it was on this young man's heart to get tattoos and piercings. The Lord also told me to speak to him, saying something to the effect that he should not get tattoos or piercings because he belonged to the Lord, and the Lord in his heart, worked out through his life should define him, not tattoos or piercings. The young man's jaw dropped as he looked at me in astonishment and asked "How did you know I was going to get them done?" He was obedient to the Lord's direction and refrained from going down that path.
Surely you could argue, a tattoo of a cross or Scripture would be a good thing and a testimony to our faith, but a tattoo or piercing defines you. It's something that you take on as an identity and molds your character, whereas it should be Jesus in your life that defines you, and displayed in the way of (Gal 5:22) the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
At the end of the day, no-one except Jesus can really tell you what to do. If you're not sure, just ask Him. He said "My sheep know my voice", so if you are one of His, expect an answer. Sometimes the answer comes in the way of a feeling, discerning right from wrong as led by the Holy Spirit.
You could also ask yourself "Why do I want a tattoo?" I tend to think that if one is honest with oneself, the reason is more to do with satisfying the flesh rather than being pleasing to God.