Christian Article from Barbara Kasey Smith’s Corner of the World
In today’s society there are many women and men getting tattoos and body piercings; and I’ve heard people ask, “Is it a sin to pierce the body and/or tattoo it?” I’ve done some research as to what the Holy Bible, King James Version, Old and New Testaments have to say about it and I’ve tried to provide as a clear answer as I can for people.
In the King James Version of the Holy Bible and in the Old Testament and in Leviticus 19:28, it tells people, “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord. Christians are not living under the Old Testament but if there was a command against tattoos in it; in my opinion, I would do some Bible research and soul searching before tattooing or piercing the body because once it is done, it’s difficult to undo in many instances. The New Testament has no mention about whether or not a Christian should get a tattoo or piercing.
In the New Testament and in 1 Peter 3:3-4, it tells people, “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”
Yes, this passage is directed at Christian women, but there’s a principle contained herein that could be apropos: other people should not look at a person’s external appearance but focus on the inner beauty of a person’s heart, soul, and their other Christian actions because there’s where the “real” beauty lies within the inner self of the person. Body piercings and tattoos are strictly outward adornments and people should judge by the inner beauty of a person and not from their fancy hairstyles, clothes and jewelry, and other adornments they adorn.
The New Testament does not make mention against tattoos or body piercings and it does not give people a reason to believe God would have us get tattoos and body piercings; and in my opinion, I would pray in good faith asking God to bless it for a “good purpose” to be in some way attributed for the Glory of God before I would ever do it, read 1 Corinthians 10:31. People should ask themselves, if in doubt, “Is this going to be pleasing to God;” and if it is not, they may elect “not” to engage in having the piercings and tattoos to adorn their bodies? It tells people in the New Testament and in Romans 14:23, “And he that doubts is damned if he eats, because he eats not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
People should first remember that our bodies and souls were redeemed and belongs to God. In the New Testament and in 1 Corinthians 6:19-30, it tells people, “What? Know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
In my opinion, people should honor God with their body and spirit; and before taking any actions to cut or tattoo their body, they should seek God’s “permission” to do so. Christian people walk a fine line and it’s necessary to allow God’s word to guide them and to seek Him earnestly and in good faith.
Barbara Kasey Smith is the writer of this article and it is based on the Holy Bible, KJV, New and Old Testament and it is Barbara’s own interpretation and opinion pertaining to this subject.