Body Piercing?

Question

Is it all right to pierce our body when it is supposed to be the temple of the Holy Spirit?

Sick, Sick, Sick.

Answer 1

Leviticus 19:28
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD


Question: "What does the Bible say about tattoos / body piercings?"

Answer: 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 (Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:23-25; Ephesians 2:15), the fact that there was a command against tattoos should cause us to question. The New Testament does not say anything about whether a believer should or should not get a tattoo.

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 the particular activity for His own good purposes. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). The Bible does not 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.

Another issue to consider is modesty. The Bible instructs us to dress modestly (1 Timothy 2:9). One aspect of dressing modestly is making sure everything that should be covered by clothing is adequately covered. However, the essential meaning of modesty is not drawing attention to yourself. People who dress modestly dress in such a way that they do not draw attention to themselves. Tattoos and body piercings most definitely draw attention. In this sense, tattoos and body piercings are not modest.

An important Scriptural principle on issues that the Bible does not specifically address is that if there is room for doubt as to whether it pleases God, then it is best to not engage in that activity. "For whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Romans 14:23). 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, "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 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 it up" with tattoos or body piercings.

Answer 2

The bible talks about not making cuts in the flesh.
BEFORE...I was bornagain I had piercings, but felt convicted to remove and not get anymore.
The bible talks about becoming a new creature, that old things are no more , and to be different/set apart from the world.
How would it glorify God? seriously.
If it does not, then why do it?
But the question is not should you.....it is WHY DO YOU HAVE THE >>NEED< TO?
*Try working on being a strong/obedient witness for Jesus OUTWARDLY, AND NOT HAVE A GOAL TO GET BODY PIERCINGS ON YOUR BODY OUTWARDLY.
-Words of reason. -LIVE4TRUTH=]
*P.S..It usually doesnt stop at piercing. Next is tattoos. Then well, you name it. Take care.

Answer 3

Piercings and Tattoos are fine - Look at tribal groups who are much closer to God than most of us are. The body is simply a transportation device for our soul. It should be well maintained through diet and exercise if you want to remain in this particular body for longer but Its really up to you what you do with it. It's yours!

Answer 4

I have technically had 8 piercings (two, however, had to heal and were redone- I visibly have 6 piercings), and 2 tattoos (my first was covered by my second). I have intents on getting three or four more piercings at most, and two more tattoos.

However, before any judge unrighteously and without knowledge...

I am a devout Christian.

Why would I do this to myself, you might ask?

My first tattoo was before I was a Christian, and I have no desire to remember it.

My current tattoo is that of my husband's name, written upon a scroll, wrapped around a heart. It is my profession of marriage to him. Just as marriage is to last a lifetime, so too does this tattoo, which will always be with me (something my wedding ring can't quite seem to do anymore... need to lose a few more pounds first...) and will endure every change I might go through, just like our marriage does.

My first three sets of piercings were before I was a Christian (as mentioned, the first set needed to close and heal because I had torn out my right earring in the middle of the night, leaving my ear with quite a nasty gash that stuck around for a few months).

My 7th piercing was a helix piercing in my cartiliage. And here is why...
"If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him forever." - Exodus 21:4-6

God gave me everything I have. He gave me a wonderful husband, two perfect sons, and everything I own. Yet, for a while, I made some terrible mistakes, and backslid. But, when I repented, I remembered that verse. I got my ear pierced to remind me that I do not desire to be 'freed' from my Master.

I also have my tongue pierced, and it is for this reason :
"To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me." - Psalm 39:1

"For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body." - James 3:2-3

Part of my backsliding and my mistakes were due to the fact that I could not keep quiet when I should have, or speak up when I should have. And for this, my tongue is now bridled, so that I know that "God gave me a tongue for a reason... now use it righteously".

The piercings that I desire are for balance issues (as it feels strange to have an unbalanced amount of piercings, and I'm rather quirky with numbers [certain numbers inexplicably bother me, such as non-prime odd numbers that do not end in 3 or 5]), and the tattoos I want, one will be a constant reminder to me so that I do not sin (a cross amidst flames, and a scroll bearing the words "Fireproof" on it), and the other represents my personal interests in the study of prophecy (the Four Horsemen, done in a Giger-esque style to implicate the horror they will bring).

Now, hear one final passage :
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved." - 1 Co 10:31-33

I seek to offend no one by my piercings or my tattoos, yet I bear these for the glory of God. And to add to that, I also bear witness of Christ to those who are pierced and tattooed like me.

I am all things to all mankind, in the hopes that I might save some.

*Now* you are free to judge me if you will.

Answer 5

Lev. 19:28 No

Answer 6

Body adornment is not a sin, only mutilation. I don't think piercings or tattoos are mutilation, but chopping off a child's hand so they look better begging is. Prioritise

Answer 7

It's okay, really. i have both piercing and tattoo.
i love them. i don't feel like they are ugly since i myself decided to have them, why do i have to feel upset?
not just everyboy does it, but piercing if you have it at the right position, it doesn't seemd to be that turn off.
Look at girls, they do pierce both ears. Do you still feel like it's a major turn off for you?
let's say "oh man, she is so nice but i hate her piercing so i think i would have to find another girl who has none".

Answer 8

Lev 21:5 says ..nor make any cuttings in their flesh
also see Lev 19:28

Answer 9

I'm a Christian and have both ears and nose pierced!! God loves me however I look!! Would you prefer if I wore 3 inches of make up junk on my face instead?? Nasty!

Answer 10

Peircings are not ok at all....
Afterall why one would like to hurt himself for such an unattracting thing...
A totally turnoff for me....!
I am against tatoos also coz I am Muslim but sometimes I like some tatoos to be painted on my muscle car....