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This is a very important question. I often receive questions
from young people, wanting to know if it is okay to tattoo
and pierce their bodies, something that has recently gained
in popularity.
The purpose of this article is not to exhaustively deal
with every type of piercing and every tattoo. But, to set
forth the principles by which we can determine whether body
piercing and tattooing are authorized in God's word.
Old Testament
In Old Testament days (as a matter of historical background),
we know that the children of God had nose rings and
earrings (Gen. 24:47; Ex. 32:2; 35:22; Deut. 15:16-17).
We also know that tattooing their body was prohibited
(Lev. 19:28).
Today, we do not live under the Old Testament (e.g., Mosaic
Law) (Heb. 7:12-14), we live under the law of Christ (1
Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2). Therefore, we must go to the New Testament
(2 Tim. 3:16-17) and investigate the doctrine and law of
Christ (2 Jn. 1:9), to see whether it is lawful for us to
pierce and tattoo our bodies.
Bible Principles
There are four principles we can apply, when determining
whether body piercing and tattooing are lawful.
- We are to glorify God in our bodies
(1 Cor. 6:19-20).
- We must exalt Christ in our bodies (Phil. 1:20).
- Our outward appearance is to profess godliness
(2 Cor. 1:12; 1 Tim. 2:2, 10; 4:7-8; 6:11; 2 Tim.
3:12; 2 Pet. 3:11; cf. 1 Cor. 11:1ff).
- We are to only do things that
are honorable and respectable in the sight of all men
(Rom. 12:17; Phil. 4:8), obeying God in everything we
do (Acts 4:19; 5:29).
- We shouldn't engage in lustful
and licentious (sensual) behaviors (Rom. 6:12;
1 Jn. 2:16; 2 Cor. 12:20-21; Jude 1:4).
- "Lust" is a strong desire to sin.
- "Licentious" is unbridled lust -- excess, absence
of restraint, indecency, and wantonness. The Greek
is often translated sensual in the NASB.
- We shouldn't engage in questionable
behaviors (Rom. 14:23; 1 Th. 5:21-22).
- We must be absolutely positive that body piercing
and tattooing are lawful, before engaging in these
behaviors.
Body Piercing and Tattooing
Now, let's apply these four principles to determine whether
God authorizes us to pierce and tattoo our bodies.
- Discrete Body Piercings:
- Discrete body piercing, such as tasteful female
ear piercing, is considered in society to be a godly
adornment. The piercing itself is not associated with
evil. As long as the earrings do not represent or
communicate something sinful, pierced ears, and discrete
nose piercings in some cultures, profess godliness
and do not bring reproach upon God. Therefore, tastefully
pierced ears are authorized in God's word.
- Wanton Body Piercings:
- On the other hand, a broad section of society believes
that body piercings (other than discrete ear and nose
piercings) reflects a licentious and riotous lifestyle.
These piercings were popularized in the later part
of the 20th century by people in pop culture known
for sinful lifestyles. Because of the sinful connotations
associated with these piercings, this behavior is
questionable at best (Rom. 14:23; 1 Th. 5:21-22).
Therefore, God's children should abstain from these
piercings since:
- They do not glorify God (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
- They do not exalt Christ (Phil. 1:20).
- They do not profess godliness (1 Tim. 2:2,
10; 4:7-8; 6:11).
- They are not honorable and respectable in the
sight of men (Rom. 12:17; Phil. 4:8).
- Many are licentious, symbolic of a riotous
lifestyle (2 Cor. 12:20-21).
- Tattooing:
- Tattoos were popular in the early part of the 20th
century among military personnel, and others, commonly
reflecting a carousing lifestyle. Later, gang members,
rappers, and other celebrities began embracing tattooing
as a sign of a licentious lifestyle. Because of the
sinful connotations associated with tattooing, Christians
should also abstain from this behavior, which is questionable
at best (Rom. 14:23; 1 Th. 5:21-22).
- Cross Tattoos:
- Many young people have written me, believing that
tattoos are okay if they are crosses, because they
are emblematic of Christ.
- The cross tattoo has its roots in paganism, before
the time of Christ. It reflects the enemies of Christ,
rather than Christ Himself.
- Today, many cross tattoos are representative of
pagan religions, while others have been created to
represent Christ and His cross. The meaning behind
the cross tattoo is often skewed, unknown to anyone
but the wearer.
- At best, wearing a cross tattoos is a questionable
behavior that Christians should avoid (Rom. 14:23;
1 Th. 5:21-22). In the time I spent researching cross
tattoos, seeing some of the demonic ones and some
models advertising the tattoos, it's not something
that's profitable for God's children.
- What if I tattoo Scripture on
my body?
- Christians must abstain from every form of evil
(1 Th. 5:22). Therefore, we should abstain from all
forms of tattooing.
- For example:
- Hanging out at a bar is wrong, even if I put
a sign around my neck with a Scripture on it.
- Visiting a prostitution house is wrong, even
if I put a sign around my neck with a Scripture
on it.
- What if my tattoo is somewhere
people can't see?
- The tattoo was seen by the person who put it there,
and by everyone who knows the wearer very well. Most
of all, it's seen by the person who wears it on their
body. No matter where it is on the body and who sees
it, the message is the same.
- At best, wearing a hidden tattoo is a questionable
behavior that Christians should avoid (Rom. 14:23).
Fake (Pretend) Piercings and Tattoos
Fake piercings and tattoos, often associated with children,
are another issue. Near the end of the 20th century, these
toys were included in candy or bought very inexpensively.
They often reflect carton characters.
Temporary tattoos have grown in popularity and sophistication,
now being worn by adults. Whether a temporary tattoo is
lawful or unlawful, is determined by applying the principles
discussed above. For example, a temporary tattoo of a high
school team's mascot worn at a game on Friday evening and
removed before assembling with the saints on Sunday, professes
godliness. On the other hand, a temporary tattoo of a woman
in a bikini or a muscleman, does not profess godliness and
dishonors God because of the licentious message expressed
by the tattoo.
At Best, Body Piercing and Tattooing are Questionable
Behaviors
Someone may say that culture and society have changed, arguing
that body piercing and tattooing do not have the riotous
and rebellious connotations they had a few years ago. They
may argue that society's view toward body piercing and tattoos
has changed, just as society's view of women wearing pants
changed in the last century.
It is true that society changes and that styles (such
as women wearing pants) change. A hundred years from now,
the rebellious and licentious lifestyles associated with
the people popularizing body piercing and tattoos may no
longer be associated with these behaviors. But for now,
the message a person sends to others when tattooing and
piercing his body is a questionable message of godliness.
A pierced or tattooed body, still associates the person
with the licentious pop culture that continues to make these
behaviors popular in our society.
Therefore, body piercing (except for discreet piercings)
and tattooing are, at best, questionable behaviors. This
is evidenced in many ways, including the many questions
I've received from young people on this topic.
Since Christians are not permitted to engage in questionable
behaviors, and since body piercing (except for discreet
piercings) and tattooing are religiously questioned by many
in our society, we must conclude that body piercing and
tattooing should be avoided by Christians (Rom. 14:23; 1
Th. 5:21-22).
- They do not glorify God (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
- They do not exalt Christ (Phil. 1:20).
- They do not profess godliness (1 Tim. 2:2, 10; 4:7-8;
6:11).
- They are not honorable and respectable in the sight
of men (Rom. 12:17; Phil. 4:8).
- Many are licentious, symbolic of a riotous lifestyle
(2 Cor. 12:20-21).
Don't Do Something You'll Regret When You Grow Old
In this section, I want to give some practical advice (not
from God's word) to young people thinking about piercing
and tattooing their bodies.
- Disease often results from tattoos
and body piercing:
- Deadly blood-born diseases can results from tattooing
and body piercing (HIV that causes AIDS, hepatitis,
tetanus, tuberculosis, etc.).
- A study by Dr. Bob Haley and Dr. Paul Fischer found
that commercially acquired tattoos accounted for more
than twice as many hepatitis C infections as injection-drug
use. And people who get tattooed in a commercial tattoo
parlor were nine times more likely to get hepatitis
C, than someone who is not tattooed.
- Personally, I know a man who became a Christian
later in life after he was tattooed. Now he is very
sick with hepatitis. It's hard for him to enjoy life.
He's miserable; it's even impossible to work some
days.
- Tattoos:
- Talk to some elderly people who have had tattoos
since they were young. Carefully look at the tattoo
and notice that it is faded and does not look as good
as a new tattoo. Try to imagine a tattoo on you, when
you are old. How would it look when it's faded and
your skin is stretched and worn.
- Ask the elderly person, "If you were young again,
and you were thinking about getting a tattoo, would
you do it?" Many will tell you "No." Some will even
tell you that they wish their tattoo could be taken
off.
- Body Piercings:
- Body piercing is a rather new behavior in the developed
world, so I doubt you can talk to elderly people who
have had pierced body parts for fifty years. But,
you can look at pictures of people in third world
nations who have practiced body piercing for generations.
In the pictures, look at the old people's stretched
and worn skin and notice that the piercings are disfigured,
as a result of their skin becoming old and saggy.
Imagine what your pierced body would look like in
your elderly years, when your skin is stretched and
sagging from childbirth or loss of muscle tone. Ask
yourself, "How will I look with loose and sagging
body piercings when I'm eighty years old?"
- Body Piercings and Tattoos are
Permanent:
- Before making a permanent change to your body,
be sure it's something you want to live with forever.
- Look at pictures of your parents and grandparents
when they were your age. Their hair and clothes styles
were much different when they were young. How would
your parents feel if they had to wear the same styles
today, which they wore twenty or thirty years ago?
This is the way you may feel when body piercing and
tattooing go out of style. Much of the time, tattoos
and body piercings are permanent.
- Doctors Say Tattoo Removal Is
Becoming More Common:
- On November 30, 2003, a story by Michael Hill was
published by The Times-Enterprise in Thomasville,
Georgia. The title of this article is, Doctors Say
Tattoo Removal Is Becoming More Common. This article
reveals that more and more people who have tattoos,
are deciding to have them removed. Below are three
quotes from the article, which everyone should read
before getting a tattoo:
- At 23, Alexandra Baker figures it's time to
get rid of the spider on her ankle. The tattoo
was inked on in college -- one of seven on her
body. But Baker's outlook has changed somewhat.
The spider is something to hide rather than exhibit.
So it's coming off, along with two little fairies
on her chest. "I can't stand having them anymore,"
said Baker, who lives in New York's Hudson Valley.
"It's just not how I want to portray myself anymore."
(Times-Enterprise, 11-20-2003, Albany, NY, Associated
Press)
- "There are a number of people who did this
and have said 'Geez, this is not what I want.'
What seems really great at age 17 or 20 may not
seem so great at age 30," said Dr. Brian Kinney,
a Los Angeles plastic surgeon and spokesman for
the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
(Times-Enterprise, 11-20-2003, Albany, NY, Associated
Press)
- Professionals -- from artists who create tattoos
to doctors who remove them -- say the best strategy
is not to get ill-considered tattoos in the first
place. Their advice: Think. Will you enjoy having
your fraternity letters on your backside in a
decade? (Times-Enterprise, 11-20-2003, Albany,
NY, Associated Press)
- This article emphasizes that health care professions
are trying to develop new methods of tattoo removal.
But, we currently do not have a method that will totally
remove a tattoo. And, common methods of tattoo removal
are often painful and expensive.
Can I Be Saved, Even If I've Dishonored God in My Body
Lastly, we'll ask the question, "Can I be saved if I've
already pierced and tattooed my body in ways that dishonor
God?"
The answer is, "Yes." All have sinned and fallen short
of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). Everyone turning from sin
to God, must repent and obey Jesus (Lk. 13:3, 5; Heb. 5:9).
A person who has adorned his body with piercings or tattoos
dishonoring God, will undo (as much as is reasonably possible)
the piercings and tattoos which prevent him from glorifying
God in his body, especially those that are visible to others.
And they too, can be confident that they are saved from
their sins.
It's important that we forget what lies behind and reach
forward to what lies ahead, no matter the sins of our past
(Phil. 3:12-14). We must look to the future and glorify
God, with whatever days we have remaining upon the earth.
Whether you've sinned by dishonoring God with a tattooed
and pierced body, or something else. You can be saved by
obeying Jesus (Heb. 5:9).
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