What does the Bible say about tattoos / body piercings?

The Old Testament law commanded the Israelite’s, “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 raise some questions. The New Testament does not say anything about whether or not a believer should get a tattoo.

We do have this command in 1 Peter 3:3–4: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” Granted, this passage is directed at Christian women, but there is a principle here that may be apropos: namely, a person’s external appearance should not be the focus of our attention. Much effort goes into “elaborate hairstyles” and “fine clothes” and jewelry, but that’s not where a woman’s true beauty lies. In the same way, tattoos and body piercings are “outward adornment,” and we should be careful to give more effort to the development of the “inner self,” regardless of our gender.

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 that particular activity for His own good purposes. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). The New Testament does not specifically 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.

An important scriptural principle on issues the Bible does not specifically address is if there is room for doubt whether it pleases God, then it is best not to engage in that activity. Romans 14:23 reminds us that anything that does not come from faith is sin. 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: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 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 them up” with tattoos or body piercings.

http://www.divdel.com/blogs/2016/02/what-does-the-bible-say-about-tattoos-body-piercings/

L

Not under the law not. All even jesus direct the paralysed man "to go and do according to the law of moses" he also told the rich man asking if he follow the ten commandments not under the law was only the one moses give them himself

Hmmmmm

No believer is bound by the laws of Moses. Especially not gentiles like us. When the Israelites left Egypt, God gave them these laws to avoid contamination of his people by other tribes. It is funny how christians of nowadays will start picking specific laws from the OLD testament just to justify their ideologies. This is the same old testament that recommended killing of goats to wash sins away.
While the laws of the old testament are not completely irrelevant, we have to understand that we are bound by the NEW covenant.
Nigerians can be quite hypocritical when it comes to these thing. We don't question tribal marks, yet we question tattoos! What is the difference?
Also, another key issue dividing the body of christ is on whether females should wear trousers or not. What most ignorant people don't know is that TROUSERS were introduced, not primarily as male clothing, but to enable people RIDE HORSES. This made it subject to cultures over time. In most South-East Asian cultures, men wear skirts. Yet our Pastors here in Nigeria tell us that wearing trousers will take you to hell because it is "male clothing".
Back to the main issue, I won't recommend anyone getting a tattoo because of the stigmatization attached with body art. I'm also against males wearing ear-rings, not because I think its a sin, but because I know Jesus won't be happy with it.

My Psalm 23 prayer in Pidgin English for just u only :
1.The Lord na ur shepherd, u dey kampe.
2. E make u sidon for where better dey flow yanfu yanfu. And come put
u next tostream make ur body
thermocool.
3. E panel beat ur soul come spray am white, come dey lead u dey go
through express road of
righteousness because of Him name.
4. Walaii! If u waka pass where arm
robber, 419 and juju people boku,
come even join boko haram reach
valley of the shadow of death sef, liver no go fail u. Your rod and staff nko? Na so dem dey like backbone dey comfort u.
5. Him don arrange good fufu and Amala on top table make u chop. See
bad belle people dey look waa waa.
Him rub u for head with vaseline
intensive lotion. Ur cup come be
like River Niger dey troway dey go.
6. True true, better life and mercy go
dey follow u till u quench. And u go
tanda for God house... lai lai u no go
comot for wia better dey.
God Almighty, Na you biko! pls say AMEN

I begi no shaken. God dey your side gidigba dis YEAR

Jesus said he didn't come to abolish d law but to fulfill it. As at d time of the apostles, the only scriptures dey were having was d old testament and dat was wat dey always referred to. Even wen Jesus resisted the devil during the three temptations, all d scripture he quoted were from the book of deuteronomy which is part of the law so y should anyone say it isn't relevant today anymore. Jesus even said not even a jot or tittle of the law will go without fulfilment dis shows dat even d comma, dots and every character of the old testament(expecially d original text) were inspired.

Tattoo is the mark of the beast

Ok

what of our grand mother (they do write their name on their body) same process as tatoo.
though, I didn't support it

I don't even like tattoo...

I don't see whatever appeals to me as a sin. I like tattoos. Some are very beautiful. I'm looking forward to having my daughter's name tattooed on my chest.

Every Sunday na so so bible yarns go full frontpage
mtcheeeeeeeeeeeeew!

Tattoo is a no no for me.

mozonto:
Tattoo is the mark of the beast

You don't even know what a tattoo is.

Does it mean everyone with tribal marks are also condemned. ?
What of our grand mothers who write their names on their hands. ?

The old testament also encourages SLAVERY,POLYGAMY,BLOOD SACRIFICE,

God told moses to make an image of the serpent.

The old testament supported war.



This is not in support of tatoo tho

But a plea for us all to escape norms and be Objective for once.


Think outside the box


Are u building,
Check my profile to know about me.

I believe doing what is right before Jesus eyes...if i can't imagine Jesus doing tattoos then i can't do it...

It don't even look cool! People put that for demonic reason or they copy others! Our body is God's dwelling place, when it's stained, its no more!

Typing.....

Ok

I think God is more Interested in the heart of a man, than all those irrelevant things.

How many times una go ask dis question

Very ridiculous post!

Infact am going for my biggest tattoo first tin on monday

orobs93:
How many times una go ask dis question

my broda I taya, focusing on the minor things

It says something about that in the book of Leviticus
The Bible’s answer
The Bible mentions tattoos just once, at Leviticus 19:28, which says: “You must not put tattoo marking upon yourselves.” God gave this command to the nation of Israel, thus setting them apart from the neighboring peoples who marked their skin with the names or symbols of their gods. (Deuteronomy 14:2) While the Law given to Israel is not binding on Christians, the principle underpinning this law is worth serious consideration.

Should a Christian get a tattoo or body art?[b][/b]

The following Bible verses can help you to reason on the matter:

“Women should adorn themselves with . . . modesty.” (1 Timothy 2:9, New American Bible) That principle applies to both women and men. We should respect the feelings of others and not draw undue attention to ourselves.
Some want to establish their identity or independence, while others get a tattoo in order to assert ownership of their body. However, the Bible encourages Christians: “Present your bodies a sacrifice living, holy, acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason.” (Romans 12:1) Use your “power of reason” to analyze why you want a tattoo. If it is because you want to follow a fad or to show membership in a certain group, remember that your feelings may prove to be less permanent than the tattoo. Examining your motives can help you to make a wise decision.—Proverbs 4:7.
“The plans of the diligent one surely make for advantage, but everyone that is hasty surely heads for want.” (Proverbs 21:5) The decision to get a tattoo is often made in haste, yet it can have a long-term impact on relationships and employment. And tattoos can be costly and painful to remove. Research—as well as the booming business of tattoo removal—shows that a large number of those who get tattoos eventually wish that they hadn’t.
https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/bible-say-about-tattoos/

let me come back from church

Those who have tattoo are visa free passengers to lucifers abode

Happy Sunday

Some pastors outside of nigeria have tattoos

May God 4give the world amen