Can Christian get Piercings?
Piercings
Q: I am thinking of getting piercings. Not just 1 earlobe kind. Is there anything biblical I should consider?
A: There's a heart issue and lukewarm issue a "believer" needs to address if theyre actually considering piercings or tattoos.
Scriptures warn us about the cutting the flesh and marking the body. The command is “Do not cut your bodies for the dead, or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:28). It was common practice among the pagan nations surrounding Israel to cut, lance, or somehow scar the body “for the dead”; that is, cutting oneself was part of a pagan mourning ritual or possibly a superstitious rite to aid the spirits of the departed. We see this type of behavior in action in Elijah’s day, as Baal-worshipers “slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed” (1 Kings 18:28). It is safe to say that, if a certain body piercing hints at paganism or honors a false philosophy, then it is sinful.(1)
We need to realize the various pagan cultures in OT times are not the culture of followers of God, and also was never the Christian culture, nor in the West. So, Christians don't get tattoos, don't pierce their lip, nose, eyebrow, tongue, or multiple places on their face or body. Those things are what the pagan nations around the world do. Christians are not like the heathen. We are different, and set apart.
As believers, our identity is in Christ, “You died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3), not in a sub culture the pagans follow to have some sort of identity.
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” 1 Corinthians 6:19–20
2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
Colossians 3:9-10 - "since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."
Ephesians 4:24 - "to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness"
1 Peter 3:3-4 says, "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."
You also have to look at how such a rebellious thing would affect your witness and the overall Christianity witness. Your outward appearance will prevent people from being around you (elevators, buses, walking near you, etc) and... they would not stick around to hear you share the gospel. Most non Christians in the West, America and even immigrants would avoid you. They are non believers and even they know that's not modest and not what they'd expect of a Christian to look like.
Believers are not like nor of the World, though we walk in it (in the valley of the shadow of death).
1 John 2:15-17: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
John 15:19: "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world"
John 17:14-15: "I have given them your word, ... they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
John 17:16: "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world."
Psalm 23:4: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death... you are with me"
Also, looking and acting like pagans has far greater problematic long term issues. Piercings hinder your attempts to share the gospel. We are Christ’s ambassadors, delivering God’s message to the world (2 Corinthians 5:20). We must consider what will detract from representing Christ and sharing the gospel, and avoid it.
Freedom in Christ isnt freedom of self it is freedom to live rightly. Freedom to follow Christ.
Even where there is liberty we need to remember, "All things are lawful, but not all things are good" 1 Corinthians 10:23.
So the issue is more about a heart issue; pride and self-ishness, vanity, attention seeking, damaging the image bearer of God, that's the sin(s). And points to who are you following, Satan in the flesh or Christ in righteousness.
The Bible also says, "Don’t be concerned about the outward and of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with modesty, and the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." 1 Peter 3:3-4
1 Timothy 2:9
“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;”
1 Peter 3:3
“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;”
We’re to adorn our character, not our temporary flesh. We are to radiate Christ and righteousness in every area of our lives. The right path for a believer is to avoid piercings and tattoos, and instead present ourselves in conservative modesty.
If any man be in Christ He is a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17
We have this command in Scripture: “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility” (1 Peter 5:5).
We are to “honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:20). And remember we were bought with a price and no longer our own.
Beyond piercings, questions should be asked about scarification, branding, facial flesh tunnels, implants, split tongues, pointed ears, sharpened teeth, and other things promoted within pagan culture.(2)
Usually those looking to get piercings or tattoos already have other faith issues and need to die to self & conform to Christ, submitting to what is wholesome and clean.
With thst said...Pray about it, meditate on the Word, read the Scriptures daily, and submit to God. This way you will walk the narrow road and be blessed.
Related Topics
Should Christians get Tattoos?
Footnotes:
(1, 2) Gotquestions
