A recent debate has got me researching. In our culture, it is a common practice to get piercings or tattoos. It is more and more socially acceptable, and if you go to a public pool, more often than not most people who seem to be over the age of 16 have some ink or a piercing that isn't just their ears whether it be lips, nose, or belly button. For believers this presents an issue: is it biblically acceptable to get a piercing or tattoo?
Leviticus 19:28 says "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord". Pretty straightforward. However, this is in the laws that were given to the Jews, which also including sacrificing animals, something no longer practiced today. In Matthew 5:17, Christ speaks about fulfilling the Law. We no longer have to follow all of these standards to reach righteousness. We have righteousness through the blood of Christ. I haven't found a verse in the New Testament that speaks purely against either piercings or tattoos. Some people choose to interpret the verses about our bodies being the temple of God means we shouldn't get them. This is an interpretation which is one of the beautiful things about the Bible. It is open to interpretation. I can look at a verse today and see one thing and go back a year from now and see something entirely different. Revelation 19:16 states that "He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KING AND LORD OF LORDS." Sounds to me like when Christ comes back, He'll have a tattoo Himself.
As I can see, there is no harm in getting a tattoo or a piercing. Other than the obvious possible future dislike and desire to lose a tattoo. This is my interpretation and I'm open to discussion.
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