Tattoos and Body Piercing: Not can we, can we, but why would we?

As a Bible teacher at Ames Christian School, I have been asked by students to voice my opinion on the issue of tattoos and body piercing. At first, I was handling the question by discussing Christian liberty and talking about how it really comes down to the personal convictions of the heart. For me I would never get a tattoo or pierce my body, not even with Christian signs or slogans. However, this does not make me more saved than a Christian who does have these things. I have to finally confront my views Biblically and see if they measure up to God’s standard. I believe that they do.

The first scripture in my search for truth that I came across is this Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD.” This sounds pretty black and white, however, as good Bible students would point out to me, consider the context. This is a legalistic approach and will not hold up because we are under grace and not law. So the search continues.

As the discussion went on, a student brought up this verse, “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.’" (I Samuel 16:7) This student’s point was that God doesn’t care what is on the outside; therefore tattoos are okay as long as it is glorifying God. This sounded really good, but for some reason, I was not convinced.

As I thought more about this concept, this thought came to me. If the LORD looks on the heart and only the heart, then why would we desire to spend our money and energy defending a tattoo or body piercing that is merely an outward appearance. The outward appearance is the mode we use to please man. The heart is the mode we use to please God. I Thessalonians 2:4 says, “but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” We, as Christians, must concentrate our energy on our hearts, not our outside appearance. The writer of Proverbs puts it this way, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Prov. 4:23). If our hearts are being satisfied only in God, then we will not desire satisfaction from tattoos, body piercing or anything else this “world” promotes as satisfying. Remember, God is most concerned with our hearts.

Another view was presented in my class by students. If a person is sporting a Christian tattoo or Bible verse tattoos, could they not be a light to others around them. How many people do you know have been converted because of a tattoo on someone else’s arm? There might be a few because God is bigger than tattoos and can use anything. However, I do not believe this method to be the most effective method of evangelism. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus addresses what is an effective way to be a light; “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Christ says, so that they may see your “good works.” Christians do not need a specific marking on them to show the world that they are Christ’s. Our deeds should speak for themselves. The way we talk, act and choose to separate from sinful things speaks more about our allegiance to Christ than any tattoo or piercing ever will. A person who needs a tattoo to draw people’s attention (and even his or her own attention!!) to the One they have accepted in their life is acting out superficial Christianity.

This issue fits perfectly with what Paul said in I Corinthians 6:12; “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything.” Tattoos and body piercing may be lawful, but I know that they are not helpful and they do enslave people. No one has ever regretted not getting a tattoo or body piercing, but many have regretted it.

In closing, as a Christian when I see another Christian that has a tattoo or a body piercing, I do not hold that against them. I get to know their heart. As Christian young people read this article, my prayer is that they see that the issue is not a matter of can we have a tattoo or can we have a body piercing, but why would we waste our money and efforts on something that is merely an outward appearance. God will satisfy your heart, He is waiting to do it. Are you going to be willing to let Him?