Should Christian men pierce?

[::PreciousinChrist::]

Maybe I posted this question in the wrong place... and sorry if I did!

personally don't like the fact that Christian men pierce and have tattoos. For our body is " the temple of the Holy Spirit". This is so common these days, that sometimes I find it hard to distinguish between a true Christian and a non-Christian.

whats your view on this?

God Bless
Pre

 

[Turbopun]

Hey Pre,

Great question. I have a few verses that I believe lead some direction for this, but when it comes to a topic like this I believe we individually need to take the scripture to God to ask Him to help us interpret it.


(Leviticus 19:28 ESV)
Here it is clear that in the old covenant it was a sin to get a tattoo.

(Leviticus 19:27 ESV)
Yet one verse beforehand says basically to not trim your hair or beard, yet near all of Christian men do this today. That was the old covenant. A new and better covenant exists today through the blood of Jesus alone.

But back in (Leviticus 19:28 ESV), I would say that it is safe to say that making cuts in your body FOR the dead is a major issue.


(Romans 14:17 ESV)
Here Paul is stating that kingdom of God isn't about this food or that drink, but it is about the chief end of man being that of finding ultimate satisfaction in God alone.

(Matthew 15:11)
Jesus makes a profound statement of truth that its our heart that He is looking at.



So, taking all these verses I believe what the Bible says is that it's about our hearts, not art.

Or is it art? See that's what I think God is looking at. For one man a tattoo or a piercing may be because that man is worshiping himself and wanting to glorify his body over God.

For another man, He can find his full satisfaction in God alone and have a complete clear conscience about getting a tattoo or a piercing. I have known several Christians that love Jesus that have both.


For me, I have thought about getting a tattoo of a very special bible verse in a discreet place for not many people to see as a reminder of God's faithfulness. Why? Because I am so stubborn and get down on myself that for me it would be a reminder of how faithful He is regardless of how faithless I am.

That is me though and respect anyone's view that for them a tattoo or piercing would be wrong.


In Him,
Turbo

 

[Coconut]

Personally don't like the fact that Christian men pierce and have tattoos.

Personal likes and dislikes are not grounds for a child of God dictating what his brothers and sisters should, or should not do.

Paul asks: "Who are you to make yourself a judge of another man's servant? It is to his master [Father] that he is responsible for good or bad. Yes, his place will be safe, because the Lord is able to keep him from falling." Rom 14:4

This is so common these days, that sometimes I find it hard to distinguish between a true Christian and a non-Christian.

Its hard to distinguish a sinful man from those who do not sin too, if one is judging by appearance. It could be said of of those sitting in prison, that they do not "look" like a murderer.

John 7:24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment."


Mat 7:16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Mat 7:17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.
Mat 7:18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

 

[::PreciousinChrist::]

True to both Turbo and Coconut.
This is question may apply to many, and not only to myself.

But I think that its very important to "Present your bodies to the Lord" as a living sacrifice ( Romans 12:1-2) and really set a good example as disciples of Jesus Christ to those who do not know Him. We are not of this world, we are citizens of Heaven.

We should not do things which the world does just to "fit in" but be Holy and it has to be their choice to decide whether to follow Jesus, through us setting an example.
Our "body is the temple of the Holy Spirit" ( 1 Cor 6:19-20)

God Bless!!

Pre

 

[Coconut]

Lets take a closer look at what Paul said...

Rom 12:1 For this reason I make request to you, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you will give your bodies as a living offering, holy, pleasing to God, which is the worship it is right for you to give him. Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God---what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.

Joh 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

This truth is repeated by James in this passage:

Jas 1:27 What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion [ceremonial observances]is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world.

If you continue to read the Romans letter you quoted from, you will find what "presenting your bodies as a living sacrifice" and "worshiping in Spirit and truth" entails ...note there is not even the slightest reference here to "appearance"


Rom 12:9 Let love be without deceit. Be haters of what is evil; keep your minds fixed on what is good.
Rom 12:10 Be kind to one another with a brother's love, putting others before yourselves in honour;
Rom 12:11 Be not slow in your work, but be quick in spirit, as the Lord's servants;
Rom 12:12 Being glad in hope, quiet in trouble, at all times given to prayer,
Rom 12:13 Giving to the needs of the saints, ready to take people into your houses.
Rom 12:14 Give blessing and not curses to those who are cruel to you.
Rom 12:15 Take part in the joy of those who are glad, and in the grief of those who are sorrowing.
Rom 12:16 Be in harmony with one another. Do not have a high opinion of yourselves, but be in agreement with common people. Do not give yourselves an air of wisdom.
Rom 12:17 Do not give evil for evil to any man. Let all your business be well ordered in the eyes of all men.
Rom 12:18 As far as it is possible for you be at peace with all men.
Rom 12:19 Do not give punishment for wrongs done to you, dear brothers, but give way to the wrath of God; for it is said in the holy Writings, Punishment is mine, I will give reward, says the Lord.
Rom 12:20 But if one who has hate for you is in need of food or of drink, give it to him, for in so doing you will put coals of fire on his head.
Rom 12:21 Do not let evil overcome you, but overcome evil by good.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

One of the detestable practices of the pagan Canaanites that were to be defeated was the tattooing of their bodies with images portraying their gods. God forbade the Israelites getting tattoes (Lev 19:28) because of the danger of them being lured into pagan beliefs.

SLE

 

[Coconut]

Gal 4:28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.
Gal 4:29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
Gal 4:30 But what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman."
Gal 4:31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
Gal 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

 

[peeps]

Hi =)

I havent read all the other answers . . .usually I get influenced not to post my thoughts afterwards on polls like this . . .

However. . .I think the question could be for all of us:

"Should Christians pierce?"

I dont have any either one . . .but I know of a lot of friens and even in my family who have one or the other . . .

Question back:

What if you had it before you became a christian and understood that your body is the temple of Jesus Holy Spirit?

Its part of your past and if you erase it or leave it . . .it belongs to your past and I think you have to accept that!

What is beautiful to God in my eyes?

Defenetly not the outside of our body . . .the inside counts . . .our open, teachable hearts to Him and our love to Jesus

I think that christians who get tattos and piercings probably havent heard, thought about or realized the temple thing . . .
Friends and Family of that person can pray for Gods Spirit to teach and touch that special someone in that area . . .We cant if they dont wanna!

so far so good . . .lots of lovely greetings from overseas

 

[oilfrommybeard]

Christ die so that we can be emancipated for the threat of sin. So, being as though piercings are a indicator that you are a permanent slave to whom ever masters you, you negate the invokes of the cross. hencefore piercings have no place in a society of free men.