Sometimes I am asked as a pastor what I think about tattoos and piercings. Of course right away I think about what Scripture says about any topic that comes my way. (Because what does my opinion matter anyway?) And all I can find is a reference in the Old Testament that God’s people were not to cut or tattoo themselves for their dead. (Lev 19:28) 'You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD. And I don’t think this has any relation to what we call modern-day tattooing or piercing because people usually make their mark for the living, not the dead.
Now let me think. Hmmm . . . Is there any other reference to tattooing or piercing in the Bible? Hey, wait a minute. Piercing. That’s right. Jesus was pierced on the cross for our sins. Where are the verses on that? I just found them. Here they are:
- (Psa 22:16) . . . They pierced My hands and My feet
- (Zec 12:10) "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.
- (John 19:34) But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
Tattooing? Closest I can get on that is: (Eph 1:13) . . . you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Truly the Lord made His mark on our lives when we turned to Christ and the Spirit came into our lives.
Piercing? We are the Lord’s bond slaves. (Exo 21:6) "then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever.
What do I think about tattoos and piercings? You’re asking the wrong person. Remember I used to be a hippie guy with long hair. Besides, I’m a grace-oriented person anyway. To me the issue is what’s on the inside (1 Sam 16:7). As long as we seek to glorify God in all we do then we know we can be led by the Lord in all decisions of life (Col 3:17).
Is your soul tattooed and pierced? Let God’s love make it’s mark on you forever!
Louie