What does the Bible say about cutting yourself?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible does not present self-injury as God’s desire for his people, but calls those who are suffering to seek his help, care, and the support of others. Leviticus 19:28 and Deuteronomy 14:1-2 forbid pagan mourning practices that involved cutting the body, while 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 teaches that believers’ bodies belong to God and are to be honored. Scripture also speaks tenderly to those in deep pain: Psalm 34:18 says the Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and 1 Corinthians 10:13 promises his faithful help in temptation. Nothing, Romans 8:38-39 assures us, can separate Christ’s people from God’s love.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Leviticus 19:28 20 votes
“‘You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you. I am Yahweh.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19 14 votes
Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 10 votes
No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
- 1 Corinthians 6:20 8 votes
for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
- Deuteronomy 14:1-2 7 votes
You are the children of Yahweh your God. You shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead. For you are a holy people to Yahweh your God, and Yahweh has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples who are on the face of the earth.
- Psalms 34:18 6 votes
Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
- 1 Corinthians 13:7 3 votes
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
- 1 John 2:16 2 votes
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s.
- Romans 8:38-39 2 votes
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from God’s love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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