What does the Bible say about self mutilation?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that our bodies belong to God and should not be deliberately harmed or treated with contempt, while offering tender comfort and help to those who are suffering. Leviticus 19:28 and Deuteronomy 14:1 forbid pagan mourning cuts, and 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 calls believers to honor God with their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. Scripture also recognizes the deep distress that can accompany self-harm: the Lord is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18-19), invites us to cast our anxieties on him (1 Peter 5:6-7), and provides a way to endure temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). In Christ, believers may seek prayerful support, wise care, and hope rather than facing pain alone.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
[19] Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own, [20] for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
- Leviticus 19:28
"'You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you. I am Yahweh.
- 1 Peter 5:7
casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
- 2 Timothy 1:7
For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
- Deuteronomy 14:1
You are the children of Yahweh your God: you shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.
- Psalms 34:18-19
[18] Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves those who have a crushed spirit. [19] Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But Yahweh delivers him out of them all.
- Proverbs 8:36
But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death."
- Philippians 3:2
Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
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 Peter 5:6-7
[6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; [7] casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
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