What does the Bible say about tattoos and piercings?
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The Bible does not give a universal ban on tattoos or piercings, but calls God’s people to honor him with their bodies, motives, and appearance. Leviticus 19:28 forbade Israel’s pagan mourning marks, warning against idolatrous customs rather than addressing every modern tattoo. Deuteronomy 14:1 similarly forbids self-cutting connected with grief and false worship. Christians should therefore ask whether a tattoo or piercing expresses reverence, modesty, and wise stewardship, or vanity, rebellion, sensuality, or identification with sin. Because believers belong to Christ and their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 calls them to glorify God in body and spirit. Whatever is done should be done for God’s glory, as 1 Corinthians 10:31 teaches.
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- 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 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.
- 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.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31
Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
- 1 Timothy 2:9
In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing;
- 1 Corinthians 6:19
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,
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