Tattoos

• Why did people in ancient days get tattoos?

• What are some Biblical reasons why a Christian should not have tattoos or piercings?

• How would tattoos and piercings dishonour God?

Art is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious background of people. Among the various forms of art, the art of body painting has caught the fascination of the young generation in the west. Like several other things this too would soon make its way into our society.

Body painting had originated from tattoos. Tattoos were used by the ancient cultures from time immemorial. They used it for various reasons. It was part of superstitions and religious rituals for many cultures. For some it was identification of their tribe or group. It did not start as an artistic expression but a permanent mark of identification with some faith or practice. Tattoos were meant to be permanent.

When you are marking your body with a tattoo, because it is a voluntary act, you are identifying with something knowingly or unknowingly. If you are a Christian you have been identified with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.
“For surely you know that when we were baptized into union with Christ Jesus, we were baptized into union with his death. By our baptism, then, we were buried with him and shared his death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from death by the glorious power of the Father, so also we might live a new life” (Rom.6:3-4 GNT).
“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal.5:24 ESV).
The Holy Spirit has sealed you as a mark of His ownership over you.
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph.4:30 ESV).

Your body has been made the Temple of the living God and you cannot do whatever you want with your body, especially tattoo it to identify it with something else. Remember, once you do it, it is almost impossible to remove it or get your body back to the old condition.

Body piercing too was the mark of allegiance to some deity. People express their devotion to the deity by piercing their body with sharp objects. Some of these may be temporary piercings. In the West this is a symbol of rebellion.

In the Bible God commanded the people of Israel not to cut their bodies to make markings in memory of the departed.

“You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard. You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord”.
(Leviticus 19:27‭-‬28 ESV)

In the New Testament we are reminded that our bodies are the Temple of the living God and we should not do things that would dishonour God. We are also instructed not to follow the customs and practices of the world as we belong to the Lord.

“Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world….” (Rom.12:2 NLT)

If you are a Christian you should seriously consider these things before going for a tattoo or a body piercing. Most of these are permanent modifications mutilating the Temple of God and we are accountable for our neglect of God’s grace that redeemed us.

Fashion and the Christian

•Why do people go after the latest in fashion?

•Can you rate someone’s character by looking at his external appearance?

• Is it desirable for a Christian to follow the fashion trends of the world?

• How can we honour God with our body?

Fashion is about our appearance in society. To a great extent it is exhibitionism. People are so conscious about what others think about them. The modern society looks at those in unrevealing attire as outdated and uncool.

Today’s generation rates one’s social status by his dress and his possessions. Their lifestyle is their fashion statement. Designer wear, which was the choice of the rich some years ago, has become common among the middle class today. People are rated fashionable or not by the brand of their apparels and accessories. Seemingly, women with lesser clothing are considered to be more fashionable these days. Your fashion is rated by the number of holes on your jeans and where all those are positioned. It’s all a “show” business. The more you reveal the more fashionable you are in ‘high society’.

Clothing is for our comfort and convenience. It also has some bearing on the geographical, cultural and climatic conditions. Fashion in itself is not wrong if it is modest and within the limits of decency. But fashion pageants are off the limits since women are not meant to be objects of display.

Partying is an essential element in the modern lifestyle. Party is no party without drinking a bit and shaking a leg. However, there’s lot of vulgarity in the name of fashion today. Now people walk around in what used to be inner wear till a few years ago. They have colourful tattoos to exhibit. Those who are less beautiful get tattooed all over and dress scantly to display the art. Many Christians too follow the world in these matters. Unfortunately, some Christian parents, instead of correcting their children, take pride in them when they adopt this lifestyle. They bring their fashion to the church too and distract others seated around them. But when is it excess and where shall we draw the line? What is the Biblical view on these?

Christians are advised not to follow the world because they are a special people set apart by God for His purposes. A Christian should not follow the crowd but obey the Word of God.

“Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2 NLT)

“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Pet. 2:9 NLT)

A Christian’s body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit and it is his/her awesome responsibility to keep it holy.

“Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God
and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” (1Cor.3:16, 17 NLT)

“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honour God with your body.” (1Cor.6:19, 20 NLT)

Jesus redeemed us with his precious blood and purchased us to be his own. This means we are not our own anymore. He saved us with the specific purpose of displaying the goodness of our God to the world around. We are called to be the light in darkness. We must live to glorify our God. Both Apostles Paul and Peter instructed Christians to be modest in their lifestyle.

“And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.” (1Timothy 2:9-10 NLT)

“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewellery, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” (1Pet. 3:3-4 NLT)

Modesty is what should guide a Christian in these matters. It is better to avoid explicit displays that grab attention. If you are a Christian who is modest in your appearance and social behaviour, you are honouring God. Obedience without arguments pleases our God.