"Body piercing" is defined as "the piercing of a part of the body, as the navel, in order to insert an ornamental ring or stud" (Dictionary.com). People from all kinds of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds are choosing to have body piercing. One source estimated between 17-51% of the country's population has body piercings, and that most of those who choose body piercing are between the ages of 18 and 24.1 Piercings can be on faces, ears, necks, arms, torsos, navels, and genitals.

There is one Old Testament passage that approves of a certain type of piercing. After six years, a Hebrew servant (slave) was to go free, "But if the servant plainly says, 'I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,' then his master shall bring him to the judges....and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever" (Ex. 21:5-6). Again, the question is does this Old Testament passage authorize body piercing today?

Determined by Biblical Principles

Most concerned people want a simple answer to the question, "Are tattoos and body piercing right or wrong?" While it is easy to say the words "right" or "wrong," Biblically supporting the answer is not a "one size fits all." Obviously, all tattoos are not inherently sinful. For example, men who are treated with radiation for prostate cancer will often have tattoos in their groin area that serve as permanent "targets" for radiation beams. Are those tattoos sinful? One might say, "I agree, but that's not the same as a skull and cross bones tattooed on a person's shoulder." That is correct, but does this not show that there is more involved than simply putting color pigments under the skin? Likewise, all body piercing is not inherently sinful. For years women have had pierced ears, yet we do not consider them in sin because of it. One might say, "I agree, but that's not the same as having stainless steel studs riveted through one's eyebrows." That's right, and again this shows that there is more involved than simply breaking the skin in order to insert an ornamental ring or stud.

We must know the difference between something inherently sinful (always wrong at all times) versus something instrumentally sinful (wrong because of its use)! The eating of meats exemplifies this distinction. There is nothing inherently sinful with eating meats, even if they were used in sacrifice to idols, but if eating meat causes a brother to sin, then eating meat becomes instrumentally sinful (1 Cor. 8:1-13). We have already demonstrated that tattoos and body piercings are not inherently sinful, but what about instrumentally?

First, consider that Christians are to take care of their physical bodies and glorify God in them. While discussing fornication, Paul says, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Cor. 6:19-20). The point is that as surely as it would be unthinkable for Jews to commit fornication in the temple-the very presence of God-so it should be unthinkable for Christians to commit fornication in their bodies, which are a temple of God, the Holy Spirit! Consider the application to tattoos and body piercings. How does a tattoo or a pierced tongue glorify God?

Second, consider that Christians are to be a good influence: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Mt. 5:16). With what kind of crowd do most people place those with tattoos and body piercings? While it is true that more "respectable" people are getting tattoos and body piercings, still, the crowds with which tattooed and body pierced people are usually most associated are the rebellious and/or the "thug" type of crowd. Which would be more likely: a Christian's influence being hurt because he does not have tattoos or body piercings or a Christian's influence being hurt because he does have tattoos and body piercings? One might ask, "What if the tattoo or body piercing is where others cannot see it, such as 'where the sun doesn't shine'?" In these cases, more so than the others, it would be a matter between that person and God (and one's spouse, if applicable cf. 1 Cor. 7:3-4). However, even in those situations, what would glorify God most, tattooed or untattooed?

Why would Christians even think about getting a tattoo or a gaudy body piercing? May we always remember the words of Paul, "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Rom. 12:2). Let us seriously ask ourselves, "What purpose would a tattoo or piercing serve in glorifying God?"