Body Piercing and Tattoos

Body piercing and tattooing are not new ideas. These practices go back thousands of years, even before the days of Leviticus 19:28. Likewise, in our own culture, piercing and tattooing have left their mark. However, until recently, the influence has never been considered positive. Instead, piercing and tattooing the body carried a negative stigma associated with rebellion or questionable character. In fact, seemingly innocent tattoos usually came with a story like, "One night me and my buddies were drunk and ..." Hence, in light of its growing popularity among Christian youth, should Christians view this as just another harmless fad? Or is it a symptom of something much deeper?

We can learn from the lessons of the Israelites. God repeatedly warned His people to "Be careful," and not follow the customs or ways of the pagans. Over and over again they did not heed these warnings given for their protection and preservation. Consequently, they were continually seduced and ensnared by their enemies, and "... went after the nations which surrounded them, concerning which the Lord had commanded them not to do like them." (2 Kings 17:15 NAS)

Biblical "principles" were not just relegated to history. They are also for the Church today. Nonetheless, according to Charles Spurgeon, the carnal mind does not understand the principles of separation from the world. Yet, he warns, "When the town is on fire, our house cannot be too far from the flames. When the plague sweeps the land, we too are in danger. The further one is from the viper ... and ... from worldly conformity the better." But, where are we living today? Are we keeping our families further from the fires of the culture, or are we living right on the edge?