Does God Approve of Damaging Your Body to Honor Him?
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What does the Bible Say?
Many people love body art and perhaps believe that this is a means for them to glorify God. While I understand the feeling, emotion, and sincerity in these beliefs it is important for everyone to make an honest attempt to discover how God feels about this or any other practice we may wish to adopt. It is true that as Christians we do not follow all the religious laws of the Old Testament, we do agree that most of the laws we practice today stem from the old judaical laws of the Old Testament.
Christians must seek out relevant Bible passages and evaluate honestly how they apply to our lives today. Leviticus clearly instructs people not to cut themselves as the tradition of that day was when someone died, or to place marks on the body. This does not mean that a person with tattoos cannot be saved. It means that there must be sincere repentance.
A more relevant question arises about the body. I was taught as a child that cigarrette smoking was a sin because it was harmful to the body. I do believe that smoking is harmful to the body but it is not the only practice that is harmful to the body. Obesity is rampant in the United States and most obese people probably call themselves Christians. I wonder how many of these obese people would believe that their condition is sinful?
Obesity is directly implicated in heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and many other diseases that are over burdening our health care system and causing costs to skyrocket out of control. This is a taboo topic and as a Christian I have never until recently heard any minister even approach this topic.
The fact is that anything that is harmful to the body or damages the body or is directly opposite to God's commandments should be carefully reviewed and steps should be taken to change or repent. Thank God we no longer live under the law that would leave many of us without recourse and no forgiveness. Jesus brought in the age of Grace and Mercy, but everything hinges on repentance and change. See the following scripture references.
To obey is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22)
Leviticus 19:28 " 'Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD. NIV
I Corinthians 6: 19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. NIV
Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. KJV
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Comments
Thank you.
Does God Approve of Damaging Your Body to Honor Him
I enjoyed reading your hub. It was very informative. I will come back to read more of your other hubs.
very interesting hub nice idea
great hub, I like the balance and lack of legalism here!... you are a benefit to christianity... truth is truth.. and we should hold tightly to it!
I think using the Levitical text as an argument against tattooes is somewhat ridiculous. Take it in context and you'll see that if we follow this levitical law, we should follow it all (and I'm guessing that means you never cut your beard).
And when it is referring to the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, this is in context of sexual sins.
Thank you for your comment. I understand that as Christians we today do not follow Levitical text. I am also aware that the reference you rightly point out is a reference to sexual sins. However, it would be equally ridiculous to pretend that the over all theme of the Bible does not reflect the view that God expects us to honor and refrain from damaging our bodies. This article was specifically written to broaden the scope of damaging the body because I believe that it would be ridiculous to focus on any one means of harming the body. (tattoos, piercing) We are obligated to make our best effort to protect our bodies. Blessings!
Good job. I think you gave people food for thought on both sides of the issue.
Thank you. I am trying to remain objective!
GREAT HUB!!! This Hub is a reminder that we should honor our body unto the Lord. Yes there is sinful things that people have done to their bodies, tatoo's, overeating, drugs, alcohol, prescription drugs, smoking, I can go on and on! The important thing is that you ask for forgiveness, repent, and sin no more. Only God knows your heart and you don't have to be ashame of the past nor present mistakes that you made in your life! If your truly
a believer in Christ you will change. God will meet you where yiu are. Blessings
Thank you drpastorcarlotta, you picked up the most important point of this hub; which is that God will meet you wherever you are at this moment in time! God loves everyone and is willing to forgive if you (all of us) are willing to repent!
Jesus_saves_us_7 says:
8 months ago
Powerful hub! I totally agree.