When we remember God some people do it in the form of body art. If our bodies are the temples of the Living God, does He approve of us damaging our bodies just to remember Him?

To give some perspective here... We are dust, and in several instances, it has been very clear that God cares less about our flesh than he does our spirit. While I wouldn't advise everyone to go out and get a tattoo or piercing. I believe that the answer to this would be that moderation is most important. We do much more damage to the "temple of God" with our minds than we could ever accomplish with a few tattoos or piercings.

It really depends what you have tattooed on yourself and why. If it is obscene or blasphemous, God's not going to be particularly delighted. However, if it were tasteful and not excessive he isn't bothered at all. The criterion is not Leviticus but the leading of the Holy Spirit.

In Hebrew Leviticus is called Torot Kohenim (Instructions of the Priests) and contains a lot of regulations pertinent to the time, often prohibiting harmful or idolatrous practices prevalent among the Gentiles surrounding Israel. Cutting oneself is something still done by 'self-harmers'. See the point?

If we were to prohibit all tattoos today in imagined obedience to Leviticus, we would also have abstain from cutting our hair and beards as commanded in the previous verses. Men would all have to be circumcised and it would be a sin to eat lentil soup made with a ham bone, or eat a prawn cocktail, because pig and prawn are unclean. And I hope all the ladies out there remember to burn their bedding and any cushions they might sit on during their period - and remember that anyone they touch at that time is also unclean. And garments of mixed fabrics are forbidden so polyester-cotton shirts will see you burn in hell.

There are 613 regulations in Torah which are entirely binding on all who adopt the Law of Moses. However, in Galatians 3:10-14 Paul insisted:

'For as many as are out of works of the Law, these are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the Book of the Law, to do them."

'But that no one is justified by the Law in the sight of God is clear, for, "The just shall live by faith." But the Law is not of faith; but, "The man who does these things shall live in them."

'Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone having been hanged on a tree"); so that the blessing of Abraham might be to the nations in Jesus Christ, and that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.'

In other words, if we want to shackle ourselves to the Mosaic law, Paul says, 'good luck to you, but you're bringing yourself under a curse that Jesus died to free you from'. The guiding factor throughout is mentioned in James 2:8 - 'If you fulfill the royal Law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well.'

Anything else is legalism.

Tatooing is never as much the issue as is the mindset one has when submitting to it. Obedience to His Will, is the ultimate sacrifice and form of expression. When Yahshua prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He Himself made His personal will known to Yahweh, but in the end, He stated the ultimate truth - Thy Will Be Done.

Until a person comes to the understanding that their body is the temple and it is perfect the way He made it, the way He wants it, the obedience factor is still missing, the part where they are submitting themselves NOT to the will of other people and ministers who simply dont approve, but to the Lord. Whatever the tatoo declares - simply being there, and justified, is a rebellion.

Once the rebellion is over and the true understanding reached, the tatoo can remain on the flesh - but the one with it will no longer justify it as a wise choice and they will not go on encouraging others to do likewise.

It is hard to be humble and admit our mistakes, especially when they are right out in the open for all to see.

I am not sure how God feels about piercings and tattoos. But the scripture does tell us that we are temples of the living God, and I would expect he wants it clean on the inside and decently covered on the outside. Someone else wrote about moderation and I think I would agree that moderation is important. God knows us and calls even those who wear tat art and piercings his. A person with a tat or a piercing might be able to reach someone that I never could. God is more interested in truth than in anything else. The truth is Jesus came to save us. What we do with that truth is what God is watching.

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... keep reading →

Do what you will. God experiences everything you do as if it was Himself. Get the tattoo...so he'll know what its like. You'll soon leave the little garment you call your body and eventually it will cease to exist completely. God and you live eternally after you leave your body behind...so go ahead and get the tattoo.

Our body is a part of, a part of the Universe. God is not an isolated image; the whole of Universe is nothing but God. A human body is a very small creature in the Universe. If a body is destroyed it remains in the Universe but in a different matter may not be with life but as a non living matter. Apparently it looks a body is destroyed but actually not if we believe in the theory of existence of God everywhere in the Universe. Thanks for sharing in the name of God.

No He Does Not Approve Of It, because our bodies or His temples; and when someone see us they should see someone who is CHRIST LIKE!!! I dont think you would see Jesus with body art, and all kind of other things on His body now would you?! We are supposed to be EXAMPLES to the world, not be like the world!!! And Richard you need some serious prayer saying all that and especially what you said towards the end! Saying things like that makes me to wonder if you even know who Jesus is???!!! Jesus is Holy, and so must we be! Not just in spirit but also in our actions, way of doing things, how we talk, how we dress, what we watch and listen to and also what we put in our body and on our body.

God bless

In ancient times and in modern people have adorned the house of God with artwork. If we are under grace then the body art is covered by said grace. If we are still under the law then we have more serious concerns than tattoos. Besides, I know a lot of devout, tattoo free, Christians who abuse their temples with the sin of gluttony and as a result are obese and unhealthy. Yet no one dares accuse them of being in violation of protecting and respecting the temple... When Paul spoke of the body being a temple of the living God I think it had to do more with what we do with it and how we treat than if we are drawing on it. This kind of thinking could get real legalistic real quick...And then who gets to decide what is wrong and what is acceptable. Not me...

God does not approve. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost, and we are to take care of our temples, both inside and out. God is a spirit, and he shuns all forms of worldly representations of Him, that includes not only tattoos, but art printed, engraved, or statues.

"Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord," Leviticus 19:28

The Lord God does not approve of us damaging our bodies and has given clear directive when it comes to preserving the body -- inside and out. With regard to tattoos, we are instructed in Leviticus 19:28, "Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD." Tattos are outwards signs of branding or ownership. The Lord marks us with the seal of his blessed Holy Spirit. Refer to 2 Corinthians 1:21-22: Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Also see Ephesians 1:13, which tells us, "you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession". God is the possessor our bodies when we surrender our spirits to His Spirit as we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. 1 Corintians 6:20 explains : 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; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body. Be sure not to brand yourself with tatttoos. If you do, you are advertising that you belong to someone other than God. If you have done so before accepting Jesus into your heart and life, repent and you will be forgiven.

I dont think God spends his day judging us on somethin so unimportant as body art. He know we are human and are going to make mistakes. Yes it speaks in the bible about the body being the temple. However it also says judge not,lest ye be judge. Meaning its not on anyone to determine someone's heart by the markings on their body. Some people get tattoos at a younger age before they have gained such spiritual growth. While others actually use crosses and scriptures on their body as a way of letting others know who and what they represent, but not necessarily to disrespect or harm their body. So its like this, at the end of the day God knows your heart and why you do what you do. The main concern is soul winning. You wont win a soul, worrying about body art

-Slim