Tatooing and Body Piercing

By Frank Hammond

“You shall not make any cutting in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:28).

The context of this passage refers to the Israelites coming into the land of Canaan, and Moses was warning them not to take on the customs of the heathen people. They are not to “practice divination or sooth-saying”(v.26) or be involved in any idolatrous practices, among which are “cuttings in your flesh” and “tattoos”. Cutting the flesh was an unnatural disfigurement of the body common in times of mourning among people of the East.

The priests of Baal cut themselves “as was their custom” to seek favor from or propitiate their idolatrous god. (I Kings 18:28).

Tattooing and body piercing involve more than art. What is behind these activities? At the root there is always pagan idolatry and mysticism. So, these are spiritual activities that give opportunity for demonic infiltration.

Tattooing indicates allegiance to a deity. Soldiers and slaves were tattooed to show allegiance to their superiors and masters. Tattoos are symbols of servitude. (Compare piercing the ear as the mark of slavery: Exodus 21:5,6; Deuteronomy 15:17)

Interestingly, the Greek word for “mark” or “tattoo” is stigma, a common English word of the same spelling which means “to disgrace, defame or ruin one’s reputation”.

In the “1990’s the beginning of the fad of tattooing mushroomed. We see tattoos everywhere we look, and it is not just the young people, but the professionals, middle-class, middle-aged, celebrities, athletes, and you name it, are caught up in this fad.

Since our involvement in deliverance in the ‘60’s, we have known that tattoos and body piercing give place to the devil. We have ministered deliverance related to the pictures, symbols, desecration of the body and soul-ties involved with tattoos, and we have broken soul-ties and enslavement related to pierced ears.

William Sudduth, of Righteous Acts Ministries, has recently published a book, "What’s Behind the Ink? - Tattooing, Piercing and Other Fads", which we enthusiastically recommend, and from which, by permission, quote the following excerpts:

“A Harris Poll, done in 2003...estimates that 16% of all Americans, over 45 million people, now have one or more tattoos...36% of people age 25-39 have one or more tattoos. And 28% of Americans 30 to 39 have tattoos.”

‘‘Dr. Robert Raspa cited the following psychiatric conditions as associated with tattoos:

‘Impulsiveness, low self-esteem, lack of self-control, homosexual orientation, sexual sadomasochism, bondage, fetishism, bisexuality, lesbianism, antisocial personality, borderline personality disorder, schizo-typical personality disorder, mania and bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.’”

According to a study done by Timothy Roberts, a pediatrician at The University of Rochester Children’s Hospital:

“Today’s tattooed young people are nearly four times more likely to engage in sexual intercourse. They are also over two times more likely to experience alcohol related problems, use illegal drugs, express violent behavior, and drop out of high school.”

“Throughout history the cutting of the flesh, and blood-letting were rituals performed to unleash supernatural powers. There’s no doubt that cutting, piercing and tattooing are all connected to the satanic and demonic practices of blood-letting and magic... The magical and spiritual significance of cutting and piercing is the very reason for God’s prohibition in Leviticus against cutting the body and the letting of blood.”

“It is obvious from the history and current studies that piercing is a ‘not so subtle’ form of rebellion. It is rebellion against societal norms, against authority, and ultimately rebellion against God.”

“Tattooing and piercing are invasive procedures that can result in serious skin and blood infections. Dr. Bob Hale at the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, says that four million Americans are currently inflected with hepatitis C; and, it’s on the increase! Hepatitis C now kills over 10,000 people year in our nation. We found that commercially acquired tattoos counted for more than twice as many hepatitis C infections as injection-drug use. People who get tattooed in a commercial tattoo parlor were nine times more likely to get hepatitis C.”

“Interestingly enough the latest fad in tattoos is actually tattoo removal! Over 50% of everyone receiving a tattoo want it removed. A $25 tattoo might cost $5,000 to remove.”

“Before you let that ink ‘mark’ you for the reset of your life, think very carefully about the possible risks to your health. Also consider the spiritual and social consequences, namely, both tattoos and piercing could damage current or future relationships. This could include friends, spouses, parents, teachers, and employers. Certain jobs will never be available to people who have visible body art.”

“There is absolutely no such thing as a Christian tattoo. In fact the mere term ‘Christian tattoo’ is, at best, an oxymoron; namely, the widespread practice, acceptance and popularity of body modification which definitely says, ‘My body belongs to me, not to God!’

Yet Scripture tells us:

‘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 you body’” (I Corinthians 6:19,20 {NIV}).