My mission in this life is reaching the lost and edifying the body of Christ. My gifts are preaching and teaching the word of God. My goal in everything I do is that you hear God in my words and you see God in my actions. I am not perfect but I am being perfected as God has called me to pick up my cross and follow after Him. I pray this blog will challenge you for the cause of Christ.
In regards to jewelry and body art, it is something that this generation has been around and seen all their life. After all the media completely embraces these types of things and regularly celebrates them by way of reality shows, billboards, businesses on every corner and even in the local shopping mall. Therefore, the sensationalism and outrageousness of getting an ear, earlobe, belly button, tongue, eyebrow, or even your nose or lip piercing really doesn’t blow the doors off the barn anymore. Likewise body art has become mainstream and welcomed as an expression as ones beliefs, loves, fetishes and at times a sign of honor for those one has lost. On the surface it seems to be very subtle and innocent.
I want to address the reason for such displays. There is so much to be said as to what we adorn ourselves with. Everyone will have an opinion as to the actual type of piercing or the actual image we tattoo on our body. There is a story behind every such display. That story can be the most telling about what a person believes. Some folks make decisions to adorn themselves with body art and jewelry as a sign of “rebellion”, or to mark a “rite of passage”, Some do it in memory of a special loved one or a love lost. Again, each display has a story associated with it; the question really is what is that story telling the viewer?
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. I believe that as followers of Jesus we are called to a higher standard. We are called to “be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). I believe these are for all “believers” just as THE GREAT COMMISSION: Matthew 28:16-20 “16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
I could speak to whether or not jewelry and body art displays are “good and perfect” or if they are “permissible”; but if I did I would have to talk about “causing our brothers and sisters to stumble” (1Cor 8:13, 1Cor 8:9, Rom 14:13 etc.) ,“modesty” (1Tim 2:9) and “the body is a temple” (1Cor 6:19). I want to look at the reason behind “WHY” believers make this decision to adorn themselves with piercings and body art? I wonder how many would say: “I decide to get this tattoo at a time in my life when I was walking closely with God” or “This piercing in my belly button was because God spoke to me telling me that this would honor him”. If we are being honest, I think most of these types of things are attributed to someone else having a piercing or some body art and we admire that person and want to emulate that in our life. BUT likewise, God has created us in His image and we, as followers of Christ, are to emulate Him. Glorify God, not man, but God!
The heart of this issue is not some piece of metal stuck somewhere or even some ink splattered somewhere either. The heart of the matter is who are we are glorifying? Who are we directing people to? Who are we asking people to follow? Are we conforming to the world or are we conforming the world? Does the testimony of our witness (our actions) speak of the greatness of our savior?
You see the reason these things are not outrageous or sensationalized anymore is because the “world” has been influencing the “believer” instead of the “believer” influencing the “world”. This is a move right out of the devils play book. He has been doing this since the days in the garden. Sprinkle a little lies on the truth and they will swallow it. So let’s review the past… divorce, cheating on your spouse, teen pregnancy, pregnancy out of wedlock, homosexuality, same sex marriage, same sex parenting and adoption, lying, theft or steeling, the lengths of skirts, shorts and dresses, the size of bikinis, drinking alcohol, coveting respect for parents, placing others before yourself, having many god, have all become the norm through our cultural conversion. Believers everywhere you need to know… tolerance does not mean acceptance. Tolerance does not mean you give up your beliefs and adopt someone else’s. Tolerance is merely a permissive attitude toward those beliefs, opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality etc. differ from your own. Tolerance does not require the one being asked to tolerate to an action of acceptance and practice of the topic at hand. As a believer and follower of Christ, we have the victory over such conformity that is propagated in worldly desires because we are empowered by the Holy Spirit.
After all God has called us to be the salt of the earth: Salt and Light a City on a Hill for all to see… His Glory!
Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
In regards to jewelry and body art, it is something that this generation has been around and seen all their life. After all the media completely embraces these types of things and regularly celebrates them by way of reality shows, billboards, businesses on every corner and even in the local shopping mall. Therefore, the sensationalism and outrageousness of getting an ear, earlobe, belly button, tongue, eyebrow, or even your nose or lip piercing really doesn’t blow the doors off the barn anymore. Likewise body art has become mainstream and welcomed as an expression as ones beliefs, loves, fetishes and at times a sign of honor for those one has lost. On the surface it seems to be very subtle and innocent.
I want to address the reason for such displays. There is so much to be said as to what we adorn ourselves with. Everyone will have an opinion as to the actual type of piercing or the actual image we tattoo on our body. There is a story behind every such display. That story can be the most telling about what a person believes. Some folks make decisions to adorn themselves with body art and jewelry as a sign of “rebellion”, or to mark a “rite of passage”, Some do it in memory of a special loved one or a love lost. Again, each display has a story associated with it; the question really is what is that story telling the viewer?
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. I believe that as followers of Jesus we are called to a higher standard. We are called to “be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). I believe these are for all “believers” just as THE GREAT COMMISSION: Matthew 28:16-20 “16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
I could speak to whether or not jewelry and body art displays are “good and perfect” or if they are “permissible”; but if I did I would have to talk about “causing our brothers and sisters to stumble” (1Cor 8:13, 1Cor 8:9, Rom 14:13 etc.) ,“modesty” (1Tim 2:9) and “the body is a temple” (1Cor 6:19). I want to look at the reason behind “WHY” believers make this decision to adorn themselves with piercings and body art? I wonder how many would say: “I decide to get this tattoo at a time in my life when I was walking closely with God” or “This piercing in my belly button was because God spoke to me telling me that this would honor him”. If we are being honest, I think most of these types of things are attributed to someone else having a piercing or some body art and we admire that person and want to emulate that in our life. BUT likewise, God has created us in His image and we, as followers of Christ, are to emulate Him. Glorify God, not man, but God!
The heart of this issue is not some piece of metal stuck somewhere or even some ink splattered somewhere either. The heart of the matter is who are we are glorifying? Who are we directing people to? Who are we asking people to follow? Are we conforming to the world or are we conforming the world? Does the testimony of our witness (our actions) speak of the greatness of our savior?
You see the reason these things are not outrageous or sensationalized anymore is because the “world” has been influencing the “believer” instead of the “believer” influencing the “world”. This is a move right out of the devils play book. He has been doing this since the days in the garden. Sprinkle a little lies on the truth and they will swallow it. So let’s review the past… divorce, cheating on your spouse, teen pregnancy, pregnancy out of wedlock, homosexuality, same sex marriage, same sex parenting and adoption, lying, theft or steeling, the lengths of skirts, shorts and dresses, the size of bikinis, drinking alcohol, coveting respect for parents, placing others before yourself, having many god, have all become the norm through our cultural conversion. Believers everywhere you need to know… tolerance does not mean acceptance. Tolerance does not mean you give up your beliefs and adopt someone else’s. Tolerance is merely a permissive attitude toward those beliefs, opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality etc. differ from your own. Tolerance does not require the one being asked to tolerate to an action of acceptance and practice of the topic at hand. As a believer and follower of Christ, we have the victory over such conformity that is propagated in worldly desires because we are empowered by the Holy Spirit.
After all God has called us to be the salt of the earth: Salt and Light a City on a Hill for all to see… His Glory!
Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
More scripture on the subject:
Scripture does not prohibit the use of a cultural wedding symbol due to marital, social, and cultural conditions; nor does it establish its necessity. In certain instances, the marriage symbol or emblem may strengthen the marriage arrangement and order, and thus its use is not for ornamentation. Therefore, the cultural wedding symbol or emblem, though not necessitated, may be worn due to marital, social, and cultural situations in order to preserve the headship principle and the integrity of marriage (Genesis 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:8; Ephesians 5:22, 23). Scripture neither prohibits (absolutely) nor necessitates the use of ornamental adornment. It does give strong precautionary principles for its use such as modesty, shamefacedness, and sobriety and calls attention to the ornament of the inner man, that of “a meek and quiet spirit” (1 Timothy 2:9, 10; 1 Peter 3:3, 4). Ornamentation must not be used in any way that lends itself to idolatrous, occult, or lustful practices (Isaiah 3:18–22; Acts 8:9; 19:19; 1 Corinthians 5:10; 6:9; Galatians 5:19–21; Revelation 2:20–23).
It is also important to remember that adornment includes more than jewelry alone. To apply the prudent principles of Scripture (both for those who wear and those who do not), an overriding principle is found in Romans 14:13: “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s [sister’s] way