Flesh Works - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

    I really should be hesitant to approach this subject yet once again (http://maranathia.blogspot.com/To Tattoo Or Not To Tattoo - 1 Corinthians 10:23, Sunday, September 1, 2013)  but upon seeing the multitude of people walking around exhibiting the most garish artwork (tattoos) on their bodies I feel compelled once again to speak out. The subject is sensitive, I know, and to those I offend I would beseech you to do as the Bereans did - “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” - Acts 17:11. Please remember: this post is not addressing what we did yesterday; it addresses what we do today and in the future.
    The commonality of tattoos and body piercings today is out of control.  One need only attend a large public event or work in a retail business to see the sheer number of individuals sporting these violations of the body.  The immediate defense is that such practices are culturally accepted today more than in past years. That is tantamount to using the same rationalization for the increase in abortions or the homosexual lifestyle. Cultural acceptance? Scripture warns us of seeking cultural acceptance, of being part of this world - “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.’” - Revelation 18:4. Are we aligning ourselves with “the world” when we engage in worldly practices which no reasonable Christian would suggest is edifying to other Christians?
Let’s not forget that tattoos and body piercings were originally condemned by the bible because they were pagan practices! (Leviticus 19:28) For those of us who counter that Jesus did away with the Old Testament “ceremonial laws,” remember that a sin so abhorrent God specifically prohibited it has probably not taken on a new-found holiness. That would be the same as submitting that worshiping a golden calf is now allowable under the doctrine of grace found in the New Testament! Remember: there is no where in the New Testament that Christ said, “Oh, and those tattoos? They’re okay now.” So at the very least we have determined that tattoos and body piercings are “of the world.”  “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” - 1 John 2:15-16.
    God has spoken to us in no ambiguous terms regarding being a part of the world -  “Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.’” - 2 Corinthians 6:17-18. The follow-up lies in the very next chapter, verse 1: “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” - 2 Corinthians 7:1.
    Perfecting holiness. It is a God-given command - “ . . .but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,  because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’” - 1 Peter 1:15-16. Holiness as defined by the Greek term “hagiŏs” means “clean.”  “For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:7.
    We must ask ourselves (as we should with anything we are about to think, say, or do) - “Does this glorify God?” It’s a simple question, the answer to which can have dire effects if we choose wrongly because it could most certainly determine our commitment to Jesus Christ! Would we carve our initials into the bible? Would we frivolously take a crayon or marker to its pages to mark and deface the holy word of God? Don’t our bodies deserve as much consideration? Do we really believe someone with a tattooing instrument can improve upon what God has created when He knit us together in our mother’s wombs?
    As a final consideration allow me to add just a bit more fuel to the fire: the tattooing of images of Christ, the cross, or other images of heaven are expressly forbidden by the 2nd Commandment of God -  “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth . . . .” - Exodus 20:4. Obviously those of us who insist upon having a tattoo of such nature on us have either(1) never read the Ten Commandments; (2) don’t understand the Commandments; or (3) simply don’t care. Either way, in all three possible cases it is apparent that God is not being glorified. The only thing being glorified is the ego of man!
    At this point I would like to add that aside from the theological implications involved there is the consideration of one’s health. Study after study has been done regarding the dangers of both tattooing and body piercing. The best news for those inclined to engage in such practices is that the jury is still out on many of the perceived health threats; however, there are very clear indications that there are numerous and often fatal Transfusion-Transmitted Diseases (TTDs) including Hepatitis and HIV associated with both tattooing and body piercing. Google “The European Commission’s Review of Health Effects from Tattoos, Body Piercing and Related Practices,” for a completely secular, eye-opening, and unbiased report on the possible physical dangers involved.
    Then there is the issue of “risk-taking behavior.” The study (and similar ones) concluded that those most likely to engage in tattooing or piercing their bodies also tend to engage in risky behavior, i.e., drugs, binge drinking, smoking, criminal behavior, and sexual impropriety. It doesn’t take a strong set of eye-glasses to see how such behavior is “of the world,” and NOT “of God.”
    As I said to begin with: this is not about what we did yesterday; it IS all about what we do henceforth as Reformed Christians. Lord knows we don’t have enough space here to devote it to past sins. Mine alone would fill the Encyclopedia Britanica . . . and then some!
    So let me close now with a verse from the Letter of Paul to the Romans: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” - Romans 12:1-2.
    Each and every day may we place the glorification of God and the edification of our brethren at the forefront of all our thoughts, words, and deeds. May God bless us all.