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Body Piercing
- Thread starter msjones21
- Start date
mrstace: It was not my intent to trivialize scripture, so if you read it that way, I apologize for the ambiguity. I was trying to keep my post short and to the point using modern language to describe how I felt. It is obvious that you are a literalist (as you even perhaps read my post too literally). I am obviously not a literalist, as I do not believe that was the way Christ intended us to read all the scriptures. Thus, my opinion about the Levitical law doesn't change; I am led to believe that many of those laws are not indeed sins today. But, I will not get into that debate here, as this is not the thread (or forum) for such a discussion.mrstace said:
Again, as a few members have already pointed out, what one person considers "evil in appearance" may not be what I consider an "evil appearance." The NIV version of the above verse reads, "Avoid every kind of evil." Is one Christian's (of group of Christian's) definition of evil to be the standard by which we hold ourselves? Don't forget, we are faithful Christians too!mrstace said:
Peace.
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Stanfi
Senior Veteran
Well I see the majority of you differ in opinion that I which is fine. Personally, I think you can self-justify anything that you want. As the question that I prompted in my earlier post, I still can't see Jesus getting his tonuge piecered, so that is a good enough reason for me not to do it. How you look and act is your witness to the world. If people can't tell you apart from a heathen, then how are they going to know they need Christ? Generally speaking, I think the church and Christians are beginning to get a little to slacked with what they see as acceptable an not acceptable. This destroys the witness of the Christian to the lost.
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So my church should tell me either take out the tongue ring or leave? My tongue piercing does not define who I am as a person. Would Jesus get His tongue pierced? I doubt it, but there are alot of things even the best of Chrisians do that even Jesus wouldn't have beacuse He was perfect and we are not. How does a tongue piercing make me look like a heathen? Maybe my tongue piercing would make a lost person feel more comfortable approaching me or maybe they'd be more receptive to hearing the Gospel because I don't look like an 80 year old church deacon's wife. I dress modestly, I don't wear a lot of makeup, I'm not dripping in gawdy jewelry. My attitude reflects my relationship with Christ. Nobody would even know my tongue is pierced unless I stuck my tongue out at them.
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Stanfi
Senior Veteran
What you do is between you and God. I am just telling you what I believe. We are to strive to be Christ-like. Accepting that we are not perfect is not a valid excuse to do things that we want to do which to do not measure up to the standard that Jesus set. He set the example, we are to follow. It's that simple.msjones21 said:
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The questions I asked myself which ultimately brought about the conviction in my heart to take out my bellybutton ring were: What is the POINT of this? Will this further God's kingdom in anyway? Does having this ring help me to reflect Christ's character and what He values in any way? My answers were: 1. Because it's cute. 2. No and 3. No
Those were not good enough reasons for me to keep it.
Those were not good enough reasons for me to keep it.
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What is the point of alot of things? Why do we pierce our earlobes? Is it so much piercing in general or just where you're pierced? I got my tongue pierced because I wanted to.
In what manner? Me eating microwave meals doesn't further the Kingdom either. Should I not eat them?
I, personally, do not think my tongue piercing goes against my charcter. It doesn't hinder *my* walk any and I can't see where it would cause another to stumble.
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i'm thinking about getting my bellybutton pierced. it's all about your own convictions. cause when you try to push your convction on other people, it kinda offends some of them. so keep that in mind when you say things.
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rwl
Insert witty comment here
I used to lead worship at a church in my area. At the same time I was a college student and also had my ears peirced and an eyebrow ring.
Many people judged me on the fact that a) I was young, b) I had peircings c)I was a guy with peircings.
Finny how the only people who had problems with it though were the ones that didn't know me or take the time to get to know me. They would consider me *beneth* them and judge me based on nothing substantial.
Those who did get to know me loved me though. Funny how that works.
Does having the peircings/tattoo's pull you away from God, does it hinder your love for him? Do they cause you to stumble? Is it less or more benifitial in your walk if you have them or not No!
Are they great tools for witnessing, are they an expression of who you are? Yes!
Jesus is in your heart. Your walk is in your heart. Your faith is in your heart. If people can't get rid of their hangups and accept you for you then pray for them. They are the ones judging you. They're the ones that should drop the stones because they shouldn't be throwing them.
As to calling the law "old news and such..... Matthew 5:17-20 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil....."
Many people judged me on the fact that a) I was young, b) I had peircings c)I was a guy with peircings.
Finny how the only people who had problems with it though were the ones that didn't know me or take the time to get to know me. They would consider me *beneth* them and judge me based on nothing substantial.
Those who did get to know me loved me though. Funny how that works.
Does having the peircings/tattoo's pull you away from God, does it hinder your love for him? Do they cause you to stumble? Is it less or more benifitial in your walk if you have them or not No!
Are they great tools for witnessing, are they an expression of who you are? Yes!
Jesus is in your heart. Your walk is in your heart. Your faith is in your heart. If people can't get rid of their hangups and accept you for you then pray for them. They are the ones judging you. They're the ones that should drop the stones because they shouldn't be throwing them.
As to calling the law "old news and such..... Matthew 5:17-20 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil....."
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I must respectfully disagree once more. First of all, I don't think a piercing makes you look like a heathen per se. Secondly I do not think that the church being more "slacked" ruins any witness, but rather increases it!mrstace said:
A couple of examples of what I mean:
1. I work in emergency medical services, which is a career field that attracts a certain type of person with a very independent personality. If I were to act/appear like the Christian you have in mind, I would turn them off and there is no way I could witness to them. However, because I allow myself to be my own unique Christian person, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit still follow Christ's greatest commandments, I am a better witness to them. And, what were Christ's greatest commandments to us? To love God with all our heart and to love our neighbors as ourself - NOT to establish some set of stuffy rules that exclude people and silence our witness!
2. One of the most well known Christians in my community of 60,000+ people is the owner of a tattoo and piercing parlor. He is a dedicated Christian and he makes sure that everyone who walks into his shop knows something about Christ before they leave (through music, art, conversation, pictures, etc.). I guarantee you that there are people to whom he has witnessed that listened to him who would not have listened to some guy in a suit. Here you have tattooed man, who pierces and tattoos people on a daily basis while spreading the Good News and thus winning over souls for Christ... How can that be wrong?!
We live in a time different from that of the Apostles, therefore our witness must be different as well.
Peace.
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I am glad you are all having this conversation.
I am currently the worship leader at a small service in Sydney... Each year during summer, when the weather is warmer and we all wear less clothes; people are surprised to see me with a small tattoo on one arm and occassionaly seeing my belly ring sliding out.
I have never received any negative remarks, from either Christians or non-Christians, and I dont believe any one has judged me for it. People who meet me know I am not a heathen, and that my heart is for people and God.
I am 26 and still single and enjoy dressing attractively (not seductively) and being a little cutting edge with my fashion.
If anything, I think some times it is a good surprise for those non-Christians who walk into church for the first time, expecting it to be boring and to meet all those general stereotypes.. instead they see a young attractive woman and a trendy guy with a guitar, playing heartfelt worship that sounds just as good as todays fashionable music...
They dont have to become a dag or a nerd to fit into the church scene.
Now we know thats not what it is about, but if people find church more attractive and approachable, surely we are more likely to see people saved because they have had the chance to spend time in church and with christian people they feel comfortable with.
Its just my thoughts, but in hindsight, my tattoos and piercings are a blessing.
I am currently the worship leader at a small service in Sydney... Each year during summer, when the weather is warmer and we all wear less clothes; people are surprised to see me with a small tattoo on one arm and occassionaly seeing my belly ring sliding out.
I have never received any negative remarks, from either Christians or non-Christians, and I dont believe any one has judged me for it. People who meet me know I am not a heathen, and that my heart is for people and God.
I am 26 and still single and enjoy dressing attractively (not seductively) and being a little cutting edge with my fashion.
If anything, I think some times it is a good surprise for those non-Christians who walk into church for the first time, expecting it to be boring and to meet all those general stereotypes.. instead they see a young attractive woman and a trendy guy with a guitar, playing heartfelt worship that sounds just as good as todays fashionable music...
They dont have to become a dag or a nerd to fit into the church scene.
Now we know thats not what it is about, but if people find church more attractive and approachable, surely we are more likely to see people saved because they have had the chance to spend time in church and with christian people they feel comfortable with.
Its just my thoughts, but in hindsight, my tattoos and piercings are a blessing.
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rwl
Insert witty comment here
Is that a question you really want to ask?mrstace said:
Its not cut and dry like many would pawn that reply off on.
Do I have premarital sex.... WWJD..
Should I get drunk..... WWJD.
Easy answer.
However judging from your response then you shouldn't shave, be wearing sandlas and a robe all day every day.
Jesus will judge you for who you are, not what you look like. Some people wear contacts and some glasses. That's just as bad. God meant for them to near/far sighted, right? Why don't people judge them for disrupting the 'flow of gods plan". Or being a bad Christian for not outwardly showing their faith and trust in Gods judgement!!
( WWJD - Yes i feel if he were here now and gave himself incorrect eyesight he would correct it)
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Exactly. That's what this all comes down to... winning people over for Christ! There are different ways of going about it, and that's okay, so long as the result is the same.Unquenchable said:
For the most part, I agree. However, the method of delivery is going to be different in our time.mrstace said:
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F
Fungal Growth
Guest
what about Paul becoming who he was preaching to? he followed the jewish laws when he was preaching to them, he followed the gentile laws when he preached to them, he became who he was preaching to
im not saying go out and get all these piercings and tattoos because you are going to minister around them, but you have to understand they have their own culture and if you come in and judge them by the way they look you will turn a lot of people off to the Gospel, if you want people to listen to what you have to say, let them know you care by accepting them as they are, listen to what they have to say, say what you have to say and then........let God work, you dont save people, i dont save people, God saves people through the Holy Spirit in us,
i dont think God cares if we get tattoos or piercings (for the right motives
) as long as we are following Him with our whole heart and are sharing His Word with others
im not saying go out and get all these piercings and tattoos because you are going to minister around them, but you have to understand they have their own culture and if you come in and judge them by the way they look you will turn a lot of people off to the Gospel, if you want people to listen to what you have to say, let them know you care by accepting them as they are, listen to what they have to say, say what you have to say and then........let God work, you dont save people, i dont save people, God saves people through the Holy Spirit in us,
i dont think God cares if we get tattoos or piercings (for the right motives
) as long as we are following Him with our whole heart and are sharing His Word with others
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rwl
Insert witty comment here
Jesus hung out with the dirty , not the clean. That how people are saved. Not in a Christian bubble.Fungal Growth said:
That's the person's hang-ups. Not the one thats pierced /tattooed (sp?) Look at Stephen Hawking. To any passerby he would just appear a cripple not capable of anything really. Get to know him and you then learn he's one of the smartest persons ever.Fungal Growth said:
Correct, however God uses us as a medium. And there are some that will be receptive to one person and not another. Some people are turned off by the 'goody goody Christian'.
You are correct!!
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wvmtnkid
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I guess I have mixed feelings on this subject. I can see it from both sides. I have my ears double pierced and I don't feel that God is angered that I have that done. It doesn't take away from my witness that my ears are pierced. I am too much of a chicken to have any more pierced because I don't enjoy having holes poked into my body. My personal opinion is that tongue rings and belly rings look way uncomfortable and I am getting too old to live with something that isn't comfortable. I can see how someone who isn't a Christian may be drawn to someone who doesn't fit the typical "little church lady" sterotype and be drawn into the love of Christ. I think I am more drawn to Contemporary Christian music artists more than gospel artists mainly because of how they dress and that type of thing. They dress like I do, they are on my level.
However, mrstace does make some valid points. As Christians we are called out of the world. When Christ enters our hearts, we are no longer to conform to the standards of the world. I'll admit, when I see someone with piercings, my first thought isn't "My, what a wonderful witness for Christ that person is." Perhaps some that is my own hang-ups. If you can't tell a Christian from the a non-Christian, what is that saying about our witness and how we are conforming to standards of this world? I am not judging you or telling you that you are doing wrong. Just giving you something to think about. The decision is ultimatley yours and what you feel God is calling you to do. I suppose the question to ask and think about is when does my physical appearance start hindering my message?
However, mrstace does make some valid points. As Christians we are called out of the world. When Christ enters our hearts, we are no longer to conform to the standards of the world. I'll admit, when I see someone with piercings, my first thought isn't "My, what a wonderful witness for Christ that person is." Perhaps some that is my own hang-ups. If you can't tell a Christian from the a non-Christian, what is that saying about our witness and how we are conforming to standards of this world? I am not judging you or telling you that you are doing wrong. Just giving you something to think about. The decision is ultimatley yours and what you feel God is calling you to do. I suppose the question to ask and think about is when does my physical appearance start hindering my message?
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