What Does the Bible Say About Tattoos, Alcohol, and Piercings?
Ask a room full of conservative Southern Baptists what they think about tattoos, alcohol, and piercings, and you are likely to get some very colorful explanations about how wrong they are. Some people insist they're strictly forbidden. Others say it’s all a matter of freedom and personal conviction. And in the middle? A lot of people genuinely wonder: What does the Bible actually say about these things?
This article isn’t about laying down hard rules or stirring up controversy. You should know by now that I very rarely say something is strictly forbidden or allowed. It’s about looking deeply at Scripture, theology, and church history to see how Christians might faithfully think through these questions. So, with that in mind, let’s take a thoughtful, well-rounded approach and explore each of these topics one at a time.
Tattoos
The most cited passage when it comes to tattoos is Leviticus 19:28:
"You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord."
At face value, this seems clear. But let’s add some context. This command is part of the Holiness Code in Leviticus, a collection of laws meant to set Israel apart from its pagan neighbors. Many surrounding cultures practiced ritualistic tattooing and body cutting as part of worship for the dead or idolatrous deities. The concern here wasn’t ink itself, it was the spiritual association with foreign, unholy practices.
We also need to ask whether this command still applies in the same way today. Christians are not under the ceremonial law of the Old Covenant (see Galatians 3:23–25; Romans 7:6). That doesn’t mean the principle behind the law is irrelevant, but it does mean we interpret it through the lens of Christ.
So, is getting a tattoo sinful? Not inherently. But motivations matter.
Is it a symbol of vanity or rebellion?
Or is it a way to express identity, tell a redemptive story, or bear witness to faith?
Early church fathers didn’t discuss tattoos much, likely because Roman culture already associated body markings with slaves and criminals. That does not mean Christian history is without tattoos. The mummy of a woman in Sudan, dated from roughly 1,500 years ago, was found with a tattoo of St. Michael. The oldest tattoo shop in the world, Razzouk Tattoo, has been family-owned and operating in Jerusalem since 1300 AD. The Razzouk family are Coptic Christians who fled persecution in Egypt and began tattooing Christian art in Jerusalem once they arrived. If you are European and have ancestors who were in the Crusades, there’s a possibility that they got tattooed at the same tattoo shop 700 years ago. But if we investigate tattoos in the modern context, the question isn’t so much about ink itself as it is about intention, discernment, and wisdom. We must ask, what is the purpose and nature of the tattoo?
Alcohol
One of the more fascinating topics in Christian history is that wine played a central role in the life of Jesus and the early church. His first miracle in John 2 was turning water into wine. good wine, in fact. He shared wine at the Last Supper, and Paul even told Timothy to drink a little wine for his stomach (1 Timothy 5:23). Wine wasn’t taboo in biblical times. It was part of daily life and religious celebration.
While alcohol itself is never condemned outright in Scripture, drunkenness always is. Ephesians 5:18 is especially clear: "Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit."
The issue isn’t the alcohol itself, it’s the loss of control, the escape from reality, the self-indulgence. Proverbs warns against lingering long over wine, and Paul cautions that leaders in the church should be sober-minded and not addicted to much wine (1 Timothy 3:2–3). Interestingly, in the early church, moderation was accepted. In fact, monks and nuns in various traditions made wine and beer. You can still find wines and beers that are proudly made by Orders of monks and nuns from across the world, generating finances they use to sustain themselves and their ministry. Over time, especially during periods like the temperance movement in America, cultural shifts led some Christian groups to adopt total abstinence as a sign of holiness.
Today, the challenge is not whether alcohol is evil. It’s whether our culture encourages its misuse. For Christians, it’s a matter of freedom used in love, not liberty used in excess. Alcohol in itself is not sinful. If it were, Jesus and the Apostles would be guilty of sin in scripture. Rather, we must use it mindfully, not to excess, and recognize when it becomes a medium of sin for us or others.
Piercings
Contrary to some modern assumptions, piercings weren’t always frowned upon in Scripture. Genesis 24:22 describes Abraham’s servant giving Rebekah a nose ring and bracelets. Ezekiel 16:12, speaking metaphorically of God adorning His bride, says, "I put a ring on your nose, earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown on your head." These weren’t seen as rebellious or sinful, but rather as signs of beauty and covenant. The piercings were not sinful or part of pagan rituals. Rather, they were cultural standards of beauty and adornments of the time.
What about the New Testament? There’s no specific mention of piercings being wrong. However, 1 Peter 3:3–4 warns believers not to let outward adornment be their focus: "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes..."
The concern isn’t about piercings per se, it’s about where our true identity and worth come from. If body art or piercings are about image obsession or insecurity, then that’s a problem. But if they are culturally appropriate and spiritually neutral, Scripture does not forbid them.
Practical Approaches
This brings us to a central question: How should Christians today navigate these topics, tattoos, alcohol, and piercings? Well the answer may vary, there are a few guidelines we can follow to remain faithful and discerning.
Seek wisdom, not loopholes. Just because something isn’t explicitly condemned doesn’t mean it’s always wise.
Consider your witness. Romans 14 reminds us not to cause another believer to stumble. Our freedom should never come at someone else’s expense.
Check your motives. Ask: “Why do I want this?” If it’s pride, rebellion, or peer pressure, we should probably pause.
Honor your body. Paul says your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Steward it with care and reverence.
Walk in grace. Remember that the Christian life isn’t about external conformity, but about internal transformation through Christ.
Ultimately, Christian freedom is a gift, but it comes with responsibility. Tattoos, alcohol, and piercings are not moral absolutes, but matters of discernment. They must be considered with prayer and humility.