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lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 12:51:48 AM
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jesusXXjunkie
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so i have really wanted to get snake bites (a lip piercing) and i talked to my dad and he says he doesn't think it goes against the bible, and he doesn't care if i get one, but i have to be 18. my question is, does this go against the bible, or anything?
i do not want to do something to harm my testimony, but i do think lip rings are really cool and would love to get one. i know i would definantly pray alot about it before i get one, since it is piercing my face, and it could go wrong and end up a deformation or get infected and the such. i am not 18 yet, but i have been really curious as to what other christians think?
_____________________________
The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 1:05:01 AM
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MrFribbles
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It sounds like you're going about this in a very mature, thoughtful way. Kudos for that.
As far as I know, there is absolutely nothing in the Bible that teaches lip rings are wrong. Most people who try and argue that the Bible does teach against them are usually just twisting it to fit into their narrow-minded culturally-based views, which is never a healthy thing to do. So yeah, I'd encourage you to wait until you're 18, and then go for it.
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"To the humble man, and to the humble man alone, the sun is really a sun; to the humble man, and to the humble man alone, the sea is really a sea."
-G. K. Chesterton
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 1:10:24 AM
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rawr.ben
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I find nothing in Scripture that forbids piercings, but always remember that it is not your body, but God's, as God has given you life and your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, so it is to be treated with care.
As one Jewish scholar says, "There comes some point where multiple piercing of the body, however fashionable, begins to challenge our concept of b'tzelem Elokim" (the image of God).
Later continued,
"Body piercing is not prohibited although legitimate concerns regarding tzniut (modesty) ... and other traditional Jewish values should be taken into consideration and guide one's choices. At all times a Jew should remember that we are created b'tzelem Elokim. We are called upon to incorporate this understanding into all our decisions."
The "traditional Jewish values" mentioned typically refers to the Jewish Law against inflicting a wound on others, and is debated if this is meant to include one's self as well.
Rabbi S.Z. Zevin answers,
"The Lord gives and the Lord takes" is not a mere phrase, but rather a statement of fact: God owns man's body. Consequently, self inflicted wounds and suicide are forbidden, because the human body belongs to God, not man."
While you are probably not Jewish, I cite Jewish sources, as they are probably the most strict on these issues, and very grounded in the Scriptures.
I, personally, do not put piercings into the category of self-infliction, and see many Biblical examples of piercings, thus, I do not see it being prohibited. Although, there is a level of modesty involved, so I do not support piercings located in "private" areas.
I hope this helps.
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 1:17:39 AM
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jesusXXjunkie
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thankks
i know my mom is way more hesitant about me gettingg a lip piercing, then my dad. she doesn't really want me to do it very much. i know my dad told me that though, God judges the heart, it could hurt my testimony, possibly. since piercings are often associated with promiscuous (sp?) things.
part of me says i dont care what other people think, only God matters, and why should i care what people think. yet, i know that my goal as a christian is to win people to the Lord, and i wouldn't want to hurt that, by people thinking i am involved in unchristian like things haha. so i am slightly torn. i was also pointed to the fact that a piercing could jerpordize (sp? again) me gettingg future jobs. i plan on being a freelance photographer, so i dont know how much a piercing would influence it in that field.
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The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.
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lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 1:22:30 AM
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PinkCarnations
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I don't think it goes against the Bible. However, you may want to consider the fact that many companies will not let employees wear facial piercings. Also, you should check into the possible dental problems.
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Thank you Veterans.
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 1:22:32 AM
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MrFribbles
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quote:
i know that my goal as a christian is to win people to the Lord, and i wouldn't want to hurt that
But at the same time - if a non-Christian sees you have a lip ring, and they know that you're a Christian, it might help break the unfortunate negative stereotype the word "Christian" has for a lot of people. That is, it might help them know that you aren't going to be jump-down-their-throat judgmental right off the bat, so it could actually open more doors than it might close. Just something to consider. : )
_____________________________
"To the humble man, and to the humble man alone, the sun is really a sun; to the humble man, and to the humble man alone, the sea is really a sea."
-G. K. Chesterton
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 10:19:29 AM
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bolt.
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Paul refers to his capacity to "be all things to all people, so that he might win some" -- which is something to consider when adopting a particular 'look' that is not readily changable to the variety of sub-cutures where we may be expected to bring the gospel or edify the saints.
What I mean is the button-down-shirt people need the gospel as much as piercings-and-tatoos people, and as much as possible you should try to be able to bring it to both, not limit yourself to one group or the other (although plenty of people do place themselves overly firmly in the button-down-shirt world).
As far as edification of saints, it's not ideal, but the truth of our current Church sub-culture is that there are a lot more button-down folks in most Churches and there is still plenty of looking-with-suspicion on people that appear to be to much immersed in the other side. Looking at this decade, it would be really hard to get those saints with that problem to accept the ministry you might feel called to offer them. Since the minister is the servant, and those who are recieving the ministry are considered to be weak/needy -- we must do whatever we reasonably can to make our message and ministry as available to them as possible, which means, often, that we adjust superficial things like fashion for their sake.
So, my point is that you should consider firmly the direction of your future ministry, thinking of yourself as a servant to those future people, with all their troubles. In any case, do also consider if it can be undone, and what it might look like if you happened to want to go without the peircing, once it has been done.
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 10:21:28 AM
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browneyes222
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I don't like them personally. Some others and employers won't like them. Infection with gums or dental possibly. There may be some scripture against, I know some quote about piercing or tatoo's, but I don't know for sure myself so I really can't say if it's wrong biblically or not.
However, just in general you are young, will be 18 with piercings if you decide to get it and alot of young people have them so I don't think with most people your age would think much of it. You could be a christian testimony with or without the piercing I think to people in your age group. If you change your mind after getting it done I would think all you need to do is remove them and let them grow back. I guess you have a while to think about it, weigh what both of your parents say, pray and then make the best choice for yourself.
God Bless You! 
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 10:29:08 AM
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stellaluna
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I have a lip piercing.
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 11:17:07 AM
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solarflare
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quote:
part of me says i dont care what other people think, only God matters, and why should i care what people think.
"If anyone says, "I love God, "yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command:Whoever loves God must also love his brother."
I John 4:20-21
Jesus also said we should love our enemies.....and pray for them.
You should care what people think. We do not live in a void. Our actions affect others. God definatley cares about that.
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 11:51:53 AM
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Tinkerbell_
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quote:
ORIGINAL: MrFribbles
quote:
i know that my goal as a christian is to win people to the Lord, and i wouldn't want to hurt that
But at the same time - if a non-Christian sees you have a lip ring, and they know that you're a Christian, it might help break the unfortunate negative stereotype the word "Christian" has for a lot of people. That is, it might help them know that you aren't going to be jump-down-their-throat judgmental right off the bat, so it could actually open more doors than it might close. Just something to consider. : )
This is very true. We have a biker at our church who uses his tattoos as a witness. It's pretty neat to hear him talk.
I do know when I had a tongue ring I had issues with the dentist and my teeth. My dentist refused to see patients who had a tongue ring because of the problems it can cause to teeth.
I'm not sure about lip rings but one thing about a piercing is that it can always be removed with minimal scarring so if you were to get it done you could always take it out.
_____________________________
When I've shown you that I just don't care
When I'm throwing punches in the air
When I'm broken down and I can't stand
Will you be strong enough to be my man?
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 12:51:34 PM
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ctpruitt
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Well, this idea can be referenced by this verse:
Abstain from all appearance of evil (I Thes 5:22)
As some posters above have mentioned, there are some things that in our culture are associated with evil , although there maybe nothing evil intrinsically about the practice itself. This practice definitely falls into that category. No one complains about women having pierced ears (although many will complain about men doing it, but that is another post altogether).
My main problem (as also mentioned above) is that most people, especially Christians, will view this as evil, There is no way around that, no matter what your intentions are. As a result, your testimony can and will be
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 12:59:12 PM
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rawr.ben
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ctpruitt
Well, this idea can be referenced by this verse:
Abstain from all appearance of evil (I Thes 5:22)
As some posters above have mentioned, there are some things that in our culture are associated with evil , although there maybe nothing evil intrinsically about the practice itself. This practice definitely falls into that category. No one complains about women having pierced ears (although many will complain about men doing it, but that is another post altogether).
My main problem (as also mentioned above) is that most people, especially Christians, will view this as evil, There is no way around that, no matter what your intentions are. As a result, your testimony can and will be
I really don't know if "most people" and "most Christians" view it as evil.
I think many view it as "kids being rebellious" at the most (which is usually not the case), but then those people often think of kids as being "evil" right-off as well.
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 3:27:38 PM
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Tina258
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I personally don't think you should get the piercing i think it would make you look to much like the world.
God always wants us to be different from everyone else in the world. Also our bodies are not ours but his and must glorify God. 1 Corinthians chapter 6:19-20
Also the book of Leviticus chapter 19 verse 28 speaks of not marking your body. It was a symbol of ownership if someone marked you. Also it was something some other religions did as a part of their religious rituals.
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 4:12:44 PM
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saraimay75
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Tina258
I personally don't think you should get the piercing i think it would make you look to much like the world.
God always wants us to be different from everyone else in the world. Also our bodies are not ours but his and must glorify God. 1 Corinthians chapter 6:19-20
Also the book of Leviticus chapter 19 verse 28 speaks of not marking your body. It was a symbol of ownership if someone marked you. Also it was something some other religions did as a part of their religious rituals.
I look like th world everyday. Yes God want us to be different. However actions speak so much louder then what we wear.
As for the lip ring. I don't care for them. And there will be employers who won't care for them. However there are some who do not care for me having short hair since I am female.
_____________________________
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
~Dr. Seuss
http://forums.crosswalk.com/Saraimay75_Cruising_Around
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 4:18:00 PM
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rawr.ben
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Tina258
I personally don't think you should get the piercing i think it would make you look to much like the world.
God always wants us to be different from everyone else in the world.
I'm not sure how a piercing makes you "look like the world," as piercings are mentioned on multiple locations in Scripture:
"I inquired of her, 'Whose daughter are you?'...And I put the ring on her nose and the bands on her arm" (Genesis 24:47).
"Aaron said to them, 'Take off the gold rings that are on the ears of your wives...'" (Exodus 32:2).
"I decked you out in finery...I put a ring in your nose, and earrings in your ears..." (Ezekiel 16:11. See also Exodus 35:22, Numbers 31:50, Judges 8:24, Isaiah 3:21).
This is also well documented in rabbinic times: "...small girls may go out [on Shabbat] with threads or even chips in their ears" (Mishnah Shabbat 6:6).
The world wears clothes, caps, shorts, etc. I do too. I look like everyone else out there. But I do not act like them.
quote:
Also our bodies are not ours but his and must glorify God. 1 Corinthians chapter 6:19-20
Correct, and I addressed the issue of salvaging God's image in us, and his ownership of us above. I feel that modestly piercing yourself is not damaging of God's body.
quote:
Also the book of Leviticus chapter 19 verse 28 speaks of not marking your body. It was a symbol of ownership if someone marked you. Also it was something some other religions did as a part of their religious rituals.
Here is the verse that you speak of:
'Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves.'
and in another translation:
'Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you.'
and one more, just for good measure:
'And a cutting for the soul ye do not put in your flesh; and a writing, a cross-mark, ye do not put on you.'
So, I do not see anything about piercings in this verse. The "marks" are clearly along the lines of tattoos, and was forbidden because they were done in, as you said, a ritual tradition to honor the dead.
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 6:51:35 PM
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everythingat
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I am not a Christian. I could care less if you have as many piercings as you want. To defend what others said, I trust the button-down types much less than the ones who look like myself. But that is not limited to Christianity.
I have had a lip piercing for four years now. Most employers do not care if you have one, as long as it is only one. If you have more than one, they will usually ask you to take one out. And if they do care, there are ways around that without your hole closing up. Once last year I decided to take my piercing out...a week later and the hole was still open, so I just put it back in and left it. I also have a perfect dental record. Never had any fillings or cavities.
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 7:07:36 PM
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Bluethread
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quote:
ORIGINAL: jesusXXjunkie
thankks
i know my mom is way more hesitant about me gettingg a lip piercing, then my dad. she doesn't really want me to do it very much. i know my dad told me that though, God judges the heart, it could hurt my testimony, possibly. since piercings are often associated with promiscuous (sp?) things.
That may be true, but people make judgements every day based on how someone looks. In my opinion, anyone who tells you otherwise is not being honest. If that were the case, no one would object to everyone wearing identical unforms. Clothing is not just functional, it is also a form of communication. What is it you wish to communicate with lip piercings that can not be communicated in any other way?
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"Show me wherein I have errored and I will hold my tongue." Iyov(Job)
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 7:38:13 PM
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jesusXXjunkie
Posts: 736
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Bluethread,
i do not "wish to communicate" anything in particular.
i just truly love lip piercings.
always have.
i think they look stellar.
i love the style
and i am probably not the typical "christian" girl.
i wear skinny jeans and band tshirts and converses
i am dying my hair black soon
i listen to rock, screamo, and alternative music. (christian bands though, just unconvintional genres of christian)
i dont understand exactly what the points are made about how what i look is so important.
i know people will judge me on how i look.
i already get judged sometimes, since i am homeschooled, and am in a co-op and many of the people there do not approve of my style.
but the bible says, that i am accepted by the beloved.
so why does it matter what other people think of me?
i mean, i have people write me off
and i have even had people laugh at me strait up because i tell them about Christ,
i have had family members laugh at me because i tell them about God and Hell and where their life is headed.
whyy does it matter what other people view me as if i am accepted into the beloved?
_____________________________
The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 8:41:13 PM
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ctpruitt
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quote:
ORIGINAL: jesusXXjunkie
Bluethread,
i do not "wish to communicate" anything in particular.
i just truly love lip piercings.
always have.
i think they look stellar.
i love the style
and i am probably not the typical "christian" girl.
i wear skinny jeans and band tshirts and converses
i am dying my hair black soon
i listen to rock, screamo, and alternative music. (christian bands though, just unconvintional genres of christian)
i dont understand exactly what the points are made about how what i look is so important.
i know people will judge me on how i look.
i already get judged sometimes, since i am homeschooled, and am in a co-op and many of the people there do not approve of my style.
but the bible says, that i am accepted by the beloved.
so why does it matter what other people think of me?
i mean, i have people write me off
and i have even had people laugh at me strait up because i tell them about Christ,
i have had family members laugh at me because i tell them about God and Hell and where their life is headed.
whyy does it matter what other people view me as if i am accepted into the beloved?
I don't what rock you have been under all of your life: make no mistake: PEOPLE WILL JUDE YOU BY THE WAY YOU LOOK! I don't why you can't understand that. Read the post I made again...there is nothing in Scripcture than says "Thou shalt not pierce.." The problem is that it is veiwed as evil. The dress code you mention is just as bad; while in theory your clothes don't have your salvation, they will appear bad to some people. And, as a result of this, not all of the "beloved" will accept you.
I have a son who was born with Down's. I have taken him to 3 "Christian" daycare centers in an an effort to have someone with him so I can work a job, instead of my wife having to do it by herself. Some of the "beloved" were not very loving! All told me "we do not want a special needs child" Their reason was that he is not entirely potty-trained; for reasons that are still unclear, he will urinate in the potty but not have a bowel movement.
And, at the expense of sounding rude. you won't convince a lot of people of your Christanity looking a punk rocker....
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 9:05:48 PM
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jesusXXjunkie
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i have not been under a rock my life.
i know quite clear and quite well that people will judge me according to how i look.
i thought i made that extremely clear that i KNOW people will judge me.
i ALREADY have gotten judged by many things.
my question is, does that mean i dont dress the way i do because people wont like it?
that i just quite being who i am, because people are going to judge me?
_____________________________
The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 9:15:32 PM
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stellaluna
Posts: 4171
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You sound perfectly normal to me. Don't worry about it.
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 10:35:56 PM
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rawr.ben
Posts: 2730
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ctpruitt
I don't what rock you have been under all of your life: make no mistake: PEOPLE WILL JUDE YOU BY THE WAY YOU LOOK! I don't why you can't understand that. Read the post I made again...there is nothing in Scripcture than says "Thou shalt not pierce.." The problem is that it is veiwed as evil. The dress code you mention is just as bad; while in theory your clothes don't have your salvation, they will appear bad to some people. And, as a result of this, not all of the "beloved" will accept you.
Oy vey!
The only people viewing it as "evil" are the Amish and blue-haired Pentecostal ladies.
If people don't accept her because she wears band t-shirts and Chucks, are they really "beloved" to begin with? Just judgmental legalists.
quote:
I have a son who was born with Down's. I have taken him to 3 "Christian" daycare centers in an an effort to have someone with him so I can work a job, instead of my wife having to do it by herself. Some of the "beloved" were not very loving! All told me "we do not want a special needs child" Their reason was that he is not entirely potty-trained; for reasons that are still unclear, he will urinate in the potty but not have a bowel movement.
That has nothing to do with her situation.
quote:
And, at the expense of sounding rude. you won't convince a lot of people of your Christanity looking a punk rocker....
Actually, it is incredibly rude and judgmetnal. Many of the most solid Christians I know are punk rockers, and are loved and accepted by the different congregations that I have belonged to.
You convince people you are a Christian because you have a light that shines from within, not because you were a skirt and bonnet.
Ugh. I need some fresh air.
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/1/2009 11:33:56 PM
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bolt.
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Jesus said, "It is not the well that need a doctor."
Jesus said, "I have not come to be served, but to serve."
So, let's say that you have been doing some really deep Scripture digging, and you see in a passage some insight that is of the Spirit. Then, the next Sunday, you are at a Bible study and that passage comes up. You get the sense that this is a 'nudge' and you decide to share the insight that the Spirit has prompted with the group.
OK -- so that's ministry, right? God wants some of the people in that circle to hear something, so, in buiding His Church, He promted you to share the insight with them, so they could go ahead and apply it and have a better 'walk'.
So, the problem is, that these are mostly button-down people, and they are a bit stuck it that space. (Sad, but true -- there are lots of people like that.) So, you say your insight, and immediately in their mind, our enemy nudges them and says, 'Why would you listen to that punk kid's nonsense?' And our poor button-down friend misses what the Spirit went to all that trouble to bring to their doorstep.
As a servant, we aknowledge that we are the ones doing all the work, in the hopes that nothing will be able to knock an act of ministry off track like that.
For sure, the button-down person should just get over themselves and listen to the Spirit instead of the enemy -- but how are they going to get out of that box if nobody sacrifices themselves to get in the box with them and lead them out?
When you are in ministry, you don't want to 'play for both teams' -- if there is any aspect that you think the enemy is going to exploit and prevent you from being as effective as you might be, but you keep it in your life just because you like it -- it seems to me I know which side is nudging you towards that attitude.
You can be 'comfortably punk' without bothering most moderate button-down types too much. That's an important part of knowing and being known, and an important part of the ministry of broadening people's mindsets -- But you should also be capable of "being all things to all people" when the occasion arrises.
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RE: lip piercing? - 6/2/2009 1:06:40 AM
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saraimay75
Posts: 8849
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quote:
ORIGINAL: jesusXXjunkie
i have not been under a rock my life.
i know quite clear and quite well that people will judge me according to how i look.
i thought i made that extremely clear that i KNOW people will judge me.
i ALREADY have gotten judged by many things.
my question is, does that mean i dont dress the way i do because people wont like it?
that i just quite being who i am, because people are going to judge me?
Yes, people will judge you just like people will judge me. However once we open our mouthes and speak they will know the truth.
_____________________________
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
~Dr. Seuss
http://forums.crosswalk.com/Saraimay75_Cruising_Around
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