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First of all, we need to define the phrase body piercing and body reconstruction and then situate it within the quest of whether or not it is sin. Body piercing is when a hole is made in your body so you can add a piece of jewelry for decoration. Before we proceed, it is important to state emphatically that the kind of body reconstruction referred to in this article is cosmetic surgery or reconstruction.  Cosmetic surgery is where a person chooses to have an operation, or invasive medical procedure, to change their physical appearance for cosmetic rather than medical reasons. The question this reflection seeks to answer is whether piercing of the ear or wearing of earrings by females constitute cosmetic surgery or body reconstruction? If it is, then is it a sin against God to tamper or alter parts of one’s natural body?

Science and technology had not advanced within the historical and cultural setting of the Jews therefore we may not find the word cosmetic surgery or reconstruction of the body in the Jewish lexicon. We may however find compelling Biblical passages that strongly indicate that God is opposed to cosmetic surgery or reconstruction but not body piecing in relation to the wearing of ear and nose rings.

EXPLORING THE OLD TESTAMENT

“Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots?” (Jeremiah 13:23). The passage means that God created us in a unique and special way. He does not expect us to change our skin colour just as the leopard cannot change its spots. It goes to reason that God does not approve of any procedure whether external or internal to alter the skin or part of the body of a person. God expects us to remain the way He created us. A deliberate and conscious effort to alter or customise one’s body to suite his or her individual taste amounts to cosmetic surgery which God does not sanction.

 “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb…My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.” (Psalms 139:13,15) The psalmist underscores the point that we were knitted and woven together by God. Cosmetic surgery or reconstruction of the body tampers with that which God in His wisdom and creativity has brought into existence. When He “…saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:31)

Our definition of cosmetic surgery seems to indicate a substantial change in the appearance of a person through an invasive medical procedure whereas body piercing only creates a hole in a person to allow the person to add a piece of Jewelry for decoration. The Bible directly makes references to body piercing in some passages to suggest that wearing earrings was part of the culture of the Jews. It also appears that earrings were worn by both males and females. “So Aaron said to them, “Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf.” (Exodus 32:2-4) It will be observed that adult males are not part of the list because they probably were not required to wear earrings. In other words, it meant that boys wore earrings but when they became adults they wore them no more. It was however clear that when it came to apparel, there were distinct dressing for males and females hence Deuteronomy 22:5 made it clear that “A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God. In other words, when it comes to wearing of earrings, both males and females could wear them but an adult man did not wear earrings. When it comes to dressing there were distinct dresses for males and females.

God also accepted gold earrings when it was offered to be used for His service (offerings for the construction of tent of meeting). “And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD’S contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments.  So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the LORD” (Exodus 35:21-22). If wearing of earrings was detestable to God then why would He accept them as part of the offerings? We could rightly infer that since earrings were accepted then its use through piercing of the ear was accepted. We are again reminded in Haggai 2:8 that “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts”

Another issue concerning piercing is the fact that there are records that show that the nose was pierced and nose rings were worn. Rebecca had a nose ring put on her as part of the marriage gifts. “Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms. Then I bowed my head and worshipped the LORD and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. (Genesis 24:47-48) Again as part of Israel’s disgrace and punishment Isaiah said “In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, . . . the signet rings and nose rings”,. . .(Isaiah 3:18-22). Ezekiel on the other hand speaks of God as restoring and adorning  Israel as His bride.“ . . .I adorned you with ornaments and put bracelets on your wrists and a chain on your neck.  And I put a ring on your nose and earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. (Ezekiel 16:11-12) Piercing, in relation to the wearing of earrings and nose rings in Jewish culture was for ornamental purposes and a display of affluence. We may also to a large extent conclude that it was mainly worn as a sign of identity by the female gender.  

It is clear from our review of the above Old Testament Biblical passages that body piercing in relation to earrings and nose rings was acceptable, however, there is no Biblical reference that supports a substantial enhancement of the body through any form of cosmetic surgery, cutting and reconstruction for ornamental or cosmetic purposes, although at the time, science and technology might not have developed compared to the 21st century.

We must further push the discourse to whether or not our unique culture as Africans shares the Jewish culture of body piercing in relation to earrings and nose rings? Even if our culture accommodates or supports body piercing in various forms including wearing of earrings and nose rings, what is the admonishment of Jesus for His disciples? I must state emphatically that piercing of the ear for the purpose of wearing earrings has become a universal identity for the female gender although some men wear earrings for various reasons. Similarly nose rings are also being patronize mainly for its aesthetic or ornamental appeal by the female gender.

I shall proceed to reflect on the Christian perspective of cosmetic surgery and body piercing? Personally I think Jesus Christ would accept anyone who repents and accept Him as Lord and Saviour regardless of whether they have undergone a cosmetic surgery or have pierced their ears or nose? However after accepting Jesus Christ, Jesus must be the centre of our lives, shape our identity and all we do including the way we dress as believers.

Jesus admonishes us that “do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25). In other words, a believer must not be obsessed about the body, its attachments and needs, for God has a purpose for us. In this purpose, Jesus assures us to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.(Matthew 6:33-34). Jesus greatly encourages us to focus our God and leave our needs to God to provide. This means we must live a life of contentment and simplicity trusting God to take care of our spiritual, emotional and physical needs. If this is Jesus’ expectation of us then we need not become anxious about our body by spending fortunes on cosmetic surgery which does not guarantee perfection of the body. But for cultural reasons of gender identification or differentiation and aesthetics, we can do without any form of body piercing and our faith will still be intact and fulfilling.

We must endeavour to follow Jesus’s example of simplicity and focus on God’s mission of bringing light to where there is darkness and saving souls for the Kingdom of God. True disciples of Christ have no business in materialism and obsession with needs and aesthetics of the body. It is for this reason the disciples where told “…. behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.” (Luke 10:3-4). The Christian life is life of simplicity, service and total dependence on God for our sustenance and needs even as we go about our daily activities. 

With the qualities of humility, simplicity and service to God, the apostles have the following admonishment for us. It seems the admonishment focuses more on women than men for obvious reasons. “likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. (1 Timothy 2:9-10) Again, “Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” (1 Peter 3:1-4) In other words, we are servants of Christ and must demonstrate same in every way possible regardless of where we find ourselves to be imitators of Christ and great example to others.

Offering ourselves as living sacrifices means we must serve God the way He has created us without any influence of the world on our minds and bodies. I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be 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 12:1-2) 

In conclusion, “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.”. . . whatever you do, do all to the glory of God . . .(1 Corinthians 10:23,31) “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.(1 Corinthians 11:1). The foundamental question is would enhancing my body through cosmetic surgery glorify God and lead others to the Lord? Should I do it because the world see it as fashionable and pleasurable? Aside from the cultural reason of gender identification and differentiation, does piercing my ears and nose for the purpose of aesthetics please the Lord? (it would seem so for the Jews according to the Old Testeament but is it the case for your particular culture?) Can I worship God without earrings and nose rings? In my humble opinion, I believe God created us perfectly and we are completely handsome and beautiful in our natural state, we do not need any cosmetic surgery or any form of piercing to make us acceptable to God and to worship Him or be imitators of our Lord Jesus Christ. My position does not mean that those who have decided to wear earrings and nose rings are less faithful Christians. The utmost requirements in the pursuit of righteousness and doing the will of God is to be guided by Biblical truth, conviction, faith and the Holy Spirit. I leave you with Paul’s encouragement to the Philippians “Finally, brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9) Shalom.