Body

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

The body is the material substance of a person. Our bodies consist of flesh, bones, blood and water.

Our beings consist of body, spirit and soul. We are to love God with our whole being - body, spirit, and soul.

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mark 12:30

Our bodies are mortal and they will all die, but our spirit and soul are eternal (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Our body, in the Bible, is referred to as our body, mortal flesh, vessel, earthly house, flesh and bones, house of clay, and the temple of God.

Our bodies are earthly containers, earthen vessels, for our spirit and our soul (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Every person consists of a natural body and a spiritual body (1 Corinthians 15:44), a mortal man and a spiritual man (Job 4:17).

Our mortally is promised by God. Every person's body will die. Our flesh, our bodies are mortal (2 Corinthians 4:11).

Spiritual immortality is offered by God through faith His Son, Christ Jesus (Romans 2:7).

God alone created your body. God forms all bodies. Everything made is created by God, the Creator of all things (Isaiah 40:38; 43:15).

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:3

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 1 Corinthians 12:18

It pleased the Almighty God to create us. We were created for His good pleasure. We were created by God, out of love because God is love. We were created so God could give us His love, and so that He could receive our love.

We were created in love, for love, by love for God Himself. All of us, from the top of our head to the bottom of our feet and everything in between was created because of the love of God, because God is love, and loved us.

Life comes from God alone. God breathes life into every living creature. The breath of life comes from God alone.

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Romans 13:1

God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; Acts 17:24-25

God owns our bodies

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

We own nothing in this world. We brought nothing into it, and we take nothing away from it when we die.

Glorify God in your body

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's 1 Corinthians 6:20

Present our bodies to God as a living sacrifice

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 1 Corinthians 6:13

Live in righteousness, not sin

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Romans 6:12-13

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:12-14

Restrain and control our bodies

We are to give rule and complete control over our bodies to God alone. We are to control and keep our bodies under the rule and guidance of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 9:27).

We are not to give in to every whim of our flesh. We are not to submit to every lust of our flesh. Through Christ we have the power and strength to overcome the lies of satan.

Manifest and magnify Christ Jesus in our body

Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 2 Corinthians 4:10-11

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:20-21

As believers of the Most High God we are to let the light of Christ shine through our bodies to the unsaved world.

Live separate from the world

As believers of the Most High God, we are to walk in the ways of Christ, live in faith to God, be separate from the sin of this world.

We are separated from worldly, selfish, self-centered, vanity, and unrighteousness. By studying the word of God, by living in faith and in love toward God every day, we can know the truth of God and escape the traps of bondage to sin.

Our bodies are in the process of dying now, but they do not die until the spirit leaves the body.

Our spirit separates from our body when we die, and our spirit returns to the Lord.

God makes it very clear in His Word what happens to our earthly bodies after they die.

Our spirit and our soul separates from our body when we die and returns to the Lord.

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:6

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:8-9

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Philippians 1:23

No human being has the power to prevent themselves from dying, because God alone holds our life in His hands.

Our earthly bodies are not saved from dying, because this is the plan of God for humanity.

But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 1 Corinthians 15:35-36, 42

God says that our fleshly earthly bodies are not able to endure eternity with Him. Our earthly bodies must be altered, changed, replaced, in order to endure for all of eternity.

God says that our flesh and bones human bodies are corrupted and must be changed into an incorruptible body to endure eternity with Him.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Corinthians 15:50, 53

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Philippians 3:21

We will be changed completely to receive all the inheritance of God. Our mind will be changed to accept all the fullness of God. What we are unable to comprehend here on this earth will be revealed in Heaven to us through Christ. We will know all the saints in Heaven and they will know us.

Our bodies do not belong to us, they belong to God, only God has the creative right to alter our bodies. This does not mean that we cannot have surgery if we are injured, or that one should not wear prostheses so that they may walk. But one should not alter one's body for vanity's sake.

God made us

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

God created us, our life and our bodies belong to God alone. God created our bodies unique to us for Himself. We do not own our bodies, God does.

God is the Creator and owner of our bodies. Since we do not own our bodies, we should not alter our bodies for vanity sake.

God does not make mistakes. He created each body exactly the way He wanted. All things are for His good pleasure.

We should never second guess the plans of God. His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8).

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11

We should be content in Christ Jesus. Our joy and hope is in Christ Jesus, not the way we look. We are to place our trust in God, not in our looks.

You are God's masterpiece. He placed every single hair on your head. He formed you just the way He wanted you to be, in your mother's womb.

God created us in His image. Do you really think you should alter the image of God? Who thinks they are better than God? That's right, satan.

Tattooing was not invented in our lifetime. People have been tattooing their bodies since the beginning of time.

Tattooing is an old practice of people all around the world. Some people tattoo their bodies because they are rich and some because they are poor, some for religious reasons, some for regional reason, some for association with a certain tribe of people, some for political reasons, some for cultural reasons, some for vanity, some to shock, some to fit in a certain crowd, but all have a reason.

There are as many reasons for getting a tattoo as there are people who get them.

There are many reasons why someone should not be tattooed, just as there are many justifications for people as to why they are tattooed.

Let's look at what is written in the word of God. A lot of misinformed people like to say that there are not scriptures in the bible regarding tattoos, but this is incorrect. The word of God is complete instruction for man on fulfilling the will of God. Nothing is left out, not even tattoos.

Twelve reasons not to place marks on yourself:

1. God says NOT to print any marks on ourselves

Printing marks is tattooing and God says that we are not to do it, because He is the LORD.

2. God says that we are to abstain from all appearance of evil

God says that we are to hold onto good and to abstain from all appearance of evil.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-23

I understand that not everyone holds to the thought that tattoos are evil looking, but then again you must admit that many people do.

3. Our body is not ours to tattoo

Our bodies belong to God, we don't own them. Our body is not ours to tattoo. I believe if people would understand this that there would be no tattooing at all.

Why do a lot of people get tattoos? Because they say, "it is my body and I can do with it whatever I please". But we know through Scripture this is NOT true.

The truth is that our body is not our property, because all things belong to God.

I find it odd that most people would not think about grabbing a paint brush and start drawing on their manmade car, but they don't think twice about marking up one of God's most precious creations - mankind.

How dare we think we have the right to anything, and to do anything that we please.

God will recompense, and He will exact His judgment one day on all people, for tampering, defiling His creations.

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:30-31

4. Adorn ourselves with the doctrine of God

When we place a mark on our bodies, we are adorning our bodies. God says that we are to adorn ourselves with the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things (Titus 2:10).

Our focus should never be on ourselves, because this is vanity. Our focus is to be on Christ Jesus our Saviour.

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:11

We are to glory in God, NOT in our flesh. We are to promote Jesus, not our flesh. We are to lead others to Christ, not to our bodies.

So you think your tattoo is justified because it is religious? Sinning for God is still sinning. God does not condone any sin for any reason. There is no such thing as sinning for God, because the one cancels out the other.

God doesn't want anyone to sin, for any reason. All unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17). There is no such thing as a godly sin. God has no sin (1 John 3:5), and God has not part with sin. All sin is sin. Sin cancels out righteousness. This kind of thinking is like thinking you are doing God's work by killing someone to keep them from sinning, for by killing them you have committed sin yourself. No sin is justified in the eyes of God.

Do not be deceived, marking up your body is for yourself, and marking your body has nothing to do with God. God does NOT want you to mark up your body (Leviticus 19:28).

5. It is vanity

I do not know your reason for your tattoos, but God does. God knows every thought you have ever had, and ever will have.

Some people hide their tattoos from the world, but God still sees them, because nothing is hid from God.

Vanity and pride are sins against God. All things we think are important or necessary in this earthly existence are all vanity.

The important and necessary things are not here, and are not things, but is Christ Jesus.

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: or whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Philippians 3:7-9, 13,14

6. It is Pride

There are many things wrong with pride, the most important is that pride separates anyone from God.

Through pride we seek our own ways, instead of the ways of God. Through pride we place trust in ourselves, instead of trusting in God.

Pride hardens our hearts and deceives our minds into believing we know things better than God. (Mark 7:21-23)

Pride has nothing to do with God, pride is from the devil himself (1 Timothy 3:6).

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1 John 2:16

7. God says that we are to prove all things

What is the real purpose of your tattoo? Why are you getting a tattoo? What is its purpose? What is the justification to God for your marking up His creation? A tattoo at most is vanity, satisfying the desires of the flesh, and self-will manifested, not God's will manifested.

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Ephesians 2:2-3

Can any tattoo be for the glory of God? No, it can't be, because God already said for us not to print marks on ourselves (Leviticus 19:28).

We are to do all things for the Glory of God in Heaven. We are to live to the will of God, not self (1 Peter 4:2).

We don't want people to notice our flesh, what is on the outside, but who is on the inside, Christ Jesus.

We are not to worship our own flesh, adore our own flesh, fuss about our flesh, mark up our flesh, but we are to worship and adore God.

Our flesh is just that - mortal flesh - that will one day die. We owe our flesh nothing, but we owe Christ everything. Our salvation through faith in Christ Jesus separates us from the flesh, from worldliness; we are believers in Christ, in the Spirit of God, not in the flesh (Romans 8:1-13).

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5

Tattooing is minding the things of the flesh in a very visual and permanent way, and cannot please God (Romans 8:6-8).

When we are minding the things of the Spirit of God, we will not be even thinking about tattoos (Romans 8:9-14).

8. God says we are His temple

We have laws to protect man's works of art, but there is no law to prevent man from defiling God's most precious creation - mankind.

Those who have chosen to accept God's free gift of salvation, through faith in His Son Christ Jesus, are the children of God. God loves His children so much that He dwells inside of us, protecting us and guiding us on our journey home to Him.

9. God says that we are to follow Christ

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23

We are to follow after Christ, not the ways of other men (Matthew 16:24). The only marks Jesus had on His body were the marks in His hands, in His feet, and in His side, that He received on the cross for our sins, so that we might be saved.

Your piercings, your marks, do not take away the sins of the world, and cannot save anyone. It is not a good thing to compare yourself in the least way with God Almighty.

Only the marks and piercings of Christ Jesus were able to destroy sin and save the world.

Tattooing is bondage. When you receive a tattoo, you are bound with that tattoo. I find it ironic that many people claim that their tattoos represent freedom, when it is clearly bondage. Only satan claims freedom, but gives bondage.

We are to attach ourselves to God, not tattoos. There is only One who can set you free, truly free, free from all sin and death, true freedom and victory over this life is found in only One, who is Christ Jesus the Lord and Saviour (John 8:34-36).

No man can serve God and serve sin. No man can have two masters. You cannot serve your flesh and serve God. There can be only One who is in control over your life, to receive the promises of God. No man receives the promises of God without following His Word. Without surrendering your mind, body, spirit and soul over to Christ Jesus you cannot receive eternal life. Your idea of "having it all" is nothing at all, compared to what God has planned for your soul in Heaven.

The insignificant brief sinful pleasures of this life in this world, pleasures of sin for a season, are not worth your eternal salvation and cannot be compared to the eternal riches and glory with God for all eternity.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

10. God says that we are to be separate from the world

I don't know where you live, but where I live it seems everyone I see has a tattooed today. I was recently dining out and across the room were a man and a woman with two very small boys, and they all had tattoos. I hope that the tattoos on the children were just wash off ones.

As believers of the Most High God, we are to be separate from this world, stand out in the world, we are not be like everyone else, doing what everyone else is doing.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

Our bodies are to be given to God as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. What will you tell God when He is given yours all marked up? Will He ask, "what have you done to My creation?".

11. God says we are to seek Him first

We are not to make any decision without God. We are to seek God in all things. Pray without ceasing.

God warns us about receiving marks in the last days. Yes, the infamous 666 mark from the antichrist. I would believe with hell fire being the reward for receiving the 666 mark, that no one would receive any mark on themselves for any reason.

Maybe satan is priming these people to be receptive to his mark, by all the tattooing that is going on today. People will just say, well what's one more, I really don't care, what a sobering thought.

Do you understand why you should not get a tattoo? If you still don't, you need to seek the LORD.

God will tell you all things, if you will listen to Him. All sin is against God. God does not condone any sin for any reason. God will never tempt anyone to sin, for any reason (James 1:13).

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted of evil, neither He any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. James 1:13-16

12. I love God

I love God with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my strength, with all my mind, and with all my body.

I do not want anything to come between the relationship I have with my Lord God. Sin separates anyone away from God.

The scriptures tell us that we show God that we love Him, when we will obey Him, and follow His commandments, and abide in Him, remain separate from this wicked world, don't go along with the sins of this world, are separated unto Him and continue in the faith of Christ Jesus all the says of our lives.

Do not be deceived. God cannot sin and God will never ask someone to commit sin. If you believe it is okay to sin, go against the word of God, then you are not listening to God, but you are listening to someone else.

Our body is not ours, it belongs to the Lord. When we realize that our body does not belong to us, but belongs to the Lord, we can understand why it is wrong to mark it up with tattoos, piercings, cuttings, marks, and the like.

Our body is the temple of God. When we defile God's body with markings, cuttings, mutilations, will God forgive us?

Repentance is change. Repentance is turning from sin and turning to God. Repentance is asking forgiveness from God for committing sin against Him. Repentance is vowing, pledging to God to turn from sin and walk in His ways.

God promises to forgive all sin from all people who come to Him with sorrowful repentance.

God speaks of two types of repentance in His word. God says genuine repentance is not like the world repents, who say they are sorry but their heart has not changed (2 Corinthians 7:9-10). True repentance is always change, turning away from sin and turning to God. Genuine repentance is godly sorrow.

The world does not repent to God, they are sorry that they are caught and might say they are sorry, or say they repent, but they do not repent in their heart, their heart is not changed, their heart is not turned to God. God knows our hearts and He knows who has godly sorrow, true genuine repentance. We can see who has genuinely repented to God, by their change.

Godly repentance and forgiveness of sins are joined, one is not received without the other. Forgiveness of sins by God follows godly sorrow and true repentance.

Repentance is action. Repentance is turning from unrighteousness and turning to God's righteousness. Turning from living in sin and turning to living in the righteousness of God. Repentance is toward God, turning away from sin and turning to God, through faith in Christ Jesus (Acts 20:21; 26:20).

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts 26:18

God places the earnest need for repentance into your heart. God urges us to repentance through knowledge of the truth, which He places in our hearts (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

God is waiting to forgive your sins. God is waiting on you to ask Him for forgiveness of your sins, waiting on your godly repentance, so that He may forgive all your sins, clean your heart, and make you right with Him, so that you may live in peace and with Him.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Through repentance (change) we are forgive, when we ask God for His grace and mercy, His forgiveness, He promises to cleanse us from all sin.

Body

What is the body?

Who created my body?

Who can give life to a body?

Who owns our bodies?

God owns our bodies

What are we to do with our bodies?

Glorify God in your body

Present our bodies to God as a living sacrifice

Live in righteousness, not sin

Restrain and control our bodies

Manifest and magnify Christ Jesus in our body

Live separate from the world

When does our body die?

What happens to our bodies after we die?

What separates from our bodies when we die?

Can a person prevent themselves from dying?

Why aren't our bodies saved from dying?

Why do I need a different body to enter Heaven?

Will my new body look like my old body?

What is wrong with altering my body?