Piercings for both men and women have become common in many cultures today. While women have been piercing their ears in order to wear earrings for quite some time, it has recently become popular in much of Western society for both males and females not only to pierce their ears but other body parts as well. Some feel it is stylish to have a piercing for a ring or jewel.

Yet many who get piercings don't consider that styles and fads change and that piercings can leave small but permanent scars long after the fad has passed, or after one changes his or her mind about the style. Additionally, piercings can become infected and may even have other serious repercussions on one's health—especially when a piercing is not done in clinically clean conditions.

The Bible records that both men and women wore earrings (Genesis 35:1-4; Exodus 32:1-3), but there is no comment here as to whether this practice was appropriate for people of God. These passages simply record that this was the custom at the time. Both scriptures represent adornment—the first showing that earrings represented idols and the second showing how the earrings were used to fashion an idol.

We also find that having one's ear pierced became a sign that Hebrew slaves, both men and women, had voluntarily chosen to continue as slaves for the rest of their lives (Deuteronomy 15:12-17). This situation appears to have just been a piercing—without the wearing of metal or jewelry.

Later, in describing Israel as His bride, God said, "I adorned you with ornaments, put bracelets on your wrists, and a chain on your neck. And I put a jewel in your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head. Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. You ate pastry of fine flour, honey, and oil. You were exceedingly beautiful, and succeeded to royalty" (Ezekiel 16:11-13).

So we see that biblical history shows the use of earrings and piercings of the ear represented a variety of concepts ranging from identification with an idol to a sign of voluntary slavery, and even to adornment of a bride in marriage.

Today, even though a growing number of young and old accept piercings as a way of looking good and being acceptable to their friends and peers, there are also negative meanings regarding piercings that can also be conveyed, especially when it comes to men wearing earrings and the piercing of other body parts.

Consider how the modern practice developed. In some Western societies, such as the United States, earrings for men in the 1960s and subsequent decades were a symbol of support for a counterculture movement symbolizing rebellion against societal standards. More often than not, the men who wore an earring were supporting antiestablishment ideals, homosexuality and the unisex movement—all of which contradict God's instructions (Exodus 20:12; Romans 13:1; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 11:1-11; Deuteronomy 22:5).

Today, piercing parts of the body not customarily pierced (tongue, eyebrow, navel, etc.) can also represent rebellion against parents and previous standards, conforming to new standards of our changing world and extremism.

Because of the variety of reasons (both good and bad) that people have for piercings and the mixed messages that can be sent, the issue of whether or not to have a piercing is a complex question. As Christians, we have to look at biblical principles related to the motives behind getting a piercing and the messages we may send to others.

Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2:9-10 that women should "adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works." While the meaning behind this passage does not prohibit the wearing of gold or jewelry, it does indicate that women professing to be Christians should be careful to exhibit modesty, propriety and moderation in their appearance.

Similar to the above instruction to women, Paul wrote to both sexes: "…do not be conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2). John, in writing the final book of the New Testament—which was the "Revelation of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 1:1)—records a voice from heaven warning believers to "Come out of her, my people, that you may not participate in her sins and that you may not receive of her plagues; for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities” (Revelation 18:4-5, New American Standard).

Thus both men and women who want to model Christian values must be careful not to give others the impression that they reject authority, that they support immorality, that they are immodest or that their goal is to conform to the world and its standards. Instead, our appearance should portray Christian godliness—not the standards of the world. In 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (Bible in Simple English), Paul explains it like this: "Stay away from every kind of evil—even from what looks like evil." By doing this we follow Christ's command to be lights to the world around us (Matthew 5:14-16).

Another important principle to keep in mind is God's command to honor our parents (Exodus 20:12). If your parents don't approve of you getting a piercing, then to honor them as God instructs, don't get one. As long as our parents' instruction does not contradict God's law, we should heed their advice (Jeremiah 35).

While the motives and the impressions given by piercings will vary according to the individual and the culture in which he or she lives, our goal as Christians should be to live the finest examples of godly modesty and balance in all areas of life. For further study, please see "You Want to Pierce Your What?" by Eric Evans in our Vertical Thought archives.