Nigerian gospel singer Mike Abdul has entered the ongoing debate on body art, insisting that tattoos do not dishonor the body and that God cares more about what’s in the heart than unmarked skin.
In an Instagram post on Monday, Abdul highlighted the historical role of tattoos across cultures, noting they’ve long served purposes of identity, memory, status, covenant, and storytelling. He emphasized that the value of a mark lies in what it signifies, not the ink itself.
“Tattoos don’t dishonor the body. What dishonors a temple is not the mark, but what it points to. God reads hearts, not skin. Ink without conviction is decoration. Ink with conviction is remembrance,” he wrote. “If a tattoo draws you closer to gratitude, identity, or reverence, it has fulfilled a purpose. Faith is measured in transformed lives, not in unmarked skin.”
Abdul also addressed critics citing Leviticus 19:28, a verse often used to condemn tattoos. He argued that if Christians are bound by that law, they would also have to follow ancient rules on hair, dietary restrictions, and mixed fabrics. Quoting the New Testament, he added, “You are not under the law, but under grace — Romans 6:14… Let no one judge you with regard to food or drink or religious festival — Colossians 2:16.”
He drew a parallel between tattoos and circumcision, pointing out that both are permanent bodily marks meant to signify identity and covenant. “Circumcision wasn’t a tattoo, but it proves God is not opposed to meaningful bodily marks. Its power was never in the flesh, but in what it represented,” Abdul explained.
Abdul concluded by underscoring that Scripture prioritizes inward obedience and heart transformation over external markings. “God is not anti-body. He values meaning, obedience, and transformation. The debate is never mark versus no mark—it has always been heart versus hypocrisy.”
His statements come in the wake of Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo’s Bible-inspired tattoo, which sparked heated discussions in the Nigerian Christian community. The tattoo, “III: XVI” in Roman numerals, represents John 3:16, and Okonkwo explained it was intended as a tool for evangelism, showing that tattoos can carry spiritual significance beyond mere decoration.
This conversation has reignited discussions about the intersection of faith, culture, and personal expression, with Abdul advocating for a balanced view that honors both scripture and personal meaning.
