Renowned Nigerian gospel singer, Mike Abdul, has joined the ongoing debate over body art, insisting that tattoos do not dishonour the body and that God is more concerned with inner transformation than outward appearance.
In an Instagram post shared on Monday, Abdul argued that tattoos have historically been used for identity, memory, status, covenant and storytelling across ancient cultures, stressing that their meaning goes beyond mere ink.
According to him, the true value of a tattoo lies not in the mark itself but in what it represents.
“Tattoos don’t dishonour the body. What dishonours a temple is not writing on the walls; what matters is what the mark points to, not the mark itself,” he wrote.
“God reads hearts, not skin. Ink without conviction is decoration. Ink with conviction is remembrance.”
He added that if a tattoo draws someone closer to gratitude, identity or reverence, then it has served a positive purpose, noting that faith is proven by transformed lives rather than unmarked skin.
Responding to critics who often reference Leviticus 19:28 to condemn tattoos, Abdul offered further clarification in a separate Instagram post on Tuesday. He argued that if Christians were bound by that Old Testament prohibition, they would also be required to observe other ancient laws, including restrictions on mixed fabrics, dietary rules and specific hair rituals.
“If Leviticus 19:28 were a universal, timeless ban on body marks, then Christians would also be bound by pagan hair rituals, dietary laws, mixed fabrics and ceremonial purity laws,” he said.
He reminded followers that the New Testament teaches grace rather than strict adherence to the Mosaic Law, citing Romans 6:14 and Colossians 2:16.
Abdul also drew a comparison between tattoos and biblical circumcision, describing both as permanent bodily marks that serve as signs of identity and belonging.
“Circumcision is not a tattoo in form, but it functions like one in meaning. Both are permanent bodily marks, visible reminders of covenant, more about what they signify than the act itself,” he stated.
He further noted that circumcision proves God is not opposed to meaningful bodily marks, adding that Scripture consistently emphasises inward obedience over external symbols.
Quoting Romans 2:25 and 2:29, Abdul concluded that external marks without inner transformation are insufficient, stressing that the real issue has never been “mark versus no mark,” but “heart versus hypocrisy.”
His comments follow intense reactions on social media sparked by popular relationship coach and founder of the David Christian Centre, Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo, who recently revealed a Bible-inspired tattoo on his arm.
Okonkwo, who recently turned 50, shared a video of the tattoo process on Instagram. The tattoo, “III: XVI,” was inspired by John 3:16 and written in Roman numerals. He described it as a form of evangelism, noting that while some Christians criticised the tattoo, the Gospel message reached millions within 24 hours.
Addressing critics, Okonkwo said there is no scripture that forbids Christians from having tattoos, lamenting that strong condemnation often comes without clear biblical justification.
Elijah Adeyemi
