What is the Biblical View of Cosmetic or Plastic Surgery?

Question: What would be the Biblical View of Cosmetic Surgery?
This topic carries a lot of relevance today. The popularity of cosmetic is growing every year. With medical advances in this field, more and more people are taking hold of the opportunities that it has to offer. So, the question naturally arises… what does the Bible have to say about it?

I would say... First of all, the Bible doesn’t specifically address a Christian having plastic surgery or cosmetic surgery, because naturally it was a non-issue thousands of years ago. So, there is nothing in the Bible to indicate that plastic surgery in and of itself is wrong. However, I think there is something to consider… the act of the procedure may not be sin, yet the reasons behind the procedure can be.

(I want to throw in a disclaimer from the very beginning... Honestly, who cares? This is a non-issue. If we, as Christian people, would be as passionate about Loving Jesus, and Loving People as we are about people having surgeries, tattoos, shaggy hair, and so on... think about how advanced the Kingdom of God would be!)

But, just for fun, let's look at several things concerning this topic.

I. Does the Bible Address Physical Appearance?

The answer is "yes". In several places... One great passage on Physical Appearance is 1 Timothy 2:9 – 10 - "And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair hair or by waering gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do."i.

It is not a sin for a woman to want to be attractive. Paul was not prohibiting these things; he was simply saying that the top priority for women should not be intentionally drawing attention to themselves through Physical beauty.

Beauty begins on the inside. A gentle, modest, loving character gives light to the face that cannot be duplicated by even the best cosmetic surgery. The previous Bible verses challenge us to be more concerned about our spiritual appearance, than our physical appearance. We are to be attractive by the good things we do for God and His people.

II. Statistics on Surgical and Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures:

a. Nearly 11.7 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed in the United States in 2007, according to statistics released today by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
b. The Aesthetic Society, says the overall number of cosmetic procedures has increased 457 percent since the collection of the statistics first began in 1997.
c. Women had 91 percent of cosmetic procedures.
d. Americans spent just over $13 billion on cosmetic procedures; $8.3 billion was for surgical procedures, and $4.7 billion was for nonsurgical procedures.
e. The most frequently performed non-surgical procedure are Botox injections, and the most popular surgical procedure was liposuction.
f. The number of surgical and nonsurgical procedures performed on men increased 17 percent since last year.

Frequency of cosmetic procedures by AGE GROUP:
% of total Age # procedures Top surgical procedure Top nonsurgical procedure
47% 35-50 5.4 million Liposuction Botox
25% 51-64 2.9 million Eyelid Surgery Botox
21% 19-34 2.4 million Breast augmentation Laser Hair Removal
6% 65 and over 700,096 Eyelid Surgery Botox
2% 18 and under 205,119 Cosmetic ear surgery Laser Hair Removal

III. Every Decision Should be Considered as a Heart Issue

Many (not all), plastic surgeries are done as attempts to meet emotional voids with physical solutions, to attract attention, or to seek approval from others: “Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.” – Proverbs 31:30

Never forget, that even the most skilled surgeon cannot hold back the hands of time, and all cosmetic surgeries will eventually have the same result... aging, and a common enemy... gravity. Those lifted body parts will sag again and those cosmetically altered facial features will eventually wrinkle.

Far better it is for us to work on beautifying the person underneath: “You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands.” – 1 Peter 3:4 – 5

Also, ladies... You are a beautiful creation by God, so don’t be Caught in the Traps of the World’s Unrealistic Standards for You. Do you mistakenly believe that not meeting society's standards of attractiveness automatically disqualifies you from self-acceptance and happiness?

Always remember that God remains the only reliable source of unconditional love that transforms us internally, freeing us from the pressure of constantly having to prove to the world that we measure up. The world tells us the lie, “Whatever you look like, whatever you do to enhance your looks, this is what can give you assurance that ultimately makes you whole.”

IV. Someone who is Wanting Surgery should Weigh the Risks

Ask, “What is my Motivation?” - Altering one's body always provides risks of potential side effects – both physically and mentally. No one should allow themselves to be put "under the knife" without thoroughly researching all alternatives, risks, and side effects involved with the surgery. A person also needs to fully understand his or her motivation for desiring the surgery.

Next, Consult with the Holy Spirit - The most important thing to do before making the decision to undergo plastic surgery would be to consult God about the issue. The Bible tells us that God cares about every worry and concern that we have, so we should take our problems to Him: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” – 1 Peter 5:7 Through the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, we have the ability to make decisions that will please and honor Him.

My Personal View – The Bible does not address this particular issue as sin, so you can not pronounce judgment on anyone who decides to undergo a procedure.-

If someone earnestly and truthfully prays about a procedure, and does not receive “hindrance” from the Holy Spirit… If that person is not trying to fill some emotional, spiritual, or internal void… If someone can do the surgery without hindering their family financially… If that person is not doing a procedure to vainly show it off, possibly causing others to stumble spiritually…

Then I would say… You are free to do what makes you happy and confident in the Holy Spirit. Honestly, who cares? This is a non-issue. If we, as Christian people, would be as passionate about Loving Jesus, and Loving People as we are about people having surgeries, tattoos, shaggy hair, and so on... think about how advanced the Kingdom of God would be!