Bible Answer

Is it sinful to view a naked human body?

I'm a nurse. Is it sinful for me to view a naked human body?

The Bible declares that witnessing a naked human body can be sinful, but it is not always sinful. A Christian serving as a doctor or nurse may be called to view a naked human body in the course of providing life-saving treatment. Under these circumstances, the believer has not sinned since their purpose in viewing the body is godly and not intended to provoke lustful thoughts.

In fact, one of the authors of the New Testament, Luke, was himself a doctor (see Colossians 4:14).

Therefore, so long as a believer is capable of serving in this capacity without experiencing lustful thoughts, then the believer is able to serve without sin. (Please read the following article for more background on this issue: Is Watching Pornography Sinful?.

On the other hand, if a believer experiences lustful thoughts in the presence of unclothed patients, then that person should strongly consider whether a medical career is conducive to his or her spiritual growth and godliness. It is more important that a believer change professions if necessary to protect himself or herself from sin than to remain in a preferred career and suffer continual temptation into sin, as Jesus said:

Matt. 5:30 “If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.