Tatoos in God's word

[covenant mom]

There is a poll asking if you have tatoos in the poll forum & it's got me thinking. Is there Biblical specific support against getting tatoos? Just curious.

[trixie]

There's an OT verse about being forbidden to put "marks for the dead" on your body (Lev. 19:28). People I know who want to prove that tattoos are OK use the NT verse in Revelation (Rev. 19:16) where it says Jesus has a name written on his thigh.

HTH!

[scottruff]

Lev. 19:28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I [am] the LORD.

Seems straight forward.

[OwnedByJesus]

How about 'you are not your own' and 'your body is a temple'.
I think if you are in Christ your desires to get a tattoo are not in line step with the Spirit. Those desires are the 'old self' and you are to put on the 'new self' doing things that build one another up and lead others to Christ; that is living for Jesus in all you do.

[newname]

Hey Guys! : )

This is something that I have looked at before (but it was a while ago). It seems that God was trying to keep Israel away from the pagan practices of the world so that they would remain a holy people. It appears the type of cutting/tattooing they would do was in regards to the dead. This is very pagan --- even today, many of the pagan cultures worship the dead, celebrate the dead, and have special rituals and holidays for them. That seems the idea here with cutting and tattooing.

Therefore, I don't think getting a little colored picture of a canary or something on your arm is equivalent to the cutting/tattooing that the Old Testament speaks of.

In all things, whether tattoos, food, drink, etc, we are commanded to do it all
for the glory of God. We can ask ourselves things like:

1. Will this help or harm the gospel?
2. Will this help or harm my neighbor?
3. Can I do it all for the glory of God?
4. What are my intentions in doing this?

I don't see that we would have a prohibition against a tattoo in scripture --- we just need to double check out motives/intentions and go from there!

Just my opinion! :D

Brent

[Ajani]

I'm not a fan of picking and choosing which OT laws to follow. I think it's meant to be all or none, so to speak, so I see nothing wrong with tattoos.

[jesuslover1968]

I don't like tattooes myself. I think they detract from the beauty of a person. But, for the most part, I don't think they will send you to hell. I do think that the rise of young people getting tattoes is gearing them up for the mark of the beast. Afterall, what's one more mark? THAT is a mark that WILL send you straight to hell.
Tatooes and piercings are all the rage in today's new age society and I think it's very sad that the professing Church is being dragged into it with their eyes wide open. God Bless.

[scottruff]

I'm not a fan of picking and choosing which OT laws to follow. I think it's meant to be all or none, so to speak, so I see nothing wrong with tattoos.Playing devils advocate. We can ignore the next verse too?

[Tammy/Kansas]

I have always wanted a tatoo but too chicken to get it. Worry about the cleaness of the place. My twin has 2 tatoos. Would love to get an angel on my shoulder. I dont see anything wrong with getting tatoos. I guess we will find out when we get too heaven :nod

[jesuslover1968]

That's true. There is a scripture in the bible that tells us not to make images of anything that God created to worship them. Putting a picture of an angel on your body is pretty close to doing exactly what that verse tells you not to do. There is more to a tattoo than just ink. There is the thought behind it, which is much more important. Why would someone put an angel on their body that will stay there for the rest of their life? Is not God more powerful and precious than an angel, something HE created?
In recent years angels have been elevated to something very close, if not in actuality, to gods. I hope and pray that we don't fall for that deception.
God Bless.

[HeavenBound777]

So, what happens to those of us who got tattoos before we became born-again Christians? I have three that I got during my wild biker-mama days. I believed in God at that time, but had no idea that the Bible talked about putting cuts and marks on our bodies and wasn't truly walking with the Lord, obviously.

Personally, I believe that I've been forgiven for getting these tattoos, but would still like to hear others' imput on this. Thans and God bless you!

[newname]

Hi Biker Mama!......uh...........I mean.......Heavenbound! ha ha ha! :

Again, I believe the cutting and tattooing mentioned in the Old Testament is cutting and tattooing specifically in reference to the dead. It's been a while since I looked up every instance in the OT so don't quote me, but I'm pretty convinced that every reference of it is connected to the dead --- and that is the significant aspect of it. As far as I know, we have no true biblical prohibition from getting a picture put on our body or whatever.

I think it goes back to my previous post: in EVERYTHING we do, we should try to glorify the Lord, love others, and live out the great commission. Now, if the tattoos were vulgar in nature...needless to say, we shouldn't do that. If the tattoo isn't vulgar, etc.........I'm thinking, IMHO, that it would be a conscience issue grounded in the truth of 'is this glorifying to God?'

God bless!

Brent

[covenant mom]

So, what happens to those of us who got tattoos before we became born-again Christians? I have three that I got during my wild biker-mama days. I believed in God at that time, but had no idea that the Bible talked about putting cuts and marks on our bodies and wasn't truly walking with the Lord, obviously.

Personally, I believe that I've been forgiven for getting these tattoos, but would still like to hear others' imput on this. Thans and God bless you!

I def don't think that tatoos are equivalent to salvation. Jesus is our salvation & not obstaining from tatoos. Much of my younger gen family members are crazy about getting them. It's the "in-thing" for mainstream now & not just bikers these days. I guess my issue personally would be that if I got one it could cause some to stumble & would def offend some of the older generation Christians I know. I'd rather be on the safe side of God's glory & will & obstain from getting any for myself.

[Hootmon]

Playing devils advocate. We can ignore the next verse too?How about the previous one?

[newname]

How about the previous one?

And more importantly, I think we need to find the Bible Code that is undeniably hidden in these verses. Somebody call Grant Jeffery and have him search:

1. Tattoo
2. Biker Mama
3. Flaming Skull head
4. I love Mom

[FrankDH]

We are free from the constraints of law through God's grace. All things are lawful for us. But our walk is very much effected by the intent behind those laws. They were given to draw a distinction between the people of God and a pagan world. Those cuttings and tatoos were a form of worship ritual in the OT world order.

Today, tatoos are not viewed in this light. The issue for a Christian isare they a conformity to world standard? Our concern is if what we do glorifies God and presents the witness we should display.

I have a tatoo I got before I was saved. Any guilt associated to that act was buried with Christ. God will judge the intent behind getting another. But the world will only judge its presence and that may alter my witness. If you are considering a tatoo, pray about it in that light and let God lay on your heart what is right for you.

[covenant mom]

We are free from the constraints of law through God's grace. All things are lawful for us. But our walk is very much effected by the intent behind those laws. They were given to draw a distinction between the people of God and a pagan world. Those cuttings and tatoos were a form of worship ritual in the OT world order.

Today, tatoos are not viewed in this light. The issue for a Christian isare they a conformity to world standard? Our concern is if what we do glorifies God and presents the witness we should display.

I have a tatoo I got before I was saved. Any guilt associated to that act was buried with Christ. God will judge the intent behind getting another. But the world will only judge its presence and that may alter my witness. If you are considering a tatoo, pray about it in that light and let God lay on your heart what is right for you.

WEll said Frank, I think you nailed it.:thumb

[HeavenBound777]

Thanks everyone for your input. The reason why I asked is because when I first got saved, a couple of "well meaning" people who claimed to know the Bible actually told me that my tattoos represented who I had chosen to serve and that it didn't make any difference if I was saved or not ~ my tattoos did me in spiritually. Needless to say, I was devastated when they told me this, but I decided to trust the Lord and lean not on my (or their) own understanding.

Thank you again for your input. God bless you!

[humbleone]

a couple of "well meaning" people who claimed to know the Bible actually told me that my tattoos represented who I had chosen to serve and that it didn't make any difference if I was saved or not ~ my tattoos did me in spiritually.

Wow, what a bunch of bunk! :mad

[scottruff]

How about the previous one?
Touche!

[OwnedByJesus]

Thanks everyone for your input. The reason why I asked is because when I first got saved, a couple of "well meaning" people who claimed to know the Bible actually told me that my tattoos represented who I had chosen to serve and that it didn't make any difference if I was saved or not ~ my tattoos did me in spiritually. Needless to say, I was devastated when they told me this, but I decided to trust the Lord and lean not on my (or their) own understanding.

Thank you again for your input. God bless you!

Christ's atonement was for what you have done, do, and will do. Jesus did all the work, what can we do to save our own souls other than trust in Him?

[covenant mom]

Thanks everyone for your input. The reason why I asked is because when I first got saved, a couple of "well meaning" people who claimed to know the Bible actually told me that my tattoos represented who I had chosen to serve and that it didn't make any difference if I was saved or not ~ my tattoos did me in spiritually. Needless to say, I was devastated when they told me this, but I decided to trust the Lord and lean not on my (or their) own understanding.

Thank you again for your input. God bless you!

Those folks sound like modern day pharisees. Don't listen to false teachers like this.