Christians And Tattoos
The Old Testament law commanded the Israelites, “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:28). So, even though Christians today are not under the Old Testament law (Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:23–25; Ephesians 2:15), the fact that there was a command against tattoos should raise some questions. It is true The New Testament does not say anything about whether a christian should get a tattoo or body piercing.
In 1 Peter 3:3–4: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” Granted, this passage is directed at Christian women, but there is a principle here that may be apropos: namely, a person’s external appearance should not be the focus of our attention. We put a lot of effort into “elaborate hairstyles” and “fine clothes” and jewelry, but that’s not where a woman’s true beauty lies. In the same way, tattoos and body piercings are “outward adornment,” and we should be careful to give more effort to the development of the “inner self,” regardless of our gender.
A good test is to determine whether we can honestly, in good conscience, ask God to bless tattoos and use that particular activity for His own good purposes. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). The New Testament does not specifically command against tattoos or body piercings, but it also does not give us any reason to believe God would have us get tattoos or body piercings.
Conclusion
An important scriptural principle on issues the Bible does not specifically address is if there is room for doubt whether it pleases God, then it is best not to engage in that activity. Romans 14:23 reminds us that anything that does not come from faith is sin. We need to remember that our bodies, as well as our souls, have been redeemed and belong to God. Although 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 does not directly apply to tattoos or body piercings, it does give us a principle: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.” This great truth should have a real bearing on what we do and where we go with our bodies. If our bodies belong to God, we should make sure we have His clear “permission” before we “mark them up” with tattoos or body piercings.
So in conclusion we need to know what sets us apart from the world and everything it has to offers (Ephesians 5:1, 5:10) tells us to be imitators of God and to try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. This doesn’t exclude us from being saved because, we all have a past when we come to Christ. He forgets all our sins when come to Him (Micah 7:19). What we do after we are saved is what we have to be careful with. He chose us for a purpose. Everything we do, we must do it to Glorify his name.
God Bless,
Informative post.
Anything that gets people to read and study the Bible is a good thing.
You have used the Scripture with information teaching some of what the Word says and that is a benefit to all. We all need to be in the Bible on a regular basis.
There are many subjects in the Bible that gets debated or criticized.
I don’t know the answer to your supposition and some would argue your belief. It is not for me to judge. As you know that is up to God.
Blessings.
How long have you been studying the Bible?
Hi Robert,
I appreciate your comment,
You are right about that brother, God is the only one to judge. Before I received Christ as my Savior, it was always easy to judge (guess that was part of being human) but, we never took a look at ourselves. That is one of the things that the Holy Spirit does for us. The Holy Spirit makes us react to the things that are wrong and make them right. Before we could things and not give it a second thought and that is where the Holy Spirit comes in. He helps us make the right decisions and do everything to Glorify His name. He will never steer us wrong, He will only steer us to our Father In Heaven. Ultimately God gives us the freedom to choose what path we take or what we want to do with our lives but, He will have the last word. At the end it is by his Grace that we will be saved.
As far as your question about studying the Bible, you know it’s funny because, up until 5 years ago I had never opened a Bible before. When God found me, He gave me such an appetite for His Word that I could not get enough. I started reading the Bible and that was not enough for me I need more of Him. I enrolled in a Bible Institute with the goal of just getting to know Him better but, that was just the beginning. I started serving in my church and held Bible Study classes at home for my family and neighbors and the Lord did the biggest part by bringing people to get saved. Even this website was started by asking for guidance from God through Prayer. I don’t know what God has in store for me or you but, anything coming from Him Is always a Blessing. Take care Robert and I appreciate your time.
God Bless
That’s a question I’ve been asking myself often. I don’t have tattoos personally, but I have some friends who have some.
It can be a pretty hot debate. Personally I’m not sure if God will condemn you if you get tattoos. But all the verses you brought in your articles, are the ones that many Christians against tattoos will brought as well.
I used to be very legalistic. I didn’t quite understood the grace of God. I was more walking under the Law than His grace.
I personally won’t get myself tattoos. But I don’t think I would condemn one who would. What matters more to me now is if someone is united to Christ, He is a new creature.
God doesn’t judge us by our appearance, but by what he sees inside.
That’s just my opinion here.
Hi Guy
Thanks for your comment. Yeah, I agree with you about it being a hot debate but, like you also mentioned that God cares more about our heart and soul. King Solomon mentions in (Proverbs 4:23) that “Above All Else, Guard Your Heart, For Everything You Do Flows From It”. Having tattoos when you come to Christ is not the problem. We all come to Christ with scars and baggage but, through His Blood we are forgiven of our sins and are redeemed. The thing is we are new creatures when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior and for that reason Paul says in His Epistles’ that we are in the World but, should not partake in anything of the world. We have to be different and be the Light in the darkness. When we have Jesus in our hearts we have to do everything to Glorify His Name.
At the end of the day as Christians we must not judge anybody, that is up to God but, must remember that we are here to spread His Gospel and not to condemn anyone. We can’t say someone with tattoos would enter Heaven because, only God knows. We are all sinners, so the same can be said about everybody and for that reason we just have to live by His Word and walk the narrow path that leads to Heaven. We must do everything to Glorify His Name Forever. Thank you for taking the time to comment (I Love Speaking and Writing About God).
God Bless