How do most Christians feel about leviticus 19:28?

[Nick01]

I personally would never get a tattoo, but I think there's enough reason to believe there should be a certain freedom on this issue.

First of all, it's fairly clear that many of the prescriptions in Leviticus, particularly those concerning the self, are there because the people of Israel are being instructed not to adopt the practices of pagan nations, particularly in the case of cutting and tattoos, in regards to Baal worship. Tattooing does not have the same connotation in our culture, and in any case our form of mission is different to that of the Israelites - we are not a separate nation, but are of many nations, living in the world but not of it.

Having said that, I would put forward the following conditions on a Christian getting a tattoo:

1) Keep in mind that your body is a temple to God. Will your tattoo honour God, or is it an opportunity to 'take your body back' away from him for yourself.
2) Will the content of the tattoo itself a) honour God, b) reflect well on his people and c) communicate something important about your faith to people that see it. c) is more of an optional extra, but why not use a tattoo as a way to communicate evangelistically?
3) Simple God-fearing wisdom: Is this tattoo something I'm likely not going to want to have on me in 10-20+ years time, for whatever reason? Do I understand what is involved in removing a tattoo, and am I prepared for the possibility of removing it?

In summary, I think a Christian can get a tattoo, and Leviticus does not prescribe against the practice in toto in our current context. HOWEVER, it seems clear to me from both Old and New Testament that we must be wise in considering a tattoo, and that it does actually matter to God why and what we tattoo on ourselves. Christian freedom in this case is not an excuse to do whatever you want because you want to do it. It is a freedom that can potentially be used to show honour to God and better serve him.

"Be as cunning as snakes but as innocent as doves."

 

[Katy-follower]

There is freedom in Christ, and if a person can share the Gospel with a tattoo, then how can it be sin upon principle?

I don't have tattoos so not defending them in any way. I think the body should be left as is, the way we were created, but no one is going to hell for it!

I've seen where tattoos can be a great way to witness to others.

There was a Christian firefighter that went to get a tattoo on his back of Daniel in the lion's den. It opened up conversation with the artist where he was able to share the biblical account. As a firefighter he was trusting in God to protect him, just like Daniel.

What a great conversation starter, a great opportunity for him to share his faith with others. It was so elaborate that one could not help but ask questions about it

 

[p_rehbein]

Katy-follower said:

I don't have tattoos so not defending them in any way. I think the body should be left as is, the way we were created, but no one is going to hell for it!

In some ways I agree with you, but in others, well, not so much.......I tried not cutting my hair.......then God did that FOR ME! (who says He doesn't have a sense of humor?) I tried not trimming/shaving my beard........Have you ever experienced the itching? And, seriously, trying to sleep with a full beard is something I have yet to master........just saying.

Then this gets into women who shave their armpits and legs........now, don't get me wrong, I lived in Europe, and, well, I prefer that women DO shave.....but, that's just me......however, they are not "leaving their bodies as God created them are they? Small adjustments at the very least.............

Then we get into diet and exercise...........to adjust our body weight, physical health.........and many other ways.......

Don't know if we can say anyone "leaves their body just as God created it......." Well, except for "nudists" that is.......

 

[Nautilus]

So I guess ny cross tattoo is bad and i sinned getting it? What about my planned out Valar Morghulis toatto?

 

[Elizabeth619]

So I guess ny cross tattoo is bad and i sinned getting it? What about my planned out Valar Morghulis toatto?

It was determined in the other thread when you threatened to shave your beard that you are a transgender, so the way i look at it you are a lost cause anyway....

(sarcasm)

 

[Married_Richenbrachen]

If you read the entire chapter, you will also see that they are instructed to not cut their hair or beards.........do those here who speak against tattoos cut their hair? Shave their armpits, legs, or trim their beards? Uh, well, why?

just saying..........

Lol. Cutting hair, shaving armpits and legs, trimming beards? In the analogy, this would be like mowing the lawn and cleaning the gutters (for the house), or putting oil and fuel in the car, cleaning the dead bugs off the windscreen.

But a tattoo? That's like a new paint job.

Personal grooming is like a cleanliness/hygiene thing. Tattoos are like an ownership thing.

 

[LT]

Because the truth can be generally applied further. In the text, we are taught that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Ghost, and are not our own, because we were bought with a price.

People aren't necessarily saying that tattoos are a sin, and I don't believe smoking and drinking (in moderation) are either (I think gluttony is specifically prohibited). This said, these are not usually ways you would honour God's temple. Why then would you do them, or recommend them, unless you believe that your body doesn't belong to God?

I agree with this post. We have found our common ground!

 

[psychomom]

I think the body should be left as is, the way we were created

just curious...are your ears pierced?

(I would never condemn it, Katy. I hope you know that. ♥)

 

[4enlightment]

Moses has written the laws accordingly to what he had felt what was best for the people because he had the spirit of God in him and which that is why he has the authority to create the laws. The laws was Moses way to show the people to be content what they have had in order to please God, and which it was preparing the people to let God run their lives, not others. So how you are designed has its purpose.


Hebrews 13:5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Matthew 19:8Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.

Matthew 8:9For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

Matthew 10:1[ Jesus Sends Out the Twelve ] Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authorityto drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

Matthew 9:8When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.

Matthew 16:19

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Acts 13:36“Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed.

John 9:3“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

 

[Sanashankar]

ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead,nor print any marks on you : I am the LORD.

I feel that we are no more under the law, and these laws were for the israelites and not for the gentiles.

 

[john832]

yet Jesus returns with a name written on him - i don't really care if you get a tattoo - come to your own conclusion

Are you sure it is written on Him? Or on His clothing.

 

[Hizikyah]

I feel that we are no more under the law, and these laws were for the israelites and not for the gentiles.

Romans 3:31, "Are we then doing away with the Law through the faith? By no means! Rather, we establish the Law!"

Revelation 12:17, "And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went to make war with those who forsook her seed; her seed being those who keep the Laws of Yahweh, and have the testimony of Yahshua Messiah."

1785. entolé
Definition: an ordinance, injunction, command, law.

Revelation 14:12, "In this manner are the saints purified--by keeping the Laws of Yahweh, in conformity with the faith in Yahshua Messiah."

1785. entolé
Definition: an ordinance, injunction, command, law.

 

[Katy-follower]

In some ways I agree with you, but in others, well, not so much.......I tried not cutting my hair.......then God did that FOR ME! (who says He doesn't have a sense of humor?) I tried not trimming/shaving my beard........Have you ever experienced the itching? And, seriously, trying to sleep with a full beard is something I have yet to master........just saying.

Then this gets into women who shave their armpits and legs........now, don't get me wrong, I lived in Europe, and, well, I prefer that women DO shave.....but, that's just me......however, they are not "leaving their bodies as God created them are they? Small adjustments at the very least.............

Then we get into diet and exercise...........to adjust our body weight, physical health.........and many other ways.......

Don't know if we can say anyone "leaves their body just as God created it......." Well, except for "nudists" that is.......

I was speaking more of permanent changes, like plastic surgery and tattoos, which permanently alter one's appearance. These are just two things I personally avoid.

As for shaving, it's a personal preference. I'm English and part French, not that my European side makes much difference. I will always shave, I don't embrace that gorilla look, lol

The fallen world we live in requires us to be clothed. It was in Eden that God clothed Adam and Eve. Most people will associate nudity with sex and their heart does not allow them to see anything more than that, the same way that a man might look at a woman who is clothed and want to have sex with her. I personally see nudity as natural and I have an appreciation for the human form, the way God created us

 

[john832]

I find it so odd that people have such a difficult time saying "OK, whatever you say God. You want me to do this or you want me not to do that, OK. I'll just do what you say."

Oh wait, I forgot...

Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

 

[Isdaniel]

The law is for all !

Why did the Lord destroy those nations who were not israelites hmmmmmmm

 

[LT]

The law is for all !

Why did the Lord destroy those nations who were not israelites hmmmmmmm

Then Christ died for nothing?

Galatians 4 says otherwise:

21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says?22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.
24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.



30 But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”[b]31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

 

[thecreationtutor]

ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead,nor print any marks on you : I am the LORD.

same way about eating bacon?

 

[Mark51]

Among non-Israelites, animals and even slaves were branded, tattooed and cuttings with a mark as an indication of ownership. In the case of humans, such property marks were placed on a conspicuous part of the body, such as the forehead, breasts or arms.

Pagan nations, at times, identified themselves as such by having the mark of their deity on their forehead. However, Jehovah’s law to Israel prohibited the engagement of this practice. This served to counteract any idolatrous practices and taught due regard for God’s creation.-Deuteronomy 14:2.

By complying with Jehovah’s law not to disfigure their bodies, the Israelites would have stood out as different from other nations. (Deuteronomy 14:1) The prohibition would also have impressed upon them a proper respect for the human body as God’s creation, to be used in honoring him.-Psalms 100:3; 139:13-16; Romans 12:1.