Tattoos, sin or not sin?

[The_highwayman]

Most tattoos are done out of pride, rebellion, or out of self glory/or out of human commitment.
If the tattoo is done with right motive, and as a reminder and mark of your calling in Christ, then it is not a sin; but a Jesus face on your shoulder is likely still an idol rather than done in right motive.

When is a tattoo CLEARLY a sin? When it is done in remembrance of the dead (which is one of the most common and culturally acceptable tattoo types) or done out of earthly cultural pride (tribal tats, family crests, national symbols), and when it is clearly rebellious (skulls, naked women, serpents/dragons).

This is not to judge others, but to guide ourselves individually. We are not under the Letter of the Law, but under the Spirit of the Law. If we are intentionally causing others to stumble by our actions, we are not living in the Spirit.

Summary: tattoos are not inherently sinful, and yet they are also not inherently productive. Let's be wise, and seek the spiritual mark, not physical marks.

No you are not under the Spirit of the Law either, you are the righteousness of God in Christ, which is a position and not based on personal performance and a list dd do this, but do not do that.

The only Law you are under is love, and believe it or not God loves even those that have tattoos for all the reasons you stated. Funny thing about grace, when you come to truly understand it, then the Holy Spirit moves you to make a change.

Which is why I know many that had tattoos of the things you mentioned, but when they met Jesus and received revelation knowledge of the Grace of God,they got them removed or changed.

You are not under any kind of the Law and the law is not your spirit guide to doing right or wrong, that is the Job of the Holy Spirit. If you are stating the Spirit of the Law guides you, then you are practicing self righteousness and another Gospel.


Stating you are led by the Spirit of The Law is in error. The Bible states in Romans 8.14: [SUP]14 [/SUP]For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. The Spirit of the Law is not the Spirit of God or Holy Spirit.

The only thing that guides you is the Holy Spirit, not the Spirit of the Law.

I would urge you to read Romans 7- 8 and learn it.

Gal 2.21 pretty much sums up those that apply do's and don't's to their salvation
[SUP]21 [/SUP]I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

If you believe your position of righteosuness comes from the Spirit of the Law or through works, then you believe Christ died for you in vain.

You are made righteous by God's grace and faith in what Jesus did on the cross, anything else is another gospel.

 

[Sophia]

No you are not under the Spirit of the Law either, you are the righteousness of God in Christ, which is a position and not based on personal performance and a list dd do this, but do not do that.

The only Law you are under is love, and believe it or not God loves even those that have tattoos for all the reasons you stated. Funny thing about grace, when you come to truly understand it, then the Holy Spirit moves you to make a change.

Which is why I know many that had tattoos of the things you mentioned, but when they met Jesus and received revelation knowledge of the Grace of God,they got them removed or changed.

You are not under any kind of the Law and the law is not your spirit guide to doing right or wrong, that is the Job of the Holy Spirit. If you are stating the Spirit of the Law guides you, then you are practicing self righteousness and another Gospel.


Stating you are led by the Spirit of The Law is in error. The Bible states in Romans 8.14: [SUP]14 [/SUP]For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. The Spirit of the Law is not the Spirit of God or Holy Spirit.

The only thing that guides you is the Holy Spirit, not the Spirit of the Law.

I would urge you to read Romans 7- 8 and learn it.

Gal 2.21 pretty much sums up those that apply do's and don't's to their salvation
[SUP]21 [/SUP]I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

If you believe your position of righteosuness comes from the Spirit of the Law or through works, then you believe Christ died for you in vain.

You are made righteous by God's grace and faith in what Jesus did on the cross, anything else is another gospel.

You go too far by saying we are not under the Spirit of the Law, but I understand your point. Revisit that phrase in Scripture, as it is our guide and our calling.
The Spirit of the Law is not of works, but certainly does produce works. The Word of God does not preach legalism or liberalism, but sits between them resolutely as Truth. Faith UNTO good works, rather than works unto Faith, or works to maintain Faith.

 

[The_highwayman]

You go too far by saying we are not under the Spirit of the Law, but I understand your point. Revisit that phrase in Scripture, as it is our guide and our calling.
The Spirit of the Law is not of works, but certainly does produce works. The Word of God does not preach legalism or liberalism, but sits between them resolutely as Truth. Faith UNTO good works, rather than works unto Faith, or works to maintain Faith.

it goes to far
Then you are stating the Bible says goes to far, because it tells you in easy to understand language you are not Lead by the Spirit of the Law, you are lead by the Holy Spirit and not the Law.

Sorry sister you are not lead by the Law and the Law does not have power you.

The Law was our tutor until Jesus came, Galatians 3.

The strength of the Law is SIN...1 Cor 15.

 

[DiscipleDave]

Tattoos are not sinful, UNLESS:

They cause others to sin, even in thought.
If they cause others to be offended. (example would be racism)(exception religious freedom)
You have DOUBTS about it.
You are convicted by it.

^i^

 

[Mo0448]

Among the 'homosexuality is evil' threads, the 'tattoos are sinful' threads and the 'Islam is unduly mysogynistic' threads there is a common set of criterion a person should address.

1. If a person is to assert an instruction in a particular book of the bible is relevant and should be upheld and followed, then they should uphold all intructions within said book, on matter of principle; for if one instruction within a book of instructions is not valid, the whole book is therefore not valid.

2. Which book does said instruction come from?

3. Do you, as a believer of that particular instruction, also follow all other instructions in that book? If not, then you should re-examine yourself in that light.

So, let's answer hose questions for tattoos.

Now, the instruction against tattoos comes from Leviticus (19:28 to be precise) and commands for people 'do not mark your bodies with tattoos'. If this instruction is valid, then all other of Leviticus' instructions must be valid, otherwise which do you uphold and which do you not?

Other instructions within Leviticus include the instruction that a woman must be killed if she wears fabric of two different materials, that men who sleep with men must be stoned to death, that daughters can be sold into slavery, that any person who touches the flesh of a deceased pig is unclean, and that fortunetellers should be put to death, among many others.

Do you consider those instructions as commands to be upheld? If not, then you have no reason to consider tattoos sinful,and you might as well tear Levitius out of your bible.

If God didn't want people to get tattoos in Leviticus why would he think God accepts tattooing now?
Do you think God changed his mind?
God may feel insulted if you try and improve upon his work by tattooing your body? It's a possibility.

God also wanted Women to go cleanse themselves when they were in their period...women don't do that these days now do they? If people were caught in adultery they were supposed to be stoned...we certainly don't do that anymore either...If you look at Jewish Law and culture you will come to find that Tattoos were a sign of slavery, slaves were "marked" or tattooed so that others would know they are slaves...now the bigger picture to consider here would be, God did not want His people the Israelites to be looked at or considered or comparable to slaves as they were his people...I agree 100% with you Human...if we are choosing to uphold some and abolish others are we not any better than the "sinners" here considering or having tattoos? I use the term sinner very sarcastically...While I don't have any tattoos, I personally find it ridiculous that people...and I'll say the word again PEOPLE consider tattoos a sin...Good thing I serve God and not people!

 

[The_highwayman]

Don't be a smart aleck. It isn't making you appear very intelligent. I gave new testament scripture. Christ drove the money changers out for defiling the temple. The new testament ushered in a spiritual version of the old. The literal temple that was a building is now our body. God never said it was okay to start defiling His temple now that Christ has come.

If you people want to wear tattoos, go ahead. But you can stop making some kind of a public proclamation about how you're serving God and it is okay scripturally, because you aren't, and it isn't.[/QUOTE

No sir, the new covenant fulfilled the old testament and brought you into right standing or brought you the righteousness of God and it is not based on any part of the law not even a spiritual form of it. To state that means you disbelieve what the Bible says and that you believe that Jesus died in vain. Why did the veil rip in the temple Phil? It is the same reason why you do not put your wife and daughter out on the back yard for 7 days when they get their periods. You dont have to, because it does not apply to you.

The same is for all 612 other laws, including the 10 commandments, the Law was our tutor until Christ came

Gal 3.24-25 says: [SUP]23 [/SUP]But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. [SUP]24 [/SUP]Therefore the law was our tutor until Christ, that we might be justified by faith. [SUP]25 [/SUP]But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Gal 2.21 says: [SUP]21 [/SUP]I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

stop applying self righteousness to the gospel, because when you do, you are proving you are not very intelligent

 

[gb9]

right. PEOPLE. not the Bible, if it is rightly divided and properly used. denominations and some churches make up their own rules.

 

[twofeet]

Same argument could be used to ridicule Lev 18:22 and Lev 20:13. js.

Well Im sure in some countries that's legal.....but hey who am I to judge! I think I will stick to my "mix fibre" clothing.

 

[didymos]

Well Im sure in some countries that's legal.....but hey who am I to judge! ....

Legal to ridicule Leviticus? Well, I guess you're right about THAT...

 

[directline2iam]

Tatoos are nothing more than an exhibition of sinful pride, self conceat as if sayinng, hey, look at me , I'mm really something. While God is saying, hey look at you, you're no different than anyone else sio stop fooling yourself.

 

[directline2iam]

Well, it is from the Old Covenant. I didn't see NT scripture on it.... But I don't think it a disqualifier.

I Cor 6:19.......and you are not your own to do as your fleshly desires beccon.

 

[Mo0448]

Tatoos are nothing more than an exhibition of sinful pride, self conceat as if sayinng, hey, look at me , I'mm really something. While God is saying, hey look at you, you're no different than anyone else sio stop fooling yourself.

That's a very judgmental statement Directline...what if say I got a tattoo that stated God is Faithful, or Gloria in Excellis Deo which is latin for Glory to God in the highest...does that sound like I'm saying hey look at me im really something? With all due respect brother I believe that it is generally your generation that frowns upon tattoos as it was something not so common back then...I just find it difficult to believe that God would say hey you Moses you have tattoos sorry only non-tattooed people in Heaven! How many people are tattooed from arms to chest to legs and are used by the Lord to do wonderful things! How many people are clean and non-tattooed and their intentions heart are "inked" in evil sinful intentions. It's not about the vessel but what is in the vessel, and what's in each of us as Christians is well...Christ! Let us not be white washed tombs all pretty and clean and "perfect" on the outside however dirty rooting and evil on the inside...just saying...

 

[The_highwayman]

Tatoos are nothing more than an exhibition of sinful pride, self conceat as if sayinng, hey, look at me , I'mm really something. While God is saying, hey look at you, you're no different than anyone else sio stop fooling yourself.

Yeah I see more people on this thread without tattoos saying...hey look at us we are more righteous than those with tattoos because we don't have any and obey the law.

And God is saying thanks for working for me, but I would rather you work with me....

 

[The_highwayman]

I Cor 6:19.......and you are not your own to do as your fleshly desires beccon.

Do you also apply this zeal towards the church potluck dinners? I know far too many over weight Christians who cannot put the fork down. Do you hit them over the head with 1 Cor 6.19 as well?

 

[Dean]

Just get a tattoo of sin the moon God, then you got sin and a tattoo haha, asking as you don't hurt no one or steal of anyone your a good man..

remember bible says in man there is no salvation so why listen to any man if bible says that

 

[DB7]

What do you think?

Sin. I can't see any good coming out of it, nor any good intention behind it, ...that the same statement can not be made in a less ostentatious manner. Do not deface the body, God does not need your embellishments to perfect his creation, or add something to it that was lacking. Even a Christian effigy for example, if you are proud of your Christianity, it is clearly misguided to feel a need to advertise it on your skin, ...only necessary when your actions and lifestyle are not a sufficient testimony. I have two that i got when i was a teenager, and i can't stand them. Here's my take, every tattoo that one has, knocks off a level of class from that person, including myself. Let your words & actions do the talking!!!

 

[newbie8]

What do you think?

There's nothing to think about. Read the scriptures:

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


The only marks you should have:

Galatians 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
[h=3][/h]

 

[didymos]

...
The only marks you should have:

Galatians 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

Amen.

...People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

(1 Sam 16:7 / NIV)

 

[didymos]

.........

 

[Human]

Yeah I see more people on this thread without tattoos saying...hey look at us we are more righteous than those with tattoos because we don't have any and obey the law.

And God is saying thanks for working for me, but I would rather you work with me....

The point is, Leviticus also says women who wear mixed fibre clothing should be stoned, gay people should be stoned, daughters can be slaves, a woman on her period is unclea and should be segregated, a woman who gives birth to a boy is unclean for 7 days and to a girl is unclean for several weeks, anyone who touches the dead flesh of a pig is unclean, shellfish should not be eaten, the whole community should engage in stonings when they are to happen, anyone of a different religion who is caught practicing that religion should be killed at the gates of the city.

Why don't you adhere to all these instructions in Leviticus as well as the one prohibiting tattoos?