Christians getting tattoos

jimmydiggs · Jan 11, 2014

I have not seen any example of a Christian who got tattoos for any reason other than conformity to the world. Often they will gloss it over with religious language and make a lot of claims, but then in private conversation they reveal their pride and desire to conform.

Are there some who don't do this? Probably. I just haven't seen any, and they seem to be quite rare.

38miles · Jan 11, 2014

DragonSlayer said:

DS - The issue with tattoos, or anything that distinguishes us from the walk of John the Baptist, is vanity. And if vanity then it is self adornment with the intent of developing attention and attraction. Brother, when we get down to brass tax, everything is sin--everything is death. There is no sin measuring stick, right? My tattoos are in and of themselves a visual profession of faith. In a concrete way they do, in my heart, communicate a level of "praying without ceasing" as well. Now, I don't expect you to understand this discourse, and I certainly would never seek to change your own personal conviction.

However, I do feel you've fallen into a trap of judgment. Jesus' words are not ours to aim as we please. Contextualization is the most important part of exegesis, so we should never get into cut and pasting anything to make us feel like we speak for God. For you to say to another that he/she is wrestling, not with you but with Jesus' words...that's dangerous ground I wouldn't want to stand on. You, in your own self-admitted imperfect state have sought out scripture to support a conviction on your heart that you are adamant is God's conviction and judgment for all. That's a "woe" moment for me, especially on a message board. I mean you can, and you can think you are justified in your understanding of verses and how you're using them, but there's something not right there. And I'm just being transparent here. I am typing this to you, but I should actually delete. In fact, at this very moment I have to acknowledge that typing this only further draws conflict, exacerbating and increasing to your hold that you are right and I am wrong. Yet here I type, because it and your response to me exacerbated the issue for me as well, on a message board where dynamics are changed between human interaction, sometimes for the better but often for the worse.

We know Jesus used the Pharisees to expose the central guile of satan--try to project God's voice and judgement on others, rather than yourself. We all do this to such a fault, every single day. I'm doing it here. By disclosing my tattoos, I caused someone else to judge, even to the point of saying I am in danger, which is way too heavy for a message board. So I am sorry for doing that, and I am sorry for this response. Honestly...it is in the exact moment that I have to reckon with and decide if I continue to post in CC for this very reason. Argh.

AmberGardner · Jan 11, 2014

Maybe there's a guy who has a very hateful tattoo visible on his arm and he's repentative of it. Maybe it's cheaper to get it covered with another tattoo than to have it removed

Another thought, there's a lot of needy people out there who have needs more basic than a person's desire of an expensive tattoo. It's God's money, not ours. How do we store up treasure for ourselves in heaven? One way is to give to the needy.

Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Know a homeless person? He could probably use A LOT more than just food. Maybe a hotel room for a couple of nights, which is the cost of a brand spanking new tattoo.

Jesus tells us too sell what we have and give to the poor.

Luke 18:22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

ww_21 · Jan 11, 2014

Look at my hands.. I get temporary ones all the time.. I see nothing wrong with self expression as long as it's not satanic symbols tattooed across your body or something.

Misty77 · Jan 12, 2014

My best friend got some tattoos in recovering from her husband's infidelity. She put "hope" just below the back of her neck, "cherished" on the inside of her wrist, and a passage from the Song of Solomon on her back. Her husband on his repentance and return to God put Hebrew blessings on his arms.

One of our attorneys at our firm has the marine symbol on the top of his right shoulder and a cross on his left shoulder, since his is both a believer and a marine.

Tattoos can be self-expression and can by permanent reminders of who God is and what He has done for you.

Tintin · Jan 12, 2014

DragonSlayer said:

You have a strange way of discussing things. Those verses don't apply to the conversation. I thought 38's post was just presenting a challenge in a comical way. We get so caught up in judging people for what they wear and decorate themselves with, while God cares more about the condition of our heart. Do we love and serve him, is he our Lord and Saviour? Do we look out for the lost? Stuff like that. I meant no disrespect to anyone.

Braveheartgal · Jan 12, 2014

Tintin, I agree. Dragonslayer: yes, the Bible, I believe, states not to "desecrate" your flesh, and I think tattoos should be avoided if possible, HOWEVER, there are many born-again Christians who are wonderful followers of Christ who got tattoos before their conversion, and the tattoos become a testimony of the grace of God in many ways, and additionally can be a launching point for witnessing to unsaved souls. isn't that what it's all about anyway? the SAVING of souls? The Bible says, "man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart."

Tintin said:

homwardbound · Jan 12, 2014

DragonSlayer said:

Brother Homwardbound,

Jesus strictly forbad His chosen people to get tattoos.
It's written : " Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord. "

Leviticus 19:28

Jesus never came to abolish the law, but to fulfill it !
It's written :
" " Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. "

Matthew 5:17-20

Also, it's an extremely great offense to the Lord to distort His words ( like Satan did in the desert )
to try and justify any work of Satan ! If you read the sound doctrine contained in the Scriptures
( and not the twisted version preached by false teachers who fear men rather than God )
you would realize your great mistake and you would repent and abandon it,
and the Lord will forgive you. Actually, hypocrite scribes and pharisees didn't observe the commandments at all !
They were adulterers, idolaters of money, robbers, blasphemers, etc.
In fact, if hypocrite scribes and pharisees were still alive today and someone would pay them to publicly endorse tattoos or any other kind of worldly practice, they would accept it in a heartbeat !

Tattoo is a pagan human tradition, and modern hypocrite scribes and pharisees are trying to suppress the Lord's commandment forbidding tattoos in favor of that pagan human tradition. Just like in Jesus time.

It's written : " But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. "

Matthew 15 : 3-6

okay then, I see which way you see, do you not see the way others see? Does God love you anyway or is it conditional?
Do you not see the Mercy of God or are you stuck at the sacrifice?
Not accusing just asking

faroukfarouk · Apr 26, 2014

RushBreeze said:

Personally feel that tattoos are not a biblical issue unless they are done out of a spirit of rebellion or if they depict things that are blatantly anti-biblical.
I feel like the verses that have been put before me on the subject do not apply to the situation, as my understanding is that Leviticus was written directly to the Jewish people for a time and a place to set them apart. A verse before it speaks to a man not rounding the corners of his head or marring the edges of his beard and I'd love to see pastors follow that rule.
I by no means proclaim to be an expert on the matter but as long as you feel comfortable with your tattoo, and it does not come from a place of rebellion they you are good to go.
Keep in mind tho, tattoos are permanent and should never be taken lightly. Barring a lot of money and expensive laser therapy tattoos are with you for life. People will also judge you based on your tattoos (sad but true) and you should take into consideration how visible its going to be and what perception it will give people.

I personally love both my tattoos and they carry significant meaning to me and feel that they in no way detract or distract from my Christian walk.

Are they faith based in design, maybe? and are you done inking yet?

lioncub · Apr 27, 2014

Tattoes are a disfigurement of the body and God said not to do it. God never asked us to put tattoes on our skin for Him.

MrHonest · Apr 27, 2014

This really should not be a big deal because if you read the bible (leviticus 19:28) its easy to undersrand. If you do not read then 2 Timothy 2:15 is proper for us as the workmen and women of The Word of God.

Lastly why do we strive to enjoy every inch of this world arguing what is ours and what is not? Jesus died for you: is it too much to dismiss your desires and be a Christian that seeks God more than self satisfaction?

faroukfarouk · Apr 27, 2014

MrHonest said:

I agree about not following worldly desires.

Fact is, faith based tattoo design are proven, effective conversations starters (Bible ref.s; Christian fish sign <><, etc.) and many Christians have them. Romans 14 also speaks of exercising Christian liberty, especially if the motive is to be effective in witness.

homwardbound · Apr 27, 2014

faroukfarouk said:

For I know and am convinced by Christ ALL things are today clean of itself after the cross of Christ.
Which boils down to what I do with what I have. I can make anything that is clean unclean, God forbid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Motive is what Father is going have the final say in, all motives exposed and if our consciences have not been seared they will be
Love, justice, Mercy, and humility all play a role

faroukfarouk · Apr 27, 2014

homwardbound said:

For I know and am convinced by Christ ALL things are today clean of itself after the cross of Christ.
Which boils down to what I do with what I have. I can make anything that is clean unclean, God forbid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Motive is what Father is going have the final say in, all motives exposed and if our consciences have not been seared they will be
Love, justice, Mercy, and humility all play a role

Sounds good.

Animus · Apr 27, 2014

I know this has been briefly mentioned here already, but,

In Leviticus 19:27-28 we are commanded:"(27) You shall not round the edge of your head, nor shall you destroy the edge of your beard. (28) And you shall not make a cutting for the dead in your flesh, nor shall you make a written tattoo upon you; I am YHWH."

But all of these things were commanded to not be done for the dead, as an act of mourning, as was commonly done in pagan cultures. (Read more)

When I first read this part of Leviticus that was my suspicion, since the part about tattoos is in the same sentence as the part about cutting yourselves for the dead. We read in 2Sam 14:26 that Absalom, the son of King David, used to grow his hair long and then shave his head every year. Again, this was not an act of mourning and therefore it was permissible to shave the head.

So the verse in Leviticus prohibits,
1) Making a bald spot on the head as an act of mourning
2) Shaving the beard as an act of mourning
3) Cutting the skin as an act of mourning
4) Writing on the skin as an act of mourning

Upon further reading I found that it was understood that all four of the practices mentioned were known to be practices of mourning at the time, which is something we have forgotten about.

Now, obviously if you are tattooing obscenities on yourself you are using "unwholesome talk" (Ephesians 4:29), and if you get a giant chicken tattoo I'd think it rather stupid, but not sinful. I'm never going to get a tattoo, so it's very easy for me to say "it's unbiblical" but the evidence doesn't support the claim that it's inherently unbiblical in the same way that sex isn't inherently unbiblical (just in most contexts).

newbirth · Apr 27, 2014

Deneshag said:

The life of a christian is to emulate Christ.In this way through the power of the holy spirit we bring the desires of the flesh under subjection.
[h=3]Romans 1:27-29[/h]King James Version (KJV)

[SUP]27 [/SUP]And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
[SUP]28 [/SUP]And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

[SUP]29 [/SUP]Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

[h=2]Full Definition of CONVENIENT[/h]1

obsolete : suitable, proper

2
a : suited to personal comfort or to easy performance <meeting at a convenient time>
b : suited to a particular situation <a convenient excuse>
c : affording accommodation or advantage <found it convenient to deal with both problems at the same time>

3
: being near at hand : close <a location convenient to the train station>

newbirth · Apr 27, 2014

ww_21 said:

---------------------------------------------------------------

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1 Corinthians 6:11-13 (in Context)
1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
1 Corinthians 10:22-24 (in Context)

newbirth · Apr 27, 2014

homwardbound said:

same answer to you, we have a choice in all that we do, obedience to God proves the power of God. Obedience to the flesh proves the weakness of man. Whoever you serve is your master.

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1 Corinthians 6:11-13 (in Context)
1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
1 Corinthians 10:22-24 (in Context)

newbirth · Apr 27, 2014

faroukfarouk said:

Let your light shine bro when men see your good works they will glorify God.You don't need a tattoo for that.
[h=3]1 Peter 5:5-7[/h]King James Version (KJV)

[SUP]5 [/SUP]Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

[SUP]6 [/SUP]Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
[SUP]7 [/SUP]Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

faroukfarouk · Apr 27, 2014

newbirth said:

Great verses you quoted there.

Sometimes faith based tattoos are actually quotes from, or references to, the Scriptures in any case. A lot of Christians get them, anyway.

Blessings.

Christians getting tattoos

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