Thanks for answering
I'm wondering if the word "tempt" is being properly applied here; if the action isn't a sin, then can we truly be tempted? Idk, not very good at this, but it seems like the attitude of the person getting the tattoo would have a lot to do with whether or not it is a sin. What do you mean by "man made gifts"? Where can we draw that line? Shall we refuse to take a sick child to the doctor because the techniques used by the doctor have not been present since the dawn of time and therefore are "man made gifts"? What do we have that God has not given to us? It's not as if God just set the clock ticking once He finished creating the world, "There you go, little people, I've done my job, the rest is all for you to sort out." Thank goodness, 'cause we'd all be in a world of hurt
At the same time, if getting a tattoo is such a big deal to the people around you, it would be better not to get one. Correct me if I'm wrong, proper hermeneutics is a fairly new concept for me, but 1 Cor 8 looks like a good example of this.
Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (1 Co 8:1–13). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
What do you think?
