Thursday, June 9, 2011

Is it Biblical: Are tattoos a sin? -Blogos

 

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Are tattoos a sin?

Next on the GotQuestions.org Top 20 list is “Are tattoos a sin? Is it a sin to get a tattoo?” The only Bible verse that specifically mentions tattoos isLeviticus 19:28, “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.” With this verse in mind, I want to point out flaws in both sides of the argument. Some who oppose tattoos will point toLeviticus 19:28 and say “case closed, it is a sin to get a tattoo.” The problem with this line of reasoning is that there are many commands in the Old Testament Law, and in the Book of Leviticus especially, that Christians do not obey. For example, the verse immediately prior to Leviticus 19:28states, “Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard” (19:27). If we are going to use Leviticus 19:28 to outlaw tattoos, we should also outlaw everything else that the Old Testament Law forbids. The key point is this – Jesus’ death fulfilled and completed the Law, ending its requirements on us (Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:23-25; Ephesians 2:15). Therefore, the law against tattoos is not binding on Christians.

As a result of the inapplicability of Leviticus 19:28, some will argue that since the Bible does not speak against tattoos in a New Covenant context, it is acceptable to get tattoos. The problem with this line of reasoning is that there are many things the Bible does not specifically speak against. The Bible being silent on an activity does not necessarily indicate approval of that activity. Some who approve of Christians getting tattoos will also point toRevelation 19:16 and claim that Jesus has a tattoo, “On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” The text does not say that it will be a tattoo. It could be written by a magic marker for all we know, or it could be a henna (non-permanent) tattoo, or it could be metaphoric/symbolic, not literal. Whatever the case, Revelation 19:16 does not say Jesus has a tattoo. Even if it did, it would not be blanket permission for Christians to get tattoos.

So, if arguments from both sides are flawed, what is the answer in regards to tattoos? For me, this issue seems to be primarily a struggle with Christian freedom. It would be so much easier if we just had an exhaustive list of do’s and don’ts. Christian freedom is uncomfortable because it forces us to truly examine our motives. That is why Christians tend to go to one extreme or the other, legalism or licentiousness. Legalism is easier because it provides us with the list of do’s and don’ts. Licentiousness is easier because it focuses on the “freedom” in “Christian freedom” while ignoring the “Christian.”

Perhaps the most applicable verse on the question of whether getting a tattoo is a sin would be Romans 14:23, “For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” Sometimes, if you have to ask the question of whether something is right or wrong, it is a sign that it is wrong. As Christians, we should never do anything unless we are absolutely convinced that it is right. Further, we should never do something just because someone else says it is right. If you are absolutely convinced that getting a tattoo will be pleasing to God, honoring to God, and an increase in your being a light to the world – I will not stand in your way of getting a tattoo, nor will I claim that you have sinned by getting a tattoo. Ultimately, it is between you and God.

I seriously doubt I will ever get a tattoo. I am just not convinced that it is right to permanently mark my body with a tattoo. Speaking of Christian freedom, 1 Corinthians 6:12 states, “Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial” (see also 1 Corinthians 10:23). Might tattoos be permissible? Maybe. But, I simply do not see how they can be considered beneficial. For me, then, it would be a sin to get a tattoo because there is doubt, not faith (Romans 14:23).

Related GotQuestions.org article: tattoos sin

SMH

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  • Ronald 1 month ago
    I agree that we have liberty's, my thought is it has indications that it not pleasing to God, that someone have needle going so many time a second, to put a distracting image. I prefer to be mirror, that shines Jesus in our lives than on our skin. 
  • Amen Brother Ronald. 
  • Edith Jane 1 month ago
    HEY!!! I DIDN'T KNOW THE BLOG WAS BACK! :)
  • Ceseeley 1 month ago
    How many true Christians want the mark of the beast tattooed to their foreheads or however it is going to happen? 

    When one Considers Psalms 139:13-16, and the marvelous way that God creates each person in the womb and how important they are to God, then why oh why, does any real Christian want to do anything to defile that wonderful body that God has given them???

    Psa 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. 


    Psa 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvellous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well. 


    Psa 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, [and] curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 


    Psa 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all [my members] were written, [which] in continuance were fashioned, when [as yet there was] none of them. 
  • Marlan Brown 1 month ago
    Those are some very good observations on both sides of the issue. Look at what Gods word says elsewhere ....1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. I think the question we need to ask ourselves is " would this thing glorify God?" Is God saying that our bodies and our souls are His? If so, then I wouldn't want to degrade anything that is His. Another way to look at it might be like this.... Can we glorify God in our bodies by NOT having a tattoo? Yes we can. Can we glorify God by HAVING a tattoo? Maybe. But I know for sure I can glorify Him by NOT having one. I'll do that. 

    In His service.
  • Amen Marlan
  • Mimi Blanchard 1 month ago
    I do feel that it is a form of sin, because we are recreating our bodies, changing how it was originally designed. I really feel that tattoos are not good for the body and we belong to God and our bodies are HIS Temple. I don't really know if sin is the best word, I just know that they don't seem holy or glorifying in any way. God Bless
  • Mimi,
    Look at what you are writing, "I do FEEL..., I REALLY FEEL." Our feelings cannot be imposed on others. If you feel it is a sin, you should never do it, but to impose your feelings without God saying, "Thou shalt not tattoo thyself. It is sin for you," is imposing your idea of sin on another. Do you wear make up or jewelry? You just recreated your body. Is it a sin? No..yet, their are people who feel wearing make up is a sin. "In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of [their] tinkling ornaments [about their feet], and [their] cauls, and [their] round tires like the moon, The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings," (ISA 3:18-20) We have to be careful when we read Scripture to identify the context. This verse in ISAIAH sounds like jewelry is sinful, but it has more to do with pagan worship. The same is true of LEVITICUS 19:28.
  • Danielle 1 month ago
    I agree that often, if we question something, it might be a sin; however, for some of us who lean towards legalism (or have in the past), maybe questioning something is more of a judgment against others doing it than it is a sign of it being a sin for ourselves.

    I have a tattoo, and I've never considered it a big deal - maybe partly because it's not usually visible (it's on my back), and also because I agree that we aren't held to the Old Testament law anymore, as Christians. I'm thinking of getting another one with a Bible verse and a mountain, which could possibly lead to conversations about faith (or bring up questions such as this one)...I see it as a way to show my personality a little (like a new haircut or nail polish, but more permanent) and, in this case, maybe start a conversation about faith.
  • abcurtis 3 weeks ago
    I had two teen age girls in our youth group ask me about tats.  I told them the Old Testament forbid them for God's people but the New Testament did not mention them and we are New Testament people.  I told them that God gave that law to his people to prevent them from doing what the idol worshiping pagans were doing, who marked themselves with images of the gods they served.  I told them since I accepted Christ, I was now one of God's people, a pert of his family.  I told them that if that advice was good enough for the OT believers, it's good enough for me.  They said since I put it like that, it made sense.  This was about four years ago.  neither of those two girls have tats.
  • God reads into our heart. It's much easier to avoid the sin of vanity without tattoos. We should be able to express ourselves with jewelery, accessories and/or pure clothing (if you can find it!).
  • Ceseeley 1 month ago
    As I type, NPR is talking about the ink from tattoos migrating to other parts of the body and causing health problems.
    Especially, if the ink contains metals such as cadmium ... etc.!

    Tattoo parlors are trying to make the tattoos more psychedelic, brighter ... etc.!

    The ongoing research will probably start connecting the dots especially when they start considering the research of a Swedish company that sells high end body lotions. The company found that when something is applied to the skin, it can be detected in every organ of the body in 20 some seconds!!!
  • Thank you for sharing Ceseeley. The health risks are not worth it. OUR bodies belong to God and how we live and treat our body will determine the quality of life we will be blessed with. It is our temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of 
    the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your
    own?

    20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
  • I agree that tattoos are a question of Christian freedom. Two women in my family have tattoos and both got them with the specific intention of honoring God. Neither tattoo is especially "Christian" in design (though both do have faith symbols), but both were heart communications and tangible marks meant to declare a truth about their relationship with God and His work in their lives. Really, I think any time someone gets a tattoo it is to express personality, as Danielle said, or to make some sort of statement (be it to others or more to yourself or to God if the tattoo is usually not visible). As you said, it goes back to examining the heart and responding appropriately to how the Holy Spirit leads. Is this tattoo a statement of truth about God and/or about who He has created you to be or is it something else?
  • Debbie 1 month ago
    Some things in Scripture are clearly defined as "sins." (GAL 5:19-21; EPH 5:3-5) This article is well written. We cannot pick and choose which OT laws we can obey and not obey. That was the whole reason for Jesus Christ. It was impossible for the Jew to keep all 613 of the moral, civil and legal laws. I think it boils down to this, "if it is a sin in your mind for you to tattoo, DON"T DO IT!" If it is not a sin in your mind to tattoo, enjoy your Christian liberty. Some are works of art and some are trashy. For me, I have way worse sins to deal with than tattooing. Some of them I have seen make Godly statements. When one believes that something is sinful for them and not clearly revealed in Scripture, they cannot impose that on other people. That falls under ROM 14:1-3; "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him." (NIV)
    MARANATHA
  • We shouldn't forget Romans 14:13 as we exercise our Christian liberty.
  • I am laughing ron because I don't think it is possible anymore to not offend somebody. I feel very secure in my Christian liberty and I am forever running up against one thing or another that people find offensive. Human volition? I just offended the Calvinists. Millennial reign? I just offended the amillennialists. Trinity? I just offended the monotheists. I would never intentionally go about trying to offend a brother, but it is almost impossible these days to quote the Word of God and not offend somebody. Thankfully, God knows our hearts...blessings
  • Beautifully put!
  • You are certainly correct in that it seems some people today will take offense at just about anything -- sad, isn't it? I read a little more into Romans 14:13, though, and think that the writer is warning us, even given our liberty, to refrain from doing things that place an obstacle or stumbling block in the way of our brothers or sisters and, thus, cause them to sin. I'm not making the claim that a tattoo does that -- just saying that our Christian liberty does have Biblical limits.



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