What The Bible Says About Tattoos Straight From God
Leviticus 19:28 You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.
The instructions of God about tattooing supersedes any cultural practice. Culture is one of the major reasons why people tattoo themselves.
The word of God is clear about this in this tattoo verse, no cutting of the body for whatever reason because our bodies belong to God. We should keep it holy and not make it an abode of the devil and his evil practices.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
We are to use our bodies to glorify God. This we can do by using every member of our body to carry out His instructions.
Some people think they have free will to do what they like with their bodies. How wrong they are. God who created us knows what He created us for, and He has declared that in His word.
One of the reasons why there is an upsurge of diseases and sicknesses in the world is because we are not using our bodies to glorify Him.
Revelation 19:16 On his robe and his thigh, he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
It is a surprise that Jesus who this scripture is referring to has inscriptions on his thigh. Looking at this ordinarily, one would say Jesus has a tattoo on his body.
This is one of the scriptures that Christians with tattoos are using to justify what they are doing.
The Bible Says Not To Mark Or Cut Your Body
The Bible warns us against tattoos in Leviticus 19:28 which says, Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord.
I know some will have a hard time receiving this teaching because tattooing has now become an accepted practice in our society. However, just because society approves of something does not make it right in Gods eyes. Our society at large, also approves of abortion and divorce as well. However, the Bible makes it clear that God does not approve of these things.
There are many dedicated and sincere Christian people who have tattoos. This article is not meant to say they do not love the Lord. God not only can use them, but does use them. The issue is not whether God can use someone, but rather should Christians pursue getting tattoos? Just because something is popular does not mean it is right. We should always examine things by the roots and the fruits of the thing in question.
Origin Of Tattooing In The Bible
Tattooing has been a global practice across Neolithic times, which has proven preserved mummified skin and ancient art in Chinas Taklamakan Desert c. 1200 B.C. while the Greeks, the Romans, Egyptians, and other cultures, later on, took to tattooing for either identifying spies, criminals, or rituals.
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Your Body Is The Temple Of God
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 1 1 Corinthians 6:19 NKJV
What does the Bible say about tattoos in the new testament? The Bible says that our body is the temple of God it is not solely yours. God resides within you, and your body is not exclusively yours.
God made us and counted each and every hair on our heads. This is why suicide is a sin: you cant take a life that wasnt yours, to begin with. It is your obligation to look after your body you must be cautious about what you put into and on it.
After that, you must consider whether or not drawing the tattoo is the best option for you. Consider whether this is something you might want in the future.
Is the tattoo appropriate for Gods temple? Before getting a tattoo, its a good idea to ask yourself these questions. For God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.1 Corinthians 6:20 NLT
What Does The Bible Say About Tattoos In The Old Testament
Well, we find the reference in Leviticus 19:28, where the bible is clearly speaking about our body, one should not cut himself/herself nor should get any tattoos on their bodies.
God Clearly wants us to be away from such things, because indirectly having this you worship the idol, and lean towards witchcraft which is completely unacceptable for God.
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Do Not Make Any Cuttings On Your Body
You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:28 NKJV What does the Bible say about tattoos? The Bible says you must not make cuttings for the dead nor tattoos marks on your body.
When God led the Israelites out of Egypt, he gave them many instructions because they had no prior relationship with him. He had to reintroduce himself to them and reaffirm his covenant with Abraham.
He gave them laws and commands that were appropriate for the particular period. When Jesus arrived in the new testament, several of these regulations were changed.
One of the laws given to the Israelites by the Lord was to refrain from making cuts on their bodies for the dead and from tattooing their bodies. The countries surrounding the Israelites would make incisions and scars on their bodies for idol worship.
But God intended for the Israelites to be separate from these individuals. He didnt want to be treated as if He were an idol.
God desired that his chosen people stand out from the crowd. God still expects his chosen people to be separated. We are to be Holy as our father in heaven is holy.
Dont copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know Gods will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT
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Do Tattoos Have A Place In Christianity
Tattoos are highly debated in Christian circles, yet they are becoming more and more popular among Christians.
Christians who support tattoos believe that they can be used to express ones faith, but others believe these sets of Christians are too carnal, or that they are just not Christians.
A study found that two-thirds of tattoo-owning Christians say their tattoos reflect their Christian values, with most citing the Bible as their main source of inspiration.
While some use their tattoos to express important biblical passages or stories, others use their bodies as a canvas for displaying religious symbols, such as crosses and the Star of David.
However, the poll also revealed that not all Christians buy into all these man-made doctrines, especially those who know and believe in what the Bible says about tattoos.
The Bible tells us in Leviticus 19:28 that we should not cut our bodies in any way. That is because God made our bodies and they are a part of his creation. We dont need to tattoo His creation.
God created us in His image to show forth His glory and represent Him on earth. To his is the reason why we are so unique, and more endowed than all other creatures of God.
After the creation, God assessed His work and He said they were very good. That included man, and it also means that God did not omit anything that we needed to have.
Unfortunately, many Christians are now embracing it, using the scriptures to support their actions.
Do Everything To The Glory Of God
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31 NKJV As ambassadors of Christ on earth, we have to make sure that our choices and actions glorify God.
It should be consciously etched at the back of our minds as we make decisions. If you are planning on getting a tattoo, you have to consider two things.
- The position of the tattoo
- The type of tattoo
The position of tattoo: Placing your tattoo on sensitive parts of your body does nothing but promote sensuality.
As an ambassador of Christ, your job on earth is to bring people into the kingdom of God, not to take people away from it.
When you put tattoos in sensitive and private parts of your body, you need them to sin. Matthew 5:27-28 NLT says
You have heard the commandment that says, You must not commit adultery. But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
The type of tattoo: You should also consider what kind of tattoo you place on your body and what it represents.
If the tattoo has a lewd or sensual meaning, denotes a demonic or satanic image, or has its root in something sinister, then you know you must not put that on your body you are the image of God.
You have to ask yourself if the tattoo you are about to place on your body gives glory to God.
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What Is Your Purpose And Motivation In Getting A Tattoo
Christians should not live as the world lives, and Christians should focus on our insides rather than our outsides.
Do not let your adorning be externalthe braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in Gods sight is very precious. –– 1 Peter 3:34
While this verse speaks of hairstyles, jewelry, and clothing, the idea certainly spills over into the arena of tattoos.
Is your desire for a tattoo based on vanity?
Be honest with yourself. What are your motivations?
Are you motivated to get a tattoo just because everyone else is?
Again, the tattoo may not be a sin, but your motivations may be. Consider it carefully.
Is Tattoo A Sin Or Can Christians Get Tattoos
But first, what is my personal opinion on tattoos? In my opinion, tattoos are sinful, though I am not trying to condemn anyone who has a tattoo.
Christians should avoid getting tattoos. Tattoos will always be considered a sin in Christianity, despite modernization. It concerns to see that things that were once considered sinful are now considered acceptable.
Pastor Betty Miller states, We strive to become like our Lord, Jesus Christ, and to reflect Him on earth. How Would Jesus Act? Its terrifying to imagine what my Lord would look like with tattoos all over his body.
The only scars on Christs body are from his crucifixion on the Cross of Calvary, not from self-inflicted scars or tattoos.
The nails in His hands and the piercing of His side on the cross where he bled and died so that your sins could be forgiven Believers will put anything that leads to larger compromises aside.
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Bible Verses About Tattoos
You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord. ~ Leviticus 19:28
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. ~ Revelation 19:16
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:31
And try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. ~ Ephesians 5:10
You are the sons of the Lord your God. You shall not cut yourselves or make any baldness on your foreheads for the dead. ~ Deuteronomy 14:1
All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:23
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves ~ Romans 1:24
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It Can Be A Stumbling Block To Others
But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 1 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV We have the liberty to do as we wish depending on our personal conviction on whether it Is right or wrong.
But you should consider that it might be a stumbling block to those with weak faith. Some Christians believe that tattoos make them more approachable to an unbeliever and that they might relate with them better and win their souls for God.
However, tattoos can be a stumbling block for some Christians. For example, it might be difficult for some people to listen to a message from a pastor with a tattoo sleeve. The pastor might be preaching a holy spirit inspired, and moving message, but they wont look past that tattoo.
Will You Go To Heaven If You Have Tattoos
Well, there is no relation between tattoos and heaven, and it is not written anywhere that you cant go to heaven if youre having tattoos, our lord doesnt forget and leave just because youre having tattoos.
The Bible only tells that one should believe in him, that he is the real creator of heaven and earth, he is the alpha and omega, he is the one who gave his only begotten son to die for us, so that we may have an abundant life. And after three days of burial, he was resurrected from the grave and sat at the throne beside God.
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Verdict: Are Tattoos A Sin
As you read more from God’s words, there are numerous mentions of the body. It is a God’s temple for the spirit. People who defile the temple are in sin. Take this example of Jesus at the temple in Matthew 21:12-13 KJV:
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer but ye have made it a den of thieves.
While there is no clear definition one way or the other, you should examine your heart and your intentions on why you want a tattoo or a piercing. Just as in anything else, you should honor God in all that you do.
What Are The Motives Behind Tattoos
Proverbs 16:2 You may think everything you do is right, but the LORD judges your motives.
There is always a rush to have tattoos, despite the long-term effects on relationships, professions, the cost, and the pain of removing the tattoo often overlooked. Many people regret getting a tattoo, despite the benefits.
Others believe that tattoos assist them to have the Word of God engraved on their bodies, but they are deceiving themselves, as they are motivated by self-glorification. Everything comes down to how they view themselves.
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Did Jesus Have A Tattoo On His Thigh
There are many people who think that Jesus had a tattoo, which is not true. Jesus would not have disobeyed Gods Word in Leviticus. Nowhere in the Bible did it say Jesus got a tattoo or any disciples getting one. This passage was being symbolic. In those times a king would have his title engraved on his garment or he could have had a banner that said, King Of Kings.
15. Revelation 19:16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
16. Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Does This Answer Apply To People Today
That, then, is a brief summary of what Leviticus 19:28 is talking about. But to whom is the Lord speaking when he addresses this subject? Who is prohibited from engaging in these actions? To everyone in every circumstance in every era of history? No. God is speaking only to the Israelites under the old covenant.
This takes us back to the point we made earlier: even when the Bible does answer a question, we need to be certain that the answer is addressed specifically to us and not to an individual, people group, or historic situation. The prohibitions in Leviticus 19:27-28 are never repeated in the New Testament, never applied to everyone, and certainly never included in prohibitions for Christians.
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