As I have grown older, my desire to engage in meaningless debates has lessened drastically. If social media was around when I was in my 20’s, I would have probably been one of those people who would post things just to create arguments, and to stir the pot.
In theory, I have matured up some since then, so I am very careful about what I post, and how I post it, especially if it is something controversial. More often than not, I just shake my head wanting to post something, but remember verses like.
Proverbs 20:3
3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,
but every fool will be quarreling.
Proverbs 26:4-5
Answer not a fool according to his folly,
lest you be like him yourself.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Matthew 7:6
6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
Titus 3:9
9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
2 Timothy 2:23-26
23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
Verses like these remind me of my former immaturity and temper my posting.
I saw a post today that I believe was designed to “stir the pot” and I wanted to respond, but I refrained. It was on a pastor’s group, and the question was “Can a Christian get a tattoo?”. It seemed that the original poster had his mind made up, but at least 3/4 of the responses was “No”, which is why I wanted to respond.
I would like to start my comments by stating that I personally am not a fan of tattoos, I don’t have one and have no intention of getting one. I always like to say, “You don’t put a bumper sticker on a Ferrari.”, and while I’m a far cry from a Ferrari, I see no reason to alter what God has created. My other reasons include the expense, the permanency of them, and the fact that our bodies change, so what was once a picture of a dog, might look like a wilted flower 20 years later.
With that said, what does Scripture say?
The first place that the anti-tattoo advocates will go is
Leviticus 19:28
28 You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD.
There it is, clear as can be according to Scripture, except it’s not so clear. As we read the verse before it
Leviticus 19:27
27 You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard.
I don’t see anybody forbidding those practices (if they even know what they are)
These practices were pagan rituals that they performed in honor of the dead, and God forbid tattoos like that, to separate them from the pagans of the land. This is all part of God’s law to Israel and not repeated in the New Testament. Jesus fulfilled the law, so we are no longer under it, but if you insist that we are still under it, I’ll enjoy your bacon for you.
The second Scripture that will be given is
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 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, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
And while this Scripture does bring up a valid point, the question that we must ask ourselves is what defiles the body more, art tattooed on it, or the over intake of foods and chemicals that without any exersize to balance it out, causing obesity. If a person is going to use that argument, then they better be treating their own body perfectly.
Other minor points that could be made is that we should do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). We should not conform to this world (Romans 12:2) We should keep ourselves pure (1 Thessalonians 5:22). We shouldn’t cause other to stumble (Romans 12:20, 1 Corinthians 8:13)
While all of those are good arguments, they start with the assumption that tattoos are bad. Paul tells the Corinthians
1 Corinthians 10:23-24
23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
I believe that would include tattoo’s but here is the question that you have to ask yourself. Why?
Why do you want the tattoo? Is it vanity, is it revering the dead?
What are your reasons? God judges the heart, and if you have honestly, submissively prayed about it, and are at peace with it, then that is between you and God, and nobody has the right to judge. Just make sure that you are seeking God’s will in all of it.
While tattoos are not for me, it is possible that the right tattoo, on the right person, may open up a conversation that leads to the opportunity to share the gospel. God’s ways are far beyond our ways, so I can’t advise for or against them, all I can advise is that you truly and honestly seek God’s will when making a decision like that.
Thank you for reading this, as always, I would encourage you to spend time in His Word, in prayer and in the fellowship of other believers. And if you haven’t visited already, I would encourage you to come visit our little church on the hill, it’s worth the drive.
Bro. Jason
Well written and a good read! Thanks for writing these blogs, I enjoy reading yours and Lori’s.
My dad always said, “the bible says to treat your body as a temple. I just choose to decorate mine.”
My tattoos are a part of who I am, important parts of me and my story. Is most of it nerdy stuff? Yeah. But the nerdy stuff is a part of me. Watching Invader Zim with my dad, growing up loving Batman, discovering Berserk with Kayan and having it open up new discussions and a new thing to bond over with my husband. Next two I plan on are lyrics from a song that help strengthen me and something with my sister to share our bond and something we love together.
My hair, my piercings, and my tattoos are for nothing more than expressing myself and being genuinely me. And God gave me the right and the means to do it. Just like he provides me with everything else good.
Oh and I would absolutely put a sticker on a ferrari if its cool enough.
Thank you and Lori for your blogs. I appreciate each of you and your service to God’s church!!
I absolutely can relate to restraining myself from jumping into the fray. I can be a very prideful person who forgets that I do not have all the answers. I don’t even have all the questions. It’s just so frustrating. I’m sorry for your experiences with the pastors online. I’ve met a few of them. All I can say is that I’m glad my salvation is not in their hands. Only Christ can judge me and I do all I can to please Him.
I have heard the debates. I am in your camp and am not a fan of the tattoos. I have seen some incredible tattoo art work but have never had the desire to get one. I work to hard for my money and prefer to spend it on other things, beside the health risk that they can potentially cause. I know if I had gotten one years ago it would look a lot different now. If it was a dog, it would be wrinkled or stretched out of shape now. If that is what you want to do then, do it. I have seen religious tattoos, and I’m sure that they can be conversation starters.
I have learned, like you, not every pot is worth stirring! Thanks for your insight!