Response to Reader Question: Why Getting a Tattoo Is NOT a Sin
Apparently I’ve struck on quite a firestorm by beginning to teach on God’s symbolic language using tattoo interpretation. Lest I raise more eyebrows, I’m going to explain to you today from the Bible why getting a tattoo is NOT a sin.
Related: 4 Things I Learned At the Tattoo Convention
People that say that getting a tattoo is a sin are basing their theory on Leviticus 19:28, which says:
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“You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.”
That seems pretty clear at first glance. However, in order to understand how it applies to us today, we have to view it in context. We have to look at the meaning of the entire passage–the verses and chapters before and after it. We also have to look at the rest of the truths taught in the entire Bible as a whole.
First, you have to understand the context if you want to know that getting a tattoo is not a sin:
Leviticus 19:28 is part of the Mosaic Law–the Law given to the Israelites through Moses. It was a very comprehensive Law, containing moral, social, and ceremonial commands.
But in Matthew 5:17, Jesus gives us this startling statement:
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”
God gave the Law as a foreshadowing of Jesus. All of its commands, ceremonies, and rules foretold the Person of Christ. We know from Jesus’ own words, and from many other passages in the Bible, that Jesus was the complete fulfillment of the Law.
So then we have to ask:
How did Jesus fulfill the part of the Law that forbids tattooing?
It’s simple. God gave the Israelites this command to provide for an outer consecration and purity that would foreshadow the inner consecration and purity they would one day have in Christ.
If you read the entire Mosaic Law, or even the chapters surrounding our tattooing passage above, you’ll see many other commands with the same purpose. For example, the Law forbade:
- eating pork;
- wearing clothing of mixed fibers;
- planting mixed seed, and
- sexual relations between a husband and a wife during the wife’s menstruation.
God demands purity. He desires for us to be pure, because He is pure. That is why He sent Jesus.
First Corinthians 1:30-31 tells us:
“But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”
“Sanctify” just means “to purify.” The Law could not purify men, because men were unable to keep it in its entirety. But Papa loved us so much that He still desired to save us from sin.
So He sent His Son, Jesus, who lived a perfect life, died on the cross for you and me, rose from the dead the third day, and ascended back into Heaven.
Jesus lived a pure life for us. He BECAME purity for you and me.
That is why, if you will accept Jesus as the Lord of your life, you can have a new start… no matter what you’ve done.
- You can receive forgiveness for everything you’ve ever done that wasn’t just like God (things which are called “sins”).
- If you’ve had an abortion, God will forgive you and heal you if you’ll just ask Him to.
- If you’ve had sex outside of marriage, God will forgive you and heal your heart if you’ll just ask Him to.
- If you’ve botched up your life in any way, God will forgive you and give you a new start if you’ll just ask Him to.
- If you’ve lied, cheated, stolen, raped, murdered… It’s all sin to God, and if you will confess your sins, He will still be faithful and just to forgive you your sins, and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Romans 7:6 tells us, “But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.”
Related resource: Learn to interpret your dreams and tattoos using God’s symbolism. Dreams are like movies and tattoos are like photographs, but the same symbolic language applies. Check out more about God’s symbolic language in Doug Addison’s Understand Your Dreams Now: Spiritual Dream Interpretation on Amazon (affiliate link).
So this is why getting a tattoo is not a sin:
- The forbidding of tattoos was meant to be an outer sign of the inner consecration that would become available in Jesus.
- Then Jesus came, and He fulfilled those laws completely.
- Now Jesus gives us something far better than external rituals and observances: inward purity. Jesus gives us freedom from sin; true purity of the heart.
Second Corinthians 5:21 tells us, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
So, we don’t have to depend on abstaining from tattoos for our purity anymore. Getting a tattoo is not a sin. Like many other things, it’s a personal choice that you need to work out between you and God. If you want one, knock yourself out. Make it a holy image that won’t misrepresent Jesus, and don’t let people judge you for it.
If you don’t want one, that’s fine too. But don’t judge people who have them, ok?
If you have a tattoo and have been criticized for it, what do you think about what I’ve outlined above? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment below.
Related:
Check out the tattoo interpretations below! Or, want your own tattoo interpretation? You’ll have your tatt for a lifetime; why not know what God is saying through it? Hop on over to my other site, InterpretMyTattoo.com, to order your tattoo interpretation today!
- Understanding God’s Symbolic Language: Call For Tattoo Photos!
- Tattoo Interpretation #1 (elephant)
- Tattoo Interpretation #2 (flowers)
- Tattoo Interpretation #3 (verse and numbers)
- Tattoo Interpretation #4 (fireworks)
- Tattoo Interpretation #5 (lamb)
- Tattoo Interpretation #6 (phoenix)
- Tattoo Interpretation #7 (crown and sword)
- Tattoo Interpretation #8 (bird)
- Tattoo Encouragement #9: Beheaded Dragon
- Tattoo Interpretation #10: Black & White Crown Tattoo
The Amazon link above is my affiliate link. This means that if you purchase a resource on Amazon using my link, Amazon will pay me a small commission (at no additional cost to you of course). Thanks in advance for helping me feed my cat. And if you really want to, you can thrill yourself by reading my disclosure policy here.
You are so deceived. Do you know that the people who follow this mistruth from you and end up in hell, you will bear their bloods on your hands at judgment as in Ezekiel 33:6? We are called to keep our physical bodies holy and not defile them in the New Testament, and if we do, God will destroy us as stated in 1 Cor 3:17. Tattoos are a form of graffiti on our holy temples. How can you think God is charmed that we put skeletons, demonic images, provocative sexual characters on our holy temples?
Hi Jake,
I’m glad you stopped by. Thank you for your comment. I would remind you of the words of Jesus in Mark 7:21-23: “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” It’s the internal attitudes of the heart that defile, not the external treatment of the skin.
I would also encourage you to re-read the post above, which describes how Jesus fulfilled the law so that we can have complete purity in Him alone. We are saved through Christ alone, not by external rituals or the avoidance thereof. If eternal life could be found in those rituals, Jesus Christ would not have been necessary.
Jesus said in John 5:39, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”
We are complete in Christ. He alone is the fulfillment of the Law.
I bless you with encountering the love of Papa God, who is crazy in love with you, today.
Hello Jamie,
I just read your post about tattoo’s. Can you tell me if there is more that is done away with after the death and resurrection of Christ? If I understand you correct you say that some things do not count anymore?
Esther
Hi Esther. That’s correct. Jesus completely fulfilled the Law that God gave the Israelites in the wilderness. All the ceremonies, rituals, sacrifices, rules and regulations were merely foreshadowing Christ. Now we have Jesus, and we don’t need the foreshadow any more. 🙂
I will say that i have always been not against it but felt that it was wrong to get one. Well recently i thought hard and long having parents and grandparents against it and what would they think? I kept asking question after question until i felt i got the sign i was looking for that by all means i can’t even explain myself. So after long thoughts and everything i been through not only for myself i went and got one on my arm and would be one that i felt I would not regret. Faith Hope and Love symbol and below it FAITH with the I in Faith being a Semicolon so now not only is it something to help me to keep going but anyone who faces any mental illness, cancer or anything they may be facing that if they see it they will know never give up and if they need someone to talk to i will be there to listen. The tattoo has not just one meaning but with each part of it stands for different things and those who may want too see it its on my instagram page. Excitementlee or by my name listed here
We won’t end up in HELL because of a tattoo.
the only way to end up in hell… BY SCRIPTURE… is to NOT except Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, turn from sinful lifestyles and Live as HE calls us to live. to Completely Deny God and his son is how you end up in hell! BUT then again… We don’t know what happens in the Final moments of people’s hearts, now do we?
Thank goodness YOU Sir are not GOD and do not have the Power to decide who does and does not end up with our Heavenly Father!
It’s a blind statement say ALL tattoos are of Evil and gross things. I do not appreciate that judgment, however, i know that the ONLY judgement that TRULY matters is God’s cause HE’S Ultimately the ONE who decides, Sheep or goats! I Will be with the Sheep for My God Saved me, and I chose to live FOR Him. Me AND My tattoos
Also, you won’t have that tattoo in Heaven. Now if God convicts you before you get that tattoo then you shouldn’t get it. If a Christian decides to get a tattoo they should pay attention to the type they get. Will it uplift their testimony or destroy it. I don’t have any tattoos myself but I do not look down on those who do. The only thing God will not forgive you for is blaspheming the Holy Spirit and not accepting Christ as your Savior.
He did die to pay for our sins. Even then, I understand putting the devil or having satanic symbols on the temple is way to much to show Jesus something else. Besides that, having art and appropriate symbols on your body is not bad. More likely if it’s to show off Jesus then I don’t think it’s bad. You can still be a Christian and holy with God and still have tattoos. As long as you respect right? Only God can judge once we meet him not you.
Please read the article more carefully; Jamie specifically said that if you choose to get a tattoo, “Make it a holy image that won’t misrepresent Jesus”, which would mean no tattoos of “skeletons, demonic images, provocative sexual characters”.
Also, if you choose to observe the law regarding tattoos, you are obligated to keep all of the law (Galatians 5:3, James 2:10). So, are you wearing clothes consisting of more than one type of fiber? Have you ever eaten pork? If so, you have sinned as much as a person with a tattoo has. Finally, remember that “judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; but [to the one who has shown mercy], mercy triumphs [victoriously] over judgment.” Do unto others as you would have them do unto you- show mercy and love.
Also a tattoo will not keep you from experiencing God, but if the Lord tells you to remove it and He uses people to speak and correct you please remove it ,its better to go to heaven without it ,than to enter hell with it,pray and harden not your heart concerning this issue instead listen and share this with as many people,let the Holyspirit convict them,yours is just to share 🙂
Hi, Rosemary. Thanks for reading my blog. You mentioned in a different comment about your friend’s dream. Your friend’s dream was either not from the Lord or was interpreted incorrectly. We know that because it does not line up with the Word of God, the Bible. Isaiah 8:20 says, “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” The Word of God tells us that Jesus fulfills the Law 100% and we are no longer bound by it. Also, Jesus returns with a tattoo Himself (Revelation 19), so obviously tattoos are no longer forbidden.
Scripture is not subject to any private interpretation or opinion. We must take the whole thing, and Jesus fulfilled everything in the Law. If He did not, then He cannot be Savior or Messiah. But we know He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and salvation is found in Him alone, not in good works or keeping of the Law.
Thanks for reading.
Interesting article…I have judged people with tattoos in the past, based on the Bible, but this article reminds me that there are other “laws” which are not observed – I do wear my hair kind of short, and according to a verse in the Bible, women should not cut their hair. And, I love bacon, so the whole “no pork” rule is wasted on me, too. I have pierced ears, too, and I think there’s something in the Bible about that, as well. So, I need to be less judgemental about tattoos, but I do have to say that all bets are off when the tattoo is offensive/demonic/obscene. Thanks for your point of view, Jamie – It is presented quite well.
Thanks for reading and commenting – and thank you for your objectivity! 🙂
I enjoyed reading this article. I agree that in anything a person does, they should discuss it with God. I have three small tattoos and I love them! Being respectful of each other is vital. Thank you for sharing 🙂
You’re welcome! Thanks for reading, Kaitlyn!
I also have tattoos. I have small ones and large ones. Some with scriptures incorporated in them because with the hustle and bustle of everyday life it’s easy to forget at times just how important and beautiful you are to Him. All these judgmental people need to realize they are being the sinners by pointing fingers and casting judgment. If our father were that picky he wouldn’t have his magnificent army when he comes back. He loves us all and judges us mainly on our hearts and souls. If you don’t like something don’t look but don’t be a jerk and cut people down. You have no idea where they come from or what they’ve endured. We are the lucky ones because he has enough faith in our strength to overcome.
Hi. I really enjoyed reading this article. I too have a tattoo… And have been critized a lot because I am a pastors kid. I felt terribly bad after two families left our church, because they blamed my parents for not raising me correctly. But the reason I got my tattoo was the same reason people get their ears pierced. I wanted one! Although let me clarify, I did not get it to show it off. My tattoo has a story behind it, including Christ… My parents werent pleased, but understood after I explained it all. The only bad thing I still feel wrong about was getting it without their consent. In my head, I had a good reason to, but now I understand it wasnt okay, and have asked the Lord for his forgiveness. And it is true what you said. Christ is our only way to heaven… If it was upon the things we have done here on earth, no one would go… We are human, and we all make mistakes. Thank you.
Hi Azeneth! I’m so sorry people criticized you, but I am glad you have made up with your parents. 🙂 Thank you for reading and sharing!
I have two tattoos and do not feel I am in any way disobeying God. My tatoos are not satonic or demonic or obscene in any way. I do not worship my tattoos although the symbols and sayings do have a meaning to me and what has occured in my life. My heart is still with God.
Amen sister! We all have forgiveness through Christ and it is a shame when men of the Earth take it upon themselves to judge and use the fear of hell to control others. Thank you for clarifying this.
I’m not entirely sure I agree with your argument, but will study on it. However the scripture in Leviticus about tattooing was referring to the pagan tradition of tattooing demonic imagery for the dead as protection. The same as the reference made for the cutting. Plus, whether or not Jesus actually has a tattoo on his thigh, that is the imagery used in the description. If God had a problem with tattooing in general, I don’t see him using that kind of imagery, yet he did.
Yes! I went to a bible college for 3 years and that’s what we were taught. The teacher actually said, “well for any of you who judge someone with a tattoo, I’m about to disappoint you.” And he explained about the rituals and what that refers to. Thank you for clarifying for people! 🙂
That is awesome, Heather! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I have a tattoo on my foot. I got it after my family went through a horrible event that had a domino effect on our lives. That ‘rock bottom’ led me back to the Faithful Father. My tattoo is a mark to show he brought us through and is an awesome way to share my witness to others. One of my most intense moments in his presence was during the tattoo. One of the boys that broke into our business walked in – GOD covered me in his peace and spoke so clearly to me in that moment. Just like all walks of life, there are those with good intention and those with bad; we need to pray for discernment when the time comes.
Very cool story, Kari! Awesome!
All I have to say is, Jesus says that our body is a temple and we should protect it. Saying this, I like to think of tattoos as “graffiti”. What if you went to a temple of God and someone did graffiti on it? You would think that it was very disrespectful… But that’s just my point of view.
Hi Erika,
Thanks for reading. I don’t personally have a tattoo, but in light of your thoughts about graffiti, it would all change if you thought of someone putting priceless art–Michelangelo’s famous paintings in the Sistine Chapel or Da Vinci’s The Last Supper–on the walls, wouldn’t it? And whether it is graffiti or art would be up to the heart of the individual. All that tells me I cannot condemn someone for getting a tattoo. It’s not a sin according to the Bible, because Jesus fulfilled the Law against it by becoming purity for us. After that, to each his own. I don’t want one myself–I don’t do pain and I don’t want permanent commitment to something like that–but if someone else wants one, it’s not a sin. 🙂
Thanks for your feedback.
My husband and I went to Guatemala on a missions trip in leui of a honeymoon and there were many churches there with “graffiti.” They were way too poor to remodel, or do anything to make it beautiful. Actually some of them didn’t even have chairs or pews. Literally just a clay building with no windows and a broken door. But the graffiti was the only thing bringing it some color and attempting to make it cheerful and beautiful. It’s a country that is big on color! I couldn’t imagine God looking down on something like that. While you are certainly entitled to your own opinion, something you may find ugly and offending, someone else may find hopeful and beautiful. God is the only one who’s opinion matters anyway. 🙂
Totally agree.
Hi Erika!
I was just pondering this article, in my consideration of getting a tattoo, and while you can think of a tattoo as graffiti, I think you can also think of it as a picture. Especially if you get a tattoo that honors GOD. Are there not images and windows that have decorated temples throughout history? I plan to permanently mark myself as a child of God, with something that can never be washed away, tarnished, or removed. Just like GOD’s love.
My body is a Temple, I’ve just decorated mine! Yes I have tattoos and I’m also into fitness. My Temple is decorated and I am a walking billboard for Jesus. It amazes me that people judge and call tattoos graffiti that defiles our Temples, while they stuff down a double whopper, large fries and small diet coke (to save on calories) into their temples, and as a result, are 30 to 50 pounds overweight! If you are going to call Tattoos graffiti what word will you use to describe all people with overweight Temples? Wouldn’t it be awesome if we all loved each other like God wants us to and quit judging each other? Calling a tattoo graffiti IS judging someone and If tattoos are grafiti, then fat is proof of complete and deliberate neglect to God’s Temple…..right? We need to take the log out of our eyes and concentrate on our own issues -that should keep us plenty busy.
Life is too short guys, let’s serve God by loving others for who they are and LOVE them into the Kingdom with our Temples, decorated or not!
Yesssss!!!! ??????
Hi interesting article. Definitely love the scripture Mark 7:21-23 what comes from within. Alot of times we focus on the exterior. Jesus did die for our sin but it still doesn’t mean just because He took sin upon Himself for us they we could freely sin. For example fornication, yes He died for me but I’d I continue on doing it what sense would that make. He said those that love me will keep my command. We are not Jesus and can’t save ourselves but we definitely must choose to obey Him. He isn’t physically inside of us making us obey Him. We have to choose to obey Him. Definitely seek God for His understanding on anything that you do. But definitely enjoy some of your articles.
Hi Takisha. Thanks for reading and for the feedback. I agree with you that of course we should not sin. The point in the article was that some things the Law called sin were simply pointing the way to Christ. Christ came and fulfilled the Law in its entirety, and now we live in Him–not in our abstaining from pork, or abstaining from wearing clothes made of mixed fibers, or abstaining from getting tattoos. 🙂 And for that, I am grateful.
It seems to be okay for people without tattoos to judge people with tattoos, but you don’t see us judging you for NOT having one. Why is okay for you to judge me,but not me to judge you? Because judging is wrong regardless, so just stop doing it. Also the people who keep saying things about satanic or demonic tattoos, you’re problem is with the picture not the matter of having tattoo. Of course putting something horrible like that on your body is wrong! But for the person who got a memorial tattoo for a deceased family member, or the person who commemorates overcoming cancer, or someone like me who finally found Christ and wanted to put the verse that started my faith on my body forever to share, how can you say that is wrong? It is the intent and the image that truly matters, not the act of getting/having a tattoo.
Hi Meghan. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. It sounds like you understood the article above to be judging you for having a tattoo? Forgive me if I misunderstand your comment. But the whole point of the article above is that it’s NOT a sin to get a tattoo… if you have made Jesus Christ the Boss of your life. Because your perfection is found in Him, not in your getting a tattoo or in abstaining from it. There’s no judging here. 🙂
I’m so thankful to have come across this article this morning. I myself am a devout Christian, and I do in fact have a few tattoos. These tattoos represent blessings that I cherish so much from my Heavenly Father. I have my daughters names, as well as a symbol of motherhood. I pray for our Lord to use me as a vessel. I pray that he uses me to connect with others and spread his word and love. I know that because I am a tattooed Christian, that because of this fact I have been more able to connect to others who are not Christians. People love to judge from outward appearance. I embrace my outward appearance to show them that they too can be a Christian like me. I am not judge mental, I am free spirited and full of love for our God. Because of this I have brought people to Christ. I am unsure if I want any additional tattoos. My previous tattoos I prayed and spent many months contemplating them before I ever went through with getting them. At this time I do not feel like I will have another. Tattoos to me take a lot of contemplation, it is more than a mere spur of the moment decision. I feel as though I am so incredibly blessed and thankful that I brim over and show these blessings on the outside! My God loves me just the way I am, and I will continue to be his servant!!!
Very cool, Elizabeth. I think many people that have them feel the same–that tattoos are a testimony about their lives. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Jamie……thank you for sharing this article on tattoos. I don’t have any tattoos but my significant other just did one and I was confused about if it’s right or wrong. It made me have mixed feelings and I’m very pleased to say that I feel much better about it. I really do hope and pray that this article is not misleading me in any way but from you quoting the Scriptures and all that you said actually made much sense to me! 🙂
I have no problem with Christians having tattoos – that’s their choice. I don’t enjoy Christians who suggest to those that Do have tattoos that God has been offended by the act of tattooing (no matter what the subject matter is). If I hear them saying it I point out that God has tattoos….Isaiah 49:16 “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…” That usually stops them in their tracks while they consider that interpretation of the verse!
Yep! I love it, Judith. Jesus also comes back with a tattoo on His thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords! (Revelation 19:16). Thanks for reading and sharing!
I don’t have a tattoo (yet 🙂 ), but I love, love, love this post! Thank you for explaining so clearly biblically why it’s NOT A SIN to get/have a tattoo (or to eat pork, or to….). Oh, I just have so much more to say about how much I love this post, but I suppose there’s not enough room. You’re awesome. Your faith is awesome and inspiring. Thank you for sharing your love for Jesus!
Julie, thank you so much. After all the hate mail I have gotten as a result of this post (and there has been a LOT of it), your comment was welcome and gave me a big smile. Thank you! And thank you for reading!
It’s sad to me when ‘hate’ anything comes in the name of Christ. To me, that’s just missing the point of who He is. I know we’re all just trying to figure it out and are doing the best we can and so are those people who write such things. Keep sharin’ the faith! You will continue to touch many lives, I’m sure!
I have a tattoo on my foot. It says, “it was then that I carried you” and has small footprints walking along it. I got this specific tattoo because I have been through more bad situations in my life than the average person. At only 18 years old I have been homeless, neglected, beaten, drugged, raped, bullied, watched a classmate die, and much more. I spent many years asking God why he would allow such things to happen. I was focusing on how hurt I felt. Then I was reading footprints in the sand one day and I finally realized the true meaning of the words. God didn’t leave me behind when those things happened. He didn’t just sit back and watch me hurt. He was carrying me. Although I couldn’t see him, he had picked me up and carried me through each day. There is no other explanation for how I am still here. So I took the words from the ending of footprints in the sand and I had them tattooed on my body. It is a constant every day reminder that God is with me at all times. When I feel like I am walking alone, I am merely only seeing one set of footprints because God is carrying me. There isn’t a person out there who could convince me that God loves me any less because I got a tattoo. I do not worship it. I do not allow it to interfere with my relationship with God. If anything it strengthens my relationship with God. My mother tried to make me feel ashamed of my tattoo by telling me what an awful sin it was. But I can feel in my heart of hearts that God is still with me, still carrying me, and there is no reason for me to feel as though I have disappointed him. Every time someone sees my tattoo and asks about it, it gives me a chance to share the word of God in a way that anyone is willing to listen to.
No tattoos Christian rule = bologna…
The Jesus I read about in the Bible was a religious rule breaker not rule follower. He was not religious at all in fact…. He was simply devoted to His Father and the work He was sent to do. He was sent to BE love to the world…to save….. to you and me and every sinner that ever lived….. He met people where they were. He hung out with and lived with and embraced outcasts (lepers, murderers, liars, prostitutes ect) and lived a life that no religious leader would ever live in His day…..and they hated Him because of it…. His love was so radical, so different than those of the religious folks that people flocked to Him, listened to Him, followed Him in the masses. They believed His active and accepting love and friendship and truth teaching and wanted nothing but to be in His presence. Even those who became His closest friends and disciples had some pretty shady pasts… He didn’t look at them and their choices and tell them they werent good enough to join His mission to save the lost….. He loved, pursued and then used mightily even wild haired, half naked guys that lived on locusts and honey and even mass murders became His “brothers.” It’s repulsive what the church and religious people of today think about people they consider to be in deeper sin or live less “righteous” lives than them…this box of rules and regulations that people have to fit in to be considered living a “holy life.”…and it all looks nothing like the Savior of this world…. my Savior. He loves everyone…the world….the modern day lepers …and He expects His true followers to as well ….HIV+,orphans, homeless, addicts,the incarcerated, the parole,prostitutes, physically and mentally disabled… and the list goes on and on….. this idea that tattoos are a sin for “Christians”… not so…. but here’s a list of things He hates… Prov. 6:16-19
“16 There are six things that the Lord hates,seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies and one who sows discord among brothers.”
my tattoos don’t do any of those and on the contrary, they are often the start of a conversation with people asking what they mean/ why I chose them giving way to honest convos that glorify and honor the name of Jesus….In the prophetic book of Isaiah which prophesies all about the life of Christ and His saving mission, 49:16 says: “Behold, I have engraved you(written your names) on the palms of my hands;…….” Call me crazy or a heretic or dreamer or whatever it is you want, but I’m gonna laugh and dance and worship and praise Him when I get to Heaven and see every single believers name, written; tattooed on the hands of my Loving and Holy Savior!
*From a tattooed daughter of the King of Kings, wife, mama, worship leader and lover of the souls of all mankind no matter how colorful they may be. Check out Romans 12:9-21 for the marks of a true Christian!
Peace!
Jamie~ thanks for this great article and conversation…. my comment above is mainly in response to a few of the earliest commenters to this thread whose comments seemed judgmental and inaccurate…. i just had to respond so please no I wasn’t trying to “preach to the choir.” 😉
Awesome thoughts, Heather! I completely agree! (Slight editing done at the top, but you understand…) 😉
So, what you are saying is that if I want a tattoo today, it is okay. Say, “Oops, sorry, Lord” and I’m forgiven? Gee, since sin is sin, that means I can slice someone’s head off, lie to my best friend, steal from my neighbor’s house, kidnap a baby, have sex with my gay partner…just ask forgiveness and it is okay? I don’t have to live as much like Christ as I am able. I don’t have to REPENT and walk away from that sinfulness? I may or may not understand your explanation, but there will be no tattoos on this body, just as I’ll not do the made-up sins I just mentioned. Accept, Believe, Confess. Baptize. Live as close as we can to Christlike. Love our neighbors(others). Spread the Gospel. Praise God! All glory goes to Him. And I don’t mean in ink on my skin. (I hope this comes across as I mean it, because I do not want to offend anyone or hurt anyone’s feelings.)
Hi Linda! That’s such an important point. No, I’m not saying that we can sin at all. What I’m saying is that certain things–like eating pork, wearing clothing made of more than one kind of fiber, and getting a tattoo–were only commanded against in the Mosaic Law because God was using them as illustrations. The entire Law, containing all those commands, was pointing to Christ. Now that we have Christ, we don’t have to walk around worried that God is offended because my sweater is made up of part acrylic, part wool. Or that my shirt is part polyester, part cotton. Or that someone has a tattoo on his or her body.
But yes, we absolutely must be Christlike in everything. Jesus died and rose again so that we would have COMPLETE victory over sin, such as fornication and idolatry. But I don’t see anywhere outside the Mosaic Law where tattoos are forbidden, and Jesus fulfilled the Mosaic Law completely. So now our purity is in Christ, not in our ink or lack thereof.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for bringing up a very important point!
Okay, you may change my words to be more politically correct and maybe Biblically correct. I’ll still not have or care to see those nasty tattoos that look awful even if they are of good subjects. Maybe I just come from a more civil era with more class. (yes, I know people had tattoos then, but not in my neighborhood). I am 70 years old. However, thank you for your consideration. Have a BLESSED DAY!
I didn’t change your words, Linda. But thanks for reading and may you be blessed too!
Hello,
This is very interesting. I have a tattoo that I got when I was 22 I’m 32 now. I didn’t learn that a tattoo was a “sin” until a few years ago. But after reading this it gives some type of hope that maybe it is ok. Thank for sharing.
That’s awesome, Sarah! (Sorry it took me so long to reply.) Yes, your perfection and completeness is found in making Jesus Christ the Boss of your life. Not in whether you have a tattoo or not. 🙂 Thank you for reading!
Whether getting a tattoo is a sin or not, to suggest that it would be damnation for someone who gets/has one is absolutely unscriptural. I believe the most appropriate verse to deal with the tattoo debate is 1 Corinthians 10:23-31
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
So, if you can glorify God in getting a tattoo, do so. However, be mindful of the less mature Christian that could have your tattoo as a stumbling block. Not everyone shares in your freedom of conscience.
I completely agree, Christopher. Thanks for sharing!
So many thoughts on this so hard to put them in to something comprehendible. However I am going to try…
First just want to say thank you Jamie for sharing your views. Honestly I have not heard the tattoo argument from this prospective. It’s made me really look inside myself and conceder what I believe and why and what God would want from me.
Second I absolutely agree with your statement ” if you will accept Jesus as the Lord of your life, you can have a new start… no matter what you’ve done.” It happened to me. Praise God! 2nd Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.
I believe there has to be a turning away from your sins. A person can’t just continue in their sins and say oh well they are covered by the cross. Basically all of Romans chapter 6. For both our sakes I’m not going to type it all out.
Third I believe that I understand your point that the we no longer have to follow the law because of what Jesus did on the cross. I don’t disagree with that. However I do think there is some good principles in the laws. That the Lord had a purpose for choosing them. I believe they can be used as road signs. Ways to help you stay on track.
Fourth specifically regarding tattoos. Having/getting a tattoo is a personal choice. What is ok or good for one person may not be good for another. Depending on so many factors, personality, relationship with the Lord etc. For me for my personal walk and testimony of the Lord. Getting a tattoo would not be glorifying the Lord in my body.
Praise the Lord he has given us the choice and his word and holy spirit to guide us.
Thanks again for this thought provoking post,
Kristina
I really enjoyed this article. I am a Christian and believer in God and I have three tattoos. Two are religious in themselves and I sometimes get the chance to witness to people though my ink ;). I’ve personally never had someone tell me I’m going to hell or have judged me harshly for my tattoos but I would hate for that to happen to anyone. I also think that my generation has more ink than the one above it and it’s becoming more acceptable. A lot of my Christian friends have tattoos 🙂
That’s awesome, Kaycee! Thanks so much!
Thank you for this! I have been toying with the idea of getting a verse that is near and dear to me tattooed on my foot. To me, it would not only be a lovely reminded of God’s love for me, but a conversation piece, I’d love for people to ask me about it when I wear sandals so I can tell why the verse means so much to me and how in the beginning of my walk with God it really comforted me and brought me nearer to him.
This is a beautifully simple and correct explanation of how it IS okay to get a tattoo and how Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophesy.
I love this post, however I’m still a bit confused. I thought that tattoos originated from the pagans, and if I choose to get one I would be practicing what they believed. I was always confused on why Christians was so quick to judge and shout out “treat you bodies as temple’s” when they didn’t do it themselves. What is the difference between piercings and tattoos? I know piercings are more of a culture thing then a religion, but why do Christians believe it’s ok to have them over tattoos?
Revelation 19:16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
king of kings and lord of lords.
Jesus has a tattoo in revelations so I’m guessing you can have one also. I personally have no desire for a tattoo. I would avoid tattoos of idols demons or demonic anti Christian symbols.
Thank you for writing this article. My family is judgmental of people with tattoos, and, wanting to get a tattoo myslef, it’s hard listening to their judgment. I think it’s totally a personal conviction between you and God. I have the personal conviction that if I get any tattoos, they need to have a meaningful Christian reason. I also have friends who think that it’s okay to get whatever you want as long is it’s demonic, obscene, etc., but I don’t judge them, and it think their tattoo ideas are cool!
Again, thank you for your article!
Hi Mallory! Thanks for reading. I’m sorry you’ve been experiencing judgment for that. But I agree, it’s between you and God.
Whether people agree or disagree that getting a tattoo is a sin, I find it shocking that several people here have either implied or outright stated that getting a tattoo is a sin that will send a person to hell. I have to say, not if that person has accepted Jesus as their Savior! What an outright lie, and mockery of Jesus’ atonement. We are holy and righteous in God’s sight from the moment we accept Jesus, and no sin or tattoo can change that, nor separate us from His love. People need to learn what salvation means, and stop preaching/threatening hell to believers who don’t line up with their interpretations of Scripture.
Bless you and your blog, Jamie! Great post.
Preach, Nettie, preach! 🙂 And thank you, as always. 🙂
Hi! Great article! When I was younger I thought tattoos were a sin (due to the teachings of my previous church and people I was surrounded by) but as I matured in my belief I dug around in the Bible and realized that it was not a sin. I’m trying to convince my parents that tattoos are not a sin and to allow me to get one. I respect the fact that they disagree with tattoos tho. I just really want a tattoo of a pair of wings with the words “Father Son Holy Spirit” around the wings to show the freedom I am getting through him
Totally agree! Christ came to satisfy the Law & by doing that set us free. 1 Cor 10:31 is good due to the fact that Paul was saying its not so much what you do but why you do it! What’s the motive behind getting a tat? I have 2, one on the back of my neck thats Chinese for Born Again & the other is a back piece & in the middle of the Tribal design is Chi Rho, Xp) with Alpha Omega on the side. I’m not saying i’m more holy just cuz thise were my choices but they are an outward expession of an inward commitment. But i also think if ur tat is of a flower that’s cool too. What’s ur motive?
This was a great topic to discuss. We have heard so much on this idea. It is a personal preference. A tattoo doesn’t send any one to hell. It’s the sin of unbelief. God sent His son to die on the Cross for us because we are all sinners. Sin cannot enter Heaven. So Jesus Christ took our place on the Cross, so that we may be able to enter Heaven. We just have to believe and receive His gift. Which is Himself. It’s sad that the spirit of criticism blinds many. Compassion for others has greatly decreased. God is not pleased with that.He is our Judge. I believe in liberty in Christ ,and individuality. He made us to be ourselves ,and to bring Him pleasure with just that. So raise your voices in praise to Him.!!!! Hallelujah,for His love to all!!! No respector of persons.
I believe our bodies are temples. I wouldn’t put graffiti on a temple of God. My body is a gift from God. I try to honor it as much as possible and try to keep it pure and undefiled.
Hi Holly,
Thanks for reading! You’re certainly welcome not to have a tattoo. 🙂 I don’t have one either; I can’t handle pain, and I don’t want that kind of commitment either. 🙂
But regarding graffiti, there are many who feel it is artwork, and they do it to praise God and build a memorial to Him. Like a stained glass window in a cathedral, it’s the story of their lives offered up to the Lord. Of course, there are also many unholy tattoos, unfortunately. But it is definitely about the heart of the person, not about a legalistic law, according to Scripture. I praise God that the blood of Jesus is the only thing that saves us – not adherence to the Law!
Have a super day!
Personally tattoos are not my thing, and now knowing that they can be a hinderance to healing or may cause unseen concequences in the future I would advise people to not get random designs tattoed on them .This is a great example of somones tattoo causing them problems.https://www.facebook.com/john.mellor.58/posts/10152609005127001
That’s a great and very important point, Cecilia. Thanks for sharing. To any readers who see this comment: I encourage you to read the FB status that Cecilia linked to above. If you get a tattoo, be careful and prayerful of what you get. 🙂
I was 28 years old when I got my tattoo. I was also ( and still am) a Christian when I got it. My tattoo is personal. It is between me and God and stands as a reminder of changes in my life that the Lord himself brought me through. No one can see it unless I decide to show them. I was very fortunate that the people in my life who I told, did not judge me. Many had said that they themselves would like to get a tattoo. I agree that if you are a Christian, getting tattoo of a skull and cross bones is not a good idea unless there is a very specific spiritual significance around that image with an incredible witness to support it. My nieces have asked me about it when were smaller and I let them know my story as to why I chose to get it and that the tattoo I said I wanted when I was 15 ( and thankfully did not get) is nothing like the one I got at 28, a testimony of God’s faithfulness.
Jamie,
I greatly appreciate you writing this article article. Your explanation is totally Biblical and sound and shed a lot of light on this hot topic. However, you did not addresss the second part of this verse regarding cutting. I am a recovering self harm addict that did a lot of cutting. I always believed that my behavior was a sin and felt tremendous guilt and shame on top of the guilt and shame I already felt for engaging in this behavior. I know I am forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ. So my question is, if tattooing is not a sin, does that also mean that my cutting was not a sin? I think of the man who in the New Testament was cutting himself with rocks and stones. The one whom Jesus cast out demons. Anyway, thanks for this article!
why don’t we ask the Helper the Holy Spirit for guidance. it’s your body do what you want buy if you are truly walking with God and being led by His spirit you shouldn’t have to consult other people. please stop with the word judgement. People the bible says that the church will judge the world why do we get so offended. I want to get to a place where if I say Jesus saved me then I am obeying Him and not someone else opinion. I am not here to criticize anyone but the church is turning people away from Jesus. we cant even make our minds up on what to believe. Jesus say He is the way, the truth and the life follow Him and you won’t go wrong follow people and loose your way.
Great points, Takisha! It’s all about following Jesus!!! Not our man-made opinions, our desires to be right, or anything else. Just Jesus. 🙂
I loved reading your article here.
I am a born again Christian and I do have a tattoo. Would love to put a picture but it says eternal but the T is a cross.
Having always admired tattoos when asked where mine was I was tired of always saying i did not have one. The conversation always ended. Now that I have one I do have conversations. I talk about how everyone is eternal in their soul, and it matters how we treat people. How we have to consider heaven and hell may come into the conversation, but not usually.
Now! I would like to add and I did not read through all the comments forgive me if I am repetitive!
Revelations 19:16
“And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, ‘KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.’”
I think that is pretty awesome. Tattoo’s speak so much of the past. I waited till I was 27 for my first. I may get another one, but it is something i take very seriously.
God bless you as you take off some religious goggles 🙂
LOL! Shekinah! I LOVE your name! 🙂 Thank you so much for reading and sharing. Yes, taking off the religious goggles indeed. 🙂 The Gospel is simple when we just look at Jesus, isn’t it? 🙂
Have a wonderful day!
Thank you for sharing your article with us. I have quite a few tattoos and I’m a Christian. I have an short haircut similar to this: http://pophaircuts.com/images/2014/12/Very-Short-Hairstyle-Easy-Pixie-Hair-Cuts.jpg and I also enjoy eating pork chops in my Sunday roast now and again. It’s a shame that some people judge others by their appearance. But God loves everyone and he’s not going to have a go at you because you’ve dyed your hair purple or you like dressing differently from others.
“The forbidding of tattoos was meant to be an outer sign of the inner consecration that would become available in Jesus.”
A beautiful explanation. Thanks for writing this.
You’re welcome! Thanks for reading, Ali!
We are meant to be in the world and not of it. If you had tattoos previously to becoming a Christian then you can’t erase your tattoos but getting tattood as a Christian is worldly and we are not to like the things of the world. I used to have body piercings and they were symbolic of my rebellious days, I took them out because I was convicted that these things are wordly and I was going to get a tattoo but so pleased I didn’t cause you can’t erase them easily but piercings heal…..my piercings healed within minutes of removing them and I couldn’t get them back in even if I tried. I wouldn’t judge a worldly person who has tattoos but I would advise a sister or brother in Christ to think about desiring what the pagans desire. Be holy and pure in thought and deeds.
I see what the author is saying. I also think you make good points, Marie. It’s almost as if we are under a higher standard, because it is now spiritual, which has more meaning than the carnal.
I wonder how many people would have gotten a tattoo if there wasn’t such a craze. It is worldly, and I believe it is being pushed by the elite establishment. Some will disagree, and say they are getting a tattoo to be anti-establishment. But, if the world is doing it, how are you being anti-establishment?
Anyhow, it always has been associated with many things, including paganism, occultism, Baal worship, rebellion, etc. I don’t think getting a tattoo is going to ruin one’s salvation. That doesn’t mean it won’t affect you spiritually.
Don’t get me wrong, the decision to get a tattoo is anyone’s and I wouldn’t take that right away from them. But at least do some research, and get tested for Hepatitis C and other blood borne diseases if you have received a tattoo. Don’t think because you haven’t shown any symptoms that you don’t have any disease resulting from getting inked. Remember, many of these diseases can lay dormant for many years before manifesting themselves.
Hi, I found our heavenly father and his Son, our saviour. I do not belong to any religion nor go to any churches. Loving our creature and our saviour and trying your best to do less sinful deeds as u can, been more aware and refraining from evil things does not classify you as a church person nor a christian! As the world is has christians who are pedeophiles/rapists/sex addicts or murderers which only some get caught every now and then, so if a person generalises another, is that not judging a peraon,.? Just be true within and with our creator and our saviour and let the rest be our imperfect life, as we all sin EVEN THOSE who have been saved still end up sinning from time to time! If those saved christains who judge more than others sin, just thinking that you are a better Nd cleaner person/soul, makes you a Judgmental christian, as we are all imperfect! JUST BE THE TRUE AND WHOLESOME PERSON WITHIN AND LET Our creator know that you love him and even though you are a sinner, accept that you just a mortal that sins BUT A mortal that LOVES HIM and his son…….. AMEN
I have been a Christian since a little girl. I am now 40. After studying the Bible and reading the verses about the servant of Issac putting a ring in Rebecca’s nose when God revealed her as the wife for Jacob, Jesus having our names engraved on His hands, and having King of Kings and Lord of Lords on His thigh: I do not believe it is sinful to have a tattoo on your body if it is glorifying to Jesus. Anything ungodly opens doorways to the demonic and all efforts must be made to pray off and break the connection, and have it removed if possible. But prayer and repentance are enough to break its effects. I would pray after getting a Christian tattoo that any blood letting or ritualistic practices would be.broken off you, as you may not know the heart and walk of the tattoo artist. Ignore the fears of the religious Pharisee spirit that may condemn you. If you’ve prayed and Jesus is leading you to tattoo His word onto your body, follow Him. His ways are not our ways. The Leviticus verse is about cutting yourself to try to bring the dead back to life and marking or tattooing oneself with an image to the dead or an idol. This is still a sin! This is a form of idol worship. Putting faith and hope into someone or something other than the Lord. A tattoo for the Lord is not idol worship and not a sin. The only sin that sends someone to hell is their rejection of the Holy Spirit. Not a tattoo that is special to them. That idea is so shallow and fear fueled and reveals a very immature understanding of the Bible. I have to be honest about that. I do not have any tattoos, but I feel very strongly about this. This is only meant for believers who have or want Scriptural tattoos. Any other tattoos I believe need to be prayed over that would be doorways to the demonic. I do not condone evil or ungodly markings, as they blaspheme God. So do outright rebellious piercings that defile a temple. You can tell the difference. And if you can’t it doesn’t matter anyway. Judging the heart is our Lords job! We are only responsible for our choices and our obedience to God.
Amen! I agree 100%! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Let me get this point across: there may come a time when our Bibles are not available to us. I guarantee that any tattoos with the Word of God will be counted as precious. So before getting on your soapbox, know that God has plans that make no sense to man. His ways are higher. The Pharisees also thought it was a sin for Jesus to heal on the Sabbath. Are you going to condemn Jesus when He shows you your name engraved upon His hands? The tattoo on His thigh? I’m not posting anymore, take it up with the Lord.
I have several tattoos and because of them, I have been looked down upon, frowned at, seen as trash, and lost all connection with my family because they don’t approve. I feel that tattoos are a way for a person to express themselves. And as long as they won’t get in your relationship with Christ then they should be fine. Thank you so much for your reviews and perspectives because they help assure me that I am still loved.
God is so amazing… Several weeks ago I felt strongly led by God to begin a particular “study”. It’s entitled “My One Word”. Simply put, it is a commitment to focus on one word, for one year, allowing God to work in my heart especially in regard to that word. In order to remain committed to this, I need to keep that word in front of me somehow. I read all the suggestions, and considered them… Sticky notes all over the place will drive me up the wall. A bracelet with my word on it will be uncomfortable, because I don’t like to wear jewelry for long…it became apparent that I was going to have some trouble with this part. I asked God, “Lord, there must be some way that I can keep this word with me all the time without losing it, or forgetting it, etc…show me how to make this work.” To my great surprise, I heard Him suggest a tattoo. Now, I’m 57 years old, and have never considered or wanted to get a tattoo before. I wasn’t horrified, just surprised. It was clearly not my idea. To be sure, I asked God to confirm for me that I was hearing His voice. The next day, I was studying the various Hebrew definitions of my word, and found that in one of its uses, it’s root is derived from “graven” or “carved.” Quite odd, considering what the word is…I never would have guessed.
Today, I happened across this website while researching a completely unrelated topic. After reading your article on that topic, I was going to move on, but happened to glance to the left of the page. There on the top of a list of links was the title “Why getting a tattoo is NOT a sin”. Lol!…Coincidence? I don’t think I was concerned that it was a sin, but I admit I found the article interesting and comforting.
I’m pretty much convinced, but my final confirmation will come from my husband. He has never been interested in tattoos. If he approves it, then I’ll definitely know it’s from Father.
Thanks for your article!
As a follow-up to my above comment, as soon as I had the opportunity, I asked my husband, who had just returned from a week long business trip, “May I get a tattoo?” with no explanation. He didn’t say anything at first. Then his response floored me, “If it were only up to me, I’d say that I’d rather you didn’t. However, I have a feeling this is something between you and God, so I’m not going to interfere. Go ahead.” I was amazed, but said, “ok, but don’t you want to know about it?” He said “I already know what it is. It’s the word …..” I almost fell off my chair! “How did you know that?” He said, “Honey, I pay closer attention to you than you think I do. I really do listen. You mentioned two weeks ago that you were going to start a study on one word. I tied that and the tattoo together.” Wow. I don’t think I would have arrived at the same conclusion. Anyway, I have an appointment in 3 days to get my “tat” that God suggested. Amazing.
That is wild! Very cool story! Thanks for sharing!
Months ago before I got my tattoo, I wanted a beauty and the beast tattoo, however god basically said as I lil to interpret I in a sassy way “Girl, you are not going to get THAT! I’m going to make you uncomfortable and then give you some ideas!” It worked. And I’m glad I got what I did. And then I thought “why not become a walking talking billboard for god?” So I’m now planning out tattoo designs I want. I’ve been repeatedly bashed not only for my faith by non believers, but what I have and what I support/believe by “Christians”. I like Acts 15: 1-29 which I was sorta disappointed that you didn’t bring up, but the argument you presented is still excellent, anyways I find it funny that they take everything out of context and think they are holier than a Christian with tattoos, but due to that self righteous attitude they are just as bad if not worse.
Thank you for this great article! I’m sorry, but I think that some Christians are some of the worst to judge when it comes to things like this. They think that they are not judging, but in fact they are. I find it so sad that they are so intrenchend in whatever “religion” they belong to and follow whatever “rules” they are told to follow that they go around saying things like “that’s a sin and you shouldn’t have that or you are going to hell” wow, really, because the last I checked, we chose to come here and we have what you call “free will” and the only one that can judge me is God himself. Isn’t judging one another wrong as well? I have tattoos and I remember when I was at church teaching a younger girls Sunday school class and the sad thing is I realized how imbedded that it is into these kids brains when we somehow got on the subject of tattoos. When I mentioned that I had some one of the girls acted so shocked and said “you’re not supposed to have those.” I said “well, I got them before I was serious about coming to church, but that doesn’t matter, we should not judge others on the fact that they have tattoos, because that doesn’t make them a bad person. And it’s not our place to decide if they have them or not, it’s their personal choice.” I’m sure she went home and told her parents, but I don’t really care. I’m personally tired of all the judging and I’ve since gone on a different path. I can’t even go to a book store without a strange man saying that I need God in my life because I was looking at the metaphysical section of the book store, because that’s where the angel books were. Geesh! I have God in my life thank you as I have a pile of angel books on the floor to purchase. These people that think they can go around and just randomly tell people, that they don’t even know, that they need God in their life just sadden me. I wish that they would realize what they are doing, but sadly they “think” they are doing something good. We are all sinners and can pray to be forgiven and that is the beauty of it. And we each have our own path to walk and we are only responsible for ourselves. Looking within is the only way, don’t look at how others are doing, that’s not our responsibility nor our business.
Scripture tells us to judge righteously ofcourse jewdeoh christianity accepts anything and everything Romes false messiah JESUS (hail zeus) welcomes all the lawless and why wouldn’t he? he did away with The Law, ask the true Messiah of Scripture YAHUSHUA and thats where u get the truth.
This is beautifully written! My fiancé of 3 years is a tattoo artist and has many beautiful tattoos, as do I, which include spiritual references and personal sentiments. They inspire me and remind of His love for me daily. In a way, it’s our own personal way to assist in feeding our spirit with the word of God. I attend church regularly and have also been told “wow, I had no idea that so-and-so was a nice person…he has so many tattoos.” I’ve also read articles and know of tattoo artists that help burn victims, people with scars, and even women who have battled breast cancer. Tattoo artists as well as tattooed individuals are beautiful people and with the relationship I have with Christ I can never believe that He would stop loving or condemn someone with a beautiful heart. I never understood why people think he doesn’t love someone for various reasons..fore He is the all loving God and every human soul is precious in His name. Thank you for this!
Jesus is love…I know Him. I love Him. I walk with Him daily. I carry Him in my entire being and share my daughter with Him. Jesus is MY Messiah…the one and only in my life. So stop justifying a self righteous attitude. I love wholeheartedly and that includes, tattooed people, ANYONE in the LGBTQ community, single mothers, lost souls…and well, you.
Thanks so much for writing this. I can’t believe that as a woman of 55 that I have to explain my tattoos to do many people…… That they won’t send me to hell.
It’s really sad that some that profess to be Christians are so quick to cast judgement and spew hate and indifference.
Read 1 Samuel 16:7
” The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”
Amen, Deb. Thank you for reading! <3
I am glad you had the courage to talk about this issue. Many Christians get legalistic when talking about tattoos. I believe that the words in Hebrew will clarify the meaning of what people were doing that translators called tattooing. There are many references to the Israelites cutting themselves to honor the dead or to cry out to other gods, in particular Bael. Early translators had no concept of this custom.
I also believe that Bael is behind today’s kids cutting themselves. Satan always has a counterfeit to what God has done. His counterfeit for Jesus shedding His blood for our salvation is a shedding of blood from cutting.
Yes, He purchased deliverance for us from all evil things. I also believe that cutting is a demonic manifestation of worship to a demonic god–as we see in the example of Elijah vs. the Baal prophets on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18).
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts!
Hi There,
Great article!! I’m still not personally comfortable with getting a tattoo, however, I don’t judge those that have them, especially those that are in the world. I’ve been afraid of them because there are many who say that they open a demonic portal, or something, and I sure don’t want that!
But it brings me to an even bigger point. What about those who have horrid tattoos from before they were born-again? I know someone that has skulls, fire flames (which I can DEFINITELy find redemption for that), his ex-wife’s name, and his wedding ring to her with their initials on his finger. How does one get past that, and the connections to those things? Does changing them or covering them up actually shift anything in the spirit realm? I know he’s just a tiny little drop in the bucket of those that are coming to Christ and will have these things to face.
I would love some thoughts.
Thanks!
Hey Lauri. Yes, I definitely don’t want a tattoo personally–I don’t do pain! (On purpose, that is. LOL) But. I think what to do with tattoos that contain evil symbolism is something that the Holy Spirit will show every believer. If He convicts them about it, He can show them how to get it fixed or changed. In the meantime, I think people should definitely pray to renounce all agreement with anything evil, knowing that the blood of Jesus breaks every chain and every curse. It’s that blood that saves us, and the same blood breaks every chain. But other than that, the Holy Spirit will show each person if He needs them to do anything about evil tattooing. Our job remains simply to love–and that’s the easiest place for us to be, for sure. 🙂
Thank you for this piece. As a messianic Jew, I do disagree with your understanding of what “the Law” is. And Christian interpretation has been a bit skewed…esp.. the pork issue…lol! And one must not interpret Hebrew scriptures with modern western eyes. But with Holy Spirit clear interpretations of what He truly means…not through a traditional lens. But I come not to argue the point.
With the post about Tattoos, you are on point about. He did not want us to get tattoos in those times because He also did not want us to become like the other tribes who sought tattoos to honor certain rituals, or death and such. It had to do with being different that the other tribes in addition to what you are saying. The cuttings of the flesh in those times as well as now some cultures do in honoring of false deities.
I do admit to having one tattoo, which is a Star of David. No skulls, no dragons (with heads…lol), no sexiness.
Israelites btw did wear pierced earrings and the women did pierce their noses like in India/Africa. Before and after the Exodus account. Israelite women wore all kinds of jewelry that resembled many tribes across the Sahara and India.
So anyone with nose piercings—you are in the clear. 🙂
I know the post was about tattoos but I leave this with you.
Scripture about nose decor:
Eze 16:12 And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.
Isa 3:21 the rings, and the nose jewels,
Gen 24:47 “And I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said, ‘The daughter of Bethu’ĕl, Naḥor’s son, whom Milkah bore to him.’ Then I put the nose ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists.
While I have to say that I don’t have tattoos or feel the need to get any, my husband has them and many many of my friends, but here’s the ringer; they are all Christians and bikers and some of them are the strongest, most effective evangelists, and men and women of God. Incredible and amazing Holy Spirit filled, on-fire, God-lead, miracle praying, life-bringing Christians who are on fire for the Lord, and committed to weekly reaching out, to bring the saving grace of Jesus to the souls of people embroiled in the underworld of criminality, & drug-filled biker gangs. (It’s no small or easy task, to regularly step into the Devil’s back yard, to bring the Light and Word to these lost and hurting people). The most real, most honest and wonderful Christians I’ve ever met are in this well tattooed, leather-clad bunch. Nothing anyone can misquote in self-righteousness from the Word, would ever persuade me that these people will not be honoured and blessed by our Lord Jesus, for their witness and walk. I am convinced that a bit of ink and a needle cannot separate me from God:
Romans 8: 38 – 39
And I am convinced that NOTHING can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Love this! I just recently got a tattoo symbol for God is greater than our highs and lows! Romans!!! Amazing! I feel 100 times better now reading all these comments
I have tattoos and it bothers me when people compare me to criminals! My tattoos do not make me a felon….yes there are a lot of crappy people with tattoos but there are just as many crappy people without them! I just tell people they should get to know me before they decide to judge me for my tattoos! I have piercings as well! But I always say tattoos do not make .e who I am! I am a beautiful soul! I always try to help people when I can and I do good in the world not bad! My preacher told me a while back that tattoos were not a sin! And for that i was so thankful for! So instead of people judging based on tattoos maybe you should get to know ones heart! ❤❤❤
I am really happy that I came across this blog. Since so long I had wanted a tatoo…but I’ve been restrained so much that I nearly came to believe that it’s a sin. But now I am so sure that my opinion was right.!! It’s our personal decision in the light of whether it brings us closer to Lord or pushes us far away. Till it does not spoil our witness to the world or better makes us identified as God’s Children …tatto is not a harm. If we have a good relationship with God he will guide us through the Holy Spirit where we are going wrong. But if our intension is right and heart clean tatto isn’t a sin.!! After all what matters is our heart.
You’ve given a lot of people new hope today Jamie ??♥️Father God is merciful ????????
Where in Revelations chapter 19 does it say that tattoos are ok? I agree with your article and don’t believe it’s a sin unless God convicts you to not get one. I have a Step father and mother that both judge me for wanting tattoos, even though they’re Christian images with scripture. I know that with them set in their beliefs I’ll never change their minds, but I would like to see all that fits both sides of the argument. I read the chapter and didn’t see what you were talking about. Thank you
Hi Jesse,
In Revelation 19:16, it says Jesus has writing on his robe and on his actual thigh. His thigh has writing that says “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” 🙂
Thanks for reading.
Well the body dies and stays here on earth …the spirit is what goes to heaven…nothing earthly I can’t see a spirit having a tattoo or can they??
Good read Sister!
I do have a tattoo that I received prior to fully submitting my life to the Lord.
I didn’t really want it, I was somewhat pressured into it..I despise needles…to the pass out point! The tattoo I received was one my father had on his arm and as a child when we were sad or had gotten hurt physically he could make it look like it was dancing. This tattoo is what is called a little”hot stuff” devil..I chose to have it placed on my back side the lower hip area.
Ironically, or Papa taking what was meant for bad and using it for good, I am known within my family and friends circle for stating at appropriate times, “Get the behind me satan”.
I eat bacon rarely but I eat it, I have hair beyond my hind end (in church it is my prayer cloth) I don’t plant mixed seed (I’m a terrible gardener I wouldnt know a weed from a fruit in the dirt). So to say I follow the old would be untrue, but one thing I know is that the tattoo on my fathers arm that is replicated on my hip is a constant physical remembrance to speak out in the authority we are given over Satan and to keep him behind me and not get focused on his lures…
Again, good read Sister!
Hello Jamie
Just wondering .
Is a tatoo someone has of a skeleton a bad thing ?
It’s an alignment with death, so yes, that would not align with God’s Word.
Blessings,
Jamie
I agree it is not a sin! I’ve had a woman pray over me because she said one of my tattoos had pagan meanings. But I’d done my research on them beforehand. I let her pray over them to keep from getting into an argument; and honestly, what harm can prayers for your wellbeing do? 🙂 I’ve also always said: “If our body is a temple, mine has stained glass windows. 🙂
I am glad to read this . I had gotten a tatoo of a butterfly before I was save back in the 80’s. I don’t intend to get more tattoos but family members have gotten tattoos and I was concerned that they shouldn’t have done that. Thank you for explaining it all and I am relieved for my family members.