For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. Some commentators say the statement forbidding tattoos only refers to pagan customs for the dead. There have been people, Christians, that say having a tattoo is nothing but sin. You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on 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? Even the cross etched permanently into one’s chest can be an idol if one regards and describes it as a protective device, believing the cross is protective rather than Christ, imagining that salvation protects one from disease and muggers rather than protecting one for eternity with Jesus. So glorify God in your body. Do people regret tattoos? Question: "What does the Bible say about body piercings?" For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. Tattoos in the Bible - What does Scripture say? It makes sense for someone who is religious to act wisely before they ink and consider what the Bible has to say about tattoos before making that permanent decision. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:27, I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ~ Psalm 23:4, Let all that you do be done in love. Over 40 Bible Verses About Tattoos Bible Verses For Tattoos… I am the Lord.”, Leviticus 19:28 literally translates, “And a cutting for the dead you will not make in your flesh, and writing marks you will not make on you; I am the Lord.” The word writing refers to inscribed or engraved symbols/words and is used only here. ~ Hebrews 13:8, Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. They are known by their gentleness (Philippians 4:5) and by the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23). of
That’s it. In Canaan, evidence indicates that instead of marking the body with ink, more extreme scarification measures, like branding, slashing, or gashing the skin were used. Even seemingly innocuous marks represent worship. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” Self-harm says “Christ’s sacrifice wasn’t enough. ~ Romans 12:1, Flee from sexual immorality. ~ 1 Peter 3:3-4, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Each person supporting or abolishing tattoo have his or her reasons which can be backed by some Biblical evidence. Further, the word tattoo did not enter into the English language until the late 1700s. There are some Christians who believe it is a sin. One ancient verse describes ritual masochism: “She cuts cheek and chin/She lacerates Her forearms/She plows lake a garden Her chest/Like a vale She lacerates the back.”. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Paul writes “let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31). 7 Questions You Should Ask before Getting a Tattoo, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? The verse in the Bible that most Christians make reference to is Leviticus 19:28, which says,"You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord." According to one advocacy site, 21,000 "tattoo parlors" currently exist in the United States alone. If the mark is a reminder and testimony of the resurrection and security believers have in Jesus our Redeemer, that’s different. I’ve received a lot of questions from people asking what the Bible says about tattoos. Since the word tattoo does appear in this verse in some popular English translations, this argument seems straightforward. Usually in the New Testament God shows that some things are permissible such as eating pork. ~ Psalm 34:4, There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. Copyright © 2020, Bible Study Tools. Fact: The Bible says that those who die return to the dust, which is what naturally happens to a corpse when it decomposes. Their mark is the Holy Spirit. Is obtaining a tattoo about self-punishment? In Luke 9:60, Jesus said to “leave the dead to bury their own dead.” Paul wrote, “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). If self-mutilation went wrong, one could die a painful death or at least create ugly scars, all to please the pagan gods. Is Christ number one? You shall not cut yourselves or make any baldness on your foreheads for the dead. Every time someone selects or designs a tattoo then spends an hour or more getting “inked,” he or she is connecting strongly to the subject in question and might be enslaved to a sin represented by that image. Their mark is the Holy Spirit. The Hebrew for “imprint” is “qaaqa” which also means “tattoo” or “incision.” “In the Near East, tattoos were used to mark slaves.” If one wore a brand “on his hand or forehead,” he or she was quickly identified as someone’s property. To begin to answer such thought-provoking questions, we need to dive into the Bible to see what it says about the issue. Some Christians condemn all tattooing as immoral because God clearly forbids them in Leviticus 19:28. We cannot leave the discussion of tattoos without looking at the Old Testament law that prohibited tattoos: “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. ~ Colossians 3:14. This Canaanite religion involved many rituals including self-mutilation. Consider the financial cost, the time commitment, and the pain one endures, not to mention the permanence of a tattoo: this is no minor undertaking. You are not your own ~ 1 Corinthians 6:19, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Seek out the direction of the Holy Spirit in prayer, by reading the Word, and by asking wise friends. First, we have to be very careful about trying to use an Old Tes… ~ Deuteronomy 14:1, “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. Posted 14 December 2020 14 December 2020 ~ Joshua 1:9, For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. If a Christian is considering getting a tattoo as a way of honoring one who has died, of glorifying that person posthumously and identifying with grief more than with Christ, he or she might want to think twice. A believer has the opportunity to use a tattoo to declare Christ’s name, but Christians without tattoos are identifiable without ink on their skin. So what does the Bible say about tattoos? Yet, there are Bible scholars that have stated it that having a tattoo does not necessarily mean you have sinned or it is a sin. Archeology, backed by biblical texts, indicates the Canaanites would customarily slash their bodies for ritualistic purposes (1 Kings 18:28), especially to mourn their dead and honor their gods. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true) and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. You still need to think before you ink, especially if you’re a Christian. It states, “You shall not make any cuttings on your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD.” This is actually not a proper use of this passage. For example although the Bible does not say, Thou shalt not smoke or Drug addiction is bad for you; we know that these things are destructive to the human body. Evidence suggests that tattooing the body parts of women associated with fertility (breasts, thighs, and abdomen) was believed to be a good luck charm to protect the birthing process. If it is in rebellion to parents, it is clearly not acceptable … In Leviticus 19:28 it says no tattoos. What the Bible says about Tattoos. Here is a further look into what the Bible says about tattoos. He wants us to turn to Him in times of trial and say, “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul” (Psalm 94:19). ~ 2 Corinthians 5:10, Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:44, Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? As the popularity of tattoos continues to increase, many Christians wonder what the Bible has to say about tattoos. So if it’s good enough for Jesus… Back to Leviticus… “Do not cut your bodies for the dead, and do not mark your skin with tattoos. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. The reason for the prohibition of tattoos in this passage is not stated, but it is likely that tattooing was a pagan practice connected with idolatry and superstition. Tattoos borne out of self-hatred are legacies of darkness rather than light. However, in the New Testament we are even called to a higher law. We talked about the process of injecting ink into the skin with a special machine as an artistic expression. Inflicting pain — physical or emotional — on one’s self or on someone else is an outpouring of hatred and an exercise in control. The subject of tattoos and piercings is highly debated within the Christian community. With this said, while there may be no clear passage in the Bible addressing tattoos, this is hardly a license for unrestrained tattooing. 1, 1994, p. 150). Is this God’s final word on tattoos? ~ 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, Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? Recent archeology indicates that, while Egypt did tattoos, it was limited to women. For those whose bodies already bear the marks of a pre-Christian past, take comfort: they are still part of a personal testimony. God directed His people to disassociate themselves from Canaanite traditions such as slashing their bodies as a way to “mourn their dead.” What about designing beautiful markings in honor of loved ones who have passed on? However, in context, it is clear that 1 Corinthians 6:13-20 is about sexual immorality, not about tattoos. For example, the NIV reads, “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. The King James Bible, written in 1611, specifically describes a tattoo only in one place, Leviticus 19:28. I am the Lord.” The Bible makes no specific reference to tattoos as we understand them in modern times. But it doesn’t mean that the controversy surrounding them has completely gone away. All rights reserved. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:31, And try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. (Genesis 3: 19) Cremation speeds up the process by reducing the body to ashes, or dust. David was criticized for breaking his fast after his baby son died, but David replied, “Why should I fast? ~ 1 Corinthians 6:18, It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord. For more see: 7 Questions You Should Ask before Getting a Tattoo. If the Bible says that tattoo is not good, then we should stay away from it. God did not want His people to hurt themselves gratuitously. The Bible makes no specific reference to tattoos as we understand them in modern times. 1. I am the Lord." ~ Isaiah 41:10, Have I not commanded you? Is it a sin? Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Cutting and even some methods of tattooing are associated with punishment throughout the ages in many cultures, whether self-inflicted or as a means of torture by others. The Bible actually only explicitly mentions body modifications once and nothing about present day tattoos. Once that mark has been made it cannot be removed easily. Not only do they have hope of reuniting with lost loved ones who believed in Christ for salvation, but they have been commanded to have no other Gods; to worship no idols. It depends on who you ask. (excerpt from "7 Questions to Answer When Considering a Tattoo", Crosswalk.com.). What Does The Bible Say About Tattoos and Piercings? It is all about the heart that declares Christ's name. This begs the question: Why does the Bible prohibit tattoos? People sometimes self-injure themselves for the same reasons they get tattoos: the pain is part of how they cope with difficulty or feel a sense of power for a short period of time. Salem Media Group. Obtaining a tattoo can spark gospel-centered conversation and act as a missional ice-breaker, but Christians without tattoos are identifiable without ink on their skin. “You will not make cuttings in your flesh, for the dead, nor print marks on you” (Leviticus 19:28). It’s important and biblical to support one another, but that support always begins in Christ; we have nothing to give without Him. “The Scriptures never ask Christians to deny the feeling of grief — it is a right and holy sadness.” Yet, some people think too much about those who are gone; they look backward and fail to move forward. Tattoos have been around for thousands of years. The New Testament does not specifically command against tattoos or body piercings, but it also does not give us any reason to believe God would have us get tattoos or body piercings. Global Impact International. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? Gifted experts have turned many scars into beautiful works of art, but Christians have to ask themselves whether those tattoos activate a sense of inner strength or remind them of God’s powerful grip on them during times of darkness and pain. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Candice Lucey loves Christ and writing about His promises brings her much pleasure. Many people wear a semicolon tattoo indicating they stand with survivors of suicide and people who suffer from mental health concerns. “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. The Bible does not say that it is against tattoos; it also doesn’t promote tattoos. This is probably why the KJV, written in the early 1600s, is closer to the literal translation saying, “ye shall not...print marks upon you.”, The background of this law was that Israel, after being rescued from slavery, was between Egypt and Canaan. Any publicly visible image makes that image and associated ideas famous. Is the purpose to take control of one’s punishment and salvation? Motive for a Tattoo– Why get a tattoo? I am responsible for my own salvation.”. Well there is this other one in which Jesus is pictured with a tattoo… Revelation 19:16. The Bible makes no specific reference to tattoos as we understand them in modern times. Many people who are against tattoos say that their dislike for them has to do with their religious beliefs. For example, the writers of the Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary believe that there is nothing “morally wrong” with tattooing, but that “these practices then, and also now in some places, were parts of heathen ritual” (vol. The Bible does not say enough about tattoos to make a hard and fast rule. If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. There is nothing wrong with being an art lover. Early in the history of Christianity as it spread from Rome into the rest of the world, “tattooing was severely frowned upon.” In fact, “Pope Hadrian banned tattooing, stating that God made man’s body in his image and to deface it in any way was to deface God’s gift.” In defense of tattoos, we now understand that the image of God is a spiritual one conveyed as “salt and light.” (Matthew 5:13-16) Marking one’s body is not necessarily vandalism. You are not your own; you were bought at a price. You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Answer: Body modification, including piercing, tattooing, scarring, branding, cutting, and outright mutilation, has been an increasing trend in recent years. Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright © 2020, Christianity.com. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Misconception: In Bible times, only people in God’s disfavor were burned after death. The worship of Baal has been dated to at least before the Exodus, making it contemporary with the time in which Moses was given the law. A good tattoo is a work of art, no different from a beautiful painting. In the Ne… A tattoo artist from Virginia works on a man's leg with a Captain America design. Like an image hung on one’s living room wall, body art sends a message about personal values. In this article we will consider the three parts of God’s law in Leviticus 19:28 as it refers to tattoos: “cuttings in your flesh;” “for the dead;” and “print marks” to try and establish a biblical stance for Christians today. 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