Tattoos

[Eve]

I was thinking about getting a tattoo. To cover scars on my stomach. You are right is is readily accepted in society but I don't think I can go ahead with it now.

 

[Natashia]

After I had my 1st child at 18 years old I tottaly rebelled. I got 2 tattos and 2 body piercing within 1 week. I since have taken out the piercings and I really do regret the tattos.

 

[Chad]

Glad to see you all acknowledge the truth about tattoos. Why scar your body? Was the original body that GOD created for you not good enough? Sure it was!

God bless you. Preach the Word everywhere you go

 

[tracy]

I count my self lucky there was a lady who lived round the corner from me who used a bedroom as a tatoo studio she was nicknamed septic anne by the locals need I say more .......

Two of my freinds had their name on their arms we were all 12/13 at the time peer pressure got me in that bedroom and I was last in line a voice in my head said dont do it and I didnt , they regretted every moment they were ugly and one was a shortened name and the ink ran and it ended up looking like a swear word both went on to have them removed years later.

Oh and whilst on this body art subject my little girl who is 10 went abroad with family this summer and the rage at the moment is Henna tatoos all the kids around the pool were having them Molly came home and straight to the doctors due to a large blister forming on her tummy and two sleepless nights - not good , parents be warned ......

I was shopping round the local market recently and a lady in a wheelchair came whizzing by with I love dave written down her cheek I smiled to my self as I did a double take and had to wonder did she still love him or was that 30 years ago and bill n bob had come n gone since lol lol lol

 

[Aimee]

I think that you shouldn't get them after you are saved, but if you got them before you were saved I don't think you will go to hell because of them.

 

[lasi]

thank God we wont go to hell for what we done ! thanks chad for this topic..ive been debating it a while im glad you have but a biblical spin on it for me. thank you

 

[califlower]

Oh Eve!! I'm so glad you aren't going to... I'd rather see a scar and have you tell me an interesting story about how you got it, than see some ink injected purposely under the skin to try and hide it. Because let's face facts, people are judgemental out there in the world, beyond the scripture that tells us to treat our body in a holy fashion. (In fact, I had a friend who sent me a whale of scripture that relates to "piercing the flesh" that is against God's will for us, regarding tattoos.) But really - beyond this - the world see us, as Christians, and we're supposed to not even *appear* the least bit sinful. Right? Well a tattoo is a "sign", has a "symbolic" meaning, and that is something nobody can deny. We all know what society thinks of tattoos, depending on which socio-economic strata you happen to hail from; but generally - and especially for women - the connotation is highly sexual. The reason for that is complicated and somewhat vague, but suffice it to say, a tattoo is an instant sign of "easy women" in this society. As was said in a very recent comedic film, "Look for a woman with a tattoo. It might as well be a bullseye", meaning that she'd be loose and have sex with anybody. It's unfortunate that it's gotten this very gritty and unseamly image, but it's true. And if I were a Christian woman, I'd have any tattoos removed that I could. So, enough said. Certainly, this isn't the kind of image I want for you, my beautiful Christian sister... Love in Christ, Mrs. Califlower

 

[maranatha]

let the people of God have this knowledge

I know this knowledge of tattos will enlighten many's hearts. Let God arise the enemies be scattered.

 

[Delicate]

I've enjoyed following the thread- very interesting thoughts put forth. In
going over the scripture reference (Lev. 19:28) I see something that hasn't
been mentioned yet.

Lev. 19:28 states: Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh 'for the dead',
nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord. (emphasis mine)

The term 'for the dead' , refers to pagan idol worship which God was forbidding
in the book of Leviticus. Scholars teach that this was the common practice of
pagan priests in the temples of idols- to cut their flesh in honor of pagan gods
and for the dead.

IMHO, it's not clear to me in this reference, that today's culture of tatooing is addressed, but rather the worship of pagan gods.

Just a thought.

 

[califlower]

Thank you Delicate! That's EXACTLY one of the scriptures this friend of mine sent to me in a long rant about piercings and tattoos. The man has a masters in Theology, and is a very interesting individual, I should invite him on. If I can keep from debating with him over acts versus faith (James 2 being the critical focus of conflict in interpretation.)

Thank you again for bringing God's word to bear upon this issue. In Christ, CaliFlower

 

[califlower]

Nobody ever said here, that I see, that anybody was "going to hell". We're talking about glorifying the Lord, not about damnation, fire, and brimestone. Wow. heh. Get a tattoo if you want to; but you might want to consider the fact that it's not even your body to mess with... think about that for a moment, perhaps? About who you belong to? You were bought at a price, remember, my brother? God bless you, and have a great weekend. - In Christ's Love, CaliFlower

 

[Iamblessed]

How many of you were saved first but had a tattoo put on later? I know many brothers and sisters in our church that had one put on during their youth group days, some did it out of defiance to their parents.

I have been a Christian since I was 17 and I am 41 now. I got both of my tattoos just a couple of years ago. I was not in rebellion against God or anyone. I read all of the scriptures regarding tattoos, cutting, our body being a temple, etc. I chose to get the tattoos and I do not believe that I was sinning against God or His Word.

My husband has a body full of tattoos. He did get several when he was young and has had all of them covered with other tattoos because he regretted them and they did not represent who he is today. At least half of his tattoos are Christian based. He has scripture verses, pictures of Jesus. words about God, and lots of other stuff. They were not done in rebellion. They were done because it was a way that he could say that he loves the Lord with all of his heart, mind and soul. And they are a testimony to God. When people look at him they get to see a different perspective of God's love. They have a chance to open their eyes and see that God loves all people, not just the "normal, main-stream" looking Christian. His tattoos open him up to people talking to him because they make him seem more approachable.

I agree that many people get tattoos for very wrong reasons. But there are many Christians that get tattoos fully believing that they are in God's will and are not in sin.

 

[Iamblessed]

PARTIAL QUOTE FROM ORIGINAL FIRST POST









>>>>>>><<<<<<<

Should Christians pursue getting a tattoo ?

NOT IF IT CAUSES HARM TO THE THINKING OF SOMEONE ELSE !

>>>


ROMANS 14


1. Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose
of passing judgment on his opinions.

2. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak
eats vegetables only.

3. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does
not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who
eats, for God has accepted him.

4. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he
stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him
stand.

5. One person regards one day above another, another regards every
day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.

6. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats,
does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats
not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.
7. For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;

8. for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord;
therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

9. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord
both of the dead and of the living.

10. But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you
regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the
judgment seat of God.

11. For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL
BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD."

12. So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

13. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather
determine this--not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a
brother's way.

14. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean
in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is
unclean.

15. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer
walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for
whom Christ died.

16. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as
evil;

17. for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness
and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

18. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and
approved by men.

19. So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the
building up of one another.

20. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things
indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and
gives offense.

21. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by
which your brother stumbles.

22. The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God.
Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

23. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is
not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.


>>>>>>><<<<<<<

21. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by
which your brother stumbles.

If what you do causes harm to the thinking of someone else, for the
cause of Christ, you should not do it.

13. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather
determine this--not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a
brother's way.

>>>>>>><<<<<<<

1 Corinthians 8


1. Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have
knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.

2. If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as
he ought to know;

3. but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.

4. Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know
that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is
no God but one.

5. For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth,
as indeed there are many gods and many lords,

6. yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things
and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all
things, and we exist through Him.

7. However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being
accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to
an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

8. But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we
do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.

9. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a
stumbling block to the weak.

10. For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's
temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to
eat things sacrificed to idols?

11. For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother
for whose sake Christ died.

12. And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their
conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

13. Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat
meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.

>>>>>>><<<<<<<

If getting a tattoo causes my brother to stumble, i will not do it.

>>>>>>><<<<<<<


Revelation 14

9. Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud
voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives
a mark on his forehead or on his hand,

10. he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in
full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with
fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the
presence of the Lamb.

11. "And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they
have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his
image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."

>>>>>>><<<<<<<

Some might consider this a stretch, but if I am accustomed to receiving marks on my body , what difference will one more mark make?

Every compromise that a Christian makes is just one more chink in their
armor.

The bottom line >>>

ROMANS 14

21. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by
which your brother stumbles.

What comes to my mind when the above scriptures are quoted regarding stuff like this is that at any time, any thing and every thing that anyone does can cause someone to stumble. That is why we need to be in prayer about all things and actively seeking what God is saying to us specifically. We assume that it is the tattooed person that will cause someone to stumble and fall away from God but that is not always the case. Sometimes it is the person that does not have a tattoo that is causing the person to stumble. It all depends on who the person is, how they were brought up and so on.

 

[Mike]

Thread Locked .

Many of the lost young people of today have had many scars added to their bodies . This has no doubt been the case . Does Jesus Christ still love them ? Yes ! Can they take back what the devil meant for evil ? No ! We cannot take back our past ethier .

All who seek Jesus Christ are forgiven . Grow up people and stop the madness . All who are weary and need Christ are accepted by him . Thats final . Thread locked . Come to Gods table young people . God loves you . Mike

 

[Chad]

I agree that many people get tattoos for very wrong reasons. But there are many Christians that get tattoos fully believing that they are in God's will and are not in sin.

Just because they "believe" they are not sinning does not make it right. Its what GOD has already spoken to us in Scripture that matters and He made clear. Please read all the Scripture mentioned in this thread. They are useful and helpful.

Also, as brother Mike mentioned we welcome all without condemning them. The main priority of Talk Jesus is to Glorify GOD in Jesus Christ, through our actions of Christ-like love. We are not here to condemn but yet not disregard the Scriptural laws. We are free in Christ, but this is not to throw away the laws GOD provided us. They are still valid.

We have Jesus Christ (NT = grace) to pay for our sins (ie. OT = laws we have broken, hence sinning against GOD Himself).

1 John 3:9
No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.

Romans 5:19-21

19For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
20The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:1-5
1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

5If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.

 

[ladylane]

Many of the lost young people of today have had many scars added to their bodies . This has no doubt been the case . Does Jesus Christ still love them ? Yes ! Can they take back what the devil meant for evil ? No ! We cannot take back our past ethier .
All who seek Jesus Christ are forgiven . Grow up people and stop the madness . All who are weary and need Christ are accepted by him . Thats final . Thread locked . Come to Gods table young people . God loves you . Mike

I respectfully disagree! What satan intended for evil, God WILL turn for our good for those who love him! We can not undo the past but we can learn from it and overcome!! (I remember a story in the old testament where King David "encouraged himself" in the Lord AND TOOK BACK.. what the enemy had stolen!

 

[Chad]

I'm lost on your reply. Brother Mike said all things that match up to the Word of GOD. What did you disagree on exactly? He made the same point you just made

Basically, we cannot undo the past but GOD will accept us if we repent. We are washed away by the blood of the Lamb = Jesus Christ. That is the ultimate point of Salvation and repentance. We receive Salvation in Christ regardless of what we've done in our past.

God bless

 

[applaudmedia]

I'm lost on your reply. Brother Mike said all things that match up to the Word of GOD. What did you disagree on exactly? He made the same point you just made
Basically, we cannot undo the past but GOD will accept us if we repent. We are washed away by the blood of the Lamb = Jesus Christ. That is the ultimate point of Salvation and repentance. We receive Salvation in Christ regardless of what we've done in our past.
God bless

Quote:
Originally Posted by BROTHERSINARMST4G
Many of the lost young people of today have had many scars added to their bodies . This has no doubt been the case . Does Jesus Christ still love them ? Yes ! Can they take back what the devil meant for evil ? No ! We cannot take back our past ethier .
All who seek Jesus Christ are forgiven . Grow up people and stop the madness . All who are weary and need Christ are accepted by him . Thats final . Thread locked . Come to Gods table young people . God loves you . Mike {end quote}

I respectfully disagree! What satan intended for evil, God WILL turn for our good for those who love him! We can not undo the past but we can learn from it and overcome!! (I remember a story in the old testament where King David "encouraged himself" in the Lord AND TOOK BACK.. what the enemy had stolen!

Chad,
What I disagree with is what is in bold text...

I will look for the passage of scripture where King David "took back" what the enemy had stolen, and get back to you soon.

the passage is 1 Samuel chapter 30

"9But nothing of theirs was missing, whether small or
great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that they had taken for
themselves; David brought it all back."

The enemy had burned the town and taken captive their wives and children, but When david encouraged himself in the Lord (verse 6) he went and got it ALL BACK!!

It is a great story of how the enemy may steal but God restores!!

In reference to tattoos, I know a guy who had a vulgar tatoo. After he was saved he went and had the tattoo covered with thorns. To him it signified that Jesus Covered his sins. What the enemy meant for evil can be "taken back" to The Glory of God!

I found this forum while doing a search on the origin of Tattoo's. I've read most of the thread but not all - don't have the time. Like most others who have posted in this thread I certainly do not intend to judge and most definitely have no ground to stand on to do so; I can easily consider myself chief of sinnners as did the Apostle Paul. With this fact firmly in mind I would like to bring out a few points. I have attempted to not post my opinions, but rather to simply reference The Word of God.

My Dad often commented that if you want to know what a Christian should or should not do, go ask someone that is unsaved, they can usually tell you! The point is this, do I have any negative feelings about someone that has tattoos? No. Do some people? yes. Do I expect a Christian to have a tattoo (esp. one gotten after their conversion), No. Not that I am right or wrong, it's just how I feel, (as a sinner . Although there is certainly someone who will defy the odds, they are such that no one will form a negative opinion of you simply due to your LACK of a tattoo. The opposite can not be said true and a good number of people will immediately have a negative impression of anyone with a tattoo. Why? Because tattoos have a stigma (no pun intended). Therefore, will a tattoo help or hinder your witness for Christ?

Perhaps this has been mentioned in this thread but THE critical point to consider about anything is, does it make us more or less like Jesus. What we think should not even be considered, only what does Jesus think? Is there any indication of any "Holy" person in the Bible having a tattoo? We are commanded to be Holy ( NT

A great point made earlier in this post is that our bodies are not our own:

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Ephesians 1:4

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27

The primary problem facing the Church today is that "Christians" want to redefine what it means to be one. They wish to make the Bible agree with their beliefs and comforts but the Bible cannot be conformed to the standard of our sinful nature; we must embrace it's standards, God's standards.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Let us not be included among these. Godly counsel is encouraged in the Word but in addition and most importantly let us humbly and prayerfully seek God for the answers and not only men. God's answers are usually found easily in His inerrant Word when we are Truly seeking His will for our lives.

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 HCSB

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27

If you are going to use this scripture to make your point than please use the whole scripture. If this verse can in any way shape or form dictate that tattoos are wrong than so are wrinkles, in which case I'm in big trouble. Please go back and study some more and edit your post applaudmedia.


The primary problem facing the Church today is that "Christians" want to redefine what it means to be one. They wish to make the Bible agree with their beliefs and comforts but the Bible cannot be conformed to the standard of our sinful nature; we must embrace it's standards, God's standards.

Seems to me that you might be guilty of the same thing that you are accusing others of doing.

It says in Leveticus 29 not to cut yourself or put tattoo marks on yourself

Hi wittywriter, Can I ask what chapter in Leviticus you are refering to?

Jiggy,
I think she is reffering to this...

Leviticus 19:28
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.

God bless,
Nigh

Yeah, I thought so but wanted to make sure.

I wonder if it will take Jesus splitting the eastern sky with His coming, to make people finally wake up and realize that they spent far to many hours concerned about the lil bit of ink on a mans (womans) skin...and not enough time worried about whats written on his or her heart!

WAKE UP CHURCH!

I personally do not have any tattoos, never had any, and never will have any (I think they're ugly). But, I think we need to see that the Mosaic Law's teachings cited (Lv 19:28, 21:5; Dt 14:1) refer to ancient pagan practices of tattooing as signs of mourning or calling on their deities.

While some modern tattoo images undoubtedly do have pagan origins, it is not accurate to declare that all such images are wrong, nor are all tattoo artists promoting such images.

SLE