Fellowship of World Christians 'Working Together in Union with Christ'
Post Commitment Tattoos
Having made the decision to follow Christ can we then within the bounds of scripture tattoo ourselves or does Leviticus 19:28 preclude this and if so why? I have my view, but I'd like to hear yours. Jc
Firstly, I would like to thank all who responded to my question. Your input was much appreciated and gave me much to think about.
Secondly, a comment about all my brothers and sisters in Christ who choose to adorn their body with ink art. I pray that the Lord of Hosts continue to bless them where they are and that they not lose sight of The Way, The Truth and The Life because of a tattoo or the way it is perceived by others.
Well to begin with, I have my view on this but I also have doubts, so I won't be getting a tat. Thank you to Natashleigh for passing on the advice. If I do eventually decide to get one, it will be according to God's Word and as Gcobani put it "what the Holy Spirit in me says. I have had a pierced ear since age 14 (Mum and Dad didn't know but found out eventually-much trouble) and I will not be removing it because of Leviticus 19:28.
Yes my body is a temple as stated by Precious Angel (1st Corinthians 3:16), yet, what is so bad about tattooing ourselves when so many Christians I know, myself included, smoke, over eat or eat badly, drink too much, have poor sleeping habits and don't exercise regularly. These all involve basic health principles that I'm sure too few of us practice. So I don't see what is so bad about decorating the house that God gave into my stewardship and shares with me through His Holy Spirit if I think He would be happy with the colour scheme and design.
As for the colour and design I think it's pretty obvious from the attached pics that it wouldn't be a deaths head or naked lady. It would be a declaration of faith and my belief in The One True God. I could keep it discrete, thereby keeping it between me and God or I could wear it as a bold statement where all could see it. I suppose there would be an element of personal gratification in it, because I have always wanted a tattoo but I knew from watching my mates with indian ink and a sewing needle that these things are permanent (notwithstanding laser surgery). Yet the tattoo itself would be for God's glory and His good name. I hope this has answered the question about why, posed by Debbie.
I am not convinced that Leviticus 19:28 or any other scripture expressly forbids tattooing, but as I have already stated - not while I still have doubts, and there is also the Pauline scripture in Romans 14:21 where we are admonished not to do anything that may cause our brother to stumble, be offended or made weak. So I disagree with Ariete's assertion that it is forbidden, but big UPS to you Sister for trying to set our kids straight on the matter.
There are definite dangers involved in tattooing as K.H. Ewardson pointed out. The physical hazards are real enough. These I can handle, but my concern is with the spiritual dangers. This is the crux of my initial question, and after discussing this with you all, I would like to pose another - Can anyone enlighten me, through scripture or the inspiration of The Holy Spirit to any real spiritual dangers involved with tattooing.
Once again I would like to thank you all for your thought provoking responses and may The Lord bless you more abundantly tomorrow than He did today. Peace. Jc
Firstly, I would like to thank all who responded to my question. Your input was much appreciated and gave me much to think about.
Secondly, a comment about all my brothers and sisters in Christ who choose to adorn their body with ink art. I pray that the Lord of Hosts continue to bless them where they are and that they not lose sight of The Way, The Truth and The Life because of a tattoo or the way it is perceived by others.
Well to begin with, I have my view on this but I also have doubts, so I won't be getting a tat. Thank you to Natashleigh for passing on the advice. If I do eventually decide to get one, it will be according to God's Word and as Gcobani put it "what the Holy Spirit in me says. I have had a pierced ear since age 14 (Mum and Dad didn't know but found out eventually-much trouble) and I will not be removing it because of Leviticus 19:28.
Yes my body is a temple as stated by Precious Angel (1st Corinthians 3:16), yet, what is so bad about tattooing ourselves when so many Christians I know, myself included, smoke, over eat or eat badly, drink too much, have poor sleeping habits and don't exercise regularly. These all involve basic health principles that I'm sure too few of us practice. So I don't see what is so bad about decorating the house that God gave into my stewardship and shares with me through His Holy Spirit if I think He would be happy with the colour scheme and design.
As for the colour and design I think it's pretty obvious from the attached pics that it wouldn't be a deaths head or naked lady. It would be a declaration of faith and my belief in The One True God. I could keep it discrete, thereby keeping it between me and God or I could wear it as a bold statement where all could see it. I suppose there would be an element of personal gratification in it, because I have always wanted a tattoo but I knew from watching my mates with indian ink and a sewing needle that these things are permanent (notwithstanding laser surgery). Yet the tattoo itself would be for God's glory and His good name. I hope this has answered the question about why, posed by Debbie.
I am not convinced that Leviticus 19:28 or any other scripture expressly forbids tattooing, but as I have already stated - not while I still have doubts, and there is also the Pauline scripture in Romans 14:21 where we are admonished not to do anything that may cause our brother to stumble, be offended or made weak. So I disagree with Ariete's assertion that it is forbidden, but big UPS to you Sister for trying to set our kids straight on the matter.
There are definite dangers involved in tattooing as K.H. Ewardson pointed out. The physical hazards are real enough. These I can handle, but my concern is with the spiritual dangers. This is the crux of my initial question, and after discussing this with you all, I would like to pose another - Can anyone enlighten me, through scripture or the inspiration of The Holy Spirit to any real spiritual dangers involved with tattooing.
Once again I would like to thank you all for your thought provoking responses and may The Lord bless you more abundantly tomorrow than He did today. Peace. Jc
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Replies are closed for this discussion.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Precious Angel on -
Well isn't the body the home of the Holy Spirit.. he lives in it right? I don't think the Holy Spirit would like it tattooed or to have any body piercing done to it.. that's my opinion and I'm sticking to it... it's like someone painting and redecorating my house without my permission and expecting me to accept the changes .. .. after all the Holy Spirit does dwell in it ... we need to respect our body and be pleasing to God.. like I said just my opinion... thanks for letting me share my point of view...
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Permalink Reply by Gcobani on -
Then according to that scripture,we shouldn't pierce any part of our bodies then.I think it depends on you and what the Holy Spirit in you says.
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Permalink Reply by j2thc on -
Did anyone check out the tat pics I attached to my initial question? These are the kind of tats I'm talking about.
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Permalink Reply by Ariete on -
This is an interesting topic and one which I present at various youth groups and churches. Its quite indepth but I would like to add that I personally consider the idea of tattooing myself as forbidden by Lev 19:28. The present argument which allows for tattoos (even so called christian tattoos) is based on the scripture that we are no longer under law but are under grace...and that Jesus did not expressly forbid tattooing. Both those statements are true so it would seem that tattoos are then permissable. I would just like to say...3/4's of the law concerns personal hygiene...)something we all pratcise as a matter of course anyhow) and Jesus never mentioned incest, pronography, and a few other things that were already well and adequatly handled in the Old Testament so He didnt need to elaborate on them...Since he does not mention them again in the New Testament, does that make them permissable now?
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Permalink Reply by Natashleigh on -
Hi there
What a question?!?!?!
The best advice I ever got was "if in doubt..DONT". You are in doubt at the moment but I believe that every person is responsible for their own actions and should be at peace with their decisions. Peace is of God and the Holy Spirit will quicky convict of Sin, Righteousness and Judgement. All we have to do is listen...what is God telling you????? There can only be a right or wrong answer.
To be quite honest a marking on my body will not determine my salvation and where would I have to place the tatoo in order for others to read it? I wear a wrist band saying what would Jesus do and believe this is right for me. I would also like to enhance the scripture of Jesus saying that we should be light in the World. People should see JEsus through our daily lives...Casting Crowns have a great song called Lifesong and this is the "tatoo" God would like us to have.
Debbie has also asked a few good questions...Why would you want the tatoo?
Your answer and the Holy Spirit will lead you to the correct answer!
Have a great day!
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