What Does the Bible Say About Tattoos?

 

The Bible mentions tattoos just once, at Leviticus 19:28, which says:  "You shall not make any cuttings into your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks  upon you: I am Jehovah your God.  ( King James Version) God gave this command to the nation of Israel, thus setting them apart from the neighboring peoples who marked their skin with the names or symbols or their gods. (Deuteronomy 14:2) While the Law given to Israel is not binding  on Christians, the principle underpinning this law is worth serious consideration.  

Note: If Jehovah didn't want the Israelites to mark or cut themselves, it only serves to know that he would not like anyone to do so. I believe that we should do all  we can to not displease him.  If you have markings, when the person having them, when they older, the markings will stretch out and not look like a tattoo, it will be a mess and unreadable.  To me, it looks tacky and the more markings the tackier it gets.  We were not born with these disgusting things, why make the skin look bad.  You look different by being yourself and staying that way. That is why we all each have different personalities, different color hair, skin or a different language. We should not go by fads.  The only person we need to please is Jehovah God. He is our Creator and Father in heaven and he is more powerful than any human.  Something to think about. 😉

Should a Christian get a tattoo or body art?

The f0llowing Bible verses can help you reason on the matter:

* Women should adorn themselves with . . . modesty." (1 Timothy 2:9, New American Bible)  That principle applies  to both men and women. We should respect the feelings of others and not draw undue attention to ourselves.

* Some want to establish their identity or independence, while others get a tattoo in order to assert ownership of their body.  However, the Bible encourages Christians: "Present your bodies a  sacrifice living, holy, acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason." (Romans 12:1) Use your "power of reason" to analyze why you want a tattoo. If is is because  you want to follow a fad or to show membership in a certain group, remember that your feelings may prove to be less permanent than the tattoo. Examining your motives can you make a wise decision. - PROVERBS 4:7.

* "The plans of the diligent one surely make for advantage, but everyone that is hasty, surely heads for want." (Proverbs 21:5) The decision to get a tattoo is often made in hast, yet it can have a long-term impact on relationships and employment. And tattoos  can be costly and painful to remove.  Research - as well as the booming business of tattoo removal shows that a large number of those who get tattoos eventually wish that they hadn't. 

Next time: What Does the Bible Say About Abortion? /The Bible's Answer

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