Question: Is it ok for Christians to get a tattoo?
Answer: You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:28)
Sometimes we do things on the spur of the moment and then have second thoughts about it later. No doubt, this has happened to many people who put on tattoos. With tattoos, though, I am told that they are pretty hard to remove, and/or at least, very costly to remove.
Another thing that a lot of people don’t think about, in their hurry to be in fashion, is that in a few years their ‘pretty’ tattoo will be an ugly mess. The reason for this is because, I am told, our skin changes in about seven years.
Then too, you cannot donate blood for at least a year after you have gotten a tattoo. You may not think that is worth mentioning, but I do think it is, because every time we give blood at least one life is saved.
Then I would like to make the argument that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” (1 Corinthians 3:16, 17)
I really don’t think God likes it when we graffiti the outside of His temple! He likes you just the way He made you!
What about the person who has tattoos? What should they do? I believe that once a person has repented of their sins (become a Christian), that God forgives them. God will not judge a person for the things they have repented of. He wants a person to start living for Him right where they are at.
“Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.” (1 Corinthians 7:20-24)
I hope this helps,
Gary T. Panell
For more information email me at [email protected]
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