tattoos?

hey i think i have a pretty good idea of tattoos but i would some responses

I personally think that tattoos are one of the most disgusting abominations a human could ever subjected to itself. Not only is it corrupting the temple of the holy ghost (your body, in fact i have serious misgivings on whether someone who desires a tattoo even HAS the holy ghost), but it is specifically prohibited in the bible, Leviticus 19:28. "No markings on your body, or cuttings in your flesh". I think that's pretty plain. Okay, so that is the OT. As far as the NT goes, I think the scripture about your body being the temple of the holy ghost, as well as the "come out from among them" scriptures are all very plain in indicating that it is an unspeakable evil. I think that if someone has the law of God written on their heart, and the spirit of God is in them, then there is no way they could possibly condone (and especially WANT) a tattoo on their body. Finally, I will just say that when a person receives God, they are a new creature, and tattoos which are now on their body are not seen by God (so long as they do not glory in it). Just as God forgives and forgets sin, I believe he doesn't even see the scars of sin, like Tattoos. And I do completely believe that getting a tattoo is a sin....My take, God bless!

Definitely.God doesn't want us with tattoos.. he wants us respectable in front of all people. We are the light of the world... are all called to shine the light to everyone else. God says you are not part of this world. Be not conformed to this world (Romans 12:2).You're also right... Deuteronomy says it is displeasing to God. God doesn't change... if something disgusted him 4000 years ago, it still disgusts him now.We are to present our bodies a living sacrifice to God, which is our reasonable service, because we are bought with a hefty price - the blood of Jesus! (1Corinthians 6:20)

Tattoos were prohibited in the Old Covenant although some piercings were clearly allowed [Ezek 16:12] and occasionally commanded [Ex 21:6]. I have never been able to understand why anyone would want to have a tattoo so I don't judge those who have had them. For those who have them and don't know what they should do about them I offer a thought or two. Many of the early Christians carried the names of heathen gods; Mark, Apollos, Junia, Epaphroditus, Narcissus, Hermes,which they never abandoned. Sometimes we carry the marks of our past with us; it may be that the mark of your past will be a means of touching another life. It may offend some folks from a solid evangelical background but unless the tattoo is really offensive or you really want to get rid of it, my suggestion would be leave it alone.just my thoughts...

It may offend some folks from a solid evangelical background but unless the tattoo is really offensive or you really want to get rid of it, my suggestion would be leave it alone.I have to agree with this Ron.it may be that the mark of your past will be a means of touching another life.I have a tattoo of a silly comic strip character,'Bill the Cat' who had a vocabulary of approximately two words "Ack!" and "Phhhbbtt" which only goes to prove.....not much, other than I haven't progressed much farther in my own lexicon. ;-) But hopefully this is one that we all have:2Co 3:2 Ye are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read of all men; 2Co 3:3 being made manifest that ye are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in tables that are hearts of flesh.

I am certainly in agreement that Christians should not 'get' tatoos. I do have a tattooo though. I got my tattoo before I was saved when I was in the military. Hey an unsaved, navy man, what do you expect.Anyway, I don't think God expects anyone to have a tattoo removed after they become a Christian but to get a tattoo after one give his life and heart to Christ is a big NO. I believe getting a tattoo after becoming a Christian is to sin against and grieve out Lord and Savior. We are temples of the Holy Ghost and our lives are not our own.I am unsure though of using Lev. 19:28 as the clear cut answer. The reason I am unsure is that the verse before it says not to round off the side growth of your heads nor harm the edges of your beard. We are guilty men even after becoming a Christian. Just a thought.Clinging to Jesus,Mike

Communication is a fascinating phenomena. I knew I would be able to communicate with you the moment I saw 'Hobbes'. I did wonder whether your choice of 'Calvin's nemesis' had a theological thrust, but I knew that anyone who appreciates Calvin and Hobbes was going to be easy to talk to. Who knows how God may use your tattoo. If know I saw a couple of folks preaching on a street corner and I wanted to ask some questions I might be more drawn to the guy with the 'Billy the Cat' tattoo that to the guy with the biggest bible. But as I have warned you, I am a congenital non-conformist.

hi 5nvayou wrote I am unsure though of using Lev. 19:28 as the clear cut answer. The reason I am unsure is that the verse before it says not to round off the side growth of your heads nor harm the edges of your beard. We are guilty men even after becoming a Christian. Just a thought.For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. Hebrews 7:12. The principles of the moral law are unchanged but the details have long passed their 'sell by' date.

:-D Ah, thanks Ron it's a mutual admirationFor what it's worth I stumbled across the actual image that is now affixed to my flesh (minus the rock) it is, going from left to right the fifth picture or the first in the second row.http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Bill+the+Cat&sa=N&tab=wiEdit:http://www.buzzstuff.net/archives/bill-thumb.gifYes, it was folly, at that time I thought it 'fit' my personality. Actually it still does :-) But to go subject myself to the equivelant of running your arm under a sewing machine for an hour and half...no thanks, there are other reasons attached to why the Lord wouldn't have us mark ourselves up...The 'old' strip is now back, sort of. Originally entitled "Bloom County" and then morphed into "Outland" it has been brought back to life under "Opus" in some newspapers.An oldieHare KrishnasNow if we could just convince Mr. Watterson to bring back Calvin.... P.S. You are the kindest Rebel I know ;-)

What about ear piercings for earrings? (And by extension, tongue piercing, nose piercing, etc.?)

Hi SamMy answers to all these kinds of questions are from a pastoral rather than dogmatic stance. I would resist the temptation to 'lay down the law' in these things but would try encourage any who were contemplating piercings to think about their motivation. However distasteful these things may be to us older folks (or even to 29 year old striplings) we should avoid bans or condemnations and I think encourage folk to regard their bodies as 'not their own' but for the Lord. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 1 Corinthians 6:13All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. 1 Corinthians 10:23

While it is true that some piercings such as the ear was ordered for bondservants, I do not think that has in any way any relevance for today. I remember when I got my ear pierced many years ago... I was living in rebellion to my parents and God, it was a mark of sin upon me, and sin caused me to get it. I looked for justification for it, and some of my christian friends told me it was a mark of a bondservant. There's *NO WAY* I could have used that, because if I were a bondservant to God at that time, I would not have gotten a piercing. Even in that state, however, I was disgusted by the thought of getting a tattoo on my flesh. The ear piercing would leave a tiny hole and perhaps a miniscule scar forever, whereas a tattoo would be a large scar far more noticable, a cause of personal shame to me, even if my sin was forgiven and forgotten by God. I don't condone in any way, piercings either. Aside from them being completely fruitless and purposeless, the NT rules for wearing modest apparell and *NOT* Gold and costly array speak against this. And finally, the churches I attend preach holiness and separation from the world, how could I justify myself as holy (inward or outward, I do believe that outward holiness counts... how could you be holy inwardly if you don't show it outwardly?) if I, as a christian, got these marks of the world upon me?And I will take one moment to say again, if you have made the mistake of getting a tattoo on your body, then once you repented, you lost that sin, and unless YOU are personally convicted of it remaining on your body and want to spend the $$$ for surgical removal, then I don't see a need to remove it. God doesn't see it, it could simply remain as a reminder of the sin you came out of, and you can glorify God that you aren't in it anymore. I look at my former earring-hole and shake my head, but can't help but thank God I'm not in that place anymore. My real issue is with some of the people that love to mix unrightousness with rightousness, and get a tattoo of Jesus or something. I know a girl that got a tattoo of three spheres next to each other and she tries to witness to people, they'll ask "what is that?" and she says "the body, soul and spirit of a person". It falls flat on the ground because she does something that grieves the holy spirit instead of minister to others in any way. I hope no one thinks of my strong words as judging anyone else... once you are a new creation, you are simply that.... new.

Hi all, thanks for the feedback.I asked that question about ear piercing because the discussion on tatto reminds me of how women having ear piercing is widely accepted in the Western society--I mean, my wife wears earrings, and no one has a problem with that. So I was wondering how cultural acceptance fits into the picture. Are we holding double standards and are we being inconsistent when we allow for piercing for earrings and not tattoo?My general attitude on all similar issues is to look at the heart, not the appearance. I neither condemn, nor encourage.

"reminds me of how women having ear piercing is widely accepted in the Western society"I am very much against this as well. It can be accepted in western society, but western society is going to hell! Just because western society accepts it doesn't mean that it belongs in the church. I believe it to be a matter of holiness (and modesty!) that we are not to put on expensive apparel, wear gold (except in the case of wedding rings) or jewelry, nor mutilate our bodies. I consider tattoos and any piercings to be mutilating our bodies in an unnatural way. I see and view this website as a gathering place for radical believers who desire to set and see the world set on fire. Yes, my views may be a bit radical when compared to most of christianity this day, but I do not think that Ravenhill, Tozier or any other "revival speaker" on this site would object to my views. I believe that we should be holy, separate from the world, both in spirit and in manner and even in dress. I don't believe we are supposed to act like the world or look like the world, go where the world goes or watch what the world watches. That's my take. Simply a matter of holiness.

Zapthycat wrote:"reminds me of how women having ear piercing is widely accepted in the Western society"I am very much against this as well. It can be accepted in western society, but western society is going to hell! Just because western society accepts it doesn't mean that it belongs in the church. I believe it to be a matter of holiness (and modesty!) that we are not to put on expensive apparel, wear gold (except in the case of wedding rings) or jewelry, nor mutilate our bodies. I consider tattoos and any piercings to be mutilating our bodies in an unnatural way.Certainly the cited view is more consistent in applying the same principle to both ear piercings and tattoos than allowing for one and not the other.However, even in your application of 1 Peter 3:3 ("Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes"), I do note that you have allowed for the exception of wearing a wedding ring, which obviously is a cultural practice as well. If western society is "going to hell," and if you want to be "radical" all the way, why should you make such an exception?I believe that we should be holy, separate from the world, both in spirit and in manner and even in dress. I don't believe we are supposed to act like the world or look like the world, go where the world goes or watch what the world watches. I appreciate your heart to be holy and to separate from the world. However, I do wonder how we could separate from the world in dress? Is there a special dress code that Christians wear? Or should we wear robes and sandals like Jesus? Who draws the line between the godly and the world?Ultimately, what I am getting at here is: a simple "no" to questions like earrings and tattoos are prone to falling into legalism. I still think it's best to let the Spirit inwardly lead each individual in trivial matters like these.

"let the Spirit inwardly lead each individual in trivial matters like these."I personally don't take them to be trivial matters. As far as dress, the bible is pretty plain when it talks about modesty. Obviously, you can't reasonably dress too out of whack with society... you could go "amish" but that's a little out there. Basically, modesty says a lot. It's biblical, and it's definitely seperating yourself from the world. Modesty, in my opinion, isn't just not showing too much skin, but also not wearing anything flashy or too tight, or even clothes that identify you with certain types of... groups, such as gang symbols or hippie clothes. Obviously, that leaves a lot of room for debate, but that's what I believe. As far as wedding rings, you read about people wearing rings in scripture. They weren't regarded as jewelry, they were regarded as a symbol of something... like in the story of the prodigal son, and Judah and Tamar, it's a symbol of wealth or social standing, something almost like a credit card. I don't regard them as jewelry because they are a symbol of the sanctity of marriage. Back in biblical days married women dressed differently than single women, nowdays they don't, so it's a perfectly acceptable symbol of the marital covenant. I explained this to my fiancee, she was against wedding rings because her (worldly) mother wore many gaudy rings as jewelry, she didn't want to be like that. But I explained to her that wedding rings are -Not- jewelry, they are symbols of marriage, and people should have them because it lets others know that they are off limits. I know of an evangilist that also was a door-to-door salesman, he didn't believe in wedding rings... until he was propositioned by a woman. Her response? "Well you didn't have a wedding ring on, so I thought you were available". He quickly began wearing a wedding ring. Maybe guys don't notice it, but as for single girls, the first thing they notice on a man is his left ring finger... I guess guys just don't think that way.

I personally don't take them to be trivial matters. As far as dress, the bible is pretty plain when it talks about modesty. Obviously, you can't reasonably dress too out of whack with society... you could go "amish" but that's a little out there. Basically, modesty says a lot. It's biblical, and it's definitely seperating yourself from the world. Modesty, in my opinion, isn't just not showing too much skin, but also not wearing anything flashy or too tight, or even clothes that identify you with certain types of... groups, such as gang symbols or hippie clothes. Obviously, that leaves a lot of room for debate, but that's what I believe. I have no problem with modesty as a general principle. However, even your response betrays the fact that it is not always easy to set the boundary when you try to bring the principle down to the level of regulations. Therefore, I suggest that instead of regulating everyone else's dress code and piercings and tattoos, we focus on things like cultivating a godly character. Inward transformation will naturally bring forth changes in outward behaviour.The example of the wedding ring reveals a problem in your line of argument. On the one hand, you assert that "the western society is going to hell" (the answer in response to my question about the role of "cultural acceptance"); yet on the other hand, you allow for the exception of the wedding ring on the basis that it is "a symbol of the sanctity of marriage," which of course takes on this meaning precisely because it is an accepted cultural practice in the West!We risk being Pharisees when we regulate the behaviour yet fail to nurture the inner life. Why not let the believers follow their own conscience in matters concerning the apparels?

While I cannot offer any scriptural argument that has not already been presented or discussed, I can offer you the advice of my youth pastor/uncle regarding tattoos, piercings, and motorcycles: Wait until you get married, and if your spouse wants you to have one, get a nice one. And however extreme your appearances and behaviours, your faith must be even more outspoken.

http://www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?passage=REV+19&language=english&version=NIV&showfn=on&showxref=onRev 19:16 Jesus has a tattoo. And a cool one at that. I have a friend with "Disciple" on his back in Hebrew. We do youth and college ministry. By coming to them like Jesus breaking the steretypes of non-biblical law, we earn our right to be heard among them. Just as Matthew Mark Luke and John presented the gospel in different ways to different cultures, so must we. As far as Leviticus goes, Jesus said the law will will remain until its purpose is achieved (mat 5:18). when he died he said "it is achieved." the law about the tattoos was meant to distinguish and separate the isrealites from their surrounding pagan cultures... just like most of the other law. Jesus came to bring us freedom from the law through grace. While we still do submit to NT law, and matters of our own holy spirit driven consciences, God's people's purpose is to integrate with the pagans under the power of the word for the salvation of all who believe, first it was for the jew, then for the gentile. It is certainly true that our bodies are temples to God. But who are we to to tell God what is disgracing a temple? Take my friend for example. Step back and look at it without your own biases: as a decoration of the temple.

MonoKnuck, I have used that argument before when discussing tattoos, but then I realized I was in error: there are two things which preclude this argument.1. God is unchanging. To say that Jesus has a tatoo is to imply that at one time, Jesus did not have that marking. After all, we as humans have abnormal markings from birth, but we call them birthmarks, not tattoos, because we were born with them. The marking on Jesus is not a tattoo, it is a birthmark.2. Remember that this is not likely Jesus as He truly is, it is a vision of Jesus that John of Patmos had. God is immaterial and (though we don't truly know) it is not likely that a physical Jesus is seated in heavenly places, but instead a Jesus made of Spirit, not of flesh.So, as much as I personally would like this argument to be valid, I do not feel that it is.And:But who are we to to tell God what is disgracing a temple? Take my friend for example. Step back and look at it without your own biases: as a decoration of the temple.But who are we to impose decorations of our own choosing on property that is not our own? Do not tell God how to decorate His house.

I personally don't think that spray painting on the temple would be called decorating it. The temple is a place of reverence, and we certainly don't have the liberty to carve into the walls and insert permanent inks into them. I personally have views against tanning because it's destructive to your skin and it's vanity; how then could I stand up in front of God and tell him that tattoos were not destructive, when they carried with them the spots and scars of the world and I could not see it? With people that argue that christian can get tattoos and are OK with it, I seriously question whether they have the spirit, because how can the law be written on their heart? I fully and with all my heart believe that this is one of the laws of God, written on the hearts of the people that have his spirit, and even the testimony of nature should tell you that it's wrong! It's not mere decorations, it's pure and simple defilement. RobertW said something to this effect on the "cannibalism" thread that "Just the fact that this is being debated is proof of the degenerate condition of our society". I couldn't agree any more that, just the fact that someone would dare to debate this is proof of the spiritual sickness of our times.

If one finds it appropriate to express oneself according to the standards of the world, one belongs to the world and there is great need for salvation and sanctification.If you find it appropriate to express yourself according to the mind of Christ, you belong to Him and will therefore be able to announce salvation.The treatment of this subject, and many others, mirrors one simple approach:How much of the old life, the life and the ways of man that is supposed to be crusified, the life opposing Heaven will still be available to the "Christian". How to obtain blessings and receive the benefits of a Christian life-style and the work of salvation and yet retain parts of the old self-life.

I believe it's how much are you willing to give up versus how much can I still get away with.

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Hi Ron,Thank you for helping me understand that I'm NOT responsible for what I don't know, and why. This appears to be another area that I need to grow in. Just the other day I was hassling a couple of bikers in front of "Big Daddys Body Piercing and Tatoo Parlor". I felt suddenly inspired to go inside the business, and have a portrait of " Mary Queen of Scot" tatooed on my tongue. I resisted the temptation, as I thought at the time that the Devil was tempting me. Now that there is "new revelation", I may reconsider. What a conversation starter that could be."Hey Dude check out Mary Queen of Scot blahhh." Well Ron, I'll take it under further consideration. In the mean time check this out :-P !Clutch :-D

Hey Clutch,Once again you made my day :-DMiss you brother, promise you will keep checking in? Someone has to come and diffuse all the hot air sometimes...Besides feeling a bit deprived of all the bovine humor...moo

If one finds it appropriate to express oneself according to the standards of the world, one belongs to the world and there is great need for salvation and sanctification.If this statement were true, neither one of us belongs to Christ since we are expressing our thoughts via a BBS.In fact, English itself wouldn't be appropriate.

maybe i'm crazy.. but i feel that the temple.. our body.. is more of a spiritual body.. not so much as a physical body. (our physical body doesn't have any purpose besides to serve the earth.. correct? after we are lifted away what's done with it?)the two are related but different (e.g. if one has adulterous sex.. they pierce and degrade the physical (yes).. but more of the spiritual..) if it were the case that we were supposed to keep our physical body pure and clean.. wouldn't it be a sin to not eat as healthy as possible? shouldn't we be exercising all day? wouldn't it be a sin to breathe our air without a gas mask? not wear protective clothing as not to scratch ourselves. you see.. people have to draw lines.. most people draw it at a different spot.. i'm going to get a tattoo soon that says " ζωsaν θυsιaν " (zosen thusia (living sacrifice)).. it represents my strive to be a living sacrifice.. spiritually.. not my phycial body's attempt to stay as clean as possible.. anytime i am tempted to do wrong i will have a very strong physical reminder to not sin spiritually.. it will be another way to witness to people that i see on a daily basis and if it turns out to be a sin... at least i had the opportunity to witness to and possibly save someone else.

As a personal opition, I believe the bible speaks against tattoos. Just as one post, posted the scripture..LEVITICUS 19:28Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I [am] the LORD.I CORINTHIANS 6:19What? 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? I CORINTHIANS 6:20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. The only tattoo that Iam concerned about are the tattoo of nail prints in the palm of my masters Hands. :-)

I have to agree that a christian should under no circumstance be tatooed. This physical body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are indeed bought with a price, and friendship with the world is enmity with God. We are called out from the world. I question what spirit is motivating any christian to get tatooed.That having been said, I would agree with Ron if you already have a tatoo. Excellent observation, Ron. I have to go now, I hear something rustling deep within my closet of anxiety. :-o

Hey Guys, I just wanted to make some comments for everyone “for and against tattoos”. There will be times I will contradict myself, but it is because I am asking questions for both sides to think about. Now I am new to posting in here, but I am going to make comments from people who posted a long time ago, so you might have to go back and read their post to understand what I am talking about. I will start off by saying I do have “Christian tattoos” on my back, but at the time I got them, I got them for the wrong reason, but please understand that I am going to make comments for and against tattoos. But I am more focused on getting away from legalism and getting focused on a love-relationship with God. At the end of this post, I will share more of what I believe about “tattoos”. Now, it was written several times in this forum that someome “questions whether a person who gets a tattoo is really saved”. My jaw literally dropped to the floor. That’s a reckless comment. The idea that if someone debates that getting a tattoo is OK (whether that person believe it is a sin or not) makes a person’s salvation in question is just wrong. I could make the statement “if someone debates that caffeine isn’t bad for you, then I question your salvation and whether God is in your heart. Caffeine is evil no matter if it is a drop of coffee or a six-pack of dr. pepper a day. It abnormally speeds up your heart and is an addictive drug. God’s law states that our body is the temple and we should not put drugs into our body”. Now, I don’t believe in the fact that drinking caffeine in moderation is bad, but there are people out there that would say I was sinning. This can be the same for if you believe drinking a glass of wine is OK, smoking one cigar on special occasion, whether buying stocks is actually a form of gambling (because technically you are trying to gain on another’s lose … and if this is considered greed …. and if you REALLY believe that you are buying stock to have 0.0000123% ownership in a company, or are you really just trying to make money) whether Contemporary Christian Music is or isn’t music pleasing to God (or “heavy metal instruments”) and so forth (I will not share my views on these because it would take to long)1 Cor 8:10-13 “ You see, this is what can happen: Weak Christians who think it is wrong to eat this food will see you eating in the temple of an idol. You know there’s nothing wrong with it, but they will be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been dedicated to the idol. So because of your superior knowledge, a weak Christian, for whom Christ died, will be destroyed. And you are sinning against Christ when you sin against other Christians by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong. If what I eat is going to make another Christian sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live – for I don’t want to make another Christian stumble.” (Also read Romans 14:20-23)So who is in the right? The one who believes it is a sin against God because the rules say you shouldn’t hurt the temple of the Holy Spirit, or the person who knows that a cup of coffee once a week is not a sin because in his love-relationship with God it is not a sin? God clearly states that there are things in this world that are not a sin to one Christian, but a sin to another Christian. This kind of takes away the power of ruling by the letter of the law as the Pharisees did. It shows that there is a need for a relationship with God. God wants us to have a relationship with him rather than follow written laws (of course, we can’t follow all the written laws and in James 2:10 “and the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as the person who has broken all of God’s laws”). Rules without a love-relationship with God equals rebellion or legalism. I think we sometimes approach holiness legalistically instead of relationally for holiness is the very life of Jesus manifested through us and since Jesus is holiness and Jesus is love, one must have a love-relationship with Jesus for one to have holiness. (Romans 13:10 – “Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God’s requirements… Other verses to read: Romans 10:9-10 – Romans 3:27 – Hebrews 11:1 – Galatians 3:24 - James 2:17-18)BUT (I told you this wasn’t one sided), if you love Christ, then you love other Christ followers. And as you read the end of 1 Cor 8:10-13 that you are sinning against other Christians if you encourage them to do something they believe is wrong and even though it is OK between you and God, if you do it publicly you can destroy a Chrisitan. If a Christian destroys another Christian, woe is me!!! So for what I believe about tattoos, (sorry, it wasn’t suppose to be this long) the choice is between you and God. As for me, I have my tattoos on my back so no one can see them, unless (1) I am around other Christians who believe the same as I about tattoos or (2) use them as conversation tools for witnessing. Other than this group, no one really knows that I have tattoos. I don’t tell people that I have them, nor do I take off my shirt around people who I may hurt. That’s where the reason I got my tattoos come in. I got the tattoos because I wanted to (1) have a different witnessing tool, (2) have a cool/different way of doing it (3) because it was cool (4) and for it to be a long-lasting reminder to me of my stand for Christ. I think these were not the reasons I should of gotten them, but God has turned them to a blessing and gave me the understanding of how to use them correctly. Hence why I have a more strict rule on when and when not is it OK to take off my shirt, like at a swimming pool. Also, the tattoos now have more meaning to me since I try to keep the tattoos to myself. One of my weakest areas that Satan had a hold on me was with Lust. And every since I got the tattoos, never once did I ever do anything physical to my body with or without a girlfriend (still a virgin – just want to make clear), but I still as most men do, fight lust of the mind. But I have still prevented “defilement of the physical body” which is a huge win!! People will agrue that there were other ways of stoping lust, and I agree with that statement, BUT this is the way God used it on me. So again….. getting a tattoo is between you and God!! Don’t speak for God like I did. I was blessed that God used my misdirection in getting a tattoo into correct to directions of the use of the tattoos. If you believe getting a tattoo is a sin, DON'T GET ONE, you will be sinning!!!There is so much more that I wish to say … but maybe another time. I know I probably upset several of you, but please know that I only am doing it out of love and hope that we get away from living by the law….that we live through our personal love-relationship with the Lord who is perfect and is better than rules in a book. And I know I probably said something about my tattoos that may be quite wrong to you, but thank God that this physical body stays here on earth when we die and we get an AWESOME heavenly body!!! God Bless!

I think that it is important to take care of our physical bodies as well as spiritual. I agree that there has to be more or less of a line drawn. If you are so focused on exercise and eating healthy that it distracts you from doing what God wants you to do, then by all means draw a line. However, I think this is something that each of us needs to discuss with God ourselves. Not everying needs to draw the line at the same point. Anyway, as far as your tattoo is concerned, I think it sounds very meaningful. I wear a plain ring on my left ring-finger to remind me of the commitment I made to God and my future husband to stay pure. It has also been a good witnessing tool. I have had a lot of people ask why I wear it, and I let them know. I don't push it on them or try to get them to acknowledge it, but if God chooses to use it for His good, then I am all for it. I think that sometimes we need reminders of who we are in Christ and what sets us apart from the world, so that we can better live and witness in it. I commend you for the thought that you have given to this subject and that you are choosing something that I believe you can honor God with. :-P

You guys are making me feel at home here. And I had been under the impression that americans didn't have a sense of humour.Tatoos, things really bizarre. I was listening to Leviticus the other day, and tatoos were mentioned. The interesting thing was that the prohibitions seemed to relate specifically to idol worship. Tatoos seemed to have been part of the contemporary idol worship scene, as were piercing, fornication and child sacrifice.Does seeking to alter your appearance have something inately wrong with it?If so, does tatooing and piercing come in the same category as make-up.Just a wee bone to chew on!!!

Not only is it corrupting the temple of the holy ghost (your body, in fact i have serious misgivings on whether someone who desires a tattoo even HAS the holy ghost), but it is specifically prohibited in the bible, Leviticus 19:28. "No markings on your body, or cuttings in your flesh". I think that's pretty plain. the same thing about anyone continuing to sin in any way could be said with regard to the holy ghost. how is having a tattoo worse than theft, murder etc? We all make foolish decisions before we come to christ. We can be forgiven but some decisions have consequences that we have to deal with for life. We also make some foolish decisions even After we come to Christ because every day we are at war with the old self which we have been since birth. But even so, ALL things (not some or everything except one even) work for the good of he who loves the LOrd.do you have a tattoo? I do. does that make me less filled with the holy ghost than you?I think that if someone has the law of God written on their heart, and the spirit of God is in them, then there is no way they could possibly condone (and especially WANT) a tattoo on their bodyIf the law of God has been written on our hearts we should not want to sin and yet we do. Sure there are a lot of things that we have no desire for after receiving the spirit but there are those demons that continue to hound us with which we must war against. If the spirit of God is in us why do we continue to sin and condone it and WANT to sin? Some demons run at the first sight of the spirit, others are bolder and require us to use the spirit to run them off.

There is a reason why the Lord strictly prohibits Tattoo as much as why idol worshippers wanted it on.It is a fact that our time now is in the New Testament time its more spiritual than literal. Lets consider this: if Baptism is an expression of an inward faith can we say in any way that tattoos are an expression of our love for the Lord? We,as His children,i deeply feel must do act and behave in ways not according to ours but according to His. Oftentimes we always use our own(old man) strength and ideas to serve Him , remember Uzzah? Remember Moses? Sometimes it comes to the point of compromising to win some souls. But does it really work? Matthew 28:18-20 The weapon of our warfare is the victory and authority of our Lord. We use the excuse of being spiritual to deal lightly with tattoos and yet ironically using tattoos, an earthly physical means(instead of prayer) as an idea or method in serving the Lord esp when it comes to winning souls and reminding us of God's love? Very Ironic.God's work must be done in God's way God's strength and in God's time that i believe is spirituality.Just wondering if tattoos were never a trend or a fashion in our wolrd will there be any one wearing one?

The definition of "trend" and "fashion" involve the short-term, by the way. But that aside...The mark of the servant in Old Tesament times is an earring...he is marked as a bondservant. Was that not okay?When we were told not to wear tattoos, it was not to wear tattoos of graven gods...that we were not to exalt idols. But if it's an expression of your faith, there's nothing wrong with that. Am I not to wear this cross 'round my neck? My WWJD bracelet, despite the fact that it "went out of style" when I was still in middle school, over 6 years ago? How about the Youth Group tee-shirt I sometimes wear, that reads "I am not afraid of the Gospel of Christ"? THAT is a tattoo, because I am covering my body with symbols that represent my faith.The tattoo that adorns my back has raised many questions from nonbelievers and provided many witnessing opportunities. "I see how you live your life, and I just saw your tattoo. What does it mean?""Romans 6:1-14 is a passage from the Bible"...and I explain to them.The point is that God sees the heart, and He and only He knows your reasons for what you have done. And so long as you do not fall into the trap of idolizing the images upon your body (which is why I had it placed on my back, where I cannot see it) as if they held some charming power or greater meaning that what is attributed nthem by the Word of God, I don't see the issue.My point is this: I have marked myself as a bondservant of Christ, and when people see that tattoo, that "earring" that marks me, they know Who I serve. I did not get it to make a statement...God knows I'm not cool. :-) I got it because I love Him, and I want the world to know it. Because I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ anymore than I am ashamed of Him.

The mark of the servant in Old Tesament times is an earring...he is marked as a bondservant. Was that not okay?Hi MaryI think you are the first post-er I have read on this or on other forums who has actually had a tattoo 'because' you are Christian. Your analogy with the servant is interesting but I think it has some flaws. A servant would have the ear-ring installed by his master. It was the master's single-link chain that told all that the wearer was no longer a free man.Exodus 21 has a fascinating ritual for someone who had been freed but chose to remain a slave. The freed servant publically declared that he would 'not go out free'. The master then publically took the 'freed servant' to the judges who witnessed the servant being nailed to door temporarily (very temporarily :-)) He was 'nailed' to wood in his allegiance to his master; so are we.There is an interesting omission from the normal pattern here; there is no ear-ring just a hole in his ear. This piercing is a picture of the cross in the life of the believer. We are to live 'pierced lives' (the shewbread was 'pierced loaves' too) The freed slave did not wear a ear-ring but he carried the mark of it. In our modern terminology, he was 'free' but not free to 'march to the sound of his own drum'. He was 'ear-marked' rather than 'chained'.This ear-marking was not his own work but the work of his master. I respect your choices; they are yours to make. But to base them on these Old Testament patterns is unsafe. If you wanted to follow the Old Testament pattern, and I'm not suggesting that you do, you would have a hole not an ear-ring.Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. (Psa 40:6 KJV)This is Christ's testimony, according to Hebrews. It could well be translated... mine ears hast thou bored... This was the 'free' Son who refused His freedom and always did those things that pleased His Father.

Philogos; Stone's Quote;The point is that God sees the heart, and He and only He knows your reasons for what you have done. And so long as you do not fall into the trap of idolizing the images upon your body (which is why I had it placed on my back, where I cannot see it) as if they held some charming power or greater meaning that what is attributed nthem by the Word of God, I don't see the issue.My comments -- I've pierced my nose for the simple reason of not falling under legalism.There was a season... where I spend some time just observing those who do not attend a service, or are not at the moment converted. As it was quoted God sees the heart. I've used my piercing not as a fasion statement, because I didn't even know or know if it's in style.The purpose for mine, was to reach those who are so difficult to reach. I didn't do it out of rebellion, who would have ever thought that I would do something like this, but I did and i did it out of Love. I did it because I wanted the world to see, not the saved and the healed but the unsaved and the sick, that God is real and his Love is REAL, what he did on the cross over 2000, years ago for you and for me, it's REAL. At first I felt condemnation, but then I realized that I was always seeking approval, approval, approval. Philogos, (Question) who reaches the piercing, the gang bangers, the prisoners? Who reaches Sodom and Gomorah?I've noticed and have experienced times when I was able to witness to certain individuals that are not the easiest people to reach. But you know what Philogos I may look like the world but, I am not of this world. I must continue to keep my eyes on Him, (Jesus) and on the lost, the dieing, and the hurting that is his heart, and so when they see me coming, yes, may they see a person with a pierced nose, and with a black book on her right hand that travels with me where ever I GO!Let me just say this and with this I will end, when I lay down it is him that is on my mind and in all of my thoughts, and when I wake up in the morning, quess what? it is him that is on my mind. (JESUS) My Lord, and My Savior.

Hi RafikiYou don't have to justify yourself or your actions to me. I was not challenging Chosen7Stone's behaviour, only her implied theology.My comments -- I've pierced my nose for the simple reason of not falling under legalism.Real freedom never needs to prove anything to anyone, especially ourselves. ;-)Philogos, (Question) who reaches the piercing, the gang bangers, the prisoners? Who reaches Sodom and Gomorah?We have a team of folk in our church here who have taken part-time jobs so as to be able to do this most of their time. Each week they spend time with remand prisoners and young offenders. Tattoos and piercings are of little importance to me, but as far as I know none of the team has either.But you know what Philogos I may look like the world...I think you are arguing with the person you think I am, rather than the person I really am... ;-)

My apologies, Honostly I don't know who you are, at all. "Arguing" Lord no, please don't say that.I just feel really strong about somethings at times, and as I am conveying my thoughts, and heart it appears that I may sound a little bit, aggressive, but like I said, God sees the heart and he also test the spirits.Your Quote;Real freedom never needs to prove anything to anyone, especially ourselves. This was so good, and something I must ponder upon. Thank You so much.God Bless You, and I look forward to reading more of your Post. I enjoy your writting, as wells as many others I've read.

My apologies, Honostly I don't know who you are, at all. "Arguing" Lord no, please don't say that.I didn't mean arguing in an aggressive way, just that I got a sense that you were defending something which I wasn't attacking.I love your 'location' although I'd be interested to know your earth address too.