Tattoos were once very taboo in Christian circles. But many Christians in recent years have analyzed Scripture and come to the conclusion that getting tattoos is permissible. The Word of God does not explicitly prohibit tattoos, but there are a few passages that Christians should take into consideration when they are thinking about the matter.
Verses to Consider in the Old Testament
Perhaps the two verses that come the closest to speaking to the specific practice of tattoos in the Bible are Leviticus 19:28 and Deuteronomy 14:1:
Leviticus 19:28: “You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.”
Deuteronomy 14:1: “You are the sons of the Lord your God. You shall not cut yourselves or make any baldness on your foreheads for the dead.”
At first glance, the verse from Leviticus might seem to make the question a clear-cut issue. After all, it specifically says that we “shall not … tattoo” ourselves. But the matter is not quite so simple. The Old Testament laws existed within three categories: moral, civil, and ceremonial. And not all of the Old Testament laws carried over to the New Covenant.
Some of the laws existed simply to separate Israel from the rest of the world and to show both the Israelites and the pagan nations that God had set them apart. And some of the laws were universally applicable to Israel and the nations. Much of the distinction between the permanent and temporary status of a law has to do with the context, who it was addressed to, and whether or not it was repeated in the New Testament.
Both of these verses from Leviticus and Deuteronomy exist within larger passages that deal with setting Israel apart from its pagan neighbors. Other commands in the immediate context of these verses include not shaving the sides of the head or the edges of the beard, not eating anything with the blood still in it, and not seeking after or practicing divination. While we still don’t practice divination, we do not think of it as sinful to be clean-shaven or to order a steak with a little pink in the middle.
In the case of not cutting or tattooing the body, the pagan nations around Israel had ungodly rituals for mourning the deaths of family members. They believed that the blood that flowed freely from their bodies somehow fueled or gave life to the spirits of their dead relatives. They were cutting themselves, tattooing themselves, and shaving their heads to mourn the dead. God established these laws against mutilating the body in order to separate Israel from these pagan practices. These verses do not forbid modern tattoos.
Verses to Consider in the New Testament
The New Testament does not specifically address tattoos, but it does address the heart of the matter behind getting tattoos. Perhaps the most helpful verses in the tattoo debate are 1 Corinthians 10:23 and 1 Corinthians 10:31.
First Corinthians 10:23: “‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things build up.”
First Corinthians 10:31: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Paul explains in His letters that Christ died to set us free. Jesus erased the distinction between Jew and Gentile in the kingdom of heaven, and He liberated us from having to live under the Law. Christians no longer have to abide by the civil laws or ceremonial laws of the Old Covenant, but we have been granted the right to be called children of God. And now, everything that we do should be with the intention and for the purpose of bringing glory to God and making His name known.
In no uncertain terms, it is biblically lawful for us to get a tattoo. But just because it is permitted does not necessarily make it right or helpful. Paul recognizes that not everything that is technically allowed is good. As Christians, we must take this into account because we are called to pursue holiness above all else. And we are also called to strive for unity and to put the needs of others above our own.
Sometimes, in the West, we have such an individualistic attitude that we do not fulfill these commands very well. Once we turn 18 years old and become an adult, we think that we have the right to make our own decisions without consideration for anyone else. But we have a responsibility to think about others if we want to honor God. As we think about whether or not to get a tattoo, we should ask questions like:
– Would getting a tattoo cause unnecessary division in my family or in my church?
– How will others perceive my tattoo? Will it turn people away from Christ?
– For what purpose do I want to get a tattoo?
– Would the tattoo that I want be degrading to my body or my faith?
– Would a tattoo hinder my ministry?
– Am I getting a tattoo to elevate myself or to elevate and honor the name of God?
Tattoos certainly can be harmless. They might allow you to express yourself or honor your culture and beliefs. It’s possible that they even help grow your faith or the faith of others. But it is important to consider all the sides of the debate and come to a prayerful conviction about getting a tattoo before running to the nearest tattoo parlor.
Ask practical questions about potential future jobs and ministry opportunities. If you are married, ask your spouse’s opinion, and pray about the matter together. If you aren’t married, think about how a tattoo might affect your relationship with your potential future spouse. Take time to get counsel from wise mentors, and assess the potential impact of what a tattoo might mean for you and for others. Getting a tattoo in and of itself is not sinful. But getting a tattoo can be sinful if it is done with the wrong motives.
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