Ok here is my 2nd side of this issue...
In regards to the whole nature of this issue, we also cannot overlook what Ist Corinthians 6:19-20 states,
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; and you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
There are those that would attest that getting a tattoo on one's body is a "worldly act."
In 2 Corinthians 6:17, we are warned, "Therefore come out from them and be separate." We have also heard the phrase "in the world, but not of it" reiterated many times before. In this context, this could be taken by some as meaning that either
a) we are not to have anything with the world or
b) while we are living in this world, our lives are supposed to be radically different than those who don't know Christ around us.
As one pastor commented, "We are to be separate. We are to be different. We don't live according to the worlds' standards and cultures. As Christians, we are not to embrace the things that the world embraces (such as tattoos!). The message that we proclaim must not be compromised."
Leviticus 19:28. states, "Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord."
It's kind of difficult to argue with a Scripture like that when it states it in black and white terms like that.
However, I know that some of you are already arguing/disagreeing that because this Scripture is in the Old Testament, it would be considered "under the Law of the Old Covenant."
To anyone thinking of getting a tattoo, let me urge you to really pray and search your own heart before God. Most people always want to hear what God has for them and what God wants to speak to them, however, the moment that God says no to something they want or the moment God asks people to do something that would ruffle their feathers, many don't want to hear it. We all are all guilty of this.
"You need to ask God-'Is this really what you want me to do?' And, if you are in a struggle with your flesh wanting it, but the Spirit of God telling you no, can you stop yourself from going through with the act of disobedience to God?
"Don't ever get a tattoo because of peer pressure. Don't get a tattoo as a fake "tough-guy" front or mask either. Make sure, really seek God… a tattoo is with you forever."
6 comments:
I've been thinking about this every since we discussed it at church the other night.
Lev. 19:28 says "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD."
What I cannot get past is that at the end He says "I am the LORD."
You know He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is not contrained by time. He never changes. And it doesn't seem like in this verse that He would want me to get a tattoo ~ so I won't. Nevermind that I would be chicken.
I'm glad you brought up Leviticus 19:28. That verse was talking about idol worship. The people of the time were putting marks and tattoos on their bodies to worship other gods. Leviticus 19 also says you shall not eat anything with blood, shave your beard, plant two types of seeds in the same field, or sew two types of material in our clothes. How bout those 50% cotton, 50% polyester linens?
so question still remains, does the same apply to makeup, permanent eye liner, and ear piercings?
here's some food for thought. Let me give you a scenario. Picture a big, burly, leather wearing, tattooed Harley biker dude who finally gave up his life of drugs, binge drinking, and strip clubs and cried out to Jesus for salvation. Should he get all covered up to go worship? Would that turn him into someone he's not? Would that hinder his worship? Would it make him a lier? Or would the new church inside a dance club lead by a worship leader in torn jeans and tattoos allow him the freedom to worship his savior?
What about the guy who got his new born daughter's footprints tattooed on his side?
What about the guy who got Jesus' face tattooed on his hands so he would not be tempted to masturbate with those hands again?
God made everything, so did God make tattoos?
You are absolutely correct in saying that we are not to become like the world, but only if we are talking in terms of sin. Our mission is to GO TO HELL AND BACK, carrying souls out!
I'm willing to do anything short of sin to win a person to Christ and I just don't see where tattooing is a sin.
i dont have much of amything else to say after that. I have no problem with tatoos. I may be too chicken to get one but I may one day. What about all the people who have tatoos that are reading your blog? Are they getting a sense of love? or condemnation for their so called "sin"?
I think we need to also make sure that we arent taking verses out of context and just saying bam there it is. I do that a lot, but I want to try and find out the history and the meat behind and what they really mean. I want to learn it not just on a surface level.
I am not calling it sin nor am I condemning anyone who has a tattoo, nor am I taking verses out of context. I'm stating my findings and my feelings. No place in any of these blogs did I state someone is sinful or wrong for having one or considering to have one. It is up to each person to decide for themselves and definitely should not be pressured by anyone to get one.
Here is some research I found today to answer your question.
I clothed you also with broidered work, and shod you with badgers’ skin, and I girded you about with fine linen, and I covered you with silk. I decked you also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon your hands, and a chain on your neck. And I put a jewel on your forehead, and earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown upon your head. Thus were you decked with gold and silver; and your raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; you did eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and you were exceeding beautiful, and you did prosper into a kingdom. And your renown went forth among the heathen for your beauty: for it was perfect through My comeliness, which I had put upon you, says the Lord God” (Ezekiel 16 vs. 10-14).
This symbolizes how God adorned His young wife in preparation for a royal marriage ceremony. This description is not literal, but figurative. Since God instructs women to have a “meek and quiet spirit,” this is not His authorization of the opposite.
There is nothing here that authorizes, or in any way speaks about, the use of facial paint (which God chose not to use). To suggest that it does is to be dishonest with the scriptures. These verses do show that jewelry, worn in moderation, is not displeasing to God. Here is the point. The use of quality dress and jewelry enhanced Israel’s natural beauty—it in no way altered her natural features.
The problem that God highlighted through Peter was the gaudy and ostentatious overuse of gold threads interwoven (plaited) into women’s hair. Certain brethren at that time, in an extravagant display, were wearing extremely expensive clothes and other gold and jewels. Of course, we are all familiar with women in today’s world who seek to be “one woman fashion parades,” dressing purely for the purpose of getting attention for self. Many strive to be “dressed to kill.” Once again, when it comes to vanity, there is nothing new under the sun.
Makeup is for SELF. It is done to make SELF “get” more beauty, “get” more attention—and “get” more looks from others. These are all based upon the “lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life.” They are done for purely SELFISH reasons.
God’s way strives to GIVE, not GET!
All the above is reasearch and in this comment I'm giving you my findings not my personal opinion. Again I think it is the person's choice as to if they will wear jewelry or makeup not to be forced on by someone else or pressured in any way to do so.
Each person needs to decide what is right or wrong for them and take it to God in prayer and let God and only God give them the answer for themselves.
I PERSONALLY THINK IT IS WRONG FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE TATOOS-IF THEY ARE ALREADY SAVED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. THAT IS MY OPINION AND I AM ENTITLED TO MY OPINION LIKE ANYONE ELSE IS. MAKE-UP JEWELRY & OTHER THINGS ARE NOT PERMANENTLY ATTACHED TO THE BODY. OUR BODIES ARE A TEMPLE TO GOD AND CAN BE ABUSED IN MANY OTHER WAYS ALSO & WE AS CHRISTIANS SHOULDN'T DO THOSE THINGS EITHER. BE BLESSED!
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