Age for your first tattoo?
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I can't believe there is this kind of a discussion on a Christian site!! Any tattoo is saying that you don't accept that your body is the temple of God so you can change it any way you like. Any tattoo is announcing to the world you don't respect how God created it, you have no respect for it. There are lots of scripture about washing our body, this marking can't be washed off.
There are many scripture about the temple before Christ came. Now we are the temple. There are many scriptures telling of the care of the temple before Christ came. Can you imagine scripture telling the Hebrews it would be fun to go ink up the ark to make it prettier.
Men groom themselves, go to the gym, make the best of their body. Women know to dress in a becoming way to make the most of what God gave them, oiling their skin and accenting the features God gave them so they look their best. To ink in pictures on the body God gave!! Permanently!! What if next year they would receive the Holy Spirit? That spirit would have to live in an inked up body, there is no changing your mind. It is permanent.
There are many scripture about the temple before Christ came. Now we are the temple. There are many scriptures telling of the care of the temple before Christ came. Can you imagine scripture telling the Hebrews it would be fun to go ink up the ark to make it prettier.
Men groom themselves, go to the gym, make the best of their body. Women know to dress in a becoming way to make the most of what God gave them, oiling their skin and accenting the features God gave them so they look their best. To ink in pictures on the body God gave!! Permanently!! What if next year they would receive the Holy Spirit? That spirit would have to live in an inked up body, there is no changing your mind. It is permanent.
There are designs that are good, bad or indifferent.
Some Christians are positively convicted to use a faith based design as a witness means; they are proven conversation-starters.
It's not just youngsters that do it, either. There is an increasing trend among grandmothers to ink the names and dates of birth of their grandchildren.
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FridaysChild
Guest
Oops, I got an invite to this thread but I think it was just a misunderstanding that I had a tattoo.
Actually, I have a birthmark that I view sort of like a tattoo but God gave it to me.
Sorry, not for public viewing.
Actually, I have a birthmark that I view sort of like a tattoo but God gave it to me.
Sorry, not for public viewing.
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FridaysChild
Guest
Hello, my friend
Although I do agree with this spiritual and biblical view of obtaining tattoos, I would have to nit-pick that all tattoos may not be permanent. They can be removed with laser treatment but it's sooooo very costly. Hardly any Christian would have the monetary means to remove them knowing it ranks into the thousands. Another question would be, does the laser treatment leave a scar? Something to really thinking about and never take lightly in any case.
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FridaysChild
Guest
Trends come and go but the truth remains the same. Hence Christ the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Since trends and fads change from year to year, and fluxuate with popularity, that argument for tattoos may be flimsy for any sort of continued strength to merit pursuing or justifying. It's probably right along the lines of being said to be permanent since they aren't really but rather seriously costly to remove nonetheless.
A means of witness -
A button badge or t-shirt with an art design could be a conversational starter for witnessing just as well and far less costly to remove than a tattoo.
Why should a Christian be like the world to draw people to Christ?
John 12:32
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Is it God's will for us to have a tattoo or is it our will? Does grace permit such liberties or are we stretching that to include our own earthly desires?
The believer does have Christian liberty (Romans 14). Tattoos also are proven to be effective as conversation-starters, in witness.
We can follow our own consciences; we can't judge other people's motives, though.
Blessings.
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Pilgrim
Guest
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FridaysChild
Guest
The Word tells us that we will know another by their fruit. Just that alone, tell us that we have permission to weight any circumstance or action against the Word that would involve spiritual truth, understanding, and growth. Does this edify the body and further the needs of the Kingdom or God's purposes? Or does it edify the flesh?
To claim a tattoo is a witness tool is an excuse to get one. It's not a valid reason when there are so many other means at hand to use as a witnessing tool. Everything we do of importance is about our conscience before Him in any decision we make. It is our right and responsibility to weigh and determine what would please God. It should not be dismissed with the sentimentality of not judging motives. Hence, discernment from the Spirit.
Nonetheless, it is a call of grace for those who already have tattoos.
The below quote of mine is the original conversation on tattoo I started following yesterday and commented on.
Hi Ashley
First just let me say that 'most' of this is purely my opinion. Opinions are neither right or wrong. It's just how we individually feel about something. Probably where someone takes it personally is the problem.
I've never had a tattoo, nor will I get one, but I do have a birthmark which is sort of like God's tattoo on me.
Tattoos can be removed but it's costly. So to say because their permanent we shouldn't get them probably isn't the best fool prove argument against them.
Tattoos are popular. But will they always be popular? I don't really run with trends. Never have unless I like something.
If I was to get a tattoo, it might have to be someplace that I could easily cover it up such as on the upper arm near the shoulder. I wouldn't want to have a tattoo show that could distract my brother or sister from worship. So there they are gazing at my cool tattoo, or disgusted by it, when they should have their eyes on Christ. That is God's time to shine, not mine. It's not their fault that they're distracted. It's mine for putting it in their path to begin with.
However, what if a person comes to Christ with tattoos already showing? That is a call for grace. Perhaps we're just to love them where they're at and let God do any pruning from their life in His timing.
Also, all Christians are at different levels in their walk with God. What seems right to one might not be right for another. And maybe God is still working to convict that person of such and such. Or perhaps God leaves it there so that I can learn to deal with it in love. Hence, grace again.
If we are considering whether it's moral, I would point to scripture that says we are not our own. We are bought with a price. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. If we are convicted by this, then perhaps it would not be moral before God to get a tattoo. We may be quenching the voice of the Spirit speaking into our lives in order that our desires would be satisfied more so than obedience being embraced. And that...is sin. Not that the tattoo is sin but rather that the disobedience is sin.
I would not put a tattoo on my body only because I see no need for them. However, if someone else has one, then I just accept it the best I can.
And that's pretty much it in a nut shell.
Another point is that in some cultures tattoos are the norm. Another call for grace.
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Pilgrim
Guest
i keep seeing television shows and movies where there is some humanoid race of aliens, or some group of super-human mutants, etc,
with apparently low budgets, so the only way you can tell the alien/mutant/whatever "race" from the "human" actors/actresses is the presence of some tribal tattoo.
we're "not of this world" so....
(joke)
with apparently low budgets, so the only way you can tell the alien/mutant/whatever "race" from the "human" actors/actresses is the presence of some tribal tattoo.
we're "not of this world" so....
(joke)
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FridaysChild
Guest
I agree with fridayschild
Muchly appreciated
The difference is that we are not condemning the tattooed individual. We are merely evaluating the proposed circumstances of getting a tattoo by holding it to the Light of the Word for truth and edification. And yes, we can speculate what a motive behind getting a tattoo might include otherwise we become unarmed without knowledge or understanding like the world who embraces every form of desire with no standard of truth. If then, why discuss it all all? The point becomes moot after a wet blanket is thrown on the discussion. Christians often over use the word 'judge'.
We stand daily judged/evaluated/tested before the Lord but we are not condemned.
Psalm 139: 23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
I think you are assuming a lot about other people's hearts to be able to make such a statement. There a bad, indifferent and good tattoos, and a whole lot of diverse motives for them; we cannot sweepingly dismiss even Christians' motives to get what they may be convicted is a useful witness means, such as a Bible ref. or Christian fish symbol <>< on a wrist, etc.[
quote]
Such as in North America, for example!
(It is reckoned that between 59% and 70% of parlor clients in North America are women.)Blessings.
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Wildflower
Guest
If I wanted a tattoo, I would totally get one!
It has nothing to do with my spirituality, my witness, my walk, my conscience or Christian beliefs or standing before God in Christ, so I don't need to make excuses one way or the other.
One thing that bothers me is parents that get their children's ears pierced, but this is just a personal issue, not from a Christian perspective.
From a Christian perspective as far as loving and caring for our bodies, as in health, mental or physical, this is not in the realm of tattoo.
I have beauty marks, or as I like to call them from childhood 'angel kisses', not to be compared to tattoo in any way. I like them, but these things are not natural or from God, imo, but a result of fallen nature. They are a danger to my health, potentially.
As I age, I grow to resent them, because of the risk of cancer. I am actually a cancer survivor. I hate the thought of cutting into my flesh, removing any part of it or having biopsy or surgery. I expect cancer will eventually kill me, maybe.
I just had the thought, I recently got a dental implant, I hate it. Is it unchristian or against my body or God? I think Christians can really get in the fleshly mind with some of their perspectives and practicing.
What about skin grafts, cleft correction, brow lift, chemical peel, cataracts, hair removal or replacement?! They're okay I bet, just not tattoo because why again? your view
We will all answer for things done IN our body, whether they be good or bad. LOL, if you think tattoo will be an issue at the judgment seat or a face lift for that matter!
This is a perfectly fine and obviously needful topic, to expose our wrong thinking about the cross, which is for the salvation of our souls and the renewing of our minds, not the flesh, which is cursed mind you.
It has nothing to do with my spirituality, my witness, my walk, my conscience or Christian beliefs or standing before God in Christ, so I don't need to make excuses one way or the other.
One thing that bothers me is parents that get their children's ears pierced, but this is just a personal issue, not from a Christian perspective.
From a Christian perspective as far as loving and caring for our bodies, as in health, mental or physical, this is not in the realm of tattoo.
I have beauty marks, or as I like to call them from childhood 'angel kisses', not to be compared to tattoo in any way. I like them, but these things are not natural or from God, imo, but a result of fallen nature. They are a danger to my health, potentially.
As I age, I grow to resent them, because of the risk of cancer. I am actually a cancer survivor. I hate the thought of cutting into my flesh, removing any part of it or having biopsy or surgery. I expect cancer will eventually kill me, maybe.
I just had the thought, I recently got a dental implant, I hate it. Is it unchristian or against my body or God? I think Christians can really get in the fleshly mind with some of their perspectives and practicing.
What about skin grafts, cleft correction, brow lift, chemical peel, cataracts, hair removal or replacement?! They're okay I bet, just not tattoo because why again? your view
We will all answer for things done IN our body, whether they be good or bad. LOL, if you think tattoo will be an issue at the judgment seat or a face lift for that matter!
This is a perfectly fine and obviously needful topic, to expose our wrong thinking about the cross, which is for the salvation of our souls and the renewing of our minds, not the flesh, which is cursed mind you.
I would generally agree with quite a lot of what you say.
Glad to know your cancer treatment went well; sorry you had this experience.
Personally I think it borders on legalism for it to be suggested that some Christian who disapprove of tattoos can try to prohibit through moralizing other Christians from even getting faith based designs that they are convicted will help them in witnessing to people, especially since they are proven conversation-starters.
Whatever anyone thinks (and no one needs to get a tattoo that does not want one), there are many people, including Christians, who are now getting their first tattoo after living a few decades without any (indeed, it's reckoned that 59%-70% of parlor clients in North America are women, with the proportion even higher in some areas).
Blessings.
PS: I'm not necessarily arguing in favor of this practice, but among hundreds of millions of people from Hispanic families, the custom is for the maternity nurse to pierce the ears of baby girls, unless the parents specifically opt out. To many Hispanic people the idea that this should be somehow moralized against can sound vaguely like white supremacist talk! (
) But I guess this is getting off topic.
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Wildflower
Guest
I like you, faroukfarouk.
My opinion on the child ear piercing is solely based on choice. My parents did not pierce my ears and they forbid it until a set age, 13, for whatever reason idk. I am thankful for the choice, from my parents & God.
My mom got a tattoo, her first at 52, idkwhy.
I like you, faroukfarouk.
My opinion on the child ear piercing is solely based on choice. My parents did not pierce my ears and they forbid it until a set age, 13, for whatever reason idk. I am thankful for the choice, from my parents & God.
My mom got a tattoo, her first at 52, idkwhy.
Did you go with her to the parlor, when she had it done?
Anyway, it's now not at all unusual for people - especially women - of relatively more mature years to go have it done for the first time.Was it in a faith based design, maybe?
Blessings.
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Wildflower
Guest
No I did not, nor would I have if she asked actually. No, not faith based. I am not sure if she was a Christian yet. I'm trying to think of when I shared Christ & the gospel with her. It was right around in that time.
It is a Tiger and I'm not going to tell you what she calls it -_-
It is a Tiger and I'm not going to tell you what she calls it -_-
Well, I see...
So did your mom subsequently get any more tattoos, faith based or not?
Blessings.