THE TRUTH ABOUT TATTOOS

[CherieR]

I believe tattoos can be used for good such as to help those who have been through some kind of trauma. I understand that tattoos are not for everyone.

 

[CherieR]

Jesus stated ALL things have become new in Him, we have trouble today understanding that ALL means ALL.
Today we are to take ALL things to Him for His guidance, and NOT lean on our own understanding. Way too often do we cherry pick a verse or two to support what we want.
Jesus never told anyone to get a tattoo, we were bought with a price, we are to honor Him with and in our bodies.

No, Jesus did not tell people to get a tattoo however there are verses that suggest to me that tattoos may not be wrong . There are different opinions on this. Of course if one’s conscience is bothered by the idea of getting a tattoo then they should not do it.

 

[John146]

Please consider Isaiah 44:5( ESV):

“This one will say, ‘I am the LORD’s,’
another will call on the name of Jacob,
and another will write on his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’
and name himself by the name of Israel.”

KJV 5 One shall say, I am the Lord's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel.

 

[CherieR]

KJV 5 One shall say, I am the Lord's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel.

Yes indeed. Do you believe tattoos are wrong? I understand there is the verse in Leviticus 19:28 ; however I saw an article that says this verse does not address modern tattoos. I believe if someone considers it wrong, they should not get it and it would be wrong for them to get it because of their conscience.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

This is my view about tattoos. There is no such thing as Christian tattoos. The Bible declares that all tattoos are of the devil!

This is what I wrote 10 years ago, and I still stand by it! So please read! (May God enlighten your eyes!)

***

"The present article is more comprehensive, and should enlighten the open-minded reader about the ‘dark truths’ behind tattoos.

Historical Aspect

'History shows that tattoos have always been associated with paganism, shamanism, heathen (Baal worship), occult mysticism and demonism. The tattoo has never been associated with Christians, until the present decadent religious times. Wherever the Christian faith made its entrance, the tattoo made its exit.

'Tattoos where associated with shamans or magic-men (witch-doctors). A shaman is an intermediary between the natural and the supernatural worlds, who is in direct contact with spirits who are invariably evil. Tattooing was often a magical rite, linked to scarification and blood-letting, and the tattooing process involved complex rituals and taboos, known only to the shaman and his tribe. In tattooing the skin is punctured and the blood is drawn. Licking the blood during tattoo operations is not unknown. The puncturing was considered the ‘opening of inlets for evil to enter’. Tattoos were therefore channels for demonic possession. Even today, certain tattoo artists burn incense and light candles during tattoo operations, while others allow ‘demons to guide the tattoo needle over the client’s body’.

'Tattoos have always reflected a note of unabashed rebellion and marked deviancy. Hence tattoos were used to mark criminals, adulterers, traitors, deserters, the deviant and the outcast. Even the ancient Greeks and Romans did not tattoo themselves, but they branded slaves and criminals with tattoos. The Latin word for ‘tattoo’ is ‘stigma’ – which is a distinguishing mark cut into the flesh of a slave or a criminal, and was considered a mark of disgrace or reproach. By the early 1900s public opinion against tattoos was so strong that tattooed persons were considered freaks and found mostly in sideshows and circuses.

The Psychological Aspect

'It has been observed that criminals, drug addicts, sex perverts and social outlaws are the overwhelming majority of the tattooed. Hard rock bands sport sick and lewd tattoos. Gangs encourage tattoos to instill a sense of ‘belonging’. Tattoos carry a streak of aggression and anti-establishmentarianism and are subversive of morality. Death (inclusive of skulls, snakes, demons, flames) and pornography (lewd pictures, nude figures) are popular themes of tattoos. Psychologists have considered tattoos to be marks of personality disorder which is manifested later in criminal behavior. Low self-esteem, lack of self-control, sadomasochism, bondage, fetishism, bisexuality, antisocial personality, mania and bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia – are reflected in self-inflicted multiple tattoos. Studies have linked tattoos to homosexuality, lesbianism and gross sexual perversion.

Tattooed youth are more likely to engage in sexual intercourse, take to alcohol and drugs, and exhibit violent behavior, and drop out of high school – by as much as 4 times compared to non-tattooed youth.

The Christian Aspect

'Carnal Christians side-step the injuction in Leviticus 19;28 by arguing that the commandment is for Old Testament Israel and not for New Testament Christians. Does that mean that bestiality and child sacrifice which are forbidden in Leviticus are for Old Testament Israel and not for New Testament Christians? The New Testament does not have to spell out all sins. Smoking, for instance, is not mentioned in the Bible anywhere; but does it mean that smoking is not a vice or sin?

'Reputed Bible scholars and commentators have made in clear that the moral commandments in Leviticus are for all time and not just for Israel in the Old Testament age. Leviticus 19:28 says, ‘You shall not make any cutting in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you. I am the LORD.’ On this Matthew Henry, Merrill Unger and Jamieson, Fausset and Brown have made it amply clear that tattoos are forbidden by God. It is to be noted that while ‘cuttings’ are qualified by the phrase ‘for the dead’, ‘marks’ (or tattoos) have no such qualification. Which means that all tattoos (Christian and otherwise) are evil in God’s eyes.

'One of the arguments made by carnal Christians is that Lev 19.27 forbids haircuts. What Leviticus 19.27 is talking about is ‘rounding the corners of your head’ and ‘marring the corners of your beard’. These were heathen practices. One such practice was to cut the hair so that the head resembled a celestial globe. It is called a ‘tonsure’, a practice of heathens to honor their gods. The cutting of the flesh was demonstrated by the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. It is not to be forgotten that the demon-possessed man in Mark 5 was in the habit of cutting himself with stones. Cutting and masochistic self-flagellation is also practiced by Muslims during their festival of Muharram. In short, the injunctions in Lev 19:26-28 are a strong condemnation of heathen practices – witchcraft, astrology, cutting, tattooing, tonsures, etc.

'In 1 Samuel 15:23 we are told that ‘rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft’. Tattoos sported by today’s youth have been the mark of rebellion and hatred of authority (besides, rejection of all moral values). In God’s eyes, the sin of tattooing is like witch-craft. We have already seen the origins of tattoos in witch-craft and shamanism. It remains to be researched whether this ‘witch-craft’ has also led to widespread demon-possession. No, tattoos are not ‘body decoration’; they have nothing to do with fashion and beauty; but rather they are sinister signs of moral decay and infiltration by evil spirits into modern society.'


View attachment 228297

what if someone got a tattoo before they knew better and repented ? The ratio that remains on thier in isn’t going to give us any perspective of who they are in Christ , tattoo peering and concern seems to be inviting us to judge the contents of a book by the flaws in its cover I think the gospel has more to say about the flesh not having any matter any more once the person converts what they did including even if they are covered from head to toe with tattoos God cares about how they treat other people not what their appearance looks like

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3:6‬ ‭KJV‬

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:63‬ ‭KJV‬‬

our bodies even our skin is bound to decay but our spirit will endure so we need to have the seal or mark of God on our spirit regardless if we have a tattoo according to Moses law it’s no different from the hundreds of other laws of Moses we transgress in daily life

working on a sabbath according to Moses even gathering sticks for a fire is a death sentance.

Tatoos were a form of idolatry from the nation isael was delivered from Egypt , they would use tatoos to honor gods , honor the dead , it was a form of marking themselves for a false god or some form of secular worship

so it was strictly forbidden among Israelites as just about everything was restricted being a law of flesh

I think that we should not get tatoos if we know not to , but shouldn’t judge others by tatoos because it’s not our place and God isn’t looking at thoer flesh appearance but whether they repent or not

 

[Blik]

As far as I know there is nothing in the Word about taqttoos being of the devil, but there was a law against having them.
To me it is like having plastic surgury for reasons of vanity and not of correcting defeects. It seems to be an affront to the Father saying you made me wrong... People cause defecsts in so many by their actions .

I think that people who worship God and love God with their whole heart and soul would not change what God has created, knowing what God created is good. Women add cosmetics to their skin, but any time those cosmetics are extreme they are considered in bad taste. To add tattoos to permently change skin is extreme. It is the same with changing foods. When man processes food so it is changed, like taking out all parts of the wheat berry except the white starchy parts, it damages food to feed our body properly.

In the old testament it was part of the laws that we do not need to follow any more. However, those laws were created by our Holy God, and they were holy. Each of them had a spiritual meaning that was eternal. Cutting flesh symbolizred circumcision of the heart, not eating food from animals who ate garbage symbolized not feeding the mind garbage, not mixing fabrics symbolized not mixed worship of God with worshiping idols. The command not to tattoo was to not copy the people who did this as idol worshipers.

 

[SophieT]

Yup. Out of all the pictures OP could have given as an example, this naked woman was chosen. I don't think the OP should be worrying about tattoos when there is, apparently, a porn issue going on. What's that verse about taking the plank out of your own eye before flicking the sliver out of your brothers?

It is a psychological fact, that people who constantly thump on and on and on about sin, very often have hidden sin themself that is lurking under the surface

I am sure we all remember Jimmy Swaggart. another one who went on and on about sin (still does actually) and there he was visiting prostitutes

you can't make this stuff up

 

[SophieT]

Not one believer can read the Scriptures and come away feeling that the Holy Spirit is leading them to get a tattoo.

the scriptures are not what people are objecting about

it's the attitude of the op

 

[shittim]

Our faith is based on scripture, I believe that is what John146 is indicating.

 

[OrphanedRepublican]

I agree there was quite a stigma surrounding tattoos. They are repulsive to me and I'm saddened and offended to see them so widespread. Whole arm "sleeves" of ink are vile to me. They are a gazing stock of sorts.

The prohibition of piercing, cutting or imprinting our bodies was always enough for me. I will die a "blank canvass." For all my sins and faults, tattoos are not one of them.

 

[John146]

Yes indeed. Do you believe tattoos are wrong? I understand there is the verse in Leviticus 19:28 ; however I saw an article that says this verse does not address modern tattoos. I believe if someone considers it wrong, they should not get it and it would be wrong for them to get it because of their conscience.

Yes, our bodies were bought with a price and are not our own.

 

[OldSage]

I find them really ugly. Don't know why.

 

[CherieR]

I find them really ugly. Don't know why.

I find there are some very pretty ones in my opinion but others that I don’t like too.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

I find them really ugly. Don't know why.

agreed sort of Like permanent graffiti on a masters work of architecture

 

[OldSage]

agreed sort of Like permanent graffiti on a masters work of architecture

Yah, graffitti is really vile. Modern day scourge.

Tattoo's are just (for me) a personal choice to permanently
make yourself ugly.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

This is my view about tattoos. There is no such thing as Christian tattoos. The Bible declares that all tattoos are of the devil!

This is what I wrote 10 years ago, and I still stand by it! So please read! (May God enlighten your eyes!)

***

"The present article is more comprehensive, and should enlighten the open-minded reader about the ‘dark truths’ behind tattoos.

Historical Aspect

'History shows that tattoos have always been associated with paganism, shamanism, heathen (Baal worship), occult mysticism and demonism. The tattoo has never been associated with Christians, until the present decadent religious times. Wherever the Christian faith made its entrance, the tattoo made its exit.

'Tattoos where associated with shamans or magic-men (witch-doctors). A shaman is an intermediary between the natural and the supernatural worlds, who is in direct contact with spirits who are invariably evil. Tattooing was often a magical rite, linked to scarification and blood-letting, and the tattooing process involved complex rituals and taboos, known only to the shaman and his tribe. In tattooing the skin is punctured and the blood is drawn. Licking the blood during tattoo operations is not unknown. The puncturing was considered the ‘opening of inlets for evil to enter’. Tattoos were therefore channels for demonic possession. Even today, certain tattoo artists burn incense and light candles during tattoo operations, while others allow ‘demons to guide the tattoo needle over the client’s body’.

'Tattoos have always reflected a note of unabashed rebellion and marked deviancy. Hence tattoos were used to mark criminals, adulterers, traitors, deserters, the deviant and the outcast. Even the ancient Greeks and Romans did not tattoo themselves, but they branded slaves and criminals with tattoos. The The Latin word for ‘tattoo’ is ‘stigma’ – which is a distinguishing mark cut into the flesh of a slave or a criminal, and was considered a mark of disgrace or reproach. By the early 1900s public opinion against tattoos was so strong that tattooed persons were considered freaks and found mostly in sideshows and circuses.

The Psychological Aspect

'It has been observed that criminals, drug addicts, sex perverts and social outlaws are the overwhelming majority of the tattooed. Hard rock bands sport sick and lewd tattoos. Gangs encourage tattoos to instill a sense of ‘belonging’. Tattoos carry a streak of aggression and anti-establishmentarianism and are subversive of morality. Death (inclusive of skulls, snakes, demons, flames) and pornography (lewd pictures, nude figures) are popular themes of tattoos. Psychologists have considered tattoos to be marks of personality disorder which is manifested later in criminal behavior. Low self-esteem, lack of self-control, sadomasochism, bondage, fetishism, bisexuality, antisocial personality, mania and bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia – are reflected in self-inflicted multiple tattoos. Studies have linked tattoos to homosexuality, lesbianism and gross sexual perversion.

Tattooed youth are more likely to engage in sexual intercourse, take to alcohol and drugs, and exhibit violent behavior, and drop out of high school – by as much as 4 times compared to non-tattooed youth.

The Christian Aspect

'Carnal Christians side-step the injuction in Leviticus 19;28 by arguing that the commandment is for Old Testament Israel and not for New Testament Christians. Does that mean that bestiality and child sacrifice which are forbidden in Leviticus are for Old Testament Israel and not for New Testament Christians? The New Testament does not have to spell out all sins. Smoking, for instance, is not mentioned in the Bible anywhere; but does it mean that smoking is not a vice or sin?

'Reputed Bible scholars and commentators have made in clear that the moral commandments in Leviticus are for all time and not just for Israel in the Old Testament age. Leviticus 19:28 says, ‘You shall not make any cutting in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you. I am the LORD.’ On this Matthew Henry, Merrill Unger and Jamieson, Fausset and Brown have made it amply clear that tattoos are forbidden by God. It is to be noted that while ‘cuttings’ are qualified by the phrase ‘for the dead’, ‘marks’ (or tattoos) have no such qualification. Which means that all tattoos (Christian and otherwise) are evil in God’s eyes.

'One of the arguments made by carnal Christians is that Lev 19.27 forbids haircuts. What Leviticus 19.27 is talking about is ‘rounding the corners of your head’ and ‘marring the corners of your beard’. These were heathen practices. One such practice was to cut the hair so that the head resembled a celestial globe. It is called a ‘tonsure’, a practice of heathens to honor their gods. The cutting of the flesh was demonstrated by the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. It is not to be forgotten that the demon-possessed man in Mark 5 was in the habit of cutting himself with stones. Cutting and masochistic self-flagellation is also practiced by Muslims during their festival of Muharram. In short, the injunctions in Lev 19:26-28 are a strong condemnation of heathen practices – witchcraft, astrology, cutting, tattooing, tonsures, etc.

'In 1 Samuel 15:23 we are told that ‘rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft’. Tattoos sported by today’s youth have been the mark of rebellion and hatred of authority (besides, rejection of all moral values). In God’s eyes, the sin of tattooing is like witch-craft. We have already seen the origins of tattoos in witch-craft and shamanism. It remains to be researched whether this ‘witch-craft’ has also led to widespread demon-possession. No, tattoos are not ‘body decoration’; they have nothing to do with fashion and beauty; but rather they are sinister signs of moral decay and infiltration by evil spirits into modern society.'


View attachment 228297

History shows that tattoos have always been associated with paganism, shamanism, heathen (Baal worship), occult mysticism and demonism. The tattoo has never been associated with Christians, until the present decadent religious times.

Did you know many things in Christianity over took pagan holidays and or used from the culture to bring the message of the Gospel. For example, Easter, Christmas, and old hyms from drinking songs.

Even the ancient Greeks and Romans did not tattoo themselves, but they branded slaves and criminals with tattoos.

We are actually called slaves unto Christ or a slave for Christ.

The Psychological Aspect

No links to any study or evidence.

Leviticus 19;28 by arguing that the commandment is for Old Testament Israel and not for New Testament Christians. Does that mean that bestiality and child sacrifice which are forbidden in Leviticus are for Old Testament Israel and not for New Testament Christians?

It is part of the Mosiac law which was fulfilled. Bestiality and the sanctity of life are morals laws and transcending. In the Bible you have ceremonial, judicial, moral, and sub-compact laws that must be properly divided.


Acts 15:23-29

New International Version



23 With them they sent the following letter:
The apostles and elders, your brothers,
To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia:
Greetings.
24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.
Farewell.

Paul then goes on in his next letters to go in detail about how a Christian should live.

In all that we do it must honor God. This is left up to the conscience of the believer. A Christian can do stretch without the worship of false gods in yoga class. It is all about the heart and mind of the matter. If it feels sinful then you are condemned by your conscience. Otherwise do not bash gentiles with the Mosiac law. We are under a new covenant.

Tattoos are only pagan if you make them pagan. Nothing supernatural happens when you needle a cross in your arm.

Your argument carries a lot of holes.

 

[John146]

agreed sort of Like permanent graffiti on a masters work of architecture

I heard it once said, "Why would I put a bumper sticker on a Bentley?" Made me laugh...

 

[EnglishChick]

“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

It is important for those of us who are born again Christians, to know that there is a huge difference between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the condemnation of the enemy of our faith. It can affect how we approach life.

Please, let there be no confusion. The Holy Spirit works to convict us to push away from the ensnarement of sin (doing that which is wrong) and towards God in freedom. The condemning spirit of the enemy of our faith works to push us away from God. This is done in shame and condemnation, so we are more prone in hopelessness, to continue to do what we should NOT.

great article it's an article from a site called 'Marriage Missions', but is applicable to our walk as Christians in all aspects

seriously, if you are torn with guilt even though you confess your sins (and you would be surprised at the many that do that very thing) and are not experiencing freedom in our Lord Jesus Christ, then take a little time and search out this article. It may help you

Brilliant post ❤

thanks

 

[Hungry]

JamueJ,
I expected you to comment a little more elaborately on the subject. I guess you went through that research paper a little hurriedly. Do read it carefully...and prayerfully. Nothing in the Word about tattoos being of the devil? So what do you think about this factual statement? The injunctions in Lev 19:26-28 are a strong condemnation of heathen practices – witchcraft, astrology, cutting, tattooing, tonsures, etc.

Do you think heathen practices (which are of the devil) can be condoned?

Plastic surgery for reasons of vanity? Wow, you have a fertile imagination!

So, “Do not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, or print any marks upon you, I am the Lord.” means don’t get a tattoo? Or, if the tattoo is for the dead, then it means we challenge the authority of Yahweh? Are we also filthy rejects for eating shellfish and pork? Maybe it is not what we ink on our body that makes us unclean but what do.

In your opinion there is no difference between the dude who gets satanic imagery and the one who gets, “Jesus is Lord” tattooed?

 

[shittim]

good thing we haven't been under the law for the last 2,000 years. Not everyone read the memo.