Tattoos: Good/bad, Personal Appearance, Etc.

[cutepoison]

Good or Bad?

I have a tattoo on my wrist... Yeshua in Hebrew.



There are many disputable matters biblically and there are also many that are entirely clear. I believe tattoos can be okay. This depends on your reasons, personal convictions, etc.

Something that is wrong for you in your christian walk may not be wrong for your brother. We can not pass judgement on someone who has done something you don't feel okay with doing yourself because they may not be personally convicted. God can give you clarity on matters that are not clearly addressed in the Bible. You shouldn't, however, do something that causes a weaker brother to stumble.

Romans 14:23 "But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning."

Maybe the better question is, "Is it okay for me to get a tattoo?" rather than "Are tattoos okay for people to have?"

I wanted this tattoo so I prayed about it often, I felt peace about it. I got the tattoo on my arm where I used to cut. Yeshua in Hebrew is verbal derivative from "to rescue" or "to deliver". It is often translated as "He saves" or "Jesus Saves". When someone asks me about my tattoo, it gives me the opportunity to explain my purpose for having the tattoo and what it means.

Leviticus 19:28 (NLT) "Do not cut your bodies for the dead, and do not mark your skin with tattoos. I am the Lord." This verse, along with surrounding verses, is specifically addressing pagan rituals. This verse, therefore, is not addressing all tattoos.

Isaiah 44:5 "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." KJV

"Some will proudly claim, 'I belong to the LORD.' Others will say, 'I am a descendant of Jacob.' Some will write the LORD's name on their hands and will take the name of Israel as their own." NLT

Isaiah 49:16 "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me." KJV

I am not necessarily a fan of excessive tattooing as I don't see a purpose. I would also advise people to be cautious about what they get and why. This shouldn't be your decision alone. I think some tattoos can be justified for a Godly purpose. This is from personal experience.


Personal Appearance

*Some people just are not fans of tattoos. This goes without saying. If you get a tattoo, there are going to be critics.

*People need to consider how this decision will affect the people around them, as well as their future.
-A potential partner may be turned off by tattoos.
-There is a possibility of struggling to find employment. This may depend on your feild and your employer.
-Will you be taken seriously by the people around you?

*Some tattoo choices are just plain awful. You need to be cautious of the design as well as the artist.

*Tats are basically permanent so you better be pretty sure of yourself.




What do you think of tattoos? Do you have any?

 

[JGPS]

The basis for opposing them from the Old Testament is quite weak. I don't care for them personally, but they're not really anything to make a big deal about if someone is partial to them.

 

[Ugly]

I have two. A tribal dove on my leg, which was in a CD insert for an old Christian hardcore band, Unashamed. And on my arm i have 'Ancient of Days' in Hebrew. I'd like to have a few more, but between cost... and a phobia of needles, makes it tricky haha.

 

[Ritter]

I wouldn't get one myself, but I'm with the previous poster. I don't have any current plans to get one, but do not see a great Biblical injunction against them.

My personal criteria is more aesthetic. Yours looks fine by the way, hahaha.

 

[BillyTheKid]

There is no Biblical evidence as far as I know that support the idea that tattoos are a sin. Lev. 19:28 states that you should not put cuts on your body, and in newer translations it says ''tattoos''. It is talking about the pagan rituals of the time and how they would cut their bodies. Most of the time it was with bone because it had a edge that was sharp. It is also believed that they used sticks and rocks. I will say this, if you feel that God is saying ''Don't get it'', then don't get it. I try not to do things that I feel convicted over. Otherwise, it is something that you have to look at based on society. Getting jobs will be harder with a visible tattoo (in some cases), and of course the occasional person giving you a funny look because of them.

 

[mbj]

I have a small tattoo on my ribs that says "Always". I got it for personal reasons -- reminders of my past, present, and future, and while I see no harm, I know many people who do.
I believe if you get it for a reason than there's no harm, no foul.
It's when people are under the influence or not in the right state of mind and they put something on their bodies that they may regret where I see society having negative views.

 

[Ugly]

Well, seeing as how if you go to a legit tattoo parlor, they will refuse you if you come in drunk. I'm not sure, but i think there may even be a law about it. If you want to come in drunk, you have to have every detailed picked out and planned out ahead of time. Size, location, colors, exact image, etc.. And if you come in drunk and try to make changes they will refuse the tat all together.
But even sober people pick stupid tats with no reason or purpose. Look at the 90's and tribal tats.
A lot of the really stupid ones are the ones where a bunch of guys get drunk and one of them bought a tattoo gun at a pawn shop, haha. Or prison tats.

 

[jonrambo]

i have a few tats from before i was christian. stopped because of an old testament verse. recently due to some spiritual growth ive felt comfortable asking Gods permission to get more in only glorifying him with it this time (a cross on each knee 2 angels one on each shoulrer and thy will be done down my back. havent had a reply yet but found in isiah i think it was a verse about writing "the lords" on your hand. fits perfectly as a knuckles tattoo so i think im gona get it. there are not many people i respect enough to ask advice from but thanks to the internet i can ask advice from any of my favourate scholars from around the world so ill be asking them and then looking into it. looking foward to it but if i had a clean body i would probably think a bit harder about it. also Jesus is coming back with some holy ink on his thigh. I recon thats pretty cool
Everybody has their own path just pray about it. man is usualy wrong lol

 

[cutepoison]

I got my tattoo from a druggie. Not my best decision, but it was cheap. sigh

 

[jonrambo]

lol yeah same. did a couple myself EVEN WORSE IDEA. yours is cool tho especially coz its hebrew thats GANGSTER!!!

 

[shae0104]

i have 2 a sun in between the shoulder blades and a tribal shark swimming down my spine, but really for no reason. I personally believe hidden is best the world isnt so excepting especially in the work force

 

[Relena7]

I agree, I think if you have a problem with other peoples tattoos, then you have too much time on your hands.

Personally I wouldn't want one. I'm a pain wimp. Also, my personality changes as I grow. Maybe I won't like it in 2 years. Then I'll be stuck with it.

 

[HEstolemyheart]

I have 7 and am number 8 will be coming soon.

1. Butterfly outline with the word "Live" for the body - Right inside forearm.
2. Ragdoll, with needle stitching up broken heart - Left inside forearm.
3. Red star outline - left inside wrist thumb side.
4 &5 Matching set of Heartagrams (pink & purple) Left and Right Ring fingers.
6. A pink and purple ladybug with filigree flowing behind, my "doodlebug" - Upper back/shoulder area.
7. A Bean sprout/ plant, with my sons name under and birthdate in leaf. (son's nickname is bean) - Upper back/shoulder area.

8. Soon to come. Turtle with pink bow and skirt, trying to eat the bean plant, with daughters name under it. (nickname is turtle) - upper back/shoulder area.

All of my tattoos were carefully picked and designed, with specific purpose and stories to be represented.

I also have piercings. And pink hair.

 

[Tommy4Christ]

I will let Gods word speak here, and I am not saying those who allready have tattoos cannot come to a real saving faith, but the word is clear on these permanent worldly attractions, but most who profess Christ are still carnal in their minds, so no matter what you tell them about tattoos and gross piercings, they will fight tooth and nail why they can be OF the world, feed their flesh, and be in idolitry and see nothing wrong with it.

Remember Jesus said the way is narrow, but the professing Christian world says no its not, we can do and live as we please and still inherit eternal life!

1Jn 2:15 Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him,
1Jn 2:16 because all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world passes away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever.

 

[twofeet]

I have 9, including "The Truth" and "The Life" on my wrists...my pulse. Enough said

 

[Tommy4Christ]

The best witness you can have to the lost world and church is preaching repentance and faith proven by deeds, and standing strong against all the worldly attractions, many will say their tats are a great witnessing tool, but I disagree, those who are truly converted will be ashamed of their tats, and past worldly ways, and stand for holiness, seperation, heart purity, another words their life not their worldly tats will be the best witness to the lost world and church, not making excuses why they can act just like the lost world, and remember the church today is suspost to be a witness against the pop culture, and sinful ways, not join them and see how close thay can be of the world and of God.

Count the cost, forsake the passions and desires of the world, and dig deep for the truth before its too late!

Its Not Too Late!

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
As long as mankind has breath repentance can be found, yes I mean found, it usually doesn’t come until the sinning soul breaks down, yielding to the holy word of God, through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, who is convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment!
Joh 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Joh 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
Joh 16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
Joh 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Now many will say repentance comes after the conversion, or somewhere down the road since stopping any sin is impossible, since mankind is depraved and unable.
But God is not mocked, God is still waiting patiently for His wayward creation to repent, forsake their sins, which mean they stop first, and then seek His mercy, broken as a wild horse, now useful to His master. He gave them free will and ability to choose to repent or not.
Rom 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, and the forbearance and long-suffering, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
If your life is a mess, and you are living the lie, that tells your conscience you can sin and live of the world and still be saved, and in bondage to your flesh, giving into temptation whenever it comes knocking at your door, just remember it’s not God condoning your bad conduct, but your conscience becoming seared to the point that real repentance and faith will not be found, it will be too late, His great mercy and kindness will not last for long!
So it’s not too late for those who still have breath, and are ready to stop playing Russian roulette with the patients and mercy of God, this is not a game, this is life or death, for all eternity, repent before it’s too late and God says time is up.
Tommy
The Biblical Characteristics of True Repentance: (as taught by early church and Apostles) 2Cor7:10-11 “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”
For True Repentance to have Taken Place the following MUST have Occurred:
1) Season of Deep felt Godly Sorrow for sin. (Invoked by Spirit of Truth working, Jh16:8)
2) A Crisis of Conviction that Cuts to the heart! (Sin already being forsaken!)
3) A Zeal to CLEAR oneself of all Wrong Doing against God. (make restitution if necessary)
4) Indignation and Fear that leads to Vehement Desire to STOP Sinning!
5) Vindication and Finally PURITY of heart!
Every incident of Repentance in Scripture Follows this PROCESS. (DON’T Let anyone tell you it Doesn’t, and they will MOST certainly Try!) The Sin STOPS HERE, The Old Man DIES here, The Flesh is Crucified HERE! NOT Afterwards. The Desires and Conduct are CHANGED here. (Or never will be!)
OBEDIENCE to God follows in NEWNESS of Life and All things New! (Rom6:4-6, 2Cor5:17) If you have NOT Experienced this and have NO IDEA what it means, you are NOT BORN of the SPIRIT!!!
You may indeed have ‘RECEIVED’ Christ, and ‘Believed’ on His Name (repeated some words) BUT the Devils ALSO Believe! (James2:19) If a Person is SAVED by What he DOES and NOT by Faith Alone! (as James affirms, JS 2:24) The What he DOES PART, STARTS with This REPENTANCE!
I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds! Acts26:20
Courtesy standingthegap.org

 

[shae0104]

revelations read it Jesus has a tattoo on his thigh. Genesis read it he gave her a nose ring. just saying..

 

[Ugly]

revelations read it Jesus has a tattoo on his thigh. Genesis read it he gave her a nose ring. just saying..

You actually bothered responding to him? *mocking laughter

 

[Elizabeth619]

The best witness you can have to the lost world and church is preaching repentance and faith proven by deeds, and standing strong against all the worldly attractions, many will say their tats are a great witnessing tool, but I disagree, those who are truly converted will be ashamed of their tats, and past worldly ways, and stand for holiness, seperation, heart purity, another words their life not their worldly tats will be the best witness to the lost world and church, not making excuses why they can act just like the lost world, and remember the church today is suspost to be a witness against the pop culture, and sinful ways, not join them and see how close thay can be of the world and of God.

Count the cost, forsake the passions and desires of the world, and dig deep for the truth before its too late!

Its Not Too Late!

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
As long as mankind has breath repentance can be found, yes I mean found, it usually doesn’t come until the sinning soul breaks down, yielding to the holy word of God, through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, who is convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment!
Joh 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Joh 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
Joh 16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
Joh 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Now many will say repentance comes after the conversion, or somewhere down the road since stopping any sin is impossible, since mankind is depraved and unable.
But God is not mocked, God is still waiting patiently for His wayward creation to repent, forsake their sins, which mean they stop first, and then seek His mercy, broken as a wild horse, now useful to His master. He gave them free will and ability to choose to repent or not.
Rom 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, and the forbearance and long-suffering, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
If your life is a mess, and you are living the lie, that tells your conscience you can sin and live of the world and still be saved, and in bondage to your flesh, giving into temptation whenever it comes knocking at your door, just remember it’s not God condoning your bad conduct, but your conscience becoming seared to the point that real repentance and faith will not be found, it will be too late, His great mercy and kindness will not last for long!
So it’s not too late for those who still have breath, and are ready to stop playing Russian roulette with the patients and mercy of God, this is not a game, this is life or death, for all eternity, repent before it’s too late and God says time is up.
Tommy
The Biblical Characteristics of True Repentance: (as taught by early church and Apostles) 2Cor7:10-11 “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”
For True Repentance to have Taken Place the following MUST have Occurred:
1) Season of Deep felt Godly Sorrow for sin. (Invoked by Spirit of Truth working, Jh16:8)
2) A Crisis of Conviction that Cuts to the heart! (Sin already being forsaken!)
3) A Zeal to CLEAR oneself of all Wrong Doing against God. (make restitution if necessary)
4) Indignation and Fear that leads to Vehement Desire to STOP Sinning!
5) Vindication and Finally PURITY of heart!
Every incident of Repentance in Scripture Follows this PROCESS. (DON’T Let anyone tell you it Doesn’t, and they will MOST certainly Try!) The Sin STOPS HERE, The Old Man DIES here, The Flesh is Crucified HERE! NOT Afterwards. The Desires and Conduct are CHANGED here. (Or never will be!)
OBEDIENCE to God follows in NEWNESS of Life and All things New! (Rom6:4-6, 2Cor5:17) If you have NOT Experienced this and have NO IDEA what it means, you are NOT BORN of the SPIRIT!!!
You may indeed have ‘RECEIVED’ Christ, and ‘Believed’ on His Name (repeated some words) BUT the Devils ALSO Believe! (James2:19) If a Person is SAVED by What he DOES and NOT by Faith Alone! (as James affirms, JS 2:24) The What he DOES PART, STARTS with This REPENTANCE!
I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds! Acts26:20
Courtesy standingthegap.org

John 7:24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

James 2:1-5 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?

1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Paul also speaks against legalism. Col 2:20-23 20 If with Christ tyou died to the uelemental spirits of the world,vwhy, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 w“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (xreferring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to yhuman precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in zpromoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are aof no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

Romans 14:4 “Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand”

Romans 14:10 “You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat”

 

[JimJimmers]

I'm pretty sure this is a sin.