~ 1 John 4:18, Of David. So what does the Bible say about tattoos? What Does the Bible Say? Seek out the direction of the Holy Spirit in prayer, by reading the Word, and by asking wise friends. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:10, Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. There are some Christians who believe it is a sin. If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. Their mark is the Holy Spirit. Obtaining a tattoo can spark gospel-centered conversation and act as a missional ice-breaker but is not as compelling as a heart changed by Jesus. What Does The Bible Say About Tattoos and Piercings? It makes sense for someone who is religious to act wisely before they ink and consider what the Bible has to say about tattoos before making that permanent decision. Copyright © 2020, Bible Study Tools. In either case, getting a tattoo is an act of unbelief. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7, I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Look around, and one might see body art idolizing celebrities, death, or even a religion. Paul writes “let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31). “You will not make cuttings in your flesh, for the dead, nor print marks on you” (Leviticus 19:28). A tattoo artist from Virginia works on a man's leg with a Captain America design. by Lex Meyer. Wise Christians weigh their motives. The King James Bible, written in 1611, specifically describes a tattoo only in one place, Leviticus 19:28. Since the word tattoo does appear in this verse in some popular English translations, this argument seems straightforward. The Bible makes no specific reference to tattoos as we understand them in modern times. 7 Questions to Answer When Considering a Tattoo, Inspiring Bible Verse Tattoos - Top Scriptures for Tattoos, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. It depends on who you ask. ~ Joshua 1:9, For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Inflicting pain — physical or emotional — on one’s self or on someone else is an outpouring of hatred and an exercise in control. David was criticized for breaking his fast after his baby son died, but David replied, “Why should I fast? ~ Romans 12:1, Flee from sexual immorality. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. “The Scriptures never ask Christians to deny the feeling of grief — it is a right and holy sadness.” Yet, some people think too much about those who are gone; they look backward and fail to move forward. 1. Self-mutilation is dangerous and can lead to significant health problems. Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright © 2020, Christianity.com. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Salem Media Group. Bible Tattoos are becoming more and more popular with about 1 in 5 U.S. adults having at least one on their body. All rights reserved. You are not your own ~ 1 Corinthians 6:19, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Leviticus 19:28 seems to imply this when it says, “you will not make cuttings in your flesh, for the dead, nor print marks on you.” In light of this information from Egypt and Canaan, it would seem God was forbidding scarification, not tattooing as we know it. But what is important is that we always take the time to pray for guidance from the Lord. Here are some bible verses about tattoo. ~ 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. Evidence suggests that tattooing the body parts of women associated with fertility (breasts, thighs, and abdomen) was believed to be a good luck charm to protect the birthing process. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:18, It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. I’ve received a lot of questions from people asking what the Bible says about tattoos. Cutting and even some methods of tattooing are associated with punishment throughout the ages in many cultures, whether self-inflicted or as a means of torture by others. Is obtaining a tattoo about self-punishment? However, in the New Testament we are even called to a higher law. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (Genesis 3: 19) Cremation speeds up the process by reducing the body to ashes, or dust. The Bible makes no specific reference to tattoos as we understand them in modern times. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. For example although the Bible does not say, Thou shalt not smoke or Drug addiction is bad for you; we know that these things are destructive to the human body. All rights reserved. ~ 1 Peter 3:3-4, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Study the Bible, pray and ask God for wisdom, and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Is the image or message a reminder of past guilt, a way of inflicting emotional distress every time one sees it? Over 40 Bible Verses About Tattoos Bible Verses For Tattoos… ~ Psalm 27:1, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. A believer has the opportunity to use a tattoo to declare Christ’s name, but Christians without tattoos are identifiable without ink on their skin. Verse Concepts. But it doesn’t mean that the controversy surrounding them has completely gone away. Conclusion An important scriptural principle on issues the Bible does not specifically address is if there is room for doubt whether it pleases God , then it is best not to engage in that activity. I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:28). A popular reason to get a tattoo is in order to honor a loved one who has died. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. The short answer is nothing, at least nothing definitive. Even the cross etched permanently into one’s chest can be an idol if one regards and describes it as a protective device, believing the cross is protective rather than Christ, imagining that salvation protects one from disease and muggers rather than protecting one for eternity with Jesus. The Bible makes no specific reference to tattoos as we understand them in modern times. Can I bring him back again?” (2 Samuel 12:23). Yes, we must speak the truth in love, but let us make sure we are loving them and not condemning them. Yet, there are Bible scholars that have stated it that having a tattoo does not necessarily mean you have sinned or it is a sin. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? Leviticus 21:5. You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. If the Bible says that tattoo is not good, then we should stay away from it. Is Christ number one? 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