There is no explicit mention of tattoos in the Bible, so Christians are divided on are tattoos a sin? Some believe tattooing the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit is disrespectful.
Others argue that as long as the tattoos are not offensive or gang-related, they are a form of self-expression that is not sinful. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide whether or not they believe tattoos are a sin.
Tattoos In Christianity And Bible
In this section, we'll look at a specific piece of evidence that suggests tattoos are against Christian precepts. As you are aware, individuals from various walks of life continue to revere Jesus and Christianity.
Some of those individuals may have tattoos without considering or believing that they have committed a sin or anything of the type in Christianity.
So, let's start with the Bible.
The Holy Bible is divided into the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament primarily relates to the stories and regulations linked with Moses and Judaism, while the New Testament focuses on Christianity and Jesus Christ's rebellion.
No text in the New Testament talks negatively about tattoos or condemns them in any way. That said, there's nothing to suggest that is getting a tattoo a sin christian and that you shouldn't have them?
The same cannot be said about the Old Testament, but it all relies on how you interpret what it says inside it.
The tattoo is referenced just once in the Bible. However, even one instance may be enough to indicate that they are banned and regarded as immoral.
Nonetheless, the term tattoo is only referenced once in the New American Standard Version of the Bible, according to the Christian religion tattoos site restorbio.com. Older versions may not have the so-called verse that prohibits the use of ink for tattooing.
But what precisely does the passage say about tattoos? Let us investigate.
A scripture in the Old Testament of the Bible, Leviticus 19, emphasizes that people should not get tattoos. This is referred to as the Law of Moses. "You must not create any wounds in your flesh for the deceased," God instructed in Leviticus 19:28.
As you may know, tattooing entails a tattoo needle piercing through the outer layer of your skin to outline your tattoo, which may be interpreted as skin cutting. Furthermore, some individuals get tattoos to memorialize a deceased loved one and carry their memories on their flesh with ink.
The second portion of the stanza may provide some indications as to why there is such a restriction.
According to the same source, this passage related to the pagan tradition followed by the civilization in Canaan's country, in which people cut and tattooed their bodies when someone died to respect and adore their memory. It was a means for those folks to express their sadness and grieve their loved ones.
However, it is important to note that the Law of Moses does not bind Christians. Therefore these passages are unlikely to apply to them. However, some theologians and other Bible scholars may consider these verses wicked in Christianity.
People who obeyed the Law of Moses did so exclusively during the particular period that lasted in Israel after Jews were able to flee Ancient Egyptian oppression and were brought by God to the "promised land."
Can Christians have tattoos? While Christians do not follow the Law of Moses, certain precepts have survived into Christianity and have been dubbed the Law of Christ. These are the fundamental principles you may have heard of in the Church, such as the moral norms that have been carried on, such as the ban on stealing, committing adultery, loving your neighbor, and so on.
Is Tattooing A Sin Then?
If you attend the Church, study the Gospels, and other Christian literature, no knowledge could imply that tattoos are banned or evil. Even the apostles carried on Christ's teachings and did not mention slashing and inking your flesh.
That being stated, we think that tattooing is not a sin and that having your body tattooed will not prohibit you from accessing Heaven when you die. We feel it is also because tattooing oneself does not cause damage to others or commit a sin.
Stealing, insulting our loved ones, and killing are all crimes according to Christianity; however, tattooing your body does not imply that you have committed any of the sins above.
The Old Testament passage most likely relates to not doing what that tribe does to memorialize their deceased relative.
Perhaps it was written so that doing such ceremonies would cause people to feel pride and turn away from the Law of Moses as it is, making their pagan beliefs more significant than religion.
However, if this notion is misread and misunderstood, it might lead to the assumption that tattooing is also wicked for Christians, instilling worries of going to hell after death.
Tattoos Aren't Sin, But Some Symbols Could Be
Another thing to consider is that people's tattoo symbols should be religiously meaningful. For example, people who tattoo potentially disrespectful or Satanic symbols may be deemed immoral since they are marking their bodies with symbols that clearly contradict Christianity.
That is why it is critical to consider what the sign you are attempting to ink will symbolize in your life. For example, suppose you get a tattoo of a pagan symbol. In that case, you're likely going against Christianity, same as if you get a tattoo of a sign implying witchcraft or honoring another religion.
In the end, whether you get a tattoo of a Christian or another symbol is a matter of personal taste. If you believe having a tattoo contradicts your moral values about anything else, you should reconsider.
What Does The Bible Say About Getting Tattoos
It would be easier for us to understand what God really thinks about tattoos or any other type of body alteration if we looked at at least five Bible scriptures from both the New Testament and the Old Testament.
These are the verses:
"I am the Lord; you must not cut any markings or create any cuts in your skin for the dead." (Exodus 19:28)
"Never imagine that I have come to demolish the Law or the Prophets. I came here to fulfill, not to destroy. Because, I guarantee you, not a single word or tittle of the legislation will be changed until it has been fully implemented. Matt. 5:17–18
"Do you not realize that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit resides inside you?" (3:16) 1 Corinthians
"Or do you not realize that you are not your own and that the Holy Spirit resides inside you and in your body? You have the Holy Spirit as a gift from God. Because you were purchased for a price, worship God with both your body and your soul, which belongs to God. (19) 1 Corinthians
"God will destroy anybody who defiles the sanctuary of God. You are God's sacred temple, which is why you are one. (3:17) in 1 Corinthians
Is having a tattoo still viewed as a sin in today's society, despite all these passages depicting tattoos and other body marks negatively?
Why Does Context Matter When Reading the Bible?
We can't simply pick out texts and say, "Look, it says it right here in black and white," while reading the Bible. The rationale is that you are extracting one line, or a portion of a sentence, from a dialogue, discussion, historical record, or another source. We have an excellent essay that will help you better grasp how to read the Bible.
Let me demonstrate this point using reasoning and scripture. Assume I wrote the following:
"Hello, my name is Johnny, and I'm writing to introduce myself to Chris. I appreciate all of your hard work. We'll be adopting a new procedure in January, so keep doing what you're doing until then. Continue working in room B. Do your best and let me know if you encounter any problems. You'll be working in room Y in January. So, till then, keep your concentration."
Consider what might happen if I emphasized this statement in July "Continue doing what you're doing. Continue working in room B, "as the rationale for continuing to visit room B in July. You wouldn't since it expired in January and is no longer in effect.
We see this all the time. Are tattoos forbidden in the bible? Consider the following passages, which have nothing to do with us.
You see, none of the scriptures mentioned above have anything to do with you, and the reason is simple: it isn't for you. Fulfilling any of the above is either impossible or unlawful.
It is aimed at a certain audience, bringing me to a crucial aspect of comprehending the Bible.
Does god hate tattoos? Just because something is recorded in the Bible doesn't imply God wants you to do it. The Bible is a chronicle of what truly happened and expresses what people believed.
Again, just because people believe it does not imply that it is from God or that God desires it that way. In truth, the whole Old Testament was never God's ideal design but rather a period of transition from Adam to Jesus. God was restoring us to perfection, and He had a plan.
JESUS!
So, although everything is written in black and white, the context reveals the actual meaning of these lines.
Do People With Tattoos Go To Heaven?
Many Christians think getting a tattoo nowadays is okay as long as it's not for Pagan funeral rites. However, many Christians feel that having a tattoo is sinful and ungodly.
When Christians refer to anything as worldly, they are referring to an ungodly behavior, because holiness is the antithesis of worldliness. Although they are not inherently wicked, tattoos are viewed by many as having a godless quality.
Tattoos are a recent craze, and the church does not give them much weight. You are not committing a sin or a crime if you get a tattoo.
Christians hold that God commands people to refrain from obtaining tattoos in accordance with the declaration made in Leviticus 19:28. But the most important thing to comprehend is whether having a tattoo is a sin or a virtue if you're a Christian.
Everything is acceptable, but not everything is useful, according to 1 Corinthians 10:23. Christianity may permit tattoos, yet there is a counterintuitive idea. Due to the use of needles in self-tattooing, you run the risk of cutting yourself.
Therefore, you should avoid from carrying out any such deed in accordance with God's guidance. Neither the Old Testament nor the New Testament condone living a pagan lifestyle.
Nowadays, more people have tattoos than in past decades. Many Christians think getting a tattoo is wicked and will prevent them from going to paradise. However, the Bible forbids tattoos associated with superstition and idolatry.
As a result, those who have tattoos can still enter paradise. People with tattoos can still pass into paradise if they pass away. Although some Christians see tattoos as immoral, the Bible teaches that salvation depends on accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.
Even those who have tattoos will get to paradise if they believe and accept that Christ died for their sins and rose again.
In order to enter paradise, the Bible instructs us to have confidence in God. Non-believers will not be allowed to enter paradise. People shouldn't rebel against God in their thoughts, deeds, or speech.
Anyone who rejects God's authority has a propensity towards sin. If tattoo wearers confess their sins and show their faith in Christ, they will still have a chance to enter paradise.
Do Jesus Have A Tattoo?
In the New Testament, Revelation 19:16 says that Jesus has something that looks like a tattoo; however, it is not precisely stated:
"This name is inscribed on His robe and thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." While this does not clearly state that Jesus has a tattoo on his thigh, it does emphasize that something is written, and we all know that it might be symbolically inscribed.
Is Getting A Tattoo A Mortal Sin?
Tattoos are not considered a deadly sin as long as they do not foster any of the grave sins like anger, pride, or sloth. Because tattooing does no damage to you or others, it is not considered a deadly sin.
Where Does It Say No Tattoos In The Bible?
Leviticus 19:28 (Amplified), which states, "You must not make any incisions in your flesh for the dead, nor print or tattoo any markings upon you: I am the Lord," is a warning from the Bible against getting a tattoo. However, something is not appropriate in God's eyes simply because society finds it acceptable.
Are Tattoos Bad For Christians?
Christians who oppose tattooing respect the Hebrew ban (see below). The Hebrew ban is predicated on how tattoos and maybe even cosmetics are interpreted in relation to Leviticus 19:28, which states, "Ye shalt not make any incisions in your flesh for the dead, nor stamp any markings upon you."
Conclusion
While there is no explicit mention of tattoos in the Bible, some Christians believe they are sins because they are considered to alter God's creation. Others believe that as long as the tattoo is not offensive or harmful, it is a personal choice. Restorbio hope you found this article useful and thank you for taking the time to read this article.
