“Believing in Christ and Tattooing: Sin or Salvation?”

This is a question many people, both believers in Christ and non-believers alike, have been asking for quite some time. Can someone be a Christian believer and still choose to express themselves through body art? Is it a sin to believe in Christ and have tattoos?

In today’s society, tattoos are more popular than ever. While some churches may disapprove of this trend, there are many who debate that having tattoos does not necessarily conflict with being a follower of Jesus Christ.

Tattoos on the rise have become especially evident among young adults between the ages of 18 and 25. This demographic is often looking for a way to make a statement about who they are, what they believe in and where their loyalties lie. For this reason, tattoos have been seen as an appealing form of body art that allows individuals to express themselves in a unique way.

The debate over tattoos has been raging for years, with some religious groups disapproving of their use while others accept them. The question of who is right when it comes to the use of tattoos has become a popular conversation topic among churches and other religious organizations.

From a conservative viewpoint, tattoos are seen as a form of rebellion against God’s laws and teachings. It is believed that they detract from one’s spiritual purity and can lead to immoral behavior. On the other hand, there are other groups who view tattoos as forms of self-expression or art that should not be judged by any particular set of rules or beliefs.

But what does the Bible say about getting a tattoo? Let’s start on the book of Leviticus 19:28 NASB that says:

You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD.

In this section of the Bible in the book of Leviticus we will find many practical advice on how to please God, as standing up when you see an elder as a form of respect, respect your parents, don’t make images of other gods, don’t reap all the food from the trees for harvest, but leave some for the poor people to gather for themselves, rest on Saturdays and more.

When it comes to the verse itself, we need to be clear on what this advice is all about, so that we can understand the very problem addressed here. The verse isn’t condemning tattoos, but those who make tattoos to honor those who died, in a form of worship them. Don’t cut your body or make tattoos for the dead.

Tattoos were a pagan practice associated with superstition and worship. It was undoubtedly normal practice for the pagans to tattoo the name of a false god or a sign commemorating an idol on their bodies. God expected His children to be different. I am the LORD, He reaffirmed to them in the same verse.

The New Testament doesn’t have anything to say about tattoos and once we are certainly not making tattoos to worship the dead, I would say with most certainty that having tattoos is not a sin. I even used to joke about the fact that when Jesus comes back, he will have a tattoo on His leg.

Revelation 19:11-16 NASB say this:

And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. [12] His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. [13] He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. [14] And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. [15] From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. [16] And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

But we need to consider a few things as believers when tattooing our bodies:

• If you are a minor and your parents aren’t ok with you getting a tattoo, that’s a no for you once the Bible tells us to honor our parents. Ephesians 6: 1-2
• The Bible also condemns rebellion and instructs us to be obedient and live a quiet life. If you are getting a tattoo to make a rebellious statement, I would suggest you reconsider your motives before getting such a permanent thing in your body. We, as Christians, aim to stand in obedience and peace. Romans 13: 1-7
• As Christians, our biggest focus is to work on our inner self, allowing God to transform and beautify who we are from inside out. If you are getting a tattoo to call attention to yourself, I would say that you are doing a silly thing. You don’t need to do anything to call attention to yourself once the creator of the universe promises you that if you close the door of your room to speak to Him in prayer, He sees you, your heart, your motives and He pours His abundant love over you.

1 Peter 3:3-4 Matthew 6: 5-6

• We are the temple of the Holy Spirit and we need to ask ourselves if there is a line we shouldn’t cross in regards to modifying our bodies. As temples of the living God, should we pursue mutilating our bodies? 1 Cor 6:19-20
• We are Christ’s ambassadors, and we send a message to the world in everything we do. What’s the message your tattoo is sending?

2 Cor. 5:20

• Romans 14:23 says that anything that doesn’t come from faith is sin, so the person getting the tattoo should be sure that it is God’s will for him or her.