Christians - is it bad to get a tattoo?

Question

I know the whole thing about Leviticus. But I don't believe that applies to us today, plus they were talking about the dead and tattoos of pagan gods.

I am really confused about this.

If the body is the temple of God, we can decorate it, right? They decorated the temples.

But, is a tattoo worldly? Will it hurt my witness to others?

Answer 1

Nope.

Answer 2

I'm in the same place.lol I want a tattoo soo bad. I wasent gonna get it cuz the whole "Temple" thing. But, Im gonna get it, cuz if its soo true about no destryoing the temple, then "all" Christian Lady's should take out their earings, and let their hole close up, cuz they destroyed the temple! that includes Joyce Meyer! lol

I would get it, but get it small, and in a place, where its not tooo noticable. Some non-Christians, may use it against you, when u try to witness. You know how some people can be.

Pray about it. Give it thought, pray and do a lil fast and see how u feel afterwards. Negative or postitive.

Good luck and God Bless.

Answer 3

Yo I was askin myself that too. Then I turned to Comedy Central and watched the Colbert Report and he had this skit that briefly touch was the Bible said about them and he gave the scripture Leviticus 19:28, which says, "You shall not make any cuttings on your flesh for the dead nor tattoo any marks on. I am the LORD."
This is the Old Testement and just before that it said not to eat anything "with the blood" (I don't know what that means) and not shave the sides of your head or disfigure the sides of your beard. And the purpose of GOD telling his people this was to seperate them from the rest of the world and give them laws to keep them holy. Kind of as a means to consecrate or sanctify them. That's my interpretation and I don't know if these rules still apply or not but there you have it. Leviticus 19:28. I guess you'll just have to honestly ask yourself if it feels ok to do or not. I haven't got one yet because I feel that be some kind of permenant sin - which contradicts JESUS' whole existence - so on that note - I guess it's ok. I'm gonna go get me a tattoo! Woo! ----but still ask yourself or your pastor. That's just my opinion.

Answer 4

I don't think that a tattoo will ruin your witness. It may even help. I am a Christian, and I am getting one on Friday. My pastor has tattoos. He got them back in his younger days, when he was a Hell's Angel. I don't feel that I am defyling my body by getting a tattoo. Mine is not going to be seen by anyone other than my husband (or a select few friends I choose to show) anyway, because it is so low on my hip. This is something that I want to do for me, and I don't think that it will ruin my witness in anyway. I already have my ears pierced five times, I wear makeup, I cut my hair, I wear pants, etc. etc. And, sometimes, I think that you have to have something in common with a non-Christian to prove that the difference is that your heart belongs to God. This is all up to you though, it is all about how you feel, not us. Pray about it. Ask your pastor in a "hypothetical" way (if you must).

Good Luck

Answer 5

My name is Lili and I gave my life to Christ a couple of months ago. Let me just tell you that its been AMAZING as you may know. However, there are certain things I have on my body i guess you can say that back then they would have frowned upon. For example, my lip is pierced, my ears are gauged and I have a tattoo that i just got on the 23rd of march. I asked my youth leader about the whole tattoo situation and from what they've told me, they said it was fine. For example, i went with my friend, who is also a devoted Christian, to get her tattoo. She got a cross with an aqua outline type of thing and she loved it. It was her way of saying "this chapter in my life is just beginning and with Jesus Christ"...it was awesome. I think that

yes, getting a tattoo is okay as long as they're not offensive..like you know satan and stuff like that. just get something with a lot of meaning to you and something you know you won't regret getting. I think that tattoo's on a christian's body are a way of marking the love and devotion for Christ. He has done so much for you and you aren't afraid of showing it to the world by getting something done permanently.

Answer 6

It getting your hair cut and highlighted worldly? Is wearing makeup and accessories worldly? That's something only you can answer. I think that as long as the subject matter of your tattoo reflects your beliefs how could it hurt your witness to others. Ancient Christians used tattoos as secret symbols to identify each other. One of these signs has come down to us today. (the fish symbol). Here are two religious tattoos that I like but they are on different ends of the scale. The first on is a cross done on the son of a friend of mine. http://www.ratemyink.com/?action=ssp&pid=28268 This tattoo.... I know nothing about it except that it has value BECAUSE of its shocking nature. http://www.ratemyink.com/?action=ssp&pid=23726

good luck with your decision.

Answer 7

Okay, I had this same issue four years ago. I talked to my pastor about this and decided that I wanted to go ahead and gey my tattoo. I got what I call a Jesus fish on my ankle. I am very glad I got it because it has brought up the conversation with others on why I got that tattoo. I gladly let them know Jesus was a Fishermen of men and I am walking with him. I haven't regretted getting it once. It is a big deal and you are right to weigh it. I am sure you will come up with what is best for you.

Answer 8

I am a Christian and I have a tattoo. Now, many might argue that getting one is really associated with a loose lifestyle, which Christians should not be living. But, I got mine when I was in college and before I had re-dedicated my life to God. I am not ashamed of it, but I could get rid of it, I would. It really doesn't represent the type of person I am and the life I want to live. But, if you are feeling hesitant - that is God telling you NOT to do it. Listen to your conscious.

Answer 9

I don't think God judges on the outside but on the inside, the body is a temporary thing, a tattoo won't change anything unless you get hepatitis from it, so make sure you go to a clean healthy place.

Answer 10

If you are worried about getting a tattoo so much I would recommend not getting one. I believe that each tattoo should have a spiritual meaning attached to it - not necessarily religious, but it has meaning to you. But if you still want to get one I would recommend you get something religious to you, possibly small - somewhere only you will see it. That way you will not have to worry about hurting your witness to others.

Answer 11

Revelation 19:16 - And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name
written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

A tattoo is defined as a marking or coloring of the skin. The bible
says that Jesus had these words written on his vesture (the hem of his
robe) AND on his thigh (on his actual leg.)

Therefore, any logical person can read that and come to the conclusion
that Jesus does indeed have a tattoo on his thigh that says "KING OF
KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."