This is such a fun topic. Maybe fun is the wrong word. Maybe I'm twisted because I think it's fun. I don't know. But I do have some thoughts on this topic. Some Christians think it's wrong to get a tattoo or crazy body piercings, some think there's nothing wrong with it.
I think it's ok in certain circumstances. Before I tell you the certain circumstances, I'll tell you why I think you won't go to Hell if you get one.
There are two particular verses that some Christians use to say tattoos and piercings are wrong. They're very nice verses, when you pay attention to the context.
Leviticus 19:28, "'Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.'"
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
Very interesting indeed. I'll start with the first one. That verse seems pretty clear right? No tattoos. Notice that the verse comes from Leviticus. What does that have to do with anything?. In that same chapter, there is a verse that says guys can't shave...that guys should all have beards. There is also a verse that says you can't wear clothes unless it's all woven from the same material, meaning...nothing but 100% cotton for everyone.
Why don't we still obey all those rules? Because it's the old Law. Those rules were made for people at that time, before Jesus. When Jesus came, He fulfilled the Law, and we are not under obligation to obey it anymore. That was the entire point of Jesus Christ coming. The Law was established to show us that we can't do anything right, and that we need a Savior. Jesus is that Savior, so when He came there was no reason to obey the Law anymore. That's why my Dad doesn't have a beard, and that's why I'm perfectly comfortable in this cotton/polyester shirt. (Ok, I don't actually own any polyester.)
However, that doesn't mean you just ignore the Old Testament. Studying the old laws and other stuff in there teaches us so much. It teaches us about God's relationship to His people, It teaches us morals, and just tons of good stuff. Jesus even explained this...
Matthew 5:17, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
But if you decide you're really not a beard person...that's ok. It doesn't seem like we should use that verse to say it's wrong, unless we’re actually obeying all the other laws from the Old Testament.
Now for the second verse. First...if you read that chapter and look at the surrounding context, it's talking about sexual immorality, not tattoos. Second...the end of the verse says to honor God with your body. If you're getting a tattoo, does it honor God? I don't think simply getting one means you're dishonoring God with your body. I think tattoos can be used to glorify God, depending on what it is. I met this person once that had a really unique tattoo. I asked her what it was, and when she started explaining it to me, she ended up telling me some cool stuff about Jesus. I think that glorifies God.
That brings me to "certain circumstances" when tattoos are right or wrong. Why do you want a tattoo? Feeling rebellious, you want to make your parents or someone mad? I think that's a bad reason to get one, and I think it would be wrong in that circumstance. Is your tattoo something you'd be proud to show God? What is the tattoo of? "Viva la devil"..? A tattoo could also be wrong if it's something that's just plain evil. You should also take into account what the people around you will think. You will not always please everyone, sometimes you have to do something even if other people disapprove. But I don't think a tattoo is so important that you have to get one if you know the people around you are going to freak out because of it.
A similiar issue is excessive piercings. My thoughts are the same on that too. Everyone is free to have their own opinions. I don't think it's important enough to fight over.
Back to Issues
Back to Main Page