Distraught About Tattoo

KatyPeach

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Hello, I found this website looking for a place to ask Christians for advice. I am still very, very new and fumbling on my own with it a lot, and I don't yet have a church to go to for advice.

Something that is weighing very heavily on me is that years ago I got a pagan tattoo. At the time I did not see it as anything bad, and saw no evil meaning in it, I thought it represented protection from evil - well that's all rather ironic now since having looked up what it is really all about outside new age deception.

This tattoo is somewhat large. I cannot afford to get it removed or covered, and trying to do so myself would probably result in serious injury and not work anyway.

But it's driving me crazy having it and causing me a lot of distress. Feels like even if I ask for forgiveness for it, it's still there, broadcasting for the enemy.

I don't know what to do. Has anyone dealt with a regret like this before? What would you do in my shoes?
 

civilwarbuff

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Hello, I found this website looking for a place to ask Christians for advice. I am still very, very new and fumbling on my own with it a lot, and I don't yet have a church to go to for advice.

Something that is weighing very heavily on me is that years ago I got a pagan tattoo. At the time I did not see it as anything bad, and saw no evil meaning in it, I thought it represented protection from evil - well that's all rather ironic now since having looked up what it is really all about outside new age deception.

This tattoo is somewhat large. I cannot afford to get it removed or covered, and trying to do so myself would probably result in serious injury and not work anyway.

But it's driving me crazy having it and causing me a lot of distress. Feels like even if I ask for forgiveness for it, it's still there, broadcasting for the enemy.

I don't know what to do. Has anyone dealt with a regret like this before? What would you do in my shoes?
Speaking as one who does not approve of tattoos in general....don't worry about it....you got it ....there it is....and it will be with you for the rest of your life. Unless you give it some special meaning it is just ink under the skin and nothing more. If it was done in "ignorance" accept it as such and let it go.
 
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Winken

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Hello, I found this website looking for a place to ask Christians for advice. I am still very, very new and fumbling on my own with it a lot, and I don't yet have a church to go to for advice.

Something that is weighing very heavily on me is that years ago I got a pagan tattoo. At the time I did not see it as anything bad, and saw no evil meaning in it, I thought it represented protection from evil - well that's all rather ironic now since having looked up what it is really all about outside new age deception.

This tattoo is somewhat large. I cannot afford to get it removed or covered, and trying to do so myself would probably result in serious injury and not work anyway.

But it's driving me crazy having it and causing me a lot of distress. Feels like even if I ask for forgiveness for it, it's still there, broadcasting for the enemy.

I don't know what to do. Has anyone dealt with a regret like this before? What would you do in my shoes?

Is it publicly viewable? Would it be viewable at a church picnic or in a group of Christian swimmers? If so, I would have it removed. I'd ask friends and family for financial assistance. I'd take out a loan. That does not mean that God is holding it against you. I rejoice that you have found new life in Him.
 
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Soyeong

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Hello, I found this website looking for a place to ask Christians for advice. I am still very, very new and fumbling on my own with it a lot, and I don't yet have a church to go to for advice.

Something that is weighing very heavily on me is that years ago I got a pagan tattoo. At the time I did not see it as anything bad, and saw no evil meaning in it, I thought it represented protection from evil - well that's all rather ironic now since having looked up what it is really all about outside new age deception.

This tattoo is somewhat large. I cannot afford to get it removed or covered, and trying to do so myself would probably result in serious injury and not work anyway.

But it's driving me crazy having it and causing me a lot of distress. Feels like even if I ask for forgiveness for it, it's still there, broadcasting for the enemy.

I don't know what to do. Has anyone dealt with a regret like this before? What would you do in my shoes?

Hello,

If you've repented of it, then that's a done deal, you are forgiven, and you can take that to the bank. I think it is better to see it as broadcasting how far you've come and how good and gracious God is and how much He loves us even while we were still sinners. If it still bothers you, then save up and get it removed when you can afford it, but remain confident that you are forgiven and that God can use everything in your past for good.
 
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KatyPeach

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Is it publicly viewable? Would it be viewable at a church picnic or in a group of Christian swimmers? If so, I would have it removed. I'd ask friends and family for financial assistance. I'd take out a loan. That does not mean that God is holding it against you. I rejoice that you have found new life in Him.

I am able to cover it, and do. I just feel bad about it. I've been trying to comb through my life and get rid of things and influences and whatnot that Jesus wouldn't want for me, and things that are disrespectful to Him. I've found it to be surprisingly a lot easier than I thought it would be leaving certain things behind me. But this one thing I cannot get rid of until I am able to afford it, which will probably be quite a while. Just feels bad.
 
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paul1149

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Has anyone dealt with a regret like this before?
Yes, I dare say most of have, in one way or another. The most important thing is to repent of the past and then accept and believe on God's free-and-clear love for you through Jesus Christ. This is true no matter what you look like on the outside. Some of us carry marks on the outside, some of us carry them on the inside. But we should let nothing get in the way of our new life in Christ. Nothing is worthy of that, considering what He gave.

As far as the tattoo, if there isn't a way to deal with it now, maybe there will be in the future. I saw a youtube video of a guy who had been in a vicious gang, who had a big tattoo over much of his face. Eventually someone gave him the money to have it removed, and the job was amazing.

Until then, let it remind you of the amazing love Christ has for you - and for all of us - that He would overlook our spiritual bankruptcy and accept us back.
 
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Winken

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I am able to cover it, and do. I just feel bad about it. I've been trying to comb through my life and get rid of things and influences and whatnot that Jesus wouldn't want for me, and things that are disrespectful to Him. I've found it to be surprisingly a lot easier than I thought it would be leaving certain things behind me. But this one thing I cannot get rid of until I am able to afford it, which will probably be quite a while. Just feels bad.

http://picosure.com/

Give them a call. Get a price range.
 
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Demetrius194

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Hello, I found this website looking for a place to ask Christians for advice. I am still very, very new and fumbling on my own with it a lot, and I don't yet have a church to go to for advice.

Something that is weighing very heavily on me is that years ago I got a pagan tattoo. At the time I did not see it as anything bad, and saw no evil meaning in it, I thought it represented protection from evil - well that's all rather ironic now since having looked up what it is really all about outside new age deception.

This tattoo is somewhat large. I cannot afford to get it removed or covered, and trying to do so myself would probably result in serious injury and not work anyway.

But it's driving me crazy having it and causing me a lot of distress. Feels like even if I ask for forgiveness for it, it's still there, broadcasting for the enemy.

I don't know what to do. Has anyone dealt with a regret like this before? What would you do in my shoes?
Try the following:

Every day, by faith cover it in the Blood of Jesus, and believe that the covering of the Blood of Jesus deadens any evil and sinfulness that it may have in your eyes, and rest in peace. The thing about it, we all have sin nature inside us--evil spirits, which is what our lusts are (1 John 2:16), and which dwell inside our hearts and try to get us to do evil, and we cannot get rid of them fully until we die (1 John 1:8). They are a type of sin that also needs to be atoned for. That is why we need to be filled with the Spirit, because the Spirit is the Blood of Jesus (Leviticus 17:14; John 6:63), and it covers all of our inside when we are filled, thus fully atoning for our sin nature (Matthew 23:26), plus deadening it (Romans 8:10), making it harmless to our salvation and spiritual life, put to sleep. So the same will happen will your tatoo. I have a similar problem, when I have Magic-Pac air conditioning system, which I hate because of the name. But I daily cover it with the Blood of Jesus, by faith, and I feel all that evil energy from it go, and know that is now harmless, because of what the Word says.
 
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KatyPeach

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http://picosure.com/

Give them a call. Get a price range.

Thank you for the link, I will check them out.

Try the following:

Every day, by faith cover it in the Blood of Jesus, and believe that the covering of the Blood of Jesus deadens any evil and sinfulness that it may have in your eyes, and rest in peace. The thing about it, we all have sin nature inside us--evil spirits, the lusts, that dwell inside our hearts and try to get us to do evil, and we cannot get rid of them fully until we die (1 John 1:8). They are a type of sin that also needs to be atoned for. That is why we need to be filled with the Spirit, because the Spirit is the Blood of Jesus (Leviticus 17:14; John 6:63), and it covers all of our inside when we are filled, thus fully atoning for our sin nature (Matthew 23:26), plus deadening it (Romans 8:10), making it harmless to our salvation and spiritual life, put to sleep. So the same will happen will your tatoo. I have a similar problem, when I have Magic-Pac air conditioning system, which I hate because of the name. But I daily cover it with the Blood of Jesus, by faith, and I feel all that evil energy from it go, and know that is now harmless, because of what the Word says.

Thank you for the scripture references. There is much in the Bible and I feel a bit lost just starting out trying to learn what's all in it. Those are reassuring, so thank you again.

Wish I could go back in time and give myself a good whack upside the head, thinking that spirituality had anything to do with symbols in the first place.
 
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This tattoo is somewhat large. I cannot afford to get it removed or covered, and trying to do so myself would probably result in serious injury and not work anyway.

But it's driving me crazy having it and causing me a lot of distress. Feels like even if I ask for forgiveness for it, it's still there, broadcasting for the enemy.

I don't know what to do. Has anyone dealt with a regret like this before? What would you do in my shoes?
Hi, KatyPeach. I'm not a fan of tattoos myself, but many people that I know who have some tattoos now regret getting a few of the ones they did.

Your intentions weren't evil, and you would remove this tattoo if possible, so I don't think you need to worry about being forgiven.

The main issue concerns how to go about changing it. Would it be possible to have a small alteration tattooed onto the original so that it gave it a different meaning? Doing that would save the cost of removal or covering it with tattooing.
 
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QuietBeauty

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First, I'm sorry that you're going through this. You said you asked God for forgiveness, He's already forgiven you. I know seeing this tattoo everyday is a constant reminder of sin but the great thing about the Lord is that he forgives and forgets our sins. I would suggest that since you are a new Christian, you should take some time out to really learn about God and His forgiveness. The devil knows that you're vulnerable right now because you are new in your walk with Jesus, He could be the one causing you to feel shame and unforgiven right now about the tattoo. Maybe you should also save up some money so later on you can get it covered up. Either way, God still loves you tattoo or not. If you ever need more advice - you can always message me! :)
 
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EPHESIANS6:10-11

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I am in the some position as you are right now i got a pagan tattoo when i was young and pagan now am christian i regret getting the tattoo i dont have much money myself but i trying to save some money for it to be tattooed over ...do you have a care team at your church ?
eg... those who are able by the holy spirit to remove the evil from your tattoo i have had that done and i recommend that you see someone like this
please dont harm yourself i a self injurer myself so i understand why you are feeling the way you do at the moment my tattoo is on my forearm i hide it with long selves tops in the hot weather i still wear them ( my skin burns because of the medication am on )

I will pray for you
 
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Odetta

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You have a physical tattoo. Other people have metaphorical tattoos on their souls. We all have done things in our lives that we regret and need to repent for, and a good deal of it can't be undone. If you have repented, then your sin is forgiven, and it's Satan that's trying to trap you into recurring guilt over it.

If in the future you can afford to have it removed, great. If not, perhaps there is a way you can use this in your testimony. Perhaps there is a way to change it so that it's no longer "pagan", as a less expensive option. Just throwing some ideas out there.
 
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BFine

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Hello, I found this website looking for a place to ask Christians for advice. I am still very, very new and fumbling on my own with it a lot, and I don't yet have a church to go to for advice.

*Welcome to the forum!

Something that is weighing very heavily on me is that years ago I got a pagan tattoo. At the time I did not see it as anything bad, and saw no evil meaning in it, I thought it represented protection from evil - well that's all rather ironic now since having looked up what it is really all about outside new age deception.

This tattoo is somewhat large. I cannot afford to get it removed or covered, and trying to do so myself would probably result in serious injury and not work anyway.

But it's driving me crazy having it and causing me a lot of distress. Feels like even if I ask for forgiveness for it, it's still there, broadcasting for the enemy.
*Think about this...you repented/ and are now saved.
Walk in that.
Take the focus off of your tattoo, and put it on Christ.

Your new identity is: you're a Child of God.
It's not in your tattoo...nor is it barring you from being a
vessel the Lord can use to reach others who are unsaved.

I don't know what to do.
*Pray for direction...about where you are to gather with fellow believers.
Ask your heavenly Father to help you to see yourself as He does.
You can pour out all your troubles to Him, ask God to
help you do what He wants you to do.


Has anyone dealt with a regret like this before? What would you do in my shoes?

*Although I don't have a tattoo I do have a scar from doing something that was sinful.
For the longest time I was embarrassed by it and would keep it covered up.


As I focused more on renewing my faith walk /and or following Jesus, studying/reading the
Bible, the less I focused on "that scar".
I got into wearing skirts, shorts, dresses....none of which
cover my scar...which is located on my calf.

Now, here it is 2016...my scar is still there.
The last time someone asked me about it, happened over twenty years ago.

Tattoos aren't unheard of these days...they are literally everywhere. Inkers/tattoo shops are also
prominent.
It's hard to meet very many people who don't have
a tattoo.
How some view them varies... I don't hold
that
against anyone but I don't encourage getting permanent tattoos...I love my nephews/cousins/friends/church family who have
tattoos (and they know that.)

Whether they keep or remove their tattoos...is between them and God. I will continue loving them
either way.
 
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Goodbook

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Place it at the cross.
Jesus does have the scars in his hands and feet, reminders of our sin.
I dont know how visible your tattoo is BUT if people do ask you about it its an opportunity to witness now youve become a christian that God has forgiven you and that you did something wrong in the past but now you are living for Him. You can warn ppl to NOT get tattoos. God judges us on our hearts not our outward appearance so we are not to judge people till we get to know them as well. If you are dressed modestly and are clean then it is your good works that will shine through not your tattoo that ppl will focus on.

If you do save up enough money you can get it removed.

I dont have a tattoo but that is what I would do.
 
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faroukfarouk

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Hello, I found this website looking for a place to ask Christians for advice. I am still very, very new and fumbling on my own with it a lot, and I don't yet have a church to go to for advice.

Something that is weighing very heavily on me is that years ago I got a pagan tattoo. At the time I did not see it as anything bad, and saw no evil meaning in it, I thought it represented protection from evil - well that's all rather ironic now since having looked up what it is really all about outside new age deception.

This tattoo is somewhat large. I cannot afford to get it removed or covered, and trying to do so myself would probably result in serious injury and not work anyway.

But it's driving me crazy having it and causing me a lot of distress. Feels like even if I ask for forgiveness for it, it's still there, broadcasting for the enemy.

I don't know what to do. Has anyone dealt with a regret like this before? What would you do in my shoes?
Hi KatyPeach, good to see you on the forums. God bless His Word to you. And I hope you'll find some like-minded friends on here and be stimulated to read the Scriptures prayerfully and also — it's a two-way thing! — be able to stimulate others to do so, as well.

One thing you mentioned in your post has a big priority and this is matter of finding other Christians to meet with regularly. Even before you do find a church, it's always good to be clear what to look for: if you love to read in the Bible about the Lord Jesus and His love for sinners which took Him to the Cross, and if you love to pray and thank the Lord for blessings in Christ, and be involved in telling others, it's natural to want to meet with others who do the same!

And so really, good Christian fellowship happens around regular Scripture reading and study, and prayer. Whatever else might go under the name of 'church', it's these activities which are so essential. Acts 2.41-42 is also a good guide to basic, local church activities.

And oh yes! you did mention something else: a tattoo.

I think in the scheme of things, in 'defining the universe', your tattoo is really one very small example of things in the universe. There are all sorts of reasons for regretting tattoos. So many young people get tattoos; in fact, as you well know, for a large number of ppl, 18 and over is the time to do it when you become adults. BFine said, above: 'Tattoos aren't unheard of these days...they are literally everywhere. Inkers/tattoo shops are also prominent. It's hard to meet very many people who don't have a tattoo.' So in terms of your regret, you maybe need to figure whether it's because you're a young person with a tattoo, or not. Getting tattooed used to be a man thing (before you were born, probably!) but now women do it extremely widely and very confidently (and apparently in North America now 59%-70% of parlor clients are women). So in terms of your regret, you need to figure whether your regret about becoming tattooed is because of your gender or not. A lot of Christians have tattoos, actually; some of them regret them, some don't. Some of them actually like their tattoos because they are faith based and a proven tool in witness. I think at least part of your regret is because of the design and you're already taking steps regularly to keep it covered. Some posters, above, have suggested that because you regret your tattoo design you have it modified in some way, and this option might include whether to 'neutralize' the design or even have it changed in some way for it to have some faith based reference that you would talk to people about; some tattoo artists can do some marvellous transformations. Changing, rather than removing completely, a tattoo — especially if big — can sometimes be a less painful and less expensive way to go and might in some cases be seen by the wearer as having a witness design benefit. In fact, covering a tattoo is often done for reasons nothing to with whether the design is religious or esoteric or whatever; if you have a future in a corporate office or in a conservative professional environment, as not a few older women with tattoos have, then covering one's tattoo with a pin-stripe suit or suitable outfit is what they would expect to do almost daily.

(Two cents.') Blessings.
 
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faroukfarouk

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Speaking as one who does not approve of tattoos in general....don't worry about it....you got it ....there it is....and it will be with you for the rest of your life. Unless you give it some special meaning it is just ink under the skin and nothing more. If it was done in "ignorance" accept it as such and let it go.
Not a matter to worry about personally, if the person is inwardly cleansed and walking with the Lord, right?

(Covering it might sometimes be an option.)

Some Christians even like to use ink as a witness means when it's in a faith based design.
 
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