Sinful Tattoo

[faroukfarouk]

My thoughts are when I see a person with tattoos is they either not christian or had a pagan past.

If you go back to the tattoo parlor to get it redesigned you just like an alcoholic going back to the bar and maybe asking for a softer drink this time. You still giving them time and money.

Best thing would be pray and ask for finances to have it removed. Im sorry to hear that and now youve repented youve got to give an example to ppl in similar situations...there are many young ppl that think its cool to get tattoos well you tell them no, its not. It offends a holy God and perpetuates a shallow skin deep industry thats loves satanic symbols .

So that ppl recognise you are a christian they are going to have to go by your words, and your actions and the light shining in you not by your outward appearance. GOd will help you in this as ive seen someone whos basically covered in tattoos but can tell by the way she speaks and acts she is now a christian.

I agree about one's speech showing that one is really living for God.

I don't think that changing a tattoo to make its association less negative and more positive and more God honouring is somehow like being an alcoholic.

 

[faroukfarouk]

The concern over the symbol is that its a gateway to occult activity..the demons will actually have legal right to attack you and with a tattoo its worse cos its kind permanent.

The best thing is in this case is to pray with an elder over the tattoo and seal any access points and keep it covered until you can have it removed. Thankfully it doesnt seem to be all over your body like you see in other ppl. Also you will need to tell the demons attracted to this tattoo..it may be water spirits..to leave. Its like flies to a carcass really. Have you been baptised?

I'm not quite sure of some of your terminology; but I guess this underlines why someone in TurtleAnne's situation might want to have the tattoo changed into something more suitable.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I certainly agree with your point about living for God in a hostile world. Regarding a tattoo that is regretted, you have mentioned 2 possibilities: removal or covering it; the third would be having it altered by a tattoo artist so that the association is more positive or neutral. A lot of Christians do have faith based tattoos.

We are to be holy and a separate people. Tattoos were forbidden in the Old Testament. It is kind of hard to imagine GOD giving the thumbs up to something that was once condemned. For why do you think it was condemned in the Old Testament? What reasons can you come up with in why you think it was bad in the OT? Would not those same reasons apply for the New Covenant believer? Does not the Scriptures say to avoid having an appearance of evil? Does not the Scriptures say we are not to defile our temples or God will destroy us? Is not the body of a believer called the temple? For example: Would you think GOD would approve if somebody had painted graffiti signs all over GOD's holy temple in Heaven? Are we not made in God's image? Why would one want to tarnish that image?

Obviously if somebody is repentant over their tattoo, the LORD is merciful and forgiving and understands a person's situation in desiring to have it covered or removed as their finances allow.


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[faroukfarouk]

We are to be holy and a separate people. Tattoos were forbidden in the Old Testament. It is kind of hard to imagine GOD giving the thumbs up to something that was once condemned. For why do you think it was condemned in the Old Testament? What reasons can you come up with in why you think it was bad in the OT? Would not those same reasons apply for the New Covenant believer? Does not the Scriptures say to avoid having an appearance of evil? Does not the Scriptures say we are not to defile our temples or God will destroy us? Is not the body of a believer called the temple? For example: Would you think GOD would approve if somebody had painted graffiti signs all over GOD's holy temple in Heaven? Are we not made in God's image? Why would one want to tarnish that image?


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Lots of questions there; I think you don't realize just how many Christians have tattoos, many of them faith based. Maybe you are thinking of Leviticus 28. The adjacent verse to the one about 'cutting for the dead' seems to say about not trimming the corners of one's beard. Do preachers shave? If in fact preachers do shave, then maybe they are tacitly admitting that being New Testament believers under grace, exercising Romans 14 Christian liberty, is rather different from being Old Testament Jews in the land under the ceremonial law.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Obviously if somebody is repentant over their tattoo, the LORD is merciful and forgiving and understands a person's situation in desiring to have it covered or removed as their finances allow.


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There's a third option also: getting a regretted tattoo design changed to something more suitable.

 

[faroukfarouk]

..the demons will actually have legal right to attack you and with a tattoo its worse cos its kind permanent.

The believer is eternally secure; and a superficial design, though possibly regretted, is not going to alter the eternal security of someone resting by faith in the finished work of Christ.

I don't quite understand what you are saying because you are talking about supposed links with demons - whereas if the person is resting by faith in the finished work of Christ, s/he is secure.

 

[archer75]

The concern over the symbol is that its a gateway to occult activity..the demons will actually have legal right to attack you and with a tattoo its worse cos its kind permanent.

The best thing is in this case is to pray with an elder over the tattoo and seal any access points and keep it covered until you can have it removed. Thankfully it doesnt seem to be all over your body like you see in other ppl. Also you will need to tell the demons attracted to this tattoo..it may be water spirits..to leave. Its like flies to a carcass really. Have you been baptised?

There is no "gateway" to "occult" activity. In which "court of law" will these demons be determined to have a "legal right" to attack the OP? I suppose if they didn't have a "legal right", then they could be found guilty in a criminal trial, but as it is, they will go free?

There are no "access points" to seal. There are no demons "attracted to" the tattoo. It is just a tattoo.

Perhaps if someone wore kitty-face earrings, furry spirits would have a legal right to sit in her lap?

Or if someone wore a Bulova watch, that person would be on "Bulova time" instead of on "God's time"? And after all, in Revelation 10:6 in the KJV we read that "there should be time no longer". How demonic to carry a timepiece on one's person!

The tattoo is a design made of ink on the OP's skin. It neither summons spirits nor does anything else except be there.

Edit: "...for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

 

[Goodbook]

There is no "gateway" to "occult" activity. In which "court of law" will these demons be determined to have a "legal right" to attack the OP? I suppose if they didn't have a "legal right", then they could be found guilty in a criminal trial, but as it is, they will go free?

There are no "access points" to seal. There are no demons "attracted to" the tattoo. It is just a tattoo.

Perhaps if someone wore kitty-face earrings, furry spirits would have a legal right to sit in her lap?

Or if someone wore a Bulova watch, that person would be on "Bulova time" instead of on "God's time"? And after all, in Revelation 10:6 in the KJV we read that "there should be time no longer". How demonic to carry a timepiece on one's person!

The tattoo is a design made of ink on the OP's skin. It neither summons spirits nor does anything else except be there.

Edit: "...for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

yep, seeing you have no spiritual discernment why don't you just get yourself a satanic symbol tattoo then.

The reality is many of the symbols are drawn on the skin to 'draw power' or conjure up spirits, that is their intent. It also marks the person into bondage. The OP certainly has enough to contend with without you dismissing her REAL concerns.

 

[archer75]

yep, seeing you have no spiritual discernment why don't you just get yourself a satanic symbol tattoo then.

Because I don't want one, for countless reasons. Also, for the record, neither does the OP have a "satanic symbol tatoo", whatever that would be.

The reality is many of the symbols are drawn on the skin to 'draw power' or conjure up spirits, that is their intent. It also marks the person into bondage. The OP certainly has enough to contend with without you dismissing her REAL concerns.

And yet the OP clearly stated in her first post that it "represented for [her] self-reliance in regard to RESISTING EVIL" (my caps). The desire to resist evil -- on one's own -- seems quite distinct from the "intent" of "conjuring up spirits", as you say. Further, I will go out on a limb and say that resisting evil is positive.

It's bizarre to imply that a symbol means anything or has secret magical hidden power apart from or against the intent of the user -- especially when the symbol in question is from a dead culture and is meaningless to most people who see it.

My avatar has a Chi-Rho in the foreground. These letters represent the name / title Christ in Greek. I chose it because I like it and it represents Christ. If there's a bizarre intersection somewhere that looks from above like the Chi-Rho, that doesn't mean that my intent in using this image is magically changed to "conjuring up spirits of city planning".

There's also a cross in the background of my avatar. That was an instrument of execution. But I don't use it, and it's generally not used in a Christian context, to show support for executions or to invite executions or to invoke Roman power.

It seems you feel the OP's "real concerns" are "whatever you say they should be." I disagree.

 

[Daniel Marsh]

I am curious for others' perceptions and thoughts on this matter.

I have a tattoo that I received several years ago. It is not mainstream offensive, as in it is not vulgar or anything along those lines, but it is a pagan tattoo and at the time I had it done, it represented for me a self-reliance (rather than a reliance on God) in regards to resisting evil. Obviously this was also at a time in my life when I was still thinking in terms that symbolism actually mattered and that it could help me be a good person, as opposed to the internal, unseen hard and complex work of genuinely trying to be a better a person. Suffice to say I was pretty immature compared to real wisdom, and mostly just being rebellious and impulsive.

This tattoo is in a place that is prominent unless I make a deliberate effort to keep it covered with clothing choices. I've also gone through periods of severe guilt about the tattoo, although I by now I've reached the understanding that it's more about what others think. God has always known that I have this tattoo, obviously, but what sort of message does it send to others? And also, what would I look like, professing my faith in Jesus Christ, while standing there with a tribal pagan tattoo.

I don't think I'll ever be able to afford to have it removed. Once I finish my college degree in about a year and can become employed again, I'll probably be able to afford to have it covered up, like just a hand-sized black blotch so that it's well, just a big blotch of ink rather than a specific design. That is the best I could afford to do, aside from mutilating it off of my body and having to go to the emergency room (which is something I've honestly contemplated due to how terrible I feel about it sometimes).

At one point, someone else advised me that maybe I should leave it as it is, and use it as some sort of testimony in regards to how I was once astray enough to get a tattoo like that, but then wound up being saved, but I'm not sure how I feel about that.

It has sort of become like this dark secret of mine. I'm currently seeking a church, for example, as I haven't regularly attended church since I was a child, and of course when I go to visit the churches on my list to try them out in search of the right one for me, I'll be making sure that tattoo is covered up, and I certainly won't be eager to mention it to anyone. So then what happens if when the day comes when I am finally able to be baptized, other people see it. The whole situation just gives me a terrible gut feeling.

Lately I've been trying to reach out and feel for what God wants me to do about it, but I haven't felt confident that I've received a response yet, or some sort of sign.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions on this sort of situation?

keep the tattoo, get another one that is Christian near it and use it as a means of conversation about Jesus. It can represent the before picture, the other the after picture. If need be simply have it modified.

 

[faroukfarouk]

yep, seeing you have no spiritual discernment why don't you just get yourself a satanic symbol tattoo then.

The reality is many of the symbols are drawn on the skin to 'draw power' or conjure up spirits, that is their intent. It also marks the person into bondage. The OP certainly has enough to contend with without you dismissing her REAL concerns.

I don't understand your logic.

Romans 8 contains some wonderful and deep promises about the eternal security of the believer in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Some ink on skin is not going to reverse this. (There might be a case for changing the tattoo into something more suitable, etc.)

It also marks the person into bondage.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus".

 

[JeremyTheAnglercan]

I am curious for others' perceptions and thoughts on this matter.

I have a tattoo that I received several years ago. It is not mainstream offensive, as in it is not vulgar or anything along those lines, but it is a pagan tattoo and at the time I had it done, it represented for me a self-reliance (rather than a reliance on God) in regards to resisting evil. Obviously this was also at a time in my life when I was still thinking in terms that symbolism actually mattered and that it could help me be a good person, as opposed to the internal, unseen hard and complex work of genuinely trying to be a better a person. Suffice to say I was pretty immature compared to real wisdom, and mostly just being rebellious and impulsive.

This tattoo is in a place that is prominent unless I make a deliberate effort to keep it covered with clothing choices. I've also gone through periods of severe guilt about the tattoo, although I by now I've reached the understanding that it's more about what others think. God has always known that I have this tattoo, obviously, but what sort of message does it send to others? And also, what would I look like, professing my faith in Jesus Christ, while standing there with a tribal pagan tattoo.

I don't think I'll ever be able to afford to have it removed. Once I finish my college degree in about a year and can become employed again, I'll probably be able to afford to have it covered up, like just a hand-sized black blotch so that it's well, just a big blotch of ink rather than a specific design. That is the best I could afford to do, aside from mutilating it off of my body and having to go to the emergency room (which is something I've honestly contemplated due to how terrible I feel about it sometimes).

At one point, someone else advised me that maybe I should leave it as it is, and use it as some sort of testimony in regards to how I was once astray enough to get a tattoo like that, but then wound up being saved, but I'm not sure how I feel about that.

It has sort of become like this dark secret of mine. I'm currently seeking a church, for example, as I haven't regularly attended church since I was a child, and of course when I go to visit the churches on my list to try them out in search of the right one for me, I'll be making sure that tattoo is covered up, and I certainly won't be eager to mention it to anyone. So then what happens if when the day comes when I am finally able to be baptized, other people see it. The whole situation just gives me a terrible gut feeling.

Lately I've been trying to reach out and feel for what God wants me to do about it, but I haven't felt confident that I've received a response yet, or some sort of sign.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions on this sort of situation?

Hi OP, just leave your tattoo as is for now. When you're more financially able then you can look at getting it changed or removed. Any church member worth their salt will not bat an eyelid. They may ask you about it and what it means. But on your baptism people will just be glad you're getting baptised, not worrying about your tattoo.

 

[faroukfarouk]

In which "court of law" will these demons be determined to have a "legal right" to attack the OP?

Good question! I always thought that the Epistle to the Romans, centring on the great truth of justification by faith, was the unanswerable doctrinal argument in God's courthouse, so to speak.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Any church member worth their salt will not bat an eyelid. They may ask you about it and what it means. But on your baptism people will just be glad you're getting baptised, not worrying about your tattoo.

Yes; if they fussed about someone's tattoo instead of being glad of the public testimony, it would say more about them than about the person in question.

 

[Belledandy]

I have tattoos and a lip piercing. And I asked my vicar at the time about them, should I have them, and he said would you cover them or feel ashamed of them if jesus was sat opposite you now. I replied no, then he said, theres your answer, if you feel OK in front of jesus then it's not to worry about, my tattoos are remembrance tattoos for lost loved ones. although I do have one I got when I was 18 of my favourite band at the time which u thought nothing of it. but now think it is one I need to get covered. it's funeral for a friend. marks a time in my life but feel it's probably one I wouldn't want my christian friends to see. anynoo I'm rambling, so in conclusion I would say if your happy for jesus to some it, which he has done then it's OK, but if you feel jesus wouldn't approve I would get it covered.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I have tattoos and a lip piercing. And I asked my vicar at the time about them, should I have them, and he said would you cover them or feel ashamed of them if jesus was sat opposite you now. I replied no, then he said, theres your answer, if you feel OK in front of jesus then it's not to worry about, my tattoos are remembrance tattoos for lost loved ones. although I do have one I got when I was 18 of my favourite band at the time which u thought nothing of it. but now think it is one I need to get covered. it's funeral for a friend. marks a time in my life but feel it's probably one I wouldn't want my christian friends to see. anynoo I'm rambling, so in conclusion I would say if your happy for jesus to some it, which he has done then it's OK, but if you feel jesus wouldn't approve I would get it covered.

You're right to mention the conscience from a Godward perspective; and Hebrews 9.14 shows how the conscience can be cleansed, though faith in the blood of Christ.

18 is certainly the time when so many ppl do first ink, isn't it?

Sometimes it's done without a lot of thought; but the fact that ppl know that 18 is the time when they can do it (in many US states, anyway, and in all Canadian provinces) it's probably a good idea to be thinking well beforehand about the design, so that when the big 18 comes they won't be rushed into it.

 

[patdee]

I am curious for others' perceptions and thoughts on this matter.

I have a tattoo that I received several years ago. It is not mainstream offensive, as in it is not vulgar or anything along those lines, but it is a pagan tattoo and at the time I had it done, it represented for me a self-reliance (rather than a reliance on God) in regards to resisting evil. Obviously this was also at a time in my life when I was still thinking in terms that symbolism actually mattered and that it could help me be a good person, as opposed to the internal, unseen hard and complex work of genuinely trying to be a better a person. Suffice to say I was pretty immature compared to real wisdom, and mostly just being rebellious and impulsive.

This tattoo is in a place that is prominent unless I make a deliberate effort to keep it covered with clothing choices. I've also gone through periods of severe guilt about the tattoo, although I by now I've reached the understanding that it's more about what others think. God has always known that I have this tattoo, obviously, but what sort of message does it send to others? And also, what would I look like, professing my faith in Jesus Christ, while standing there with a tribal pagan tattoo.

I don't think I'll ever be able to afford to have it removed. Once I finish my college degree in about a year and can become employed again, I'll probably be able to afford to have it covered up, like just a hand-sized black blotch so that it's well, just a big blotch of ink rather than a specific design. That is the best I could afford to do, aside from mutilating it off of my body and having to go to the emergency room (which is something I've honestly contemplated due to how terrible I feel about it sometimes).

At one point, someone else advised me that maybe I should leave it as it is, and use it as some sort of testimony in regards to how I was once astray enough to get a tattoo like that, but then wound up being saved, but I'm not sure how I feel about that.

It has sort of become like this dark secret of mine. I'm currently seeking a church, for example, as I haven't regularly attended church since I was a child, and of course when I go to visit the churches on my list to try them out in search of the right one for me, I'll be making sure that tattoo is covered up, and I certainly won't be eager to mention it to anyone. So then what happens if when the day comes when I am finally able to be baptized, other people see it. The whole situation just gives me a terrible gut feeling.

Lately I've been trying to reach out and feel for what God wants me to do about it, but I haven't felt confident that I've received a response yet, or some sort of sign.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions on this sort of situation?

-----------------------------------------------------

ALL markings OR piercings on our bodies IS a sin in the eyes of Jesus (God Almighty-1 Timothy*). Purely and simply.

* 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was "manifest in the flesh", justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Yes, we can rationalize that it is ok; like many do when it comes to homosexuality, polygamy, adultery, fornication, hatred towards another, gossip, back biting, coveting, murder (of unborn babies), gambling, ego, arrogance, unforgiving, etc, etc, and etc.

But on judgment day when ALL truth is revealed, EVERY one who has ever lived WILL know that all of the above and many more practices WERE and ARE sinful; and some of them are "abomination" unto God; like homosexuality. IE:

Leviticus 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Romans 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

I would urge you dear person, to quit listening to worldly "rationalizations" and pray sincerely that Jesus, not only forgive you, but lead you into the knowledge of truth and righteousness; that will then cause you to KNOW the above is true. Not to mention a MUCH better life while IN the flesh. Promise!

In any case, may Jesus richly bless you and yours always,

And..............

MERRY CHRISTMAS

And..............

To hell with "happy holidays", "season's greetings", "happy kwanzaas" and "happy hanukkahs".

 

[faroukfarouk]

-----------------------------------------------------

ALL markings OR piercings on our bodies IS a sin in the eyes of Jesus (God Almighty-1 Timothy*). Purely and simply.

* 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was "manifest in the flesh", justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Yes, we can rationalize that it is ok; like many do when it comes to homosexuality, polygamy, adultery, fornication, hatred towards another, gossip, back biting, coveting, murder (of unborn babies), gambling, ego, arrogance, unforgiving, etc, etc, and etc.

But on judgment day when ALL truth is revealed, EVERY one who has ever lived WILL know that all of the above and many more practices WERE and ARE sinful; and some of them are "abomination" unto God; like homosexuality. IE:

Leviticus 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Romans 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

I would urge you dear person, to quit listening to worldly "rationalizations" and pray sincerely that Jesus, not only forgive you, but lead you into the knowledge of truth and righteousness; that will then cause you to KNOW the above is true. Not to mention a MUCH better life while IN the flesh. Promise!

In any case, may Jesus richly bless you and yours always,

And..............

MERRY CHRISTMAS

And..............

To hell with "happy holidays", "season's greetings", "happy kwanzaas" and "happy hanukkahs".

Sir, As well as introducing subjects which are off topic and nothing to do with the OP's tattoo, consider also, when you say what you say about all piercings, that the Lord Himself is recorded as giving earrings and even a nose ring to Zion, symbolically, in Ezekiel 16.12.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I have tattoos and a lip piercing. And I asked my vicar at the time about them, should I have them, and he said would you cover them or feel ashamed of them if jesus was sat opposite you now. I replied no, then he said, theres your answer, if you feel OK in front of jesus then it's not to worry about, my tattoos are remembrance tattoos for lost loved ones. although I do have one I got when I was 18 of my favourite band at the time which u thought nothing of it. but now think it is one I need to get covered. it's funeral for a friend. marks a time in my life but feel it's probably one I wouldn't want my christian friends to see. anynoo I'm rambling, so in conclusion I would say if your happy for jesus to some it, which he has done then it's OK, but if you feel jesus wouldn't approve I would get it covered.

Letting your conscious be your guide would be great if your conscious worked perfectly; however, the fall of Adam combined with our own sin has left it damaged. Sin deadens the sensitivity of conscious, which is why we must look to God's word for answers.

There are plenty of people filling church pews who are also living in sin yet feel no guilt about it.

 

[Journey.In.Grace]

At first, I was going to suggest maybe getting a tattoo artist working around to make it into something else, but I agree with what that person suggested. Make it a testimony. I am big on testimonies and sharing the old me and how different I am now compared to those years ago. You are an entirely different person, anew in Christ. Believe it or not, people could actually benefit from your testimony and maybe even turn to Christ. You never know. For the longest time I thought my own testimony wouldn't be much of a use, until God revealed to me just how it can be used and to whom. So I say, use your tattoo as a testimony as you grow more in the Lord and obtain wisdom and understanding in His Word. I really think it can really change people's hearts!