Henna Tattoos

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I read somewhere God was referring to pagan practices of cutting themselves and tattoos of pagan things.

sahjimira said:

I read somewhere God was referring to pagan practices of cutting themselves and tattoos of pagan things.

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I'm not Jewish but in Leviticus 28 the previous verse which refers to not cutting for the dead seems to refer to not trimming one's beard; do preachers shave? if they do, they are kind of backhandedly admitting that the situation of the church is not the same as Old Testament Jews in the land under the law.

faroukfarouk said:

if they do, they are kind of backhandedly admitting that the situation of the church is not the same as Old Testament Jews in the land under the law.

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I remember hearing (early 1960s) that it was a sin to have any kind of facial hair. They said it was because we are not "under the Law" which assumed men had beards.

The same kind of logic is at work in one denomination which eschews instruments being used in the worship service. They say that it was REQUIRED in the OT (as a salvic issue) but at the moment of the cross, God changed and what He once loved and required, He now hates and forbids. (also a salvic issue)

I think tattoos are symbolic of the physical and mental sickness inside those desiring to have their bodies marked up.

visionary said:

I think tattoos are symbolic of the physical and mental sickness inside those desiring to have their bodies marked up.

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Some, of course, are faith based; my wife and I talked to a young lady with the whole of John 3.16 inked on her wrist area; it was her favorite verse and mine also, and I'm sure other conversations have occurred also as a result of her willingness to become tattooed in this way, a proven conversation-starter.

faroukfarouk said:

Some, of course, are faith based; my wife and I talked to a young lady with the whole of John 3.16 inked on her wrist area; it was her favorite verse and mine also, and I'm sure other conversations have occurred also as a result of her willingness to become tattooed in this way, a proven conversation-starter.

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There is an underlining cause for people to think that tattoos are cool. It is one thing to do art on or in stone, paper, and other material but to ink up the image of God has a bad ring to it, even if it is scripture.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Tatoos are not pure. They mar the image of God.

Proverbs 20:11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

visionary said:

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Tatoos are not pure. They mar the image of God.

Proverbs 20:11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

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I guess a lot of Christians would say that John 3.16, whether inked on paper or on skin for witness purposes, is hardly impure, in that sense, anyway.

I guess if they do it, they will justify it.

If you wouldn't carve it into your church pew or your
church's altar, it shouldn't be on your body.

I guess a lot of people would defend what they do..

What do you think about praying hands? http://inkprofy.com/praying-hands-tattoo/ It's very religious so I'm afraid of having some problems if I will get it.There are lot of people who are really aggressive to all those religious things. But still I want to have it so much...For me it would be like I'm praying all the time....

MayuYou said:

What do you think about praying hands? http://inkprofy.com/praying-hands-tattoo/ It's very religious so I'm afraid of having some problems if I will get it.There are lot of people who are really aggressive to all those religious things. But still I want to have it so much...For me it would be like I'm praying all the time....

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I highly recommend you don't get such a tattoo. Not only does the Almighty forbid putting marks on your flesh, but He cares more about what is in your heart and your actions than what pictures are on your skin. Give your heart to Him in real prayer.

I just noticed the actual tattoo in your link. It has rosary beads and a cross wrapped around the hands. If Yeshua was hung by the neck with a rope, would you tattoo a hangman's noose on your body instead of a cross?

pebblesflintstone said:

I'd like to know what all you think of henna tattoos- from a personal, spiritual perspective-

For those of you who don't know henna is used to adorn the body before, during, a big celebration- It is used at weddings, and also Bat/Bar Mitzvahs... it is not a permanent tattoo but rather body decor...

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Hello,

I am a Christian and also a henna artist. I work for a company that specializes in henna, face paint, temporary glitter tattoos, fairy hair, and a midnight blue "henna" derived from the Jagua fruit.

I don't want to disrespect other views or denominations on this controversial subject, but I am going to share my honest opinion. The HUNDREDS of laws given in the OT were given to set the Israelites apart from the pagans, but when Jesus came to earth, He demolished the Jewish laws. Now, God knows who His people are based on the blood of Jesus.

So now the question is, are all the laws from the OT irrelevant? I don't believe so. I believe the Ten Commandments are there for good. But, there were some laws set for the safety of God's people that were relevant just for their time, and when Jesus came down to earth, He set us free from those laws by being the ultimate sacrifice.

1. The laws were given right when they came out of slavery. Imagine if you only knew how to wake up, eat, make bricks, eat, go to sleep, repeat? What would you do when you were set free in the wilderness and knew just that? What is there was no one to help you? Could you survive? The answer is more than likely NO.

Here's an example: Manna. In Exodus 16, God provided food for His people wandering aimlessly in the wilderness. They didn't have any way to get it themselves, so they relied on God to provide. We still rely on Him providing for us, but He already has. John 6:31-35 says: Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" Jesus said to them, "Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." "Sir," they said, "always give us this bread." Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

God sent Jesus as our "manna"


2. Why couldn't Israelites eat pork?

God's chosen people couldn't eat pork because it was "unclean," but what does that even mean? What happens if someone eats uncooked meat? Salmonella, worms, parasites, etc. how would anyone with no knowledge of science or food know about disease? Only the Creator of all earth would.

Back in BC, they didn't have stoves. If you eat raw meat, you can get so sick that you could die. God was keeping His people healthy.

3. Keeping the Sabbath Holy.

I agree that the Sabbath should be a day of worship and rest. BUT, look at how Jesus did "work" on the Sabbath. Many Jews have taken this so seriously that they ignore the opportunity to show God's love to people.

Jesus pulled someone's animal out of a ditch. If it's the Sabbath and we see someone on the side of the road needing help, should we stop? Ummm YES. Never ever ever pass up a chance to show God's love to others!

4. Animal sacrifices.

The reason Jews can't sacrifice animals anymore is because God said to only sacrifice in the temple... the temple that is currently not here. But looking at this from a Christian or Messianic view point, Jesus was the Ultimate Sacrifice. He shed His blood so we don't have to shed ours or an innocent animals blood. Hebrews 10 says: The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.
Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, my God.’ ” First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.
For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
“This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”
Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

Our bodies are the "temple." Once we accept Jesus, He dwells in us and always forgives us no matter how far we stray.


So the Bible may not say anything directly about allowing us to adorn our bodies now, but can we? To be honest... I don't know for sure! But if God keeping His people pure was his way of telling them apart, then we should be allowed to adorn our bodies because of Jesus. We are now SET APART BY THE BLOOD OF THE PERFECT LAMB.


5. Henna is mentioned in the Songs of Solomon.

Henna is a type of art, so is music... If henna art is bad... is painting bad? Is singing bad? Obviously not, because we see sooo much art throughout the Bible: Psalms, Creation (yes, Creation is God's art!), God dwells in the perfection of beauty (Psalm 50:2), Isaiah 64:8, Exodus 35:35, Exodus 35:25, ROMANS 12:6.

We are made in God's image. He is perfect. He is holy. He is righteous. He is...... (drumroll) CREATIVE!!

Now you decide how you feel about Mehndi

Below is a design I did on my boyfriend of a cross and symbols that mean "God is Greater Than the Highs and Lows."

visionary said:

I think tattoos are symbolic of the physical and mental sickness inside those desiring to have their bodies marked up.

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the topic is Henna tattoos which are very temporary.

Is it really any different than face painting?

pat34lee said:

If you wouldn't carve it into your church pew or your
church's altar, it shouldn't be on your body.

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I have seen many NT verses carved into various church altars.

Sarah Thompson said:

The HUNDREDS of laws given in the OT were given to set the Israelites apart from the pagans, but when Jesus came to earth, He demolished the Jewish laws.

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He did no such thing. He kept every single one that applied to him. And they aren't "Jewish laws". They are YHWH's laws.

2. Why couldn't Israelites eat pork?

God's chosen people couldn't eat pork because it was "unclean," but what does that even mean? What happens if someone eats uncooked meat? Salmonella, worms, parasites, etc. how would anyone with no knowledge of science or food know about disease? Only the Creator of all earth would.

Back in BC, they didn't have stoves. If you eat raw meat, you can get so sick that you could die. God was keeping His people healthy.

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You are assuming pork was forbidden for health concerns. That may be a secondary reason, but the primary reason was holiness (Leviticus 11:45-46).

3. Keeping the Sabbath Holy.

I agree that the Sabbath should be a day of worship and rest. BUT, look at how Jesus did "work" on the Sabbath. Many Jews have taken this so seriously that they ignore the opportunity to show God's love to people.

Jesus pulled someone's animal out of a ditch. If it's the Sabbath and we see someone on the side of the road needing help, should we stop? Ummm YES. Never ever ever pass up a chance to show God's love to others!

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Yeshua (Jesus) did the spiritual work of healing on the Sabbath. He did not do secular work like carpentry on Sabbath. All Sabbath keepers today can do all the spiritual work they want on Sabbath since YHWH did not forbid such work. Yes, we should show love to others on Sabaath as well as the other six work days. However, it is not showing love to your neighbor to go help him weed his garden or mow his lawn on Sabbath. That is actually showing a lack of love for him and YHWH.

Our bodies are the "temple." Once we accept Jesus, He dwells in us and always forgives us no matter how far we stray.

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We are not to purposely break the commandments because we know we will be forgiven. Since our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we are not to defile them by eating swine's flesh or writing graffiti all over them. Would you write graffiti on Solomon's Temple if it were still standing?

So the Bible may not say anything directly about allowing us to adorn our bodies now, but can we? To be honest... I don't know for sure! But if God keeping His people pure was his way of telling them apart, then we should be allowed to adorn our bodies because of Jesus. We are now SET APART BY THE BLOOD OF THE PERFECT LAMB.

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Is tattooing "adorning" or "defacing"?

5. Henna is mentioned in the Songs of Solomon.

Henna is a type of art, so is music... If henna art is bad... is painting bad? Is singing bad? Obviously not, because we see sooo much art throughout the Bible: Psalms, Creation (yes, Creation is God's art!), God dwells in the perfection of beauty (Psalm 50:2), Isaiah 64:8, Exodus 35:35, Exodus 35:25, ROMANS 12:6.

We are made in God's image. He is perfect. He is holy. He is righteous. He is...... (drumroll) CREATIVE!!

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Art can be beautiful and creative as long as it does not defile or deface the temple of the Holy Spirit. It changes the image God created us with.

Dave-W said:

the topic is Henna tattoos which are very temporary.

Is it really any different than face painting?

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Henna stays on for 1-2 weeks and face painting come off with soap and water