Need Advice

Here's what it says:

You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:28

As I have stated several times on this topic, other than the Levitical Law reference provided by lambslove, there are no direct references to tattooing.  However, being saved under God's Grace frees us from that Old Covenant.  We no longer face damnation for "wearing clothes of two different materials" or "cutting the edges of our beards" (see the same passage in Leviticus). 

I have 9 tattoos.  Some of them are expressions of my faith,  some of them are expressions of my love and commitment to my family.  But they all mean something to me.  I don't think that they make me a bad person, a sinner or some kind of freak.  My love for God, my faith in Him, have nothing to do with whether or not I have tattoos.  God knows what is in my heart.  God knows what is in your heart.  If you want a tattoo, as long as it is not offensive, lewd, or blaspheming, then I see no problems with them.  If you believe you can serve God, be a witness, and live your life in Him with a tattoo on your arm or ankle or wherever, then go ahead.  If not, then don't. 

 (edited for punctuation's sake)

well,
we feel many things, and we see no wrong with many things, yet that does not make it right in the eyes of God. just because you feel no conviction, is no reason to think your not breaking the word of God. that is why we need the word, because the word is how the holyspirit convicts us. if theres no word in you, then the holyspirit wont be able to effectively convict you in all things.
and i do understand that we are no longer under the law, but that does not mean that god no longer hates the things he once hated.
i do understand that we are under a new covenant, jesus made a new law, and we are not subject to some of the rules that the old testament people were. but at the sametime, some of the laws and truthes in this new covenant, were also in the old covenant.
so, just becuase it was in the old testament and we are freed from the law, does not neccesarily mean that something in the old testament is no longer appliable today.
the types and shadows from the old testament were fullfilled in jesus, and were done away with. but, universal and everlasting sins like murder, adultery, prostitution, witchcraft, sorcerey, refusal to pay tithes, those things of the old testament are also in the new and just as much a sin today as they ever were.

like, the very next verse, 29, saying not to prostitute your daughter. i dont think anyone would say that is now ok, even though the we are free from the law.

i wont say whether its a sin or not, becuase both sides have reasonal arguements and i really dont know.
things like this, that the bible and god arent very clear to you on, i think you have to do what paul advised and reckon whatever you dont have faith to do as a sin. and work out your salvation with fear and trembling, you better be careful and dont do anything you dont feel ok about.
you better be searching the word and praying, becuase it could be there and you simply not know it, and then you will be wrong, though you may not feel it. our feelings must come from the word.

if having a tatoo put a stumbling block in front of you and others, then you'd be better off without it. I remember a fellow memeber who was having the same problem. We all gave similar advice, but the conclusion was, if the tatoo helped to glorify God, then leave it on. In his case, the tatoo helped as a witnessing tool, serving as a sign of his conversion from his past life. Whether he left it on or not i don't know, but there you go.

I have no convictions one way or the other. I would suggest putting it someplace where it can be covered by normal clothing. Just in case there ever comes a time in your life when you wish you hadn't done it. And since you are only 18 there could be many times in the coming years where that could happen.

Pray about it if it is really important to you and see what God says to you about it.

Just remember that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. If you feel comfortable tatooing God, I'll leave that between you and He. Also remember the stumbling block. Paul had no problem eating meat sacrificed to idols but if offended 1 single person in his company he wouldn't do it. If having a tatoo might offend 1 single person in the faith, you shouldn't do it.
Scott

I used to want a tatoo when I was 18, and decided I would get it if I still wanted it when I was 21. I didn't, and I don't have one now. And now I decided that if I want one again, I will wait until I am married and ask my wife. I don't see God condemning tatoos (the levitical law is a big argument, and this is not the place to get into it). If you do get a tatoo, make certain it is God honoring, AND wait for a while, trust me.

Originally posted by scott
Just remember that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. If you feel comfortable tatooing God, I'll leave that between you and He. Also remember the stumbling block. Paul had no problem eating meat sacrificed to idols but if offended 1 single person in his company he wouldn't do it. If having a tatoo might offend 1 single person in the faith, you shouldn't do it.
Scott

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In the interest of clarity.... yes, don't do anything that would cause a weaker sibling to stumble in the faith. But the word "offend" probably isn't completely accurate for this purpose, given it's modern context.

Keep in mind, Paul's talks about meat sacrificed to idols concerned new Christians or former Pagans thinking he was participating in something Pagan. Honestly.... I can't concieve of someone losing faith or being driven into doubt by you (or me) having a tattoo. Well, unless they can't accept that someone who "looks like that" could be a Christian, in which case they have bigger problems than your tattoo..... so: causing problems with someone's faith, good reason to avoid tattooing. Old ladies at church don't like it, not a good reason.

That said... this is a permanent decision, enter into it with much prayer and trepidation.

-Elias

Glad you asked what God would think about it. Now ask yourself, is it something to serve you or serve God. And remember, God always checks the heart.

I don't think I need to add to this at all, poeple have already stated both sides of the argument quite adequately.

I think the important thing is that if you do get a tattoo you are happy that God would not be hurt by it.

Your sister in Christ

Jay

Originally posted by DaveKerwin
I used to want a tatoo when I was 18, and decided I would get it if I still wanted it when I was 21. I didn't, and I don't have one now. And now I decided that if I want one again, I will wait until I am married and ask my wife. I don't see God condemning tatoos (the levitical law is a big argument, and this is not the place to get into it). If you do get a tatoo, make certain it is God honoring, AND wait for a while, trust me.

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These verses might be of help 1 Cor6:15-20