Sinful Tattoo

[faroukfarouk]

Tattoos are no way to spread the gospel. Preaching is God's prescribed way of spreading the gospel, which, is a proclamation.

Learn for the OP, and save yourself the regret.

The OP regrets her particular tattoo. You seem to be expanding this to include all tattoos everywhere.

I agree about the sheer importance of preaching; but you seem in denial that God can bless Bible texts and references inked on skin as well as paper.

 

[Far Side Of the Moon]

Your body is a temple which is why you shouldn't kill yourself to get rid of some ink. Maybe you can use makeup to cover your tatoo, like concealer or foundation.

 

[Winken]

I find the practice both sinful and foolish, as foolish as using temple prostitutes to attract more men to church.

That'll be a good way to cause the OP more anguish.

 

[Winken]

[deleted]

 

[Winken]

I can't believe how her request for advice has been turned into a debate, some siding with condemnation. Give her a break.....

 

[archer75]

The symbol is from a pre-Christian culture. Can't fault those people for not being Christian and for doing the best they could.

Sounds like that's what the OP was doing. The best she could.

So again I suggest the option "keep it". Forget it or use it as a reminder than you can be lost and God can help you even in your flailing around.

 

[Winken]

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?

Talk to the Pastor of each Christian assembly (church) you visit. Ask him about a meeting with Elders or Deacons. If they toss you out, or don't know anyone who could remove or redesign it for free, ask again at the next assembly you visit. Don't be shy. I thank God that you are giving up all that "stuff" that has been part of your life.....that you are actively seeking a personal relationship with our Savior, and an assembly that will welcome you, even assist you, with open arms, and possibly a "go fund me" within the membership. Be sure to read Romans 10:8-13, then Romans 8:1. God bless you abundantly as you draw nearer and nearer to Him, through the price our Savior paid, and through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Talk to the Pastor of each Christian assembly (church) you visit. Ask him about a meeting with Elders or Deacons. If they toss you out, or don't know anyone who could remove or redesign it for free, ask again at the next assembly you visit. Don't be shy. I thank God that you are giving up all that "stuff" that has been part of your life.....that you are actively seeking a personal relationship with our Savior, and an assembly that will welcome you, even assist you, with open arms, and possibly a "go fund me" within the membership. Be sure to read Romans 10:8-13, then Romans 8:1. God bless you abundantly as you draw nearer and nearer to Him, through the price our Savior paid, and through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

It baffles me how the idea of kicking someone out of a local church because of a tattoo can be seriously entertained by some ppl.

My guess is that the OP will be received very sympathetically.

 

[Winken]

It baffles me how the idea of kicking someone out of a local church because of a tattoo can be seriously entertained by some ppl.

My guess is that the OP will be received very sympathetically.

Let's pray that it is so.

 

[faroukfarouk]

That'll be a good way to cause the OP more anguish.

...not to say all the other Christians who have tattoos also:

Around here (Bible Belt), it is common, especially among evangelical Christians, for the girls under about 40 to have religious tattoos. More do than don't, especially when you get to the under 30 crowd. I hardly know any female at church that is under 30 that does not have a tattoo.

forums dot thewelltrainedmind dot com

 

[jimmyjimmy]

...not to say all the other Christians who have tattoos also:



forums dot thewelltrainedmind dot com

Is adultery a sin?

 

[Winken]

Is adultery a sin?

Yes.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Is adultery a sin?

Of course; but you are evidently using your preferences and assumptions to make my answer mean what you want it to mean.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Yes, even it you do it with a carrot.

I think the OP will soon think we are going off topic.

She has my sympathy; I hope everyone here sympathizes, instead of making sweeping assumptions.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

Of course;

How dare you! How will the people here who have committed adultery feel when they read that?!

 

[Winken]

I think the OP will soon think we are going off topic.

She has my sympathy; I hope everyone here sympathizes, instead of making sweeping assumptions.

Agreed.

 

[faroukfarouk]

How dare you! How will the people here who have committed adultery feel when they read that?!

I think you're twisting what other people mean to mold it into what you want it to mean.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Agreed.

Well, exactly; and she is far from being alone in her situation.

 

[JellyQuest]

What do you mean?

The OP referred to a pagan design that she now regrets. This is what I was referring to in my post, when I mentioned the Hebrews quote. I think you are probably interpreting all other Christians' references to tattoos as referring to all tattoos everywhere, because this happens to be your view.

The fact is that - in North America at least -many Christians do have tattoos in designs they don't regret, many of them faith based designs; FYI:



forums dot thewelltrainedmind dot com

Yeah. Blah blah. Its still utterly double minded blurb.

 

[JellyQuest]

Is this another way of saying that the Holy Spirit will only use Bible verses or references or symbols which are drawn or inked on canvases that you or I might like or approve of?

Lots of Christians do find faith based tattoos effective in witness conversations; whatever one might think or aspire to, this is a fact.

Lots? That's rubbish.