Suffering from mistakes from the past (regretting tattoos)

[faroukfarouk]

Not to be rude, but I do not wish to discuss that here since it is off topic. The topic is the OPer who got tatts before coming to Christ that he now regrets. My comment was just an added dimension of things to think about when one is getting a tatt and truthfully, the OPers situation should also serve as a warning to consider everything before getting one, even the most far fetched ideas can help to make an enlightened decision down the road be less traumatic in the end.

I guess it's hard to draw the line exactly sometimes. It seems that the OP thinks that his tattoo is not Godly and was not done in the fear of the Lord; I can appreciate this. He also seems to feel that no tattoo can be done in the fear of the Lord, even if it's faith based, maybe: I guess I would kind of question whether other ppl's motives can be dismissed, even when it's something so personal as a faith based tattoo. It's a big subject, anyway. Blessings.

 

[razzelflabben]

I guess it's hard to draw the line exactly sometimes. It seems that the OP thinks that his tattoo is not Godly and was not done in the fear of the Lord; I can appreciate this. He also seems to feel that no tattoo can be done in the fear of the Lord, even if it's faith based, maybe: I guess I would kind of question whether other ppl's motives can be dismissed, even when it's something so personal as a faith based tattoo. It's a big subject, anyway. Blessings.

my guess and he would have to say for sure, is that the way he reads scripture tatts are forbidden in scripture. Now there is precedent for that, though I am not sure where I come down on that issue since it seems to be to be a disputable matter.

That being said, let me offer something else to think about. The OP (I think it was) mentioned our bodies being the temple of the living God. This is not a disputable matter but consider what that means in light of Matthew 21:13 and others. God's temple, His dwelling place is to be a place of prayer. The first question that brings up is how much do we pray but the second is how does this tatt or piercing or clothes or jewlery or food or drug or whatever, encourage the life of prayer that my body is to be for the Lord. See, lots of people use the temple passage to preach taking care of our bodies, the scriptural response is that our bodies are to be a constant state of prayer and I think that is the real battle the OPer is having. The tatts from his past are making it hard for him to see who he is today in Christ.

 

[faroukfarouk]

my guess and he would have to say for sure, is that the way he reads scripture tatts are forbidden in scripture. Now there is precedent for that, though I am not sure where I come down on that issue since it seems to be to be a disputable matter.

That being said, let me offer something else to think about. The OP (I think it was) mentioned our bodies being the temple of the living God. This is not a disputable matter but consider what that means in light of Matthew 21:13 and others. God's temple, His dwelling place is to be a place of prayer. The first question that brings up is how much do we pray but the second is how does this tatt or piercing or clothes or jewlery or food or drug or whatever, encourage the life of prayer that my body is to be for the Lord. See, lots of people use the temple passage to preach taking care of our bodies, the scriptural response is that our bodies are to be a constant state of prayer and I think that is the real battle the OPer is having. The tatts from his past are making it hard for him to see who he is today in Christ.

razzelflabben: Yes, I can see how for the OP his particular ones can make it more difficult; I guess it all boils down to motive. Yes, prayer is so vital.

 

[Catherineanne]

Hello everyone!

I have put my faith quite recently in Jesus Christ as my saviour (1/2-years ago approximately). And I have really felt how He has taken care of my life and I have felt His love for me in many amazing ways.

The thing is, I have some tattoos from the past which are hurting me mentally. Because I know tattoos are sin (yes they are), and I deeply regret them. I have a dragon on my upper body (made it because it looked cool, quite ugly to be honest) and did not knew back then that the Evil one is described as a dragon in Revelation. Which makes me regret it a lot! I also was stupid enough to tattoo my forearm and well, the result was quite messy to be honest. In my eyes the tattoos are ugly and I can´t stand looking at them, therefore I always (almost) wear long-sleeve shirts to cover them. And that´s the sad part of the story. I´ve always liked my looks and been proud of me, but now that I have found myself for real in Jesus Christ I regret having tattoos (ugly as well) on my body as we as Christian are not supposed to treat our Holy Temple in that way. I also believe we should take care of our bodies in order to glorify God, which is a bit difficult with messy ink on it!

I don´t know how to cope with having to see the tattoos everyday and being reminded of my sins. I know I am forgiven by Jesus for making them, but on the other hand I find it hard to forgive myself and letting go of them as they are always there. I am very thankful I have found Jesus and been saved, but I just wonder how He can help me cope with this issue? I believe Jesus is a healer as well and has promised we are to be healed if we pray for it, and to be honest, I pray every single evening that He would get rid of my tattoos so I can wake up in the morning without them. Because the tattoos somehow hinders me to feel happy about myself, and that scares me.

I am thankful for being able to share this here, it´s an issue which is hurting me a lot. One positive thing is that it has drawn me nearer to Christ in many ways as I seek to find Him and His will for me. Perhaps He has some great plans for sharing my testimony with the tattoo story included somehow. However, would be grateful if someone prayed for me and this issue, it sometimes feels like my prayers are not enough..

God bless you all!

http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-20-1_20-3/

I don't know if this will help or not. I am assuming that the dragon can't be erased somehow, so why not tattoo a chain around its neck? It will then be a Christian symbol of evil overcome by good and you can once more be happy to show it. I don't know about your arms; perhaps some at least of them can be erased?

I am really sorry this troubles you so much; perhaps you could consider it like the stigmata. The Lord is risen and in eternity, but the marks of his humanity remain.

http://biblehub.com/isaiah/49-16.htm

 

[faroukfarouk]

http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-20-1_20-3/

I don't know if this will help or not. I am assuming that the dragon can't be erased somehow, so why not tattoo a chain around its neck? It will then be a Christian symbol of evil overcome by good and you can once more be happy to show it. I don't know about your arms; perhaps some at least of them can be erased?

I am really sorry this troubles you so much; perhaps you could consider it like the stigmata. The Lord is risen and in eternity, but the marks of his humanity remain.

http://biblehub.com/isaiah/49-16.htm

Catherineanne: Yes, like you say, existing tattoos can be modified to reflect better one's developing convictions and aspirations. (For example a woman with the name 'Bill' - maybe an ex-bf - tattooed could with the help of a good tattoo artist change it to 'Bible', etc.)

 

[faroukfarouk]

I've often thought of going to the parlor ...

Ms Barrd:So is there a good parlor near you?
Blessings.

 

[TheBarrd]

Ms Barrd:So is there a good parlor near you?
Blessings.

Not in the small town in Southern Alabama where I live.
I'd probably have to go to Pensacola or Mobile...

 

[faroukfarouk]

Not in the small town in Southern Alabama where I live.
I'd probably have to go to Pensacola or Mobile...

So is one of those cities where you went before to get inked? Often it's by word of mouth and reputation that parlors and artists get known.
Blessings.

 

[TheBarrd]

So is one of those cities where you went before to get inked? Often it's by word of mouth and reputation that parlors and artists get known.
Blessings.

I think you misunderstood...I didn't get inked in a parlor...my lover did it himself.
We were all about the music in those long ago days...

 

[faroukfarouk]

I think you misunderstood...I didn't get inked in a parlor...my lover did it himself.
We were all about the music in those long ago days...

Oh sorry; but anyway I guess if you want more ink you mean you'll get it done in a parlor.

I suppose you advise your kids/grandkids also to go get it done in a parlor, also, if they intend to have it done.

Blessings to you and yours.

 

[faroukfarouk]

...just never seemed to get around to it.

Ms Barrd:

Well, it takes planning, right?
I'm sure this would be your advice to any young person also wanting to get inked: plan it well, right?

Blessings to you and yours.

 

[TheBarrd]

Ms Barrd:

Well, it takes planning, right?
I'm sure this would be your advice to any young person also wanting to get inked: plan it well, right?

Blessings to you and yours.

Absolutely.
Although I didn't plan mine...It was a "spur of the moment" type of thing...

 

[faroukfarouk]

Absolutely.
Although I didn't plan mine...It was a "spur of the moment" type of thing...

...which you basically don't regret , right?

If your kids/grandkids haven't yet started their inking journey, however, I'm sure grandma says check out the parlor and the design well in advance...

Blessings.

 

[Winepress777]

Let those tattoos serve as a reminder of your new life in him. You having tattoos that you got in the past doesn't make God love you any less. God saves people who have done worse than simply getting a dragon tattoo. The apostle Paul had Christians put to death, and you don't see him with a guilty conscious, because in Christ we are justified!

Also a side note, there is nothing sinful about tattoos, it is the type of tattoo you are getting and the reason for it that can be sinful. Plenty of God's children have tattoos of verses or crosses showing their love for him. I planned on getting our Lord's Hebrew name tattooed on my arm, but decided I would save myself the pain

God bless

The first half of the above answer was perfect.

The second paragraph, well;

Leviticus 19:28

You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Philippians 3:2

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

 

[ClothedInGrace]

The first half of the above answer was perfect.

The second paragraph, well;

Leviticus 19:28

You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Philippians 3:2

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

Leviticus says not to make cuts or tattoo yourselves for the dead. Getting a tattoo is not mutilating the flesh.

If you think tattoos are sinful that's between you and God.

 

[faroukfarouk]

The first half of the above answer was perfect.

The second paragraph, well;

Leviticus 19:28

You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Philippians 3:2

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

Can I just ask you about Leviticus 19.27, which talks about not trimming the corners of one's beard. Do preachers shave? if they do, then maybe they are admitting that Old Testament Jews in the land under the law were in a different situation from New Testament believers under grace exercising Christian liberty: a lot of Christians think faith based tattoo designs (cross, Christian fish sign <><, Bible ref. on wrist, etc.) are effective conversation starters.

 

[Winepress777]

Can I just ask you about Leviticus 19.27, which talks about not trimming the corners of one's beard. Do preachers shave? if they do, then maybe they are admitting that Old Testament Jews in the land under the law were in a different situation from New Testament believers under grace exercising Christian liberty: a lot of Christians think faith based tattoo designs (cross, Christian fish sign <><, Bible ref. on wrist, etc.) are effective conversation starters.

a
The scriptures show the mind of God concerning tattoos. Regardless of personal opinions or man's "different situations" lol. None of that is worth a second thought.
Beard issues might deserve consideration, but on another thread I think. Regardless, the last thing one should do is rearrange scriptures to suit their own rationale, don't you think?

 

[faroukfarouk]

a
The scriptures show the mind of God concerning tattoos. Regardless of personal opinions or man's "different situations" lol. None of that is worth a second thought.
Beard issues might deserve consideration, but on another thread I think. Regardless, the last thing one should do is rearrange scriptures to suit their own rationale, don't you think?

My point was, hermeneutically: if we are to jump all over a preacher's daughter because she gets a cross on her wrist when she goes to college, we better also make sure we have bushy beards. Dispensationally also, jumping all over a young person who, wisely or not, gets a cross on the wrist would also seem to ignore the difference between Israel and the church, between being under the law in the Old Testament and being under grace in the New Testament, between the Reformed consituency's priority to impose the law on the covenant community and on the other hand the rule of the church, dispensationally understood, being the gospel rather than the law.

 

[razzelflabben]

The first half of the above answer was perfect.

The second paragraph, well;

Leviticus 19:28

You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Philippians 3:2

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

Not to start a debate but the counter to this is 1. I Cor. 6 does not say anything about piercings or tatts, 2. the OT law does not apply today and 3. even the OT talks about piercing your ear as a bond servant promise.

My point is, it isn't as cut and dry as you might think. I'm not saying it isn't there, nor am I saying we shouldn't take heed, I'm saying there is another, reasonable way to look at it and in addition to all that, the poster already got tatts and regrets it, thus to him it is clearly an issue of honoring his Lord, but the deed was done in his time before Christ, thus the issue remains off topic to discuss here. Oh, and we can also make the argument that it is not mutilating the flesh but enhancing it. Like I said, I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with either side as it is off topic, I am however pointing out that it is worthy of discussion on a proper time and place and will yield some very interesting back and forth if everyone is in the HS and not in an emotional state.

 

[Winepress777]

My point was, hermeneutically: if we are to jump all over a preacher's daughter because she gets a cross on her wrist when she goes to college, we better also make sure we have bushy beards. Dispensationally also, jumping all over a young person who, wisely or not, gets a cross on the wrist would also seem to ignore the difference between Israel and the church, between being under the law in the Old Testament and being under grace in the New Testament, between the Reformed consituency's priority to impose the law on the covenant community and on the other hand the rule of the church, dispensationally understood, being the gospel rather than the law.

Because I know the Word of the Lord concerning tattoos would never be license to jump all over someone else because she did get one. That isn't the point in any of this. I do what I know is the word of the Lord in the midst of a million others who don't. And I gave you both the mind of God in the O.T. concerning this, as well as N.T. scriptures that are consistent. Please know that attempting to talk about beards with this is a losing argument, if that is what you are attempting to do with God here, to argue with Him about it... are you? It isn't my word that says it lol. It is the Word of God. You can't tell me when or where to apply it. Who are you to say? And none of that has anything to do with "imposing rule". And again, the Church IS Israel Redeemed, unless you are one of those following off after dispensationalism, you would know that the N.T. is the fulfillment of the O.T. You don't possibly think that God is different in the N.T. towards His People in the N.T., regardless what you call them, do you? Picking and choosing and rearranging the Word of God is very unappealing to the Spirit.