Suffering from mistakes from the past (regretting tattoos)

[TheBarrd]

Besides, how many people do you suppose are getting them "for the dead"?
Maybe you weren't aware, but there was an ancient custom that did call for such markings when someone passed...

 

[razzelflabben]

We should all heed this warning....I Cor. 8:12-14

 

[TheBarrd]

Are you sure you mean

I Cor. 8:12-14

?

Perhaps you actually meant I Cor. 8:11-13, as there is no verse 14...

 

[TheBarrd]

It's a valid point, however, it's a bit too late for me to decide not to exercise my liberty for fear of someone else's weakness...it's a done deal.
As I say, there are times I regret having done it...
But again, what is important with God is what is in our hearts...not what is on our bodies...

 

[razzelflabben]

Are you sure you mean
?

Perhaps you actually meant I Cor. 8:11-13, as there is no verse 14...

I stand corrected...thanks for pointing that out and I apologize for the mistake

 

[faroukfarouk]

It's a valid point, however, it's a bit too late for me to decide not to exercise my liberty for fear of someone else's weakness...it's a done deal.
As I say, there are times I regret having done it...
But again, what is important with God is what is in our hearts...not what is on our bodies...

For a young lady that my wife and I talked to, the 'done deal' involved the inking of John 3.16 in full on her wrist area; it was her favorite verse, and mine; and presumably there have been other conversations also that have resulted because of her decision - itself a done deal now - to do it.

 

[TheBarrd]

For a young lady that my wife and I talked to, the 'done deal' involved the inking of John 3.16 in full on her wrist area; it was her favorite verse, and mine; and presumably there have been other conversations also that have resulted because of her decision - itself a done deal now - to do it.

So, her ink is inspiring people to talk about God.
That is great.

 

[faroukfarouk]

So, her ink is inspiring people to talk about God.
That is great.

Ms. Barrd: So I can certainly understand the argument if she feels it most worthwhile and a most wholesome experience to have become a tattooed woman in those circumstances. Maybe you would understand it, too.

Blessings.

 

[TheBarrd]

Ms. Barrd: So I can certainly understand the argument if she feels it most worthwhile and a most wholesome experience to have become a tattooed woman in those circumstances. Maybe you would understand it, too.

Blessings.

I certainly do.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I certainly do.

Not everyone will empathize but I think you personally would.

A woman once told me she was considering not only a Celtic armband tattoo but also interlacing Bible ref.s within the pattern. I can certainly figure how, from both an aesthetic point of view but also with a sense of proclamation joy, she might be strongly drawn to invite such an ink injection, right?

It's none of my business whether she eventually did it or not, but I can at least understand the wish.

Blessings.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Oh, and yes...check out the parlor and the design well in advance.

PS: Ms. Barrd:

Many ppl don't have to go as far as you have to, to get to a parlor; and so yes, this is very good advice!

Parlors and artists earn themselves a good reputation from those who have been inked. By word of mouth from the tattooed, is probably among the best sorts of recommendations, right?

Bessings.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Many of the youth these days seem to embrace tattooing for many personal reasons. Blessings,

RitaKay: I think you yourself empathize with your daughter's reason for doing it, right? for her maternal reasons, even if you wouldn't do it yourself. Blessings.

 

[RitaKay]

RitaKay: I think you yourself empathize with your daughter's reason for doing it, right? for her maternal reasons, even if you wouldn't do it yourself. Blessings.

This thread was originally about suffering from mistakes of the past i.e. tattoo's.

Not to get off topic, firstly,

I do empathize with my daughter's reason for tattooing due to maternal reasons. In her case, she has not suffered from tattooing ~ yet.

However, it would be best for me to further speak about my views of tattooing, in another thread or personal message.

Blessings,

 

[MadamImAdaminChrist]

I know your point about Grace. Acknowledged. I think that's quite basic understanding. It wasn't a point I was confusing my topic with though, about God's mind concerning tattoos. Grace doesn't alter anything about God's mind concerning tattoos. Since it is about His Mind concerning them that is the only issue here. Any thing else thrown in, like the topic of grace or that we are in the Kingdom Age aren't the issue. But yes, the one thing you did say IS the issue, and that is a person's "motives". Nothing of any of this subject is about legal conformity, as you say. So bring up ANY of those side issues are in fact pre-packaged arguments against a topic those points have nothing to do with, which is; "The Mind of God on Tattoos".

(Lev 19:28) Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.

This is the Lord's MIND concerning tattoos. That is all I can say because this is what my Father says. Makes it really simple

(Rom 3:4) ... yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

Grace does not alter God's mind concerning tattoos? Are you sure about that? Are you really sure?

Well, under the law, apart from Christ--God hates you. But that is not the point, is it? We are not under law. GRACE CHANGES EVERYTHING. It is not merely that we are forgiven, but the standards have changed.

If we are no longer under law, but grace . . . then what is your point about tattoos again? I cannot hear you answer of the deafening shift that happened after Calvary.
I am sure God detested the practice of getting tattoos for JEWS when he gave them a such a law. But that does not mean he hates tattoos anymore than he detests pork or women during their period.

But he did not give me a law, did he? He gave me Christ. I can eat meat that has been given as sacrifice to idols, according to Paul, because I am free in Christ. I am a new creation. Those old laws are not for me, I am not a Jew . . . so why muddy the waters by bringing it back into the discussion.

I am enjoying eating my shellfish, sporting a bowl haircut, and wearing polyester pants while I write this, all to God's astonishing non-destestment.

 

[faroukfarouk]

We should all heed this warning....I Cor. 8:12-14

razzelflabben:

This is a searching passage indeed. It includes about meat offered to idols. Out of interest, how would you see meat offered to idols as relating to a tattoo (which may be faith based)?

Blessings.

 

[razzelflabben]

razzelflabben:

This is a searching passage indeed. It includes about meat offered to idols. Out of interest, how would you see meat offered to idols as relating to a tattoo (which may be faith based)?

Blessings.

like I said, off topic...in fact the point of the passage was to show that whether we are the mature or the "weaker" brother, we need to take this debate to a thread where the topic is whether or not tatts are right or wrong instead of turning a young mans struggle with his past into an opportunity to move our own agenda forward. Find a thread where the discussion is whether or not tatts are okay with God and I will be there with bells on.

 

[faroukfarouk]

...There are many of my relatives who have done this. I have not. Recently my daughter just had a tattoo done, I think it was in her case to be done to memorialize the death of her stillborn daughter.

RitaKay, so in terms of the OP and discussion of possible mistakes, do you see any sign of your daughter starting to think that her tattoo was a mistake?

I think many of your relatives have done it also; are they still satisfied or regretful, do you know?

Blessings.

 

[sparkle123]

This response is more to the OP then anyone else. I can relate to the post. I also have tattoos I am not proud of. One is a small piece of latin on my wrist from someone who did not like Christianity so much (luckily the quote is not offensive) and then I have a few very shoddily done stars on my right shoulder. The worst, by far, is a huge black and grey piece on my right forearm. It is truly awful. I am a petite woman and I guess I've always prided myself on my appearance (yes, I know it's not right, but that is another sin of mine, and surely, as another poster mentioned, this tattoo has a lesson for me about pride and vanity, among other sins). Unfortunately, I went through some very rough times in my life-- drugs, alcohol, mental illness. I got this terrible tattoo, and ended up in a hospital the next day. Talk about bad memories.

I spent 2 years and a lot of money getting it "removed" and it is not gone. It has faded significantly, but there has been some major scarring. (I prefer the scarring) I went through a period of time where I wore long sleeves in the summer, I was so ashamed. As I sobered up and got into recovery for my mental illness, the tattoo looked less and less "in place" in my mind. I've stopped the treatments (for now, maybe forever) because I stopped feeling so ashamed. I guess it happened slowly, which isn't to say that I like it or don't feel embarrassed of it. I cringe every time someone points it out and asks about it (word to those who want to be more caring: don't ask people you don't know about their tattoos, they might really not want to talk about it). I have struggled with feeling this constant reminder, and feeling "unforgivable" because of it, but I know that's a lie. I think a lot of people are giving good advice here. My scars and tattoos remind me of where I have been, where I could be, and what I was saved from. I am grateful with everyday that passes, and that I have began this relationship with God, that He would take back someone as foolish as me. I guess the tattoo really is a testament to the power of God, to make me new, to make everything new. It's summer now and I have to show the tattoo, but I've found a lot of people don't care. Try not to get too bummed about it, time and your faith will help you. Praying for you!

 

[faroukfarouk]

This response is more to the OP then anyone else. I can relate to the post. I also have tattoos I am not proud of. One is a small piece of latin on my wrist from someone who did not like Christianity so much (luckily the quote is not offensive) and then I have a few very shoddily done stars on my right shoulder. The worst, by far, is a huge black and grey piece on my right forearm. It is truly awful. I am a petite woman and I guess I've always prided myself on my appearance (yes, I know it's not right, but that is another sin of mine, and surely, as another poster mentioned, this tattoo has a lesson for me about pride and vanity, among other sins). Unfortunately, I went through some very rough times in my life-- drugs, alcohol, mental illness. I got this terrible tattoo, and ended up in a hospital the next day. Talk about bad memories.

I spent 2 years and a lot of money getting it "removed" and it is not gone. It has faded significantly, but there has been some major scarring. (I prefer the scarring) I went through a period of time where I wore long sleeves in the summer, I was so ashamed. As I sobered up and got into recovery for my mental illness, the tattoo looked less and less "in place" in my mind. I've stopped the treatments (for now, maybe forever) because I stopped feeling so ashamed. I guess it happened slowly, which isn't to say that I like it or don't feel embarrassed of it. I cringe every time someone points it out and asks about it (word to those who want to be more caring: don't ask people you don't know about their tattoos, they might really not want to talk about it). I have struggled with feeling this constant reminder, and feeling "unforgivable" because of it, but I know that's a lie. I think a lot of people are giving good advice here. My scars and tattoos remind me of where I have been, where I could be, and what I was saved from. I am grateful with everyday that passes, and that I have began this relationship with God, that He would take back someone as foolish as me. I guess the tattoo really is a testament to the power of God, to make me new, to make everything new. It's summer now and I have to show the tattoo, but I've found a lot of people don't care. Try not to get too bummed about it, time and your faith will help you. Praying for you!

sparkle123:

A thoughtful post! Like the OP you have some regrets, but it seems like you have found the grace to transcend negative aspects of the existing ink that you have and to move on. You do make a point about how conspicuous some placements are; did the thought or possibility ever occur to you that since you are already a tattooed woman, the conspicuousness of a faith based design could be put to work for constructive witness purposes, so to speak?

What I guess I mean is (although maybe the OP does not seem open to anything like this), a tattooed Christian woman with the name of an ex-bf tattooed (e.g., 'Bill') might in some circumstances opt to have the design changed from 'Bill' to 'Bible', for example. (If this makes any sense?)

Blessings.

 

[sparkle123]

Thank you faroukfarouk. I haven't though of that, mostly because I'm not very thrilled about getting more tattoos. I wish I'd never done it at all, but if I were going to get a coverup I definitely think there would be a faith element to it.