Tattoo

[Daave220]

Hi,

I turn 18 in September and I want to get a tattoo of a cross over my heart. I also know it's there forever so Im going to think about it for the next few months and prob. wont get it in September. But there's one thing, the bible says not to in Leviticus 19:28:
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.

But i got something out of Revelation 19:16
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

So i dont know if the name on his thigh is 1st on his leg or on his vesture

So I would just like some thoughts about what people believe the bible says about it and/or what you believe on your own.

 

[7thDiscipleofChrist]

From my understanding of the bible, we are to not pierce, tattoo or defile ourselves in any way. I have tattoos, from before I was saved. However now that I am a Christian I would not get any more tattoos, and am contemplating having my current tattoos removed.

Edit: Perhaps you can do what I have done? Buy a cross on a chain and wear that next to your heart.

I Pray to God for Him to guide you in your life, for Him to make His will known in your life

 

[NHB_MMA]

But there's one thing, the bible says not to in Leviticus 19:28:
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.

Well, I think it's safe to say that the entire Leviticus law does not apply today. As for tattoos, back in the days of Leviticus, tattoos were done using hot sticks and basically a burning method of tattooing. It was damaging to the skin, unlike today's methods of tattooing. Tattoos back in those days also symbolized pagan beliefs. Today, there is no religious connotation. If a person feels a strong conviction against tattoos, then I'd advise not getting one, but I do not want to see the entire body of believers condemn them based on the Leviticus reference.

 

[Daave220]

Well, I have not read Leviticus but I am going to take it like it's just a bunch of laws Moses told the people of his time to follow. So you said most of the laws don't apply today... how so??

In 1 Corinthians 6:19
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own

I have read in different places on the internet different things what the temple means:
1) Sexual offenses, drugs, smoking, tattoos, piercings
or just
2) Sexual offense

 

[ContentInHim]

Hi,

I turn 18 in September and I want to get a tattoo of a cross over my heart. I also know it's there forever so Im going to think about it for the next few months and prob. wont get it in September. But there's one thing, the bible says not to in Leviticus 19:28:
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.

But i got something out of Revelation 19:16
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

So i dont know if the name on his thigh is 1st on his leg or on his vesture

So I would just like some thoughts about what people believe the bible says about it and/or what you believe on your own.

His name on his thigh is not a tattoo.

Please consider NOT getting a tattoo. I've known too many people who got even religious tattoos but for some reason could not stop at one. It becomes an obsession.

 

[NHB_MMA]

Well, I have not read Leviticus but I am going to take it like it's just a bunch of laws Moses told the people of his time to follow. So you said most of the laws don't apply today... how so??

In 1 Corinthians 6:19
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own

I have read in different places on the internet different things what the temple means:
1) Sexual offenses, drugs, smoking, tattoos, piercings
or just
2) Sexual offense

Well, it's been sometime since I have read through Leviticus, but read through it and see how many things no one would think about applying today.

As to "the body", I've actually heard that "body" in that passage refers to the collective body, or the church. At any rate, I wouldn't view it as an automatic condemnation of a tattoo, any more than many other things a person can do for style or appearance.

 

[GutterRat]

Lev 19:19 - " 'Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed.
" 'Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material."

Polyester blend anyone?

27 " 'Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard."

Shave lately?

Why do these get ignored? are we picking & choosing? hmm......

 

[hosea6v6]

Hi,

I turn 18 in September and I want to get a tattoo of a cross over my heart. I also know it's there forever so Im going to think about it for the next few months and prob. wont get it in September. But there's one thing, the bible says not to in Leviticus 19:28:
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.

But i got something out of Revelation 19:16
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

So i dont know if the name on his thigh is 1st on his leg or on his vesture

So I would just like some thoughts about what people believe the bible says about it and/or what you believe on your own.

I believe that there is something wrong with in a person who feels that he or she needs a tattoo. God has already wrote down how He feels so this is all up to you.

Hosea6v6

 

[rqueen2229]

Tattoo's are a form of art. I have them as memorials..... ie, fallen brothers in vietnam and Iraq, my wife and daughters, etc. They are not dis-tasteful and have no impact on my christian walk. I am the same born again blood bought servant I was after them that I was before them.

 

[7thDiscipleofChrist]

The reason I am considering having my tattoo's removed is they are not really "Christian" friendly tattoos perse.

 

[GutterRat]

I believe that there is something wrong with in a person who feels that he or she needs a tattoo. God has already wrote down how He feels so this is all up to you.

Hosea6v6

I feel there is equally something wrong with people who feel the need to read scripture as they see fit. Again- if God has spoken about tats - then he has also spoken about wearing clothes with two different threads and cutting ones hair/beard. But - those don't seem to be an issue for some people.....

 

[wildthing]

Getting a tat is a liberty. Just make sure that they are using a clean needle when they do it. Back when the law (Leviticus) was written they didn't have the safe pratices that we do have, I think if you look at Leviticus there even a warning about eatting shell fish (schrimp, Lobster and others). Yet today we enjoy schrimp and lobster.

 

[Piedpiper123]

Jews under the Mosaic law are not to have tattoos.

I see nothing wrong in having tattoos and have one myself BUT think it through VERY CAREFULLY as you'll have it for life and many people regret having them later.

Your new tattoo will look very nice for a while but in 20 years it won't look like it does when freshly done.

A cross over the heart? I personally don't think that would look very nice. Also be thinking about your future wife.

Think it through carefully!

 

[Piedpiper123]

As for tattoos, back in the days of Leviticus, tattoos were done using hot sticks and basically a burning method of tattooing. It was damaging to the skin, unlike today's methods of tattooing. Tattoos back in those days also symbolized pagan beliefs.

I find this hard to believe. How did you learn these things?

I cannot believe that fine tattoos could be done by burning.

Also I find it difficult to imagine that ALL tattoos 3000 years ago were religious rather than cultural or decorative.

 

[NHB_MMA]

I find this hard to believe. How did you learn these things?

I cannot believe that fine tattoos could be done by burning.

Also I find it difficult to imagine that ALL tattoos 3000 years ago were religious rather than cultural or decorative.

You can read about the history of tattoos in a book or online where I will talk about it. As for them being "fine" tattoos, I doubt it. They probably made today's jailhouse tattoos look like fine art, let alone something done today by a great artist. As for the burning, some tattoos were made by sharp sticks instead, but they made much deeper cuts than anything today. The tattoos of those days were an event of massive scar tissue, whereas today's tattoos are basically harmless beyond diseases that can be transmitted by shops that use poor sanitation practices.

 

[NurseComfort]

Historically, tattoos were pagan. They Tatted the names of their dead on them as protection against evil spirits.

I have 11 Christian tattoos. My personal thought is that He was marked for me and I am marked as His. Tats are very personal. If it was for everyone, everyone would have one.


The body will die and it is just a shell. It is the spirit that we should be concerned about. It is our life after the shell is gone that should be more of a concern.

 

[rqueen2229]

Very well explained.........I couldn't agree more

 

[Izzy23]

I have been serving the Lord for 11 years. I got tattooed when I was younger, but after I was saved, any desire to have one again, has been removed. I believe the old testament applies to our lives as much as the new testament. If it was written in the Great Book, there's a reason.

 

[NurseComfort]

pierce, mark or defile ourselves?

How many have pierced ears?

How many plan on cremation....an abominationLeviticus 21:9: If the daughter of a priest becomes a prostitute, then she "must be burned in the fire." (NIV)

How many women have short hair?"any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled dishonors her head - it is the same as if her head were shaven. For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her wear a veil." (1 Corinthians 11:5-6 RSV)"Does not nature itself teach you that for a man to wear long hair is degrading to him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her pride?" (1 Corinthians 11:14-15 RSV)

If you live by one law then you must live by them all.

" Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (Luke 6:36-37)" Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (Luke 6:36-37)

 

[LaNesha]

I have a tattoo of an egyptian cross on my right upper arm and despite my noble attempt at acknowledging my faith, I now regret it. I am now considering having it removed. My advice is don't do it. Sometimes I really feel like I disappointed God by getting it.