Tattooing?

[imperishabledesign]

A friend of mine used to be a professional tattoo artist. He worked at a reputable studio that was very professional and clean. He left to go into the ministry. Several years later he has lost his job and his family is suffering horribly. Their utilities are about to be shut off, and they cannot pay their rent. They have several small children. They have prayed, and prayed some more.

He has asked me for advice, and I'm seeking the counsel of many first. He has the opportunity to tattoo at this studio again. He would tattoo by appointment only, and only do men's tattoos, and nothing degrading. He truly wants to honor the Lord, and is troubled by the adversity of what is right, verses wrong, verses just plain legalistic and religious, compared to trying to follow the Holy Spirit.

I personally don't have anything against tattoos, but the environment may be a shady area for him. There is a Liquor store a couple doors down from it, and of course hang-outs outside. He wouldn't have a drinking issue, I'm simply speaking about the appearance of evil, verses... just plain legalism. This would certainly solve his financial issues, but do you think it's a trap? He has told me about several dreams he's had in the last couple of months about working there. He has just been so hurt by legalistic people pouring into him he can't discern what is simply right or wrong in this situation. His wife isn't too happy about it, and she would rather him do private appointment only, nothing degrading, and no women.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Bellicus]

You can tell him that tattooing is mentioned in Leviticus as something bad. But if he refuse to tattoo because of this, then he also have to refuse to cut his beard, eat pork, use clothes with two kind of cloth etc. cause anyone that follow the law of Moses and not follow all of it, is under a curse. To avoid the curse he have to stop following the law of Moses and instead follow the Holy Spirit. Tattoos is never mentioned in the bible as something Christians have to avoid.

I can totally understand both you and his wife in this.

And why should he not tattoo women?

 

[Elijah2]

"You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead nor print or tattoo any marks upon you; I am the Lord." [Leviticus 19:28]

"The priests [like the other Israelite men] shall not shave the crown of their heads or clip off the corners of their beard or make any cuttings in their flesh." [Leviticus 21:5; both passages quoted from Parallel Bible, KJV/Amplified Bible Commentary]

 

[svl3p]

"You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead nor print or tattoo any marks upon you; I am the Lord." [Leviticus 19:28]

"The priests [like the other Israelite men] shall not shave the crown of their heads or clip off the corners of their beard or make any cuttings in their flesh." [Leviticus 21:5; both passages quoted from Parallel Bible, KJV/Amplified Bible Commentary]

The way i interpret the tattoo related verse is to mean you shouldn't tattoo as a way of worshiping the dead...personally i have nothing against tattoos as long as they're tasteful...but everyone has their own opinions and way of interpreting the verse. you said he has had several dreams about the situation, but not what the dreams were....if they were for or against the opportunity?

I think this is really a case of he needs to do what he feels is right. If he doesn't feel comfortable doing it because he doesn't think it's right as a Christian, then he shouldn't. If he doesn't want to do it because he's afraid of the grief other people might give him...he needs to decide if it's worth it or not. I personally wouldn't see a problem with him tattooing women either as long as again, it's tasteful and they keep their clothes on...

His wife's attitude towards it is another big thing, though..would it cause more stress in the house? if so, may not be worth it..cause financial stress doesn't go away THAT quickly and the last thing you want is for one to resent the other's job....

 

[Elijah2]

As much as I feel for your friend, but His Word is what counts, and the pressure that is put upon the HIS CHURCH these days by humanism, secularism, paganism, and political correctness in regards to His Word.

This is an article I wrote once before when Christians have asked the question about tattoos.

Tattoos Are They Sinful

Well the first question is usually asked, “Why would you want to defile the temple, by tattooing, cutting the flesh, or even sticking pins in your nose, ears, mouth, or any other part of the body?"

These days, it is mostly peer pressure, can't be outdone by someone else, or they can't tell me what I can't do or can do. Also, it’s the rising up of “the flesh”.

So, when it all comes down to the nitty-gritty, what does it prove by putting a tattoo on you buttock that no one else is going see, or adorn your arms in “other religion's” or Christian markings that actually placed there in adoration of the deities of the other religions and SELF.

Tattoo is SELF, expression of SELF, the same SELF that is suppose to be crucified with our Lord Jesus Christ. So, mostly those who have tattoos, do it for SELF, in a form of rebellion and self-idolatry.

Now all of this has become such because most prefer to listen to the world, even though we are not suppose to be conformed to this world. It’s a worldly fad, the way of life, a NEW AGE life of paganism that is contrary to His Word.

Many can twist HIS WORD just to suit their own thinking, like a Pharisees in the last days of perilous times seducing and deceiving the Body of Christ through false teachers.

Have we seen the disease that is carried in those supposedly sterile tattoo needles?

Have we realised that what you put on now as fun or rebellion, will be there for life?

We do make many bad choices and decisions, but really when it all comes down to the nitty-gritty, why in the world would a Lord Jesus Christ, believing BELIEVER want to deface their body just for the hell of it?

Always remember that every prick is a fatal doorway to blood-born disease, particularly these days of simple blood diseases that are killing people daily in hospitals.

Besides the possibility of killing you with fatal diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis, the "harmless" tattoo provides an armload of other ailments.

Tattoos can cause chronic skin disorders such as sarcoid, keloid scarring, allergic dermatitis, photosensitivity reactions, psoriasis, and benign or malignant tumors.

Many experience infection and allergic reaction to the tattoo ink.

Also, the pigments in tattoo ink contain small metal fibres such as iron oxide. These metal fibres can cause intense burning pain during an MRI procedure. Some medical institutions refuse to perform MRIs on people with tattoos. The MRI is an important medical procedure and this risk should not be taken lightly.

 

[Elijah2]

The way i interpret the tattoo related verse is to mean you shouldn't tattoo as a way of worshiping the dead...personally i have nothing against tattoos as long as they're tasteful...but everyone has their own opinions and way of interpreting the verse. you said he has had several dreams about the situation, but not what the dreams were....if they were for or against the opportunity?

I think this is really a case of he needs to do what he feels is right. If he doesn't feel comfortable doing it because he doesn't think it's right as a Christian, then he shouldn't. If he doesn't want to do it because he's afraid of the grief other people might give him...he needs to decide if it's worth it or not. I personally wouldn't see a problem with him tattooing women either as long as again, it's tasteful and they keep their clothes on...

His wife's attitude towards it is another big thing, though..would it cause more stress in the house? if so, may not be worth it..cause financial stress doesn't go away THAT quickly and the last thing you want is for one to resent the other's job....

This is what HIS WORD said:
You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead nor...

And all that followed those words has NOTHING to do with the dead, such as: nor print or tattoo any marks upon you; I am the Lord...or make any cuttings in their flesh is enough to warn a believer!

Yes, I agree it's his choice and decision, but HIS WORD is still there!

And besides, this is a Christian Advice forum and all comments are directed toward the OP. If you want to discuss it with me, then PM me.

Blessings

 

[Lightkeeper55]

Ah yes.....Leviticus has words to say..... The LAW!

I AM NOT UNDER LAW BUT UNDER GRACE!

I am 53 and I waited until I was 50 before I got my first tattoo (a dragon). Much thought went into it as did my second (roses for my wife and hearts for my children). I'm getting another two very soon. (Anchors and a ships wheel on one arm and a lighthouse on the other)

Forget Leviticus...the OT law was for OT people who had to live in abject fear of God under the law. We NT saints do not have to live in fear of God, nor His comdemnation. We stand in grace (Romans 5:2) Don't let legalists in the church dictate terms according to OT law.

As long as the tats are done tastefully and do not honor Satan, your friend should get back into the field.

 

[svl3p]

This is what HIS WORD said:
You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead nor...

And all that followed those words has NOTHING to do with the dead, such as: nor print or tattoo any marks upon you; I am the Lord...or make any cuttings in their flesh is enough to warn a believer!

Yes, I agree it's his choice and decision, but HIS WORD is still there!

And besides, this is a Christian Advice forum and all comments are directed toward the OP. If you want to discuss it with me, then PM me.

Blessings

I meant nothing personal against what you said..you just happened to quote the scripture where it's mentioned and I gave my opinion on it. Since it's all in the same sentence, I don't think it's unreasonable to think that it's all related.

 

[RedNoma]

He has to do what he has to do. The fact that there's a liquor store near should have no bearing on his decision. Would the store keep him from driving that road if he had to to get to church? As long as he keeps his will strong and judgements in line with his beliefs he'll be fine. Best of luck to him and I'll keep him in prayers that everything works out for him.

 

[imperishabledesign]

Thank you all so much thus far for your replies. In response to some, as far as the term "tattoo" being in the old testament, this is an english rendering of a hebrew term. As far as my studies, taking the text into proper context people were cutting themselves and marking themselves for idolistic worship.

He is really struggling with this. As far as infections are concerned, a properly done tattoo goes no deeper than your average scratch, and infections come from unprofessional studios, or unclean people that don't know how to take care of a healing tattoo.

I think the question comes down to, is it an appearance of evil? And to answer one question, his wife would rather him not have his hands anywhere on another woman! Even he said his experience was some ladies would be extremly flirty' in the chair, and he didn't want any temptations.

His dreams were of him actually tattooing in this studio. The only difference he stated was the studio he was in was renovated and cleaner.

thanks again for your kind replies.

 

[faithful follower]

I think we need Christian tattoo artists! Christians like tattoos also!! Let him bring glory to God using the gift he's been given.

 

[Thaeoles]

He could make the tattoo business into a ministry. Remember, in Revelation 19 it describes Jesus with a tattoo on his thigh.

"16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords." Revelation 19:16

 

[Elijah2]

I meant nothing personal against what you said..you just happened to quote the scripture where it's mentioned and I gave my opinion on it. Since it's all in the same sentence, I don't think it's unreasonable to think that it's all related.

Sorry mate no offence, but Scriptures are Scriptures! Blessings!

 

[Elijah2]

He could make the tattoo business into a ministry. Remember, in Revelation 19 it describes Jesus with a tattoo on his thigh.

"16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords." Revelation 19:16

Does it say HE has a tattoo? Blessings!

 

[svl3p]

Sorry mate no offence, but Scriptures are Scriptures! Blessings!

No offense taken...

The Bible also says "There is no God" (look it up..Psalms 14:1) But you gotta read it in context..you can separate it from the first part of the sentence just like the tattoo verse, but if you separate it, it takes a whole different meaning than what was intended...

But it seems likely we just need to agree to disagree here about how to interpret the verse and leave it at that, since this thread is for someone else's advice

 

[Elijah2]

Leviticus 19:28 is saying that the human body was designed by our Almighty God, who intended it to be whole and beautiful. Disfiguring the body dishonoured our Almighty God, in whose image we were created.

Cutting one’s flesh “for the dead” and tattooing, or perhaps painting one’s body had religious significance amongst paganism in those days, which we experience and see daily today in the 21st Century of many bodies mutilated, blood letting, by the modern paganistic, occultic, and satanic practices. In the old days, such practices were signs of rebellion against our Almighty God.

Cutting of the flesh was a paganistic mourning ritual.

Blessings!

 

[Sadiegrl]

Mod Hat On
Please remember not to reply to other posters, Christian Advice is for responses directed only at the OP. This prevents debate and keeps the thread on topic, thank you and happy posting! God bless!
Mod Hat Off

 

[TasManOfGod]

When God says something is non edifying (ungodly) then it remains so whether that was said 6000 or 4000 or 2000 years ago

 

[Lightkeeper55]

Disfiguring the body dishonoured our Almighty God, in whose image we were created.


Cutting of the flesh was a paganistic mourning ritual.

Blessings!

Tattooing is in reality painting the body, therefore making it more beautiful. In tattooing, the flesh is not cut, just pricked by needles.

Your friend should indeed consider being a Christian tattoo artist, with religious designs and paintings. Many Christians would love to have a tat but have grown up in "legalistic" churches preaching OT law to NT saints; thereby ending up believing that tats are wrong, satanic, cultic, paganistic, etc. ALL BUNK!

Simple fact is, Christians like tats too and if a shop were opened by a Christian man, advertising Christian themes and art, people would eventualy come. Even those who don't know Christ may come in....WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY TO WITNESS!!!!!!


GO FOR IT!!!

 

[TasManOfGod]

If something was worth giving up for Jesus it certainly isn't worth returning to.
Now I am sure you all know of the verse that teaches us this.