Tattoos

[Fiona01]

I find myself swayed in this area, not totally sure.

I can see why some would think a Christian should not get a tattoo. I personally have a tattoo, but it was done years ago. I have not since had any tattoo since becoming a Christian and giving myself to Christ.

However, I look at some faithful Christians and some have Christian symbols on their body. It makes me think of the quote from Corinthians:

You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

So wouldn't getting a Christian tattoo - such as a fish symbol, faith symbol, or possibly even the symbol of the crucifix - actually be an act of honouring God with your very own flesh?

I'm not saying I even neccessarily believe this - it's just something that I thought of.

 

[DreamerOfHearts]

Yes but he does change thr rules from time to time. This does not mean Jesus changes. A common error in logic that is made by many. This is the exact same logic that the roman catholic church uses to declare that the pope cajn never be wrong when talking officially as pope.

Good one.

 

[wayfaring man]

This could be considered as a curse- May The Lord Himself make His Judgments known with no uncertainty.

Yes, it's a curse against the pervasive ignorance which keeps many of us from understanding God's good and perfect will.

And be sure it will come, if not now, then with Christ's imminent Return.

Furthermore, if we're aligned well with God's will, we welcome His Judgment, for it confirms what we've been holding fast to - through these sometimes turbulent times.

Only the rebellious need shudder, and try to hide from The Lord & His Judgment !

wm

 

[wayfaring man]

I find myself swayed in this area, not totally sure.

I can see why some would think a Christian should not get a tattoo. I personally have a tattoo, but it was done years ago. I have not since had any tattoo since becoming a Christian and giving myself to Christ.

However, I look at some faithful Christians and some have Christian symbols on their body. It makes me think of the quote from Corinthians:

You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

So wouldn't getting a Christian tattoo - such as a fish symbol, faith symbol, or possibly even the symbol of the crucifix - actually be an act of honouring God with your very own flesh?

I'm not saying I even neccessarily believe this - it's just something that I thought of.

Here's the verse in the KJV -

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. <-----> 1st Corinthians 6:20

If one looks at the context, (which is always crucial to understanding), Paul was writing about how fornication sins against the body, and he exhorts that we flee from such defiling activity, therefore being separate from it, and that's how we glorify God in our body, by honoring His will for our bodies to be sanctified from fornication...That is the main context.

He also echoes this witness in the following passage - (It's also good to form precepts on a consensus of Scripture, and not on a single line of it, taken by itself.)

Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor;
Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: <-----> 1st Thessalonians 4:1-5

Once again we see that we are to please God, which is also to honor Him/His will by abstaining from fornication, "possessing our vessel"/body "in sanctification and honor".

There is no New Testament teaching which instructs us to outwardly decorate our bodies with tattoos or piercings as a way of attempting to honor God.

The New Testament teaches that our bodies are not out own, but belong to The Lord.

So in an analogy, would it be the least bit appropriate to write or print with ink on another man's property with out his instruction to do so ?

No, it would not. It would be considered criminal defacing of private property.

And so it is with tattooing one's body, which is really The Lord's, without Him giving specific instruction to do so.

And if you know any true art lovers, and how they value the condition of what they consider their "masterpieces", you know that they don't take kindly to any sort of uncalled for decorating of such "priceless pieces".

Jesus warned us to take heed as to what, and how we hear.

Which is another way of saying, don't accept the first thing that happens to seem like it could be true...search it out diligently, proving the context, and the consensus of every relative word of God.

Besides look at who stands to gain materially - the one's who are saying no to tattoos, or the one's who are saying yes ?

The yes men of course...unless one is selling laser removal treatments...which is what the tattoo parlors will likely now turn to...selling the taking off of what they sold to put on...but even then that's also expensive, painful, and threatening to the health and integrity of the body which is Christ's...best not to get them to begin with.

May The Lord Be Pleased !

wm

 

[TheDag]

There is no New Testament teaching which instructs us to outwardly decorate our bodies with tattoos or piercings as a way of attempting to honor God.

The New Testament teaches that our bodies are not out own, but belong to The Lord.

So in an analogy, would it be the least bit appropriate to write or print with ink on another man property with out his instruction to do so ?

No, it would not. It would be considered criminal defacing of private property.

And so it is with tattooing one's body, which is really The Lord's, without Him giving specific instruction to do so.

So we are not instructed to eat meat so does that mean we should not eat meat. When you actually think about it is it in fruit & vegetables that people get food poisening through like salmonella or is it meat? Really eating meat is not looking after your body. If it was the only form of food that would be different but when there are other options that are healthier and we know that in a perfect state we will all be vegetarians. So one can conclude that we should not eat meat based on the logic mentioned.

 

[wayfaring man]

So we are not instructed to eat meat so does that mean we should not eat meat. When you actually think about it is it in fruit & vegetables that people get food poisening through like salmonella or is it meat? Really eating meat is not looking after your body. If it was the only form of food that would be different but when there are other options that are healthier and we know that in a perfect state we will all be vegetarians. So one can conclude that we should not eat meat based on the logic mentioned.

Romans Chapter 14 deals with the meat eating vs. vegetarian diet...as well as a few other places.

Tattoos deface our bodies which belong to The Lord. Getting them is also a health risk...but it mainly the defacing aspect which stands out as being criminal. Along with the inappropriateness of following worldly trends, conforming to the ways of the worldly, rather than being transformed from following such things. It's only been fairly recently that a more than a few "Christians" started thinking tattoos were "cool"/or an acceptable "witnessing tool".





wm

 

[Humble Pie]

I googled images of bad tattoos once and decided against getting one...too risky since I get keiloid scars after surgical cuts. I imagine the image of a beautiful bird on my arm, maybe a peacock or parrot but it might go wrong on my skin.

 

[wayfaring man]

Yes, our skin is a living breathing organ, it serves to protect us, the idea of poking a bunch of holes in it to outwardly adorn ourselves against the counsel of The New Testament is ludicrous for any Bible believing/God loving/fearing individual.

The world keeps trying to brainwash and manipulate for vanity and greed's sake.

Don't let your self be led astray, by worldly trends and fashions which conflict with the emphasis of New Testament teachings, and respected elders in the faith.

The Amish and Mennonite people are among the most sincere of New Testament believers, do you think they're currently saying tattoos are okay, or a good idea ?

I don't think so! And for good reason too!

wm

 

[TheDag]

Romans Chapter 14 deals with the meat eating vs. vegetarian diet...as well as a few other places.

Tattoos deface our bodies which belong to The Lord. Getting them is also a health risk...but it mainly the defacing aspect which stands out as being criminal. Along with the inappropriateness of following worldly trends, conforming to the ways of the worldly, rather than being transformed from following such things. It's only been fairly recently that a more than a few "Christians" started thinking tattoos were "cool"/or an acceptable "witnessing tool".

actually Romans 14 does not in any way deal with not eating meat for reasons I stated. I cited health reasons and if your body is a temple then obviously you should look after it by not eating meat. where romans 14 is talking about spiritual matters which would be a carry over from old religious laws. I think quoting romans 14 is not such a good idea. when you read it all it would seem to say tattoos are not a sin.


I also wanted to comment on being careful about paying too much attention to church elders or fathers. After all it was the church who decided that people with epilepsy were demon possesed and should be locked up.

 

[tturt]

To have a belief and and speaking curses on those who have opposing points of view is totally out of line.Plus you're proud of it. I can't tell you how very disappointed I am in you.

I have requested a review of this thread - just in case you were wondering who and why someone would have requested a review.

I'm staying with Scripture Rom 12:14: "...bless, and curse not."

 

[cimbk]

I am curious to see what everyone thinks about tattoos.

I think they are ok as they can be used as ways to express ones self.

What do you think?

I think people need to stop conforming to the ways of the world, and follow Jesus

 

[wayfaring man]

To have a belief and and speaking curses on those who have opposing points of view is totally out of line.Plus you're proud of it. I can't tell you how very disappointed I am in you.

I have requested a review of this thread - just in case you were wondering who and why someone would have requested a review.

I'm staying with Scripture Rom 12:14: "...bless, and curse not."

False accusations, based on erroneous associations of dubious invention.

I spoke no curse on anyone, I appealed to The Lord to make His will on this matter known with all certainty...which is in essence cursing ignorance, not people who are ignorant.

May The Lord's Verdict be known by all !

wm

 

[wayfaring man]

actually Romans 14 does not in any way deal with not eating meat for reasons I stated. I cited health reasons and if your body is a temple then obviously you should look after it by not eating meat. where romans 14 is talking about spiritual matters which would be a carry over from old religious laws. I think quoting romans 14 is not such a good idea. when you read it all it would seem to say tattoos are not a sin.


I also wanted to comment on being careful about paying too much attention to church elders or fathers. After all it was the church who decided that people with epilepsy were demon possesed and should be locked up.

Deflections only serve to skirt the issue.

Clearly, the heart dodges what it isn't ready to address.

May The Lord Confirm The Truth, so none need wonder anymore !

wm

 

[tturt]

posted - yes, it's a curse against the pervasive ignorance which keeps many of us from understanding God's good and perfect will.

And be sure it will come, if not now, then with Christ's imminent Return.

Furthermore, if we're aligned well with God's will, we welcome His Judgment, for it confirms what we've been holding fast to - through these sometimes turbulent times.

Only the rebellious need shudder, and try to hide from The Lord & His Judgment !

To use your term "ignorance" from post #52 doesn't align nor shudder. This is towards people who don't agree with you.

 

[DCJazz]

I'm not saying it's wrong, but then again, I'm not saying it's right either.

I just don't know, as I don't really see any place in the NT that it's specifically condemned. But something I heard long ago is that if the bible doesn't say it's ok, but doesn't say it's not ok either, then it's safe to err on the side of not ok.

I have a tattoo, and I don't think it was wrong to get one, but then, I didn't go for the skulls and whatnot. Just something symbolizing rebirth. But that was years and years ago... So Idk if I would do it again or not.

 

[TheDag]

posted - yes, it's a curse against the pervasive ignorance which keeps many of us from understanding God's good and perfect will.

And be sure it will come, if not now, then with Christ's imminent Return.

Furthermore, if we're aligned well with God's will, we welcome His Judgment, for it confirms what we've been holding fast to - through these sometimes turbulent times.

Only the rebellious need shudder, and try to hide from The Lord & His Judgment !

To use your term "ignorance" from post #52 doesn't align nor shudder. This is towards people who don't agree with you.

I think you have misunderstood. I don't see what your seeing in his post and I disagree with him on the subject of this thread.

 

[tturt]

Actually, I had read the response to a friend of mine and they were the ones that pointed out it was a curse.

 

[day time]

False accusations, based on erroneous associations of dubious invention.

I spoke no curse on anyone, I appealed to The Lord to make His will on this matter known with all certainty...which is in essence cursing ignorance, not people who are ignorant.

May The Lord's Verdict be known by all !

wm

Dude .... you keep saying you spoke no curse, but then you've said at least twice now that it is a curse.

 

[Satt]

Rev 19 vs 16 "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

 

[Bella Vita]

Different people feel conviction for different things for some it might be using birth control for others tattoos. You have to go with what God is laying on your heart but there is no clear cut yes or no answer here. The simple fact is tattoos of the Bible are not what tattoos are today they were using them as a way to worship the dead. Unless you are worshiping tattoos or are addicted I think they are fine. As long as your tattoo choices are not satanic or evil then again I think it is fine. My husband has two he works in ministry and I want to get one soon, and I want to get some for my children some day.

If someone has been convicted over it personally and God has laid it on their heart in their situation fine of course listen to that. But I don't think that is a general rule for everyone.