Is it Okay for Christians to Get Tattoos?
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As I curiously typed to see what the top answer was, I wrote, “What does the Bible say about…” to see what question people have the most online. To my surprise, the very top question was about tattoos. So, in case you are one of the many people searching on what the Bible says about tattoos, we are going to spend time looking at Scripture today.
Each person has his or her own convictions. When it comes to a gray area like getting a tattoo, pray about it. If you do not personally have a conviction from the Holy Spirit on it, it might be ok for you. Continue to seek the Lord and don’t rush the decision because it is a permanent one. It is important to think practically about the long term as well; as your body ages, consider if you will like having it there forever.
I think one of the most valuable questions to ask is, “Does what I am permanently putting on my body honor God?” If the answer is no, do not get it. We are called to honor God with our bodies, specifically sexually in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, however, this also applies to how we take care of ourselves. If what you are going to tattoo is not glorifying to the Lord, then it is not worth putting it on your body for life. Anything that you would seriously desire to be on your body, you would want it to be honoring to the Lord who made your body and gave it to you.
It is good to ask not only if this tattoo honors God, but does it bless others? We are called to love God and love people (Mark 12:30-31). If you want to put something on your body that will be hurtful to others and hinder your witness to them, it might be better not to have it tattooed at all. This is not to say that you are not free to have an opinion, but if it is on your body for all to see, it could actually take away from your approachability to others with the gospel.
If this is the case, consider it a part of your testimony. No, you may not be able to take away your tattoo, but you also cannot take away your sins. You can use this regret as a platform of what Christ has done for you in your life. God works all things (including unwanted pre-Jesus tattoos) for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Do not live in guilt or shame over it. God can use it.
After thinking through these questions, my opinion is that a tattoo is no longer a sin for those in Christ. I believe the principle that is the same is that we are to be set apart for God. However, the cultural practice for the Israelites was directly for them in that time. Tattoos should be considered seriously and not taken lightly before getting one, but there is freedom in Christ if that is what you decide and it is not a sin for you, it honors God, and it blesses others.
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Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Aaron Amat
