Tattoos: Not for Christians

Undoubtedly, everyone has noticed the increase of tattoos on people in the last decade and that trend seems to be increasing at an alarming rate, especially in the military. In fact it is now a multi-billion dollar industry and shows no signs of slowing down. But the question that needs to be asked is whether born-again Christians should get tattoos on their bodies? So let's examine what God has spoken on the issue. First, God commanded His people (Israel) to not tattoo their bodies in Leviticus 19:28 when He spoke these words "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord." By God forbidding His people from tattooing their bodies, He was setting them apart from the pagan cultures that would surround them, especially the Egyptians. When God made this law, ancient cultures had been engaging in tattooing since 3200 B.C., thus God was setting His people apart from the rest of the world. Tattoos were a sign of idolatry and apostasy and God's people were to be a holy and God honoring people. Second, continuing with the command of being set apart and being made holy, the apostle Paul appeals to the believers of Rome and to all believers to not be conformed to this world. What is certain is that tattoos are not from God, but from the world. In Romans 12:1, 2 Paul writes that believers are to "present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." A Christian's life is transformed by the gospel and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, separating them from worldly passions and desires, growing in the knowledge of Christ, and casting off their old life. When a Christian presents their body as a "living sacrifice" to God they are dedicating their rights and giving up their rights, to include their rights to selfish wants, such as tattoos. Christians are called to give God themselves as totally surrendered vessels so His will can be done through them. Third, after Paul was finishing up his counsel and warnings concerning sexual immorality to the Corinthians, he writes "Don't you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20). The body of a Christian must be considered sacred and holy belonging to God. Thus Christians have no business tattooing their bodies and desecrating their vessel where the Holy Spirit dwells. Finally, every person has been made in the image of God and nothing we do should ever take away from His glory.. When the Holy Spirit has transformed us to be His ambassadors, we must mirror Christ with our inner and outer person.
In conclusion, Jesus has redeemed us, saved us, forgave us, freed us, and owns us. So before you think about getting a tattoo on your body you might want to check with your Heavenly Father and I pray this short blog post has convicted you to never consider having a tattoo placed on your body which belongs to His son Jesus Christ.