The Tattoo & Piercing page

[dreadreadrea]

so this is probably in the wrong section, and has probably been discussed before, so if yall wanna move it, or direct me to any other thread about it, that would be great. but basically, i wanna know yalls' thoughts on tattoes. i have been told theres somewhere in leivticus that says u shouldnt get them, or something along the lines of that, but im curious what u guys think. i meant theres a few old school things in leviticus that in todays world, wouldnt hold up. but i have been thinking a lot about getting one. my husband has 5, technically 6, and he is saved, and theres plenty of christians i know who have tattoes, some got them before they were saved, and some who got them after. my husband just got 2 done on sunday and i was supposed to get one as well, but i had to buy a plane ticket home instead.

[icebear]

i know some say you should not, but the verse they use i thought, tells us not to mark ourselves in mourning like the pagans do

i may stand corrected, but if you do get a tat, make sure you choose it carefully because it will 'speak' for you to anyone who sees it. take care for your witness...


i have no tattoos, so i'm not sure if my lack of horror at the idea of a Christian getting one quliifies me at all :lol

[FunMudder]

Just remember you are putting something on Gods temple now that He lives inside you.

:hat

[lisaann]

Livitical law does not apply to us today. You can't just pick and choose which laws to follow and disregard the rest. I know a couple of people that get Christian tats to use as conversation starters. One of the guys is a biker and belongs to a Christian motorcycle organization. He really looks the part too. :lol2 However, he has been able to reach people that straight-laced looking Christians don't normally have opportunity to talk to.

That being said........
1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any

I would personally consider this a spiritual grey area. I started a thread a few days ago on this that might help....
http://www.rr-bb.com/showthread.php?t=41722
Verses for spiritual 'grey' areas
1) Is it helpful?--1 Cor 6:12
2) Does it hurt others or cause them to fall?-- I Cor 8:13
3) Does it conform me to the world or draw me away from Christ?
Romans 12:2; 1 Cor 10:32
4) What would Jesus do?--I John 2:6
5) Does it bring me under it's power? -- I Cor 6:12b
6) Does it glorify God?--I Cor 10:31
7) Would I be ashamed before God?--I John 2:28
8) Does it hinder the Gospel?--I Peter 2:21
9) Can I offer a prayer of Thanksgiving? --I Thes 5:18

[faithandgrace]

I am very fascinated by tattoos and planned on getting many Christian based tattoos. But now I'm feeling nudged to focus on modesty and having a bunch of tats isn't very modest, IMO. Plus, if i'm going to show minimum skin, my body art would be a waste because it won't be seen.

Yes, it's more of a grey area.

[lisaann]

I think we need to be aware of the fact that many people find tats sexy. Is your tat going to cause a Christian brother or sister to stumble in lust? Is the tat going to draw eyes to an area that eyes shouldn't be drawn to? Is the tat going to be in an area that might cause the tat artist to lust?

Just throwin' some things out there to think about......

I've personally wanted to get a tat but haven't yet because I just don't feel the go-ahead from the HS. I would love to get Y'shua in Hebrew on my wrist but I know it would cause offense to some Jews and Christians alike so I just don't feel ok about going through with it.

[PickensSlim]

The real question is why would someone want to get one?
If it's to fit in or because everyone is doing it.....
If it's to witness to tattoo artists or in biker bars....

Remember, they're permanent and turn ugly, unless you can afford the laser removal

Listen to the Holy Spirit.

Slim

[Tall Timbers]

It is my personal view that a tattoo is a desecration of our bodies, temple of the Holy Spirit.

Lev 19:28 Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.

The statement that I frequently read on this board, "We are not under the law", doesn't quite work for me. There are/were many aspects of the law. Much had to do with being clean/unclean, how to properly sacrifice, when to sacrifice and what for... Then there is the law for general behavior, the laws that define right and wrong, like murder, adultery... Those things are still wrong for us, even though we're under His blood. I certainly don't need to sacrifice a ram for any reason, buy I need to refrain from murder, adultery, licentiousness, etc.

I endeavor to be transformed by my relationship with Jesus Christ, to become like Him to the extent that that is possible. When I read Lev 19:28, what I hear is that for some reason God does not approve of tattoos... probably because of the potential for medical problems. A lot of the law that deals with clean/unclean and when to bath, etc... simply seem like instructions for living in cleanliness under sanitary conditions. Even today, tattoos have risks involved, multiple risks depending on where on the body they are placed.

[MochaMel]

I personally don't see anything wrong with one.. I have one on my back.. And someday soon will add one or two more.. One for Jesus and my love for Him and one for my hubby and children..

Pray about it; the real question should be how does God feel about it for YOU.... I have never felt like it was wrong for me as long as it's in good taste and not always noticeable as i get them for me; not for the world to see.. I don't personally think it's attractive for a woman to be covered in them; but like i said that's just me. I choose discreet places for mine; like the one on my back is up by my shoulder and can only be seen in a suit or a low cut back or tank top..

[SherShalom]

It is my personal view that a tattoo is a desecration of our bodies, temple of the Holy Spirit.

Lev 19:28 Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.

The statement that I frequently read on this board, "We are not under the law", doesn't quite work for me. There are/were many aspects of the law. Much had to do with being clean/unclean, how to properly sacrifice, when to sacrifice and what for... Then there is the law for general behavior, the laws that define right and wrong, like murder, adultery... Those things are still wrong for us, even though we're under His blood. I certainly don't need to sacrifice a ram for any reason, buy I need to refrain from murder, adultery, licentiousness, etc.

I endeavor to be transformed by my relationship with Jesus Christ, to become like Him to the extent that that is possible. When I read Lev 19:28, what I hear is that for some reason God does not approve of tattoos... probably because of the potential for medical problems. A lot of the law that deals with clean/unclean and when to bath, etc... simply seem like instructions for living in cleanliness under sanitary conditions. Even today, tattoos have risks involved, multiple risks depending on where on the body they are placed.

:thumb I agree with Mr. Timbers. :thumb