Tatted Up :)

[NitaChantell]

Good afternoon ladies.!

How do you feel about tattoos? Yes, in Leviticus it does say not to mark your body with markings of the dead, but I think we take that verse out of context without looking at the whole chapter..back in those days people were Pagans, and they really were getting markings of dead people and other demonic things [NOTE: I have not fully researched this either, one of best friend's fathers is a pastor and we had a convo about it earlier].

With that being said, what do you think? Is that the only scripture we have to go off in regards to tattoos?

I personally want a few..well, a lot, but I will def do my research before taking the plunge. I remember when I used to get so angry seeing people with religious tattoos thinking they were pleasing God..anyone can get a cross on their arm, but living a life for Christ is another level. But, I believe I can do both

 

[loolalooh]

This is a good topic. I wonder if it's been taken out of context as well. That and the following have been applied to tatoos and even piercings:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (New International Version)
19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

I'm going to vote "it depends", but I want to hear what others say.

How do you feel about tattoos? I kind of want a tatoo of scripture on the back of my neck.

 

[song_of_serenity]

I don't agree with it.

 

[Uber]

I don't know. I mostly think that God doesn't care about all those things. It seems to me that in bible times body peircings and maybe even tattoos if they were around, were considered body decoration as much as we consider make-up to and all other body adornments to be. However as a Christian we need to beware of indulging in wordly things. As we mature I think Christians will have less of a desire to have tattoos or excessive piercings as his mind is set on higher things. He most certainly wants to be set apart from what those in the world are doing.

 

[Lylddlebit]

~~~~~~~~Delete~~~~~~~~

 

[OhmyKimB]

I vote depends. On what and where it is and your motive for it.

I want a tattoo..actually I want several but I've just decided I don't want them for that long probably so I'm just gonna stick to piercings.

 

[EbonyHairedPrincess]

nevermind....

 

[Renewed1]

I want a tatoo and a stomach piercing. For no other reason because I like it. Bibically, it's probably wrong when done in excess.

 

[hair_rehab]

I don't think it's a good idea to get tattoos or excessive piercings. Not all, but a lot of people get tattoos and piercings that can be shown off and seen by other people. Christians are supposed to be modest in appearance and everything that we do should be for the glory of God (1 Corinth. 10:31) That's just my take on it.

 

[Sharpened]

Er, no offense, but this is a personal question for the Father and His will for you. His satisfaction comes before what we wants, doesn't it? He may say, "Yes," to teach a lesson or two, so be careful what you ask.

 

[Prudent1]

I have several tattoos. I got them before someone pointed out these scriptures to me. I made sure they were not in an obvious location (ie stomach, lower back, legs, neck) b/c I got them to commemorate certain events in my life. I do agree that we should be constantly checking ourselves to see what our heart's motives are. I do also agree that anything has the potential to become a little god and interrupt our relationship with God. So all of that has to be prayed over and kept in mind. I say all of this to say that I do not feel convicted by the Holy Spirit when it comes to tattoos but if anything were to cause someone to stumble or in the case where things have not been completely revealed to me on a subject, I take the better safe than sorry route. I have thought about getting a few more tattoos but will not do so until I am 100% sure what God's thoughts are on the matter. JMHO

 

[loolalooh]

I have several tattoos. I got them before someone pointed out these scriptures to me. I made sure they were not in an obvious location (ie stomach, lower back, legs, neck) b/c I got them to commemorate certain events in my life. I do agree that we should be constantly checking ourselves to see what our heart's motives are. I do also agree that anything has the potential to become a little god and interrupt our relationship with God. So all of that has to be prayed over and kept in mind. I say all of this to say that I do not feel convicted by the Holy Spirit when it comes to tattoos but if anything were to cause someone to stumble or in the case where things have not been completely revealed to me on a subject, I take the better safe than sorry route. I have thought about getting a few more tattoos but will not do so until I am 100% sure what God's thoughts are on the matter. JMHO

Cosigning.

 

[NitaChantell]

Er, no offense, but this is a personal question for the Father and His will for you. His satisfaction comes before what we wants, doesn't it? He may say, "Yes," to teach a lesson or two, so be careful what you ask.

None taken!! I posted this thread to start a discussion and to hear other thoughts on the matter. I would never base my decision with something as permanent as a tattoo on other people's opinions.

 

[loolalooh]

When I look at the Scripture in Leviticus, I interpret it as God wanting to set the Israelites apart from the Canaanites. It was for that group, place, and time as were some of the other laws (refrain from unclean food, etc.).

When I look at the Scripture in Romans, I interpret it as us refraining from the worldly walk ... as us giving ourselves (especially in mind) to Him instead. I feel like this is the most applicable to the case of tatoos.

When I look to Corinthians, I interpret it as refraining from sexual sin.

------------------------
The reason why I've considered getting a tattoo of Scripture is to show that I belong to Him and to witness to others (amongst other forms of witnessing). In terms of witnessing, I visualize someone seeing the Scripture and asking me questions about it or going home and looking it up. I've done this myself when I've seen Scriptures or prayers on others.

The flipside is that I can just put a bumper sticker on my car with Scripture on it. I can just wear a bracelet with Scripture on it. So what makes the tattoo necessary? Nothing ... at least not right now. In that case, there will be no tattoos for me anytime soon. Not until I am surely convicted to do so. Additionally, Lil Wayne and other rappers with spiritual tatoos have made it the "worldy" thing to do.

 

[cgolden]

i dont know. i dont have any piercings or tatts and dont have any yearning for them. its just not one of the desires of my heart at all.

even if i wasnt saved i wouldnt get a tatt cause i just dont see ANY benefit to doing so at all and i never understood some people's reasoning. like getting a cross with a scripture in the middle tattooed on their shoulder where they cant even see it so its not like it's gonna be a reminder. lol and i've never seen some1 look at a tatt scripture and be like "oohhh lemme go look that up." or, "wow that really ministered to me." lol. but i'm not sure where i stand spiritually on others getting them either, but physically i dont find them attractive

 

[ChanelNo5]

I can only speak from my experience....

I looooved my navel piercing. I got it when I was 16. It was sexy and drew attention to my toned mid-section. Did I say I looooved my navel piercing?

I found Christ.

Went to church one day and their was a prophetess as a guest. She said "To all you ladies walking around with those tattoos on your lower back and your navels pierced, you have made a blood sacrifice to the WORLD!!"ohwell:

Paid that no mind.

Shortly after one day, I woke up and said my morning prayers, asking the Lord to allow me to do something pleasing to Him on this day. Went about my day as usual. Later, the thought suddenly pops into my head/heart to take out my belly ring. "NO" I thought, "Something else perhaps." I tried my darndest to shake the thought but by the end of the day the request could not be denied.

I did not want to remove it. I loooooved it. But it is gone.

 

[Vonnieluvs08]

I have one. It is hidden and for me only. I got it before I was saved and put a lot of thought into it before I got it. I always believed in the body is a temple but I don't regret my decision. I won't have it removed and probably won't get another one. I've never felt convicted by the Holy Spirit for having it and it is a part of who I am now.

I think a person should search themselves and seek the Lord before making that decision. There are a lot of things in scripture that are culturally relevant for the time that the scripture was written and we do them now any way (not justifying just explaining). I'm not saying everyone should get a tattoo but remember one day we will all have one.

 

[Almaz]

I don't have a problem with people with tattoos. I don't care what you do. As a Jew and as a personal belief I would never get one. I am more interested in whats in the heart of a person than what they are on the outside. I have many a tatted friend in my life that are more Christians than Christian and more Jewish than Jew. G-d has so many other important things to worry about than that tattoo you got or the stamp tramp others should not be concerned with that either

 

[Poohbear]

It's funny how Christians like to either pick and choose scriptures out of the Bible to fit their wants and desires. They claim that "everyone is taking the scripture out of context." So therefore, they say, "Tattoos are okay." "Drinking alchohol is okay." "Sex outside of marriage is okay". And so on...

If the Bible says "Thou shalt not put piercings and markings on your body," and you knew this command before ever getting a piercing or marking, then that means don't do it. Tattoos are markings on the body, therefore, God says not to do it.

Just because you consider yourself a Christian and want a lot of tattoos doesn't mean it's right in God's eyes.

Just because this was for the pagans back in the Old Testament who put demonic images on their body doesn't mean it's ok for you to put any type of image on your body.

God didn't say "Thou shalt not put any evil demonic markings on your body, but it's okay to put godly markings on your body."

 

[MahoganyJazz]

I have several tattoo's, and I have had a few piercings. Even though I know my body is the temple of the Lord's, decorating it does not take away from that, IMO. What's inside matters more than anything on the outside ever will. But we are asked to come as we are, on the inside and out. This body of mine is only temporary, my soul is what God wants. His blood is what makes us clean, not whether or not we have tattoo's and/or piercings. I think a lot of what was said in the Bible also has to do with the fact that tattoo's, jewels, and gold were used to serve idle gods.

 

[loolalooh]

Here are some reads in case anyone is interested. Definitely talk to Him though:

http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-tattoos.html
http://www.gotquestions.org/tattoos-sin.html

 

[NitaChantell]

It's funny how Christians like to either pick and choose scriptures out of the Bible to fit their wants and desires. They claim that "everyone is taking the scripture out of context." So therefore, they say, "Tattoos are okay." "Drinking alchohol is okay." "Sex outside of marriage is okay". And so on...

If the Bible says "Thou shalt not put piercings and markings on your body," and you knew this command before ever getting a piercing or marking, then that means don't do it. Tattoos are markings on the body, therefore, God says not to do it.

Just because you consider yourself a Christian and want a lot of tattoos doesn't mean it's right in God's eyes.

Just because this was for the pagans back in the Old Testament who put demonic images on their body doesn't mean it's ok for you to put any type of image on your body.

God didn't say "Thou shalt not put any evil demonic markings on your body, but it's okay to put godly markings on your body."

Hmmm...what about the commandment to not eat any unclean meat? Does everyone who eats pork sin when they eat it? What about women not being able to talk in the church? Are female pastors sinning? Does every woman who gets their infants ears pierced sin? Does it mean that I'm walking in sin since I have my ears pierced, and everyone else that has their ears pierced is walking in sin as well?

Something to think about...

 

[loolalooh]

It's funny how Christians like to either pick and choose scriptures out of the Bible to fit their wants and desires. They claim that "everyone is taking the scripture out of context." So therefore, they say, "Tattoos are okay." "Drinking alchohol is okay." "Sex outside of marriage is okay". And so on...

If the Bible says "Thou shalt not put piercings and markings on your body," and you knew this command before ever getting a piercing or marking, then that means don't do it. Tattoos are markings on the body, therefore, God says not to do it.

Just because you consider yourself a Christian and want a lot of tattoos doesn't mean it's right in God's eyes.

Just because this was for the pagans back in the Old Testament who put demonic images on their body doesn't mean it's ok for you to put any type of image on your body.

God didn't say "Thou shalt not put any evil demonic markings on your body, but it's okay to put godly markings on your body."

I agree with the bolded.

At the same time, I think it's important for one to look at the context of the Scripture. There's a line between that and looking for Scripture to justify one's sinful actions. In the same chapter 19 of Leviticus it says:

27 You shall not shave around the sides of your head, nor shall you disfigure the edges of your beard.

So I then wonder, are Christian men who get their sideburns or beards lined up sinning?

This is why I want to read the Bible in its entirety. To get the whole context. Too long I've taken Scripture quoted by others (not on this board, but in church for instance) for face value. But when context is considered, the Scripture takes on a deeper or different meaning.

So I agree. We shouldn't pick and choose Scripture to justify sinful actions. But I also feel we shouldn't set a verse or two apart from the rest of the Bible, etc. They all relate and form the bigger picture.

 

[NitaChantell]

Hmmm...what about the commandment to not eat any unclean meat? Does everyone who eats pork sin when they eat it? What about women not being able to talk in the church? Are female pastors sinning? Does every woman who gets their infants ears pierced sin? Does it mean that I'm walking in sin since I have my ears pierced, and everyone else that has their ears pierced is walking in sin as well?

Something to think about...

I apologize for being argumentative

I do agree that we shouldn't try to justify sin, but as far as the above goes, how do we know when a verse does and doesn't apply to our times? Or should we just assume that everything does? Oh, idkerplexed. I do agree with what was said above, I would like to read the whole Bible, but I really want to know how to discern what applies and what doesn't. My close friends' dad is a pastor, so I'll try to get in contact with him. I'll report back any findings

 

[Poohbear]

Hmmm...what about the commandment to not eat any unclean meat? Does everyone who eats pork sin when they eat it? What about women not being able to talk in the church? Are female pastors sinning? Does every woman who gets their infants ears pierced sin? Does it mean that I'm walking in sin since I have my ears pierced, and everyone else that has their ears pierced is walking in sin as well?

Something to think about...

I apologize for being argumentative

I do agree that we shouldn't try to justify sin, but as far as the above goes, how do we know when a verse does and doesn't apply to our times? Or should we just assume that everything does? Oh, idkerplexed. I do agree with what was said above, I would like to read the whole Bible, but I really want to know how to discern what applies and what doesn't. My close friends' dad is a pastor, so I'll try to get in contact with him. I'll report back any findings

Oh no problem, I didn't see your post as argumentative. I actually agree with the point you were trying to make. The Bible states so many "thou shall not"s that so many of us have accepted as okay such as eating meat, women getting their ears pierced, and talking and pastoring in church. It's like how do we decide what scriptures apply to today and what doesn't apply to today?

So many Christians says everything in the Bible applies to today. Like the issue with tithing. Back then, tithing wasn't monetary. It was more like food and livestock. No where in the Bible does it say a tithe is 10% of your gross income, but yet, it's traditionally accepted among most churches. Jesus doesn't even speak of tithing. He only says to be a cheerful giver. He didn't say an amount.

But there are some people who discount the Old Testament laws because of Jesus being the fulfillment of the Law in the New Testament. But the New Testament mentions women being silent and not teaching or preaching or having authority over the man. And the New Testament even says we shouldn't adorn ourselves with jewelry or braided hair. It's like almost everything is wrong to do.

 

[Poohbear]

I agree with the bolded.

At the same time, I think it's important for one to look at the context of the Scripture. There's a line between that and looking for Scripture to justify one's sinful actions. In the same chapter 19 of Leviticus it says:

27 You shall not shave around the sides of your head, nor shall you disfigure the edges of your beard.

So I then wonder, are Christian men who get their sideburns or beards lined up sinning?

This is why I want to read the Bible in its entirety. To get the whole context. Too long I've taken Scripture quoted by others (not on this board, but in church for instance) for face value. But when context is considered, the Scripture takes on a deeper or different meaning.

So I agree. We shouldn't pick and choose Scripture to justify sinful actions. But I also feel we shouldn't set a verse or two apart from the rest of the Bible, etc. They all relate and form the bigger picture.

I agree. I want to read the Bible in its entirety too to get the whole context.

But after reading the Bible in its entirety, getting a grasp of the whole context, and figuring out what scriptures apply today, I wonder how I can go about combating these traditional views and beliefs that I grew up to accept and believe initially (if that makes sense). For example, if I see that not tithing 10% of gross income is not a sin, how can I go about living comfortably with this interpretation after being taught the opposite?

 

[loolalooh]

I apologize for being argumentative

I do agree that we shouldn't try to justify sin, but as far as the above goes, how do we know when a verse does and doesn't apply to our times? Or should we just assume that everything does? Oh, idkerplexed. I do agree with what was said above, I would like to read the whole Bible, but I really want to know how to discern what applies and what doesn't. My close friends' dad is a pastor, so I'll try to get in contact with him. I'll report back any findings

This is part of the reason I like the life application study version (not that it's the end all be all tool) of the Bible. I like that it goes into detail about who the author of a book was, who he was writing to, what the times + culture were like etc. I also bought "Know Your Bible" but haven't looked at it much yet. I want to eventually find other references as well.

Here's another example. It's a verse quoted a lot:

1 Corinthians 11
15But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

I've heard it quoted to 'justify' one's journey to long hair in some cases (not all). Hmm. Once the culture and custom behind the book of Corinthians is understood, this verse takes on a whole other meaning ... I'll get back to this later ... gotta run to work.

ETA: I want to be careful and say that Leviticus as a whole applies to our times in that we should set ourselves apart from the worldy, etc. Now taking each and every law in Leviticus and applying it ... maybe not so much. That is, the message of the book applies; taking a verse out of the book diminishes the message. Hope that makes sense.