The one verse in the Bible that refers to the issue of tattoos. Leviticus 19:28 forbids people from getting tattoos and cutting themselves. This passage of scripture does not really say anything about tattoos as we know them today but if you read this verse in context, it is referring to cutting and scarring of the skin which was what pagan nations did to honor their gods or to receive help from them. God’s people must be a holy nation, only follow God, and have nothing to do with the idols of the surrounding nations, Bible verses about tattoos, Is it okay for one to take a tattoo? These questions are answered in this article.
For starters, the Bible does not have any backing for tattoos whatsoever. The whole idea of getting a tattoo as far as the Bible is concerned is foreign. There is not a valid reason for anyone to get a tattoo even a tattoo of Jesus Christ, the Bible, or anything religious.
Tattoos are a personal choice for many. However, some parents and guardians have tattoos and force their children and dependents to equally have tattoos so that the family looks united with the purpose (that purpose is having a tattoo) and looks cool.
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However, there is nothing in the Bible that out rightly forbids tattoos for the purpose other than it being a pagan practice, and neither does it say tattoos are okay. Meaning, that getting a tattoo is a choice an individual makes on his or her own depending on their relationship with God (if at all they have any). But, since tattoos are done on the body, the following verses talk about how mean to God and how we should take care of them:
The Body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit
In the Bible, the book of 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and that we were bought at price and that price is the shameful crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. The question here could be, can the Holy Spirit reside in a body that does tattoos? The price of Jesus was too much for us to go against him by defiling our bodies with tattoos. Therefore, we need to keep our bodies as natural as can be, knowing that they are temples of God’s Spirit.
The Body Presented as A Living Sacrifice
Romans 12:1 urges us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. Speaking of sacrifice, God does not accept sacrifices with a blemish in them. Therefore, using common sense, he cannot accept a body that has stained itself with tattoos as a living sacrifice. Keep in mind that the word “living” is present in the continuous tense. This means God can embrace an individual with tattoos who decides to go back to God after being wayward for some time. The individual would have to do away with the tattoos if they are to present themselves as living sacrifices.
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The Body is the Temple of God
Apart from being the temple of the Holy Spirit, our bodies, according to 1 Corinthians 3:16 say that these same bodies of ours are God’s temple as well. So, our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. The same being God’s residence, therefore, can God allow his own temple have tattoos? The Bible tells us to be holy just as God who called us is holy (1 Peter 1:15). If we were holy indeed, the issue of getting tattoos would be out of the question.
Our bodies belong to God. We need to take care of them in a way that pleases him. Imagine you bought a nice vehicle. And what if you lend it to someone, and the next thing you see is graffiti on the vehicle. Will this please you? If your answer is negative, then you have an idea of how God feels about his children getting tattoos. He created us without any tattoo, why then should it be okay for us to get one?
Conclusion
The Bible does not give blessing to getting tattoos. However, it does not say it is wrong or sinful to do so. Since our bodies are the temples of both God and the Holy Spirit, we have to take care of them. Ensuring that we do not stain them with things such as tattoos. This alters the appearance of our bodies to look completely different from the way God created them.
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