Jesus Comes Back with a Tatt

I have Christian friends who have tattoos and those who don’t. I think some tattoos are quite attractive, but my concern is the misinterpretation of scripture and what God says is the highest priority. When asked Jesus said the greatest commandment is “to Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matt 22:37. In Matt 7:21-23 Jesus states that there will be MANY who claim to be followers of Jesus and who even do very impressive works (things God wants us to do) and yet Jesus states “I never knew you, depart from me workers of evil deeds”. WHY DID JESUS SAY THESE THINGS? To get us…. believers… to wake up and realize that there is more than just living life the way we want… deciphering how many do’s and don’ts will allow us to still be “good enough”… really “Holy enough”… to be acceptable to God and calling ourselves “Christian”. Now, if you go back to Leviticus and read the whole sections, not just taking one or two versus to prove your point, you will see what God’s POINT is, His PURPOSE is, and it’s much bigger than 1 or 2 “do’s” or “don’ts” and that DOES still apply to all of us. Lev 18:3 “You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices”. Vs 24 “Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, BECAUSE this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled”. Lev 19:1 “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy”. Read what Jesus said on the Sermon on the mount (Matt 5-7)… what about Matt 5:20 “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Then read the rest where he explains what he means and you will see it is NOT just keeping this or that, it is are we HOLY BEYOND THE ACTIONS? Its not about whether this or that is “acceptable” or “now more acceptable by our society”. it’s ARE WE IN LOVE WITH JESUS or doing what WE want in his name? If we need to quit our jobs to follow Jesus will we? Or will we say its ok with these people? If we look for someone to agree with us, we can always find that, even a preacher…. but are you trying to please yourself or God? Pleasing God WILL require sacrifice. “If you love your life you will loose it” Mat 10:39, 16:25, Lk 9:24, Lk 17:33, Jn 12:25. Although you may think I am against getting tattoos….. that’s legalism. But I am against those who are just looking for an excuse to do what they want and still call themselves servants of Jesus. Decide who you will serve. 1 Peter 3:15… talking to Christians…. “Set apart Christ as LORD”.

This is for all you uneducated people who actually believe that you have a point to make….Tattoos have many different variations both ancient and modern, even the simple “cutting of flesh” is a form of tattooing and is still practiced around the world today!!

Thanks Doug for that insight. When I became a born again believer i was told that tattoos (all of them) are demonic, and its not the most encouraging thing you want to hear especially when you have them. Bless you heaps

Hi Doug!

I wanted to share something with you. Leviticus 19:28 is not talking about tattoos at all. In fact, in many newer translations the word is translated as cutting. It’s the same Hebrew word that is used when the prophets of Baal were cutting themselves and bleeding in an attempt to get Baal to consume their sacrifice. The Hebrew word means to cut yourself and bleed as a form of worship to false idols. It’s not about putting ink into your skin.

I once had a discussion with a pastor couple (both pastored) and they went back to the age-old “if God wanted you to have one you would have been born with one…” argument. Of course, she was sitting there with double-pierced ears, hair color, full make-up, nails done, etc… and wearing clothes. I mean, if God wanted you to wear clothes you would have been born with them, right?

It’s sad that we’re so quick to use God’s Word to support our personal cultural preferences.

Amey