Tattoos are ubiquitous in modern society and are now common in many churches. What does the bible say about tattoos? Anything?
Does the commonality of tattoos make them “okay” with God or could it be something else? Are there tattoo verses in the bible?
What has changed?
A few decades ago, most people with tattoos were either service members, veterans, felons, or bikers. It was rare and somewhat shocking to see educators, the clergy, or executives with ink.
The script has definitely been flipped!
What does the Bible say about tattoos?
Tattoos are only mentioned directly in the Bible one time. In the book of Leviticus, cutting and inking were summarily forbidden. Let’s not bury the lead. Tattoos will not keep a person out of heaven.
In this post, I will provide two solid biblical reasons as to why tattoos are no longer prohibited and are not a heaven or hell issue.
SHOULD CHRISTIANS GET TATTOOS
There are strong opinions on both sides of this argument. Those who have tattoos typically love them and desire more of them. People who do not have tattoos rarely understand the attraction.
Just because one doesn’t understand the affinity towards ink doesn’t give one the right to create a non-existent biblical argument against them, though.
Most of the tattoo resistance is steeped in legalism and not actual bible truth.
Leviticus 19:28 You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead, nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the Lord.
At first glance, it seems kind of cut and dry. Is it, though?
Like most things in life — it’s complicated.
JOYCE MEYER ON TATTOOS
Joyce Meyer is a popular TV and circuit preacher. Turn on Christian television at most times and you will probably see her speaking to thousands of women in a large convention center. She chimed in on the tattoo discussion in an article titled, What God Says About Tattoos.
Her argument, which is in favor of tattoos, is weak and superficial. She connects tattoos to holiness which is a bit odd. Holiness is an internal work of the Holy Spirit not an external work of our willpower. I really don’t understand what she meant.
She then says that getting a tattoo is a matter of the heart. WHOA! Maybe she’s unfamiliar with what the prophet Jeremiah shared in the Bible.
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
If God forbade tattoos in Leviticus then our motivation as to why we disobey that command is irrelevant. We don’t get a free pass to disobey commands based on our motivations.
Surely, there must be something else that eliminates the tattoo restriction.
THE BIBLE REASONS WEBSITE ON TATTOOS
The popular Christian website, Bible Reasons, has an article titled 10 Biblical Reasons Not To Get A Tattoo. Obviously, the author of the article strongly opposes Christians getting inked.
Does the author of the article have a legitimate scriptural argument?
No, not really.
The article oozes conjecture, and opinion, and takes scripture out of context.
The first verse the author uses is Leviticus 19:28. I believe that many of us agree that Leviticus 19:28 is legitimate and doesn’t require a ton of elaboration.
Or does it?
The author moved beyond Leviticus 19:28 into other Bible verses that required some conclusion-jumping. The author was quite adept at conclusion-jumping. If conclusion jumping was an Olympic sport…
For example, the second point in the article stated that Tattoos Are Clearly Conforming To The World. When a preacher or Christian writer uses the word “clearly” it must be backed up with solid evidence. The argument was not clear and it was simply an editorial opinion not based on Bible truth.
I’m sure that I’ve made this error before as it’s an easy mistake to make.
Is Joyce Meyer correct in her support of tattoos or is biblereason.com right in its prohibition of tattoos?
Neither made a strong case to support their position.
THE COUNCIL AT JERUSALEM ABOUT TATTOOS
Let’s not forget that the Old Testament was written to the Hebrew nation. They were required to keep the law (impossible) and had to follow very specific temple sacrifices.
In Christ, those sacrifices are no longer required.
Jesus did not abolish the law, He fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17-20).
As such, many of the requirements of the law are no longer applicable.
Following Jewish law and tradition created some friction in the early church. Until the diaspora, the early church was comprised primarily of converted Jews.
Circumcision was a sign of the Abrahamic Covenant. Were non-Jewish Christians required to get circumcised in order to be Christian?
The Apostles and James, the pastor of the church in Jerusalem, met to hash out which things the non-Jewish believers were required to do.
The list was quite brief.
Acts 15:19-20 It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead, we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.
Tattoos, according to the Apostles, were not a salvation issue. Personally, that’s good enough for me.
Should every church member rush to the tattoo parlor and get some body art?
Probably not.
CEREMONIAL LAWS and MORAL LAWS
Moral laws transcend time and geography. The command “Do not murder” does not have an expiration date. It was wrong to commit adultery in the time of Elijah and it’s wrong now. Stealing was wrong in ancient Bethlehem and it’s wrong in Tupelo, Mississippi.
Tattoos do not violate moral laws.
Ceremonial laws pertained specifically to the Hebrew nation as a way to “sanctify” the children of Israel from the pagan nations. Jews refrained from some specific foods, clothing, and how their hair was cut or not cut. These outward appearances were unique to the Jewish people.
Tattooing falls under the ceremonial law category. Since Christ fulfilled the law, these are no longer applicable.
It’s kind of humorous that those who are anti-tattoo fail to read some of the verses before Leviticus 19:28.
Leviticus 19:26a Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it.
According to the logic being used, medium-rare steaks are not allowed and they dishonor God.
Leviticus 19:27 Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.
I’m just going to leave the haircut and beard trim idea out there to marinate…
WRONG REASONS TO GET A TATTOO
Tattoos are a personal decision. If you want one get one. If you don’t want one don’t get one.
I can only offer some guidance on why not to get one, or perhaps another one.
Good tattoos are expensive. If you’re in debt and trying to get out of debt perhaps a new tattoo is not the wisest financial decision. If you plan to get a tattoo, spend the extra few dollars and get a good one. A bad tattoo will haunt you!
Tattoos are not salvation tools. You are mistaken if you think getting a tattoo will help you become a better evangelist. Sharing the Gospel does not come easier just because you got a tattoo.
Additionally, if you think that a tattoo will make you cool or popular, think twice, nerd.
GOOD REASONS TO GET A TATTOO
I know of a few couples who have tattooed wedding rings. Instead of going the traditional route of buying gold & diamonds, they had bands tattooed on their ring fingers.
You never have to fear losing the rock out of the band, losing your ring, or getting it stolen!
Ink 180 is a nonprofit tattoo artist in my general geographic vicinity. Chris, the founder of Ink 180, provides complimentary tattoo cover-ups for former gang members and victims of human trafficking.
If this type of ministry sparks your heart, I encourage you to donate to this great cause.
SCRIPTURES ABOUT TATTOOS IN THE BIBLE
Isaiah 49:16 (AMPC) Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands; [O Zion] your walls are continually before Me.
Isaiah 49:16 (TLB) See, I have tattooed your name upon my palm, and ever before me is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins.
I don’t think that we need the above to validate getting tattoos but some people use them.
POPULAR BIBLE SCRIPTURE TATTOOS
Bible scripture tattoos are quite popular. These are the five most popular bible verse tattoos. I’m a bit surprised that Leviticus 19:28 isn’t in the top five.
Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
WHY I AM TATTOO FREE
I considered getting a tattoo at one time but changed my mind. Why? First of all, I’m what some might call parsimonious (AKA cheap). Also, I’m not a fan of needles or pain. I guess that would make me a wimpy, tight-wad.
My cousin Bill loved getting inked. He, in my opinion, was one of the toughest dudes I knew. I was with him once when he was getting tattooed. It took the tattooist a few hours to complete the artwork. I saw more than one teardrop fall from his cheek during that time.
I was sold on tattoos being way too painful for me.
I’m out of the tattoo game simply because of money and pain.
Hopefully, I’ve made a valid case as to why I believe tattoos are no longer Biblically prohibited.
If you want ink, please make sure it’s something that you can truly afford, and don’t skimp out on the quality. Moreover, if you plan to get ink on your face or neck don’t whine if you find that getting a job is harder.
BENEDICTION
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.