In a world where fashion with time, has moved beyond merely covering one’s nakedness and boosting physical appearance to becoming a major means of communicating one’s personality, ideology, religion, just to name a few, Tattoos have also been used in like manner.
One cannot overlook this type of body art now rampant and normalized, beginning from the second half of the 20th and 21st centuries. Tattoos, though practiced in some cultures and religions in both ancient and modern times are now very common among today’s youth from different racial, ethnic, tribal, religious, social, and other backgrounds. Even though frowned upon by Christianity in general, the practice of tattooing is fast creeping into our circles with some tagging themselves as ‘progressive Christians’ supporting the practice.
Nonetheless, the question many believers in Christ will ask is whether getting a tattoo as a Christian, ok and this will be answered in the article using biblical arguments, history, and examples.
“You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh, for the dead, nor print marks on you” (Leviticus 19:28).
The above quote of scripture, some biblical scholars and some Christians will argue, is God’s final opinion and concrete word on tattoos. In this article, we will look at what scriptures have to say about an individual (especially, a Christian) having or getting a tattoo. The bible, categorically states in Leviticus 19:28 that, “cuttings in your flesh”; and “print marks” establishes the biblical stance against getting a tattoo and is still relevant for the 21st century New Testament believer. As to whether this argument is solid or not, let us look briefly at some biblical historic examples of this practice which is fast gaining momentum and becoming trendy among young people of this modern era.
Tattoo as a symbol of ancient Baal worship
The worship of Baal by the inhabitants of Canaan and beyond which predated the Exodus of Israel from Egypt to the Promised land (Canaan) recorded similar practices so it was not surprising when God, by the laws given through Moses, cautioned Israel to desist from such practices. The Canaanite religion or Baal worship as commonly called involved many rituals including self-mutilation and ritual scarring. One discovered ancient text describes it as a ‘ritual masochism’ as recorded in this quote: “She cuts cheek and chin/ lacerates her forearms/She plows lake a garden Her chest/Like a vale She lacerates the back.”
The major reasons why God did not want His chosen people (Israel) to adopt this practice was to:
1. Prevent them from hurting their bodies. Self-mutilation and scarring is often a dangerous act that can lead to serious health consequences such as severe pain, deformities, ugly scars (that is if wounds are able to heal), excessive bleeding which could lead to death if the said mutilation went wrong.
2. Spiritual and Physical contamination (as his chosen ones were set apart (i.e. peculiar, worship the one and only true God, operated in the auction of HIS spirit) and not like the other nations that surrounded them. Getting a tattoo done is tantamount to desecrating your body- the temple of the Holy Spirit according to 1 Corinthians 6:19
3. Idolization – The fact that these cuttings, marks, and mutilations were done to please lesser gods or deities other than the Almighty God proved this point. It amounted to ‘sharing his glory with others’ of which God resented. He has emphatically stated that ” He is a jealous God”.
(Exodus 34:14 “For you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God”),
and thus doesn’t ‘share his glory’ (Isaiah 42:8 “I am the LORD, that is My name; My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images”)
In this present day, people sometimes get injured during the process of getting tattoos on their bodies. Furthermore, some of the methods employed in getting these inked-inspired markings or drawings involve pain; though it may last for a short period of time.
Moreover, deciding in the first place to get a tattoo is also a sin of rebellion against God’s commandment and can be equated to the sin committed by the first man and woman Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Gen. 3:6 – “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. … “
Tattoo as a legacy of punishment
Throughout history and in some cultures, methods of tattooing were associated with punishment; whether self-inflicted or as a means of torture by others. Looking at the above, one can effectively argue that tattooing is an act of self-punishment borne out of self-hatred, lack of self-confidence, body worship which are legacies of darkness rather than light. Our heavenly Father wants His children (believers) to bear fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. A fruitful heart looks to Him rather than self.
As believers in Christ the Redeemer, we should not be “partakers in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” as Ephesians 5:11 says because, we are responsible for our own salvation as written in Paul’s letter to the Philippians 2:12: “Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling”.
Blessings to all believers in Christ Jesus!
