Jesus Café Ministries - Scripture Squad - What does the Bible say about getting a tattoo?

From: Mark
I have thought about getting a tattoo of maybe a cross somewhere down the line. It would never be one that would blaspheme our Lord at all. I am wondering if the Bible says anything negative on getting a tattoo?

Mark, it is exciting to see someone who searches out God's Word for all aspects of life.
Leviticus 19:28 says: "You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead, nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves; I am the Lord." (All Scripture from the NASB)

So that seems pretty clear that God says that tattoos are not for those who want to serve Him.

Now, why does God say this? Peter quotes Deuteronomy 14:2 when he writes, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you my proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called out of darkness into His marvelous light." In 1 Peter 2:9-12 he continues: "for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation."

We are chosen!! Praise God for that. We are to be separate from those who are not walking and serving God. (As a side note, the word Gentiles in vs. 12 means pagans.) We are not to be of the world or act like the world. We are to act as children of God.

Other verses to consider: Romans 12:1: "THEREFORE I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."

1 Corinthians 6:17-18 says: "Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are."

2 Tim. 1:9 says: " [God} who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity."

Since the price paid for our salvation was such a great price, it seems easy to say no to the worldly fad of tattoos. When Jesus took the suffering and sin upon Himself, was it so we could get a tattoo? That would certainly trivialize the crucifixion, would it not?

Now, that isn't to say that God is not capable of forgiving any and every sin. Praise His mercy, He can forgive all things. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Certainly people with tattoos are capable of serving God and many do. Many also regret their decision to defile their body with something God prohibits. But for those who are thinking about it, please consider the words of Scripture that tells us to be above marking our bodies as the world does, and instead concentrate on things of God.

- The Scripture Squad :
TCCaleb, TCCaff, RuthCCC & DawnCCC