Is it a Sin to get a Tattoo? A heated debate of the flesh.
Yes, the act of getting a tattoo is considered a sin by some Christians, because it goes against God’s instructions. Especially if the image of the tattoo contains anti-Christian depictions. In Leviticus 19:28 God’s people were instructed not to mark themselves as the pagans did in their mourning rituals. God also tells believers to take care of their body, because it was purchased and redeemed by the blood of Jesus (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), now God’s temple (1 Corinthians 3:17).
Personal conviction plays a role in determining if someone feels it is or isn’t a sin.
Most Christians who do feel convicted, agree, once you have a tattoo (any many people do without fully realizing it is a sin) it is NOT a sin to continue to have it. Meaning you do NOT have to have it removed to stop sinning or to not “live in perpetual sin”. However, the Bible is clear you should ask for forgiveness for your sins (the act of getting the tattoo) and repent (turn away from the sin by not getting any more tattoos).
Where in the Bible does it talk about tattoos being a sin?
Leviticus 19:28 (KJV) reads:
“Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.”
Wait the Bible didn’t specifically say tattoos! Isn’t this all just a cultural thing that doesn’t apply now?
Yes, it is important to understand the historical and cultural context of the Bible’s passages on tattoos. Context helps provide a deeper understanding of the original meaning and intent of these verses.
Is the word tattoo in the Bible?
It is correct that the word “tattoo” is not in the original Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic versions of the Bible. “Tattoo” did not enter the English language until the late 1700s. The word translated tattoo in our English Bibles is the Hebrew word “qa aqa”, this word appears only one time in the Bible in Leviticus. The word “qa aqa” means literally “to cut” but taken with the surrounding words indicates a cutting that left a mark imprinted into the skin. While some ancient tattoos were only made by cutting to make scars, they also had the tools to insert ink and dyes into the skin. Greek written records of tattooing date back to at least the 5th century BC.
What pagan practice of tattoos does the Bible talk about?
What the Bible is referencing was a pagan cultural practice to mark oneself as part of mourning the dead. Which God did not want His people to do. God wanted them to separate themselves from the pagan practices, returning back to His ways. But there were other kinds of tattooing in ancient times, just like today there are many reasons why someone might get a tattoo.
So even though the word for tattoo did not exist yet, God did specifically tell His people not to do this specific practice for a specific reason. It was a pagan practice, influencing them in a negative way. It didn’t have to just do with respecting the dead, but also worshipping other gods and in a way the dead, and in some ways a type of idol. The motive behind getting the tattoo was against the love one should show for God in the first four of the ten commandments.
The Israelites coming out of Egypt were having a hard time remembering and understanding how to be Godly people and to avoid Satan’s snares. This can be seen by the very specific and voluminous amount of laws that had to be given in Leviticus. But all of them go back to the spirit of the law in the ten commandments. So then getting a tattoo could be a snare, or be done in the wrong spirit.
Why is getting a tattoo considered a sin?
To understand why getting a tattoo can be considered a sin, you have to consider what the Bible says is a sin, and what it means to sin. Sin is the transgression of God’s law (1 John 3:4). And it isn’t just specific hard rules, but having the right spirit, right motivations, and right love for God and others. God gave us the laws to help communicate how to do this. How to be a holy and righteous people like God, returning to being made in His spirit.
A key part of understanding this is how God views our bodies. Why does God say it is a sin? 1 Corinthians 3:17 (KJV) reads: “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” also 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV) reads:
19 “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
God gave you a wonderful body to live in and Jesus paid the price for saving it. God is saying to use this second chance and repent, and glorify God in your body. Turn away from worldly things that separate you from God. Consider does getting a tattoo glorify God? What message does marking the body Jesus paid for with a price send?
So it is these general principles given in the Bible which convict some Christians to consider getting a tattoo a sin. Not a specific rule or mention.
But what if I want to get a Christian tattoo to celebrate or honor God?
If you have ever had a child or had to babysit a kid, you probably have at some point dealt with them trying to “toe the line”. How much and how far can they get what they want, before they break the rules and buck authority? Pushing to test the boundaries of what is acceptable.
I’d propose that this is the wrong attitude to take with God. We need to have faith and trust in what God says is in our best interests. God DOES have our best interests at heart. And God wants a loving relationship with us, not one of conflict where we are constantly trying to test Him.
How does it celebrate or honor God to do something He may not want you to do?
Here are some reasons to consider why God might not want us to tattoo ourselves at all:
- It may not be healthy and have potential health consequences, such as
- the ink containing toxic heavy metals
- having an allergic reaction to the dyes
- damaging your skin from a skin infection or reaction
- getting a blood infection or contagious disease
- Tattooing came from pagan practices, even if they may not seem to be associated with them today
- God gave us our bodies and they are not meant to be tattooed
- It is a dishonor to God to get a tattoo
- Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, disregarding this can affect our relationship with God
- Jesus paid a price for our bodies
- Removing a tattoo is expensive and possibly could cause skin damage
Why do some people say getting a tattoo is not a sin?
There are some Christians who do not feel convicted that it is a sin. They base their reasoning on these concepts:
- What Leviticus 19:28 does say is only talking about a specific cultural practice and not tattoos in general. So as long as you are not doing it in a mourning ritual for the dead, it is OK.
- That the Leviticus laws do not apply to Christians today, that we are no longer under the law.
- That the scenario in Leviticus does not apply to Christians today, due to differences in the cultures then compared to today’s cultures and practices. It just isn’t applicable. Apples to oranges.
- Some tattoos are bad, based on what someone gets tattooed on them. So then tattoos with a good message and with good intentions are OK.
Be careful to not let examining the different interpretations and viewpoints turn into cherry-picking the answer you want. Consider the concepts not subjectively. If you honestly are open to God’s answer, pray for the Holy Spirit to help you find it. No one but God and yourself can convict you of what you believe the answer is.
"For 30 years I've been gaming. I lived it, grew up in it, and for most of my life I thought I could live in the world and live in Christ too. I was WRONG. After years of unknowingly running FROM God, I finally surrendered and trusted fully in him instead of myself. He then in 2018 pulled me out of the world and showed me his truth, showed me what it means to truly follow Jesus. Now I bring the gospel message directly to other gamers, I won't be able to pull them out of the world, but we can plant seeds from God to water! This channel is dedicated to preaching the Three Angels Message across the internet broadcasting community and preaching the gospel for all who are willing to hear, and teaching people what it means to "Forsake the World". Edward came from a Baptist and Catholic family background. Very familiar with scripture, but not fully understanding it until 5 years ago. Now he is on fire for the Truth and the Bible. A Christian and Seventh-day Adventist. A layman just wanting to help spread the Gospel to gamers. - Read more about Edward Preach.
