Ugly tattoos are everywhere. Some of the ugliness is because of body changes, but much of it is just poor workmanship and a lack of technology. Yet, there are tattoos which are truly works of art. Current technology and an influx of talented artists into the tattooing industry have revolutionized tattooing and helped to “beautify” the images. In previous generations, tattooing was predominantly limited to pagan religions, superstition, memorials, masculinity, brotherhood associations, gangs, marks of punishment, or marks of slavery. The industry had an obvious lack of female clientele. Its image was negative and most people chose to avoid association with it. Today, with the improved application of tattoos and the ability to make “pretty” tattoos, women and young people have entered the tattoo market in great numbers. Additionally, the arrival of “permanent makeup”, (the ability to apply tattooing which looks like makeup, but without the need to apply ever again) has piqued the interest of women. This has aided in changing the image of the industry. Yes, folks are still tattooed for most of the reasons previously mentioned, but cosmetology can be certainly added to the list. The ugly tattoo is not being created as frequently as before.
Christ has invited every man and woman of all races to His kingdom. Some of these people grew up in religious families, some grew up in Christian families, and others had no religious direction at all before coming to Christ. Increasingly, people with tattoos are being seen more and more in the Church. Many of these came to the Church after getting “inked”, but a growing number are getting “inked” as Christians. Some Christians decry the action, others accept it, however, a great many are not certain what to think about the recent trends. 2 Peter 1:3 is the beginning point for all those who believe in the inspiration of the Bible. That verse establishes that through true knowledge of God man has been granted everything necessary for his physical and spiritual life. This means, Christians who are not certain tattooing is acceptable, can come to an understanding of their questions by examining what God has to say in scripture. To be clear, everything in life is either approved under the general or specific authority of God; or it is disapproved. There is not a single function of man that cannot placed in the categories of approved or disapproved.
At the center of the tattooing issue is culture. The Bible never mandates principles which are only applicable locally. The principles which the Bible teaches are eternal and universal in scope. They are applicable to all men everywhere. Foot washing, the holy kiss, and the symbol of authority upon a woman’s head are often used as examples of cultural issues by critics opposing the belief that the Bible does not teach cultural principles. Yet, foot washing as used by Jesus was done so only to illustrate the eternal principle of servanthood for all people. The holy kiss was discussed by Paul as instruction on the eternal principle of purity for all people. The covering of a woman’s head was discussed by Paul as an eternal principle of submitting to God’s authority applicable to all mankind. There are other issues of this kind that are raised, but all are eternal principles, not cultural ones. The apostle Paul who spoke the inspired words of God which we have in scripture, established he taught all of the counsel of God, and he did it everywhere in every Church. Paul makes the following statements about his teaching:
Acts 20:27 – For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.
1 Corinthians 4:17 – For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who shall put you in remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every church.
It must be clear then, by using the whole counsel of God, man having complete access to all that is necessary for life and Godliness, can without a doubt, determine what God authorizes regarding tattoos. It must further be understood the principles uncovered will not be culturally (locally) applicable, but universally mandated.
For many of those who are opposed to tattoos in the religious world, the typical verse which is used to voice their objection is Leviticus 19:28. The context of the verse is the Law of Moses. This law was a covenant for only the Israelites. The portion being discussed was admonition against following the practices of the pagans. In this specific verse, cutting the flesh and marking the body were the topic of concern. Both of these were deeply tied to the pagan way of life. Notably, the mutilation of the flesh and tattooing is still a practice of many pagan god worshippers still. What must be reemphasized here is: the Law of Moses was for only the Israelites and Christians today are not under that law. Christ fulfilled the Law of Moses and it was nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:13-15).
While man is not under that Law of Moses today, is there anything that can be observed about God from the Leviticus passage in regard to tattooing? Recall, God’s nature is unchanging, his principles eternal (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 1:12, Hebrews 13:8, Isaiah 40:8). Additionally, the things which were written in scripture were done so by God for the learning of all mankind (Romans 15:4, I Corinthians 10:11). Knowing this, in the context of Leviticus 19:28, there is an eternal principle which stands out.
The principle observed from Moses’ sharing the Word of God to the Israelites is: God does not want his people be associated with the practices of sinful people. This is a theme present throughout the Old Testament and most notably, the New Testament.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
2 Corinthians 6:14-17 – Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you,
Ephesians 4:17 – This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Colossians 3:2 – Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
1 Thessalonians 4:7 – For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.
While the image of the tattoo industry has changed to a degree, no one should think it is viewed as a wholesome atmosphere. The same individual putting a tattoo of Minnie mouse on someone’s wrist is putting the image of a naked person, curse words, false religious symbols, and further atrocities on the bodies of others. A simple search on Google using the search term “tattoo” will result in numerous immodest pictures as well as immoral themes (and that is only on the first page of search responses). How about turning to Wickipedia for a history on tattoos? You will be met with the picture of a tattooed naked woman. Maybe you should visit a tattoo parlor to see “cosmetic body art”. You will be likely faced with books of pictures of immodest tattoos and/or walls with the same posted all over them. To find such a place, the best bet is usually the seedy part of town. Feel free to send your young teenage daughter with her girlfriends. They are likely to encounter individuals for whom the thought of Christianity is far from their minds.
Demographically according to the article “Ink Me Stud” (http://adage.com/article/american-demographics/ink-stud/43779/) in America 10% of people have or have had tattoos. Not exactly as main stream as people are made to believe. Consider these other statements from the article which presents the statistical data from the research company Harris Interactive:
“…lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Americans are twice as likely as the average American to be tattooed…”.
“Fifty-seven percent of Americans age 65 and older describe visible tattoos or body piercings as “freakish,”
“Eighty-five percent agree with the statement, “people who have visible tattoos or body piercings should realize that this form of self-expression is likely to create obstacles in their career or personal relationships.”
It is quite clear, even among typical American citizens; tattoos are not widely seen in a positive light. Among the Christian population the numbers are certainly not any better. For a people who are a possession of God, according to the first Biblical principle examined, in regard to being associated with sinfulness, it seems apparent that a Christian should not get “inked”.
Setting aside the Leviticus passage and taking a wider view at scripture, a second principle presented by the Bible is the principle of Christian Purity. Paul encourages the Philippian Christians to think on things true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of a good report, virtuous and praise worthy (Philippians 4:8). Tattooing does not have this image. It is practically impossible to approach getting tattooed without running into a plethora of immodest images and themes. Furthermore, where are you going to get the tattoo? To be modest, most regions your clothes cover would be unacceptable. Yet the back, breasts, stomach, and thighs are typical areas exposed to tattooing. One of the biggest fads in tattooing at the moment is for women to get the small of their back tattooed. While wearing shirts and pants that expose their midriff they tattoo can then be seen. Some believe this to be so cute and “sexy”. Consider the name for such a tattooing. It is referred to as the “Tramp Stamp”. How cute does that seem to a Christian now? Is this a vision of purity and wholesomeness?
A third principle the Bible presents which Christians must consider relates to personal influence. I Corinthians 8:9-13 discusses practices which if engaged in are likely to cause someone weaker in their Christianity to stumble. As a Christian, an individual may be able to walk into a place which has a negative connotation, widely sinful clientele, and an impure atmosphere and somehow not sin. However, will the people who try to walk in those footsteps be as strong? Being a stumbling block is warned against in scripture, yet being a proper example is encouraged throughout. If a person associates himself with something others view negatively, how likely is it they will be listened to in important matters? Their influence will have been tarnished. It doesn’t matter how good their tattoo of Jesus looks.
A fourth principle to be considered in regard to tattooing relates to submission. The practice of tattooing has for quite awhile has been associated with rebellion. Thus, a number of youths will flock to it. The parents don’t like it, the preacher doesn’t like it, the church doesn’t like it, therefore, let’s get it done! The idea is that the young person considers themselves wise enough to make a proper decision for their lives. Unfortunately, this is a mistaken belief. Additionally, like Adam and Eve trying to hide in the garden from God, young people also try to hide their tattoos from their parents. It is a lack of submission in opposition to Ephesians 6:1-3. When adult Christians, male or female, decide to get tattoos, they may make a statement such as “I just wanted to be a little bad”. Well, they were successful in that arena, violating many principles which God has established for them to walk in. “I don’t think it really matters”, someone might say. God points out that when men try to walk according to what they think, problems arrive at the doorstep (Proverbs 14:12). God doesn’t want man to be “a little bad”. He wants them holy. Yet, they refuse to submit.
A final principle which the Bible presents applicable to tattooing is: good stewardship. The Bible presents different passages discussing stewardship including a fine parable on the topic in Matthew 25. Consider the cost of getting a tattoo. Typically, the prices will range from $75-150 an hour and up. Also quite typically, a number of these “works of art” will take multiple sessions to finish. Pretty good chunk of change, but it is permanent correct? Unfortunately, according to the website for “Just Tattoo Removal” franchises here are the statistics:
“In the year 2000 over 40 million people had a Tattoo. In 2002 it was stated 1 in 8 people had a Tattoo. 50% of these people want it removed, according to American Society of Dermatological Surgery.”
Guess, what? To have a tattoo removed according to the same website costs $100 to $1000+ a treatment and typically at least 6 treatments are needed. Be aware even with treatment, not all tattoos go away, though they can be faded greatly. Sound like a good investment? Sound like good stewardship? It is certainly something the individual must consider before getting a tattoo.
Other articles will likely present principles such as the body being the temple of God and point out an individual should not defile it. Five eternal Biblical principles have been provided in this article and that is enough. Principles of association, submission, purity, influence, and good stewardship give a clear Biblical approach to tattooing. Rather than focus on any further Biblical principles that might be applicable, as final consideration for those thinking about a tattoo, contemplate the regret factor. As noted, a huge percentage of people want tattoos removed. They regret them. They may regret them for the look. Perhaps a tattoo is regretted for the shame and stigma that has come with it. Maybe the individual looks back and sees the tattoo as rebellion for which they do not want to be known. Perhaps it was just a foolish mistake for a man to get his first girlfriend’s name tattooed on his chest, but now that she is gone, he regrets it. Maybe it was cute to get Sylvester the cat tattooed on the ankle when a teenager, but as a mature business person or grandma, it’s a bit embarrassing. As someone who has made many mistakes in his life, it is this author’s plea to you, do not do something you will likely regret. This is advice for which you can make good whether a Christian or not.