A christian with a tattoo

Everyone who appreciate art would without doubt love tattoos. Art, just like love, is blind.

The love of art doesn’t care whether you are religious or not. But christianity is not blind. It goes with standards, rules and laws. It is a religion with a jealous God.(Exodus 34:14)

Before getting a tattoo that you have fallen in love with, you ought to check if your religion allows it. You are scared and have no answers. Right?

I have tried to get some answers for you. The most common verse regarding tattoos is Leviticus 19:28 that says that "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you.”

‘Print any markings upon you.’ That sounds like tattooing right? Other Bible transalations such as New International Version and New Living Translations use the word “tattoo” not markings.

My interpretation of Leviticus 19 is context based. It is believed that the ancient people had a form of self-mutilation and tattooing during mourning that they practiced.

In view of the above, it is safe to say that the verse is exclusively prohibiting the said ancient form mourning and not prohibiting one from getting a tattoo of his/her favorite Bible verse, animal, flower, bird etc.

The above mentioned form of mourning would seem to me as a form of worshiping the dead and our God being a jealous God wants his believers to refrain from such.

If tattooing is not allowed in Christianity, there wouldn’t be Bible verses suggesting that some of the ancient men and even Jesus himself had a tattoo.

Jesus “on his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.” (Revelations 19:16).

I know the book of Revelations is full of symbolism but why would it use a prohibited practice as a symbol to something so important? There are so many symbolic ways of showing the dominion of Jesus eg the use of a crown, castle, the color purple, but the Bible used words printed on Jesus’ thigh. I would like to believe that there is no symbolism on this verse and it meant a tattoo.

It is my humble opinion that tattoos are not prohibited by the Christian Bible. Getting a tattoo is a personal decision that one has to make.

The Bible tells us, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”.(1 Corinthians 10:31) The question you need to ask yourself before getting a tattoo is whether the desired marking will glorify God.

Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. (1Corinthians 6:19-20 ) Your tattoo should not bring shame to the temple of Christ.

To answer your question whether you should get a tattoo or not, my answer is YES! But please be careful with what you choose to put on the temple of God.

Yes, Yes!!! You can can be a Christian with a tattoo!!! A good one.