There are two types of people in this world — people who have designed tattoos on their bodies and people who are afraid of those who have tattoos on their bodies. Let’s start with something you need to know about tattoos. Tattoos are created by placing coloured pigments in between the permanent base layer of your skin and the constantly changing top layer. But what people do not realize is that tattoos disfigure and tarnish the skin permanently. They also cause skin infection. Some people get themselves tattooed to show independence and rejection of parental values. Others get themselves tattooed because they believe that they are stylish — its today’s fashion they say!
The Holy Bible tells us in Leviticus, Chapter 19, verse 28: “You are God’s image and you shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you.” This passage clearly tells us that God does not want us to decorate our bodies with different kinds of graphic designs or tattoos. Also in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 3, verse17 we read: “If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy.” Again in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 6, verses 19 to 20, we read: “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” The Lord God designed our bodies to be a temple and a dwelling place for His Spirit. In the same way that Solomon’s temple was free from graffiti, we should also not defile our bodies, since it is also God’s holy temple.
Throughout history and in the Holy Bible, tattoos have been related to pagan practices and wild living. As Christians, we are to be set apart as holy vessels for God (1 Peter, Chapter 1, verses 14 to19) and to turn away from things that link us to this world which is passing away. Remember that 1 Thessalonians, Chapter 5, verse 22 tells us to abstain from all appearances of evil.
We’re not supposed to be like the rest of the pagan world and live the way everyone else does. “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” (1 Corinthians, Chapter 6, verse17).
“And whatever you do or say let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Colossians, Chapter 3, verse17). All of our actions are to represent the Lord Jesus Christ and I really cannot picture the Saviour with snakes, demons, butterflies or dragons tattooed across His forearms or chest.
What if someone has made the mistake of getting himself or herself tattooed? Have they gone too far? Absolutely not! 1 John, Chapter 1, verse 9 assures us that if we confess our sins, He (Jesus Christ) is faithful and just to forgive them and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The human body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and one must not misuse it for any wrong purpose, be it sex outside marriage, masturbation, homosexuality, smoking, drinking alcohol or getting oneself tattooed.
Jubel D’Cruz
