I got my tattoo during a strange time – right at the peak of the pandemic. Getting inked always comes with opinions, doesn’t it? Friends, family, even strangers chime in. I once had a woman on a plane tell me tattoos trap your soul after death! I kept quiet about mine, picturing her trying some mid-air laser removal.
People have strong feelings about tattoos, spiritual or not. But what about God? As someone working for a church, the question hits differently. Are tattoos against the Bible? Am I risking my job?
Considering if tattoos align with biblical teachings and Christian faith.
Does the Bible offer any real guidance here? Is God filled with rage at the sight of ink, or is He indifferent, leaving it up to us? For me, and for many Christians, whether tattoos are a “sin” isn’t a make-or-break issue for faith. But grappling with confusing parts of the Bible can deepen our trust in God.
Spoiler alert: I got the tattoo, so I landed on “it’s okay.” You might feel differently, and that’s valid too. Let’s dive in.
What Does the Bible Actually Say About Tattoos?
“You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.”
That’s the verse everyone points to: Leviticus 19:28 in the Old Testament. Case closed, right? Not so fast. Context is crucial. Look at the verse right before it: “Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.” I’ve definitely had a fade haircut and trimmed my beard – am I in violation too?
We need more context. Turning to Jesus and the New Testament is essential when exploring these questions.
The Apostle Paul, in Romans, calls Jesus the “culmination” of the Old Testament law (Romans 10:4). He says Jesus “is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances…” (Romans 2:14-15). It sounds like Jesus tossed out the Old Testament law, right? Tattoo time! But Jesus himself said in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” So, it’s still murky.
Exploring biblical scripture to understand the context of tattoos in religious law.
Throughout history, Christians have interpreted Old Testament laws differently. Some are seen as timeless guidelines, like the Ten Commandments (affirmed by Jesus in Mark 10:19). However, we often disregard others, like avoiding blended fabrics (Leviticus 19:19, Deuteronomy 22:11) – despite my comfy cotton-poly shirt.
Deciding which Old Testament laws apply today requires deeper digging into the ancient context and understanding God’s original intent behind them. It’s complex, acknowledging that some laws apply and some don’t can feel open to misinterpretation. But God invites us to wrestle with Him and His Word. The very name “Israel,” God’s people in the Old Testament, means “Wrestles with God”!
Consistency and context are key when interpreting the Old Testament. If a law’s principle is consistently repeated across ages and affirmed by Jesus, it likely holds timeless relevance. This isn’t clearly the case with tattoos.
Secondly, we must examine the historical context. Some Old Testament prohibitions had specific reasons tied to ancient practices – reasons that might not apply today. While the underlying principle might still be relevant, the literal application might not be. To understand this, we need to look at history.
The Historical Significance of Tattooing
To understand the tattoo prohibition, we need to step back into that era. While the exact reason for forbidding tattoos isn’t stated in Leviticus 19:28, it’s unlikely God was concerned about ankle hearts or bicep barb wire.
Consider the ancient world when this law was given. Tattoos had meanings far beyond decoration. Think of Ötzi the Iceman, Europe’s oldest mummy (3350-3105 B.C.), with 61 tattoos!¹ His weren’t for show. Historically, tattoos marked criminals, prostitutes, or were used for pain relief long before Christianity. Crucially, many cultures used skin cutting and tattoos to honor false gods and engage in superstitious rituals. The Leviticus verse likely addresses these ceremonial tattoos, linked to pagan worship. God had a specific reason to discourage them.
Are tattoos a sin?
So, Are Tattoos a Sin Today? Reconsidering the Biblical Stance
The commands against tattoos, beard trimming, and certain fabrics seem rooted in God’s desire for His people to reject idol worship and stand apart from the world (a world with ungodly reasons for tattooing and other practices).
This desire – God wanting His people distinct from worldly living – is central to many Old Testament laws (Exodus 19:5). The specifics of each law were sometimes carried forward by Jesus (or New Testament writers), but often not, because culture evolves. Practices that distinguished God’s people at one time might not be relevant in another.
Tattoos fall into this category. They are not mentioned again in the Bible after Leviticus. The enduring principle is our exclusive worship of God, which should guide us.
Therefore, many faithful Christians, myself included, believe tattoos are not explicitly forbidden today by scripture. However, sincere followers of Jesus hold differing views, and that’s perfectly acceptable.
Does this mean we should all rush out and get fully tattooed without a second thought? Not quite.
Reading Beyond the Lines: Wisdom for Gray Areas
The Bible doesn’t explicitly address every modern issue (like TikTok, for instance). But God’s wisdom can still guide us on how to live obediently in these “gray areas.”
Several passages offer direction for topics like tattoos:
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
“…rather, let your beauty be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.” 1 Peter 3:4
“‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive.” 1 Corinthians 10:23-24
Why doesn’t God just provide a rulebook for every situation? Perhaps a better question: why doesn’t He, if He’s all-knowing?
What does the Bible say about Tattoos?
These “gray area” decisions, while sometimes frustrating, are part of the beauty of following Jesus. If God provided rigid rules for every scenario, would that foster a genuine relationship? Imagine a parent dictating every action of their child from birth to death – would that child ever mature?
The aspects of following Jesus that require prayer, faith, and trust in the absence of explicit scriptural answers deepen our relationship and intimacy with God immensely.
Maybe the question shouldn’t be “Are tattoos a sin?”, but rather “Is getting this tattoo right for me?”
To Tattoo or Not to Tattoo: A Matter of Personal Faith
God invites us to bring our desires and needs to Him in prayer (Philippians 4:6). When considering a tattoo, take time to pray about it and ask God for His guidance.
While I believe Christians have the freedom to get tattoos, scripture also says that anything not done from faith is sin (Romans 14:23). Just because a tattoo design seems cool doesn’t automatically make it a good or sin-free choice for you. (I know people with regrettable sports team tattoos!).
My own tattoo is scripture I’d prayed over for years, deeply integrated into my life. I felt confident in my decision with God. Not all tattoos need to be Bible verses, but this one felt personally meaningful and beneficial, a daily reminder of truth.
For me, getting inked was driven by a desire to glorify God and deepen my understanding of Him. But I’ve also had tattoo ideas I knew were not God-honoring and chose to avoid.
This principle of acting in faith extends beyond tattoos. God calls us to live intentionally (James 4:7) in all our decisions. The wisdom and freedom God offers should guide not just our tattoo choices, but our entire lives.
The tattoo you’re considering isn’t the ultimate question. It’s this: Are you willing to fully submit to God’s will for your life?
If so, you’re on the right path, tattoo or no tattoo.
Disclaimer: This article is 100% human-generated.
¹Smithsonian, Ancient ink: Iceman Otzi has the world’s oldest tattoos
