Question from a WordTruth.Com friend:

>>>  Understanding that born-again believers are temples of the Holy Spirit,
>>>  what would you say to a Christian who wants to tattoo their body?
 

WordTruth.Com Response:

This is a good question that I have been asked a number of times.  Since God has redeemed us through Christ, our bodies are figuratively speaking the "Temple" of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).  We have a personal relationship with God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).  The Holy Spirit comes as our personal Truth-Giver (John 16:13) and empowers us to exalt the LORD Jesus Christ (John 16:14).

Our bodies of flesh will die and decay but the inner man will live on into eternity (2 Corinthians 5:6).  The body of flesh today will be replaced with a glorified body that will last forever.  So are tattoos on the current, physical body a problem for Christians or not?

Like many things, I think the tattoo itself is morally neutral in most cases. How it is used, though, may not necessarily be morally neutral.  Certainly there are some graphic images that are obscene or profane and clearly violate numerous Scriptural principles.  Also, one must consider the health risks for tattoos, since many tattoo parlors do not practice good hygiene.  But what about non-offensive images as tattoos?

The Old Testament speaks clearly against tattoos for the Israelites under the Law:

You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:28, NKJV)

But the Christian is not under the Law -- Christ is the fulfillment of the Law (Matthew 5:17).  In Christ, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17) -- a freedom to truly love people impossible without Christ (Galatians 5:13-14).  While there are commands for the believer to obey, there is no prohibition against tattoos in the New Testament.  Nor can I find any principles that would exclude a tattoo.  Except perhaps for this one -- the Apostle Paul wrote of avoiding those things that cause offense to weaker brothers/sisters:

If is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.  Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. (Romans 14:21-22, NKJV)

Consider that in many parts of the world, the tattoo would cause no offense.  In some areas, the presence of a tattoo would create a barrier to fellowship.  So under the freedom we have in Christ (Galatians 2:4), you may have a tattoo.  But so as not to cause offense to your brothers/sisters, you may be in a situation where a tattoo would cause great offense -- in effect, it would then be selfish for you get a tattoo.  Ultimately, you must decide for your specific situation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
 

May God bless you with His wisdom and the courage to follow Jesus!

Randy Lariscy :-)
Director - WordTruth Ministries
 

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