tattoo

 

Sitting in church one Sunday, I was thinking about how the body of Christ is becoming to identify itself more and more with the world instead of keeping itself separate and holy as commanded by the Lord.

While studying Leviticus, our Bible group came upon verse 19:28.  It says,

“Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.” (KJV)

This verse is pretty clear to me when it come to the case of  tattoos. Do not print any marks on you.

Here are some questions to consider from Eric Barger Ministries on the subject.

The underlying issues raised here need to be considered:

·         – Are we not the Temple of the Holy Spirit? (I Cor. 3:16, 6:19)

·         – Is there something wrong with the way God created us without tattoos/piercings?

·         – Would tattooing affect or influence your future spouse or even your children?

·         – Is getting a tattoo actually more about defying authority (spirit of rebellion) than about having the actual tattoo itself?

·        – Are Christians who defend and promote tattooing coming from a truly biblical viewpoint, or are some defending tattoos because they have marked their own bodies and want others to join them in their often rebellion-laced decision?

 

Why Now? – Preparing for “The Mark”

Why has there been such an increase in both the acceptance of and the acquiring of tattoos during our day? When considered in the light of Bible prophecy, the explosion of tattooing and the exponential increase of thirst for demonic supernaturalism are, I believe, no accident. This is a calculated, demonic, end-time phenomena, the purpose of which is to desensitize as many as possible concerning markings on their bodies.

Read more from this source:

http://www.ericbarger.com/emailers/2009/update4-2-2009.htm

Here is a commentary from David Guzik of the Blue Letter Bible which adds additional insight.

Cuttings in the flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: These were also pagan practices God wanted Israel to separate from. The trimming of the hair, the beard, cutting, and tattoos were all connected with pagan rites of mourning.

i. Part of this message to us today is that what our culture thinks and how they perceive things is important. If some clothing or jewelry or body decoration would associate us with the pagan world, it should not be done. This is a difficult line to draw, because the standards of culture are always changing. Some modern examples of changing standards are hair length and earrings for men.

Here it is explained that the verse in context tells us that the tattoos were part of a pagan rite. This for me is further proof that we should not do this thing because we are not to do as the pagans do. If the line is indeed difficult to draw, then maybe we should stay away from the line. While we have freedom in Christ, I Corinthians 8:9 tells us to be careful. I would not want to advocate a practice that another Christian would later regret… forever.

“Be careful, however, that the excercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.”

If you are considering this procedure, instead I pray,  please keep your body unmarked and set aside for the use of God. Our bodies are the temple of Christ. I think the verse in Leviticus is crystal clear, “Do not print any marks on you.”