My brother, Greg, recently completed his first marathon. We're talking 26 miles and 385 yards! Truly a great accomplishment. Anyway, he posed the question via Facebook whether or not he should get a tattoo to commemorate the feat.
I thought I would attempt to offer a Biblical perspective.
A. Though Christians are not under the OT law, we must adhere to the principles of the law which reflect the personhood of God. The fact that God gave a command against tattoos (Lev 19:28) should cause us to ask why.
B. The NT does not specifically cover the topic of tattoos. When it comes to matters where the Scriptures (particularly the NT) are silent, there are two opposing views:... See More
1) Scriptural silence equals condemnation.
2) Scriptural silence equals liberty.
There are flaws with both views: On one hand, it is difficult and dangerous to condemn something without clear Biblical authority. On the other hand, it is just as dangerous to condone something if there is room for doubt whether or not it pleases God.
So where is the middle ground on this? Liberty with extreme caution.
C. Does it honor God?
First of all, if it honors you, or is an attempt to draw attention to you or your accomplishments, then it's vanity. "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord" (1 Cor 1:31).
1 Cor 10:31 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”.
Though we can't say 1 Cor 6:19-20 applies directly to tattoos, it does give us a principle: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
Is the tattoo honoring God? Is it for God's own good purposes? Will it be pleasing to Him? Is it how God wants to be honored?
D. What about a tattoo that honors God?
Paul told the Corinthians that he would be willing to "become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some" (1 Cor 9:22).
1 Cor 10:23 says, “Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible – but not everything is constructive.”
If we put those two verses together, we can say that a tattoo that is Christian in nature (that honors God) could be “permissible.” Would it be beneficial and constructive in honoring God and saving the lost? Perhaps, perhaps not.
Conclusion:
I think it comes down to whether it is vanity (self glorification) or God honoring. A decision that can only be decided in one's own heart (conscience).
Humbly, Phil
I thought I would attempt to offer a Biblical perspective.
A. Though Christians are not under the OT law, we must adhere to the principles of the law which reflect the personhood of God. The fact that God gave a command against tattoos (Lev 19:28) should cause us to ask why.
B. The NT does not specifically cover the topic of tattoos. When it comes to matters where the Scriptures (particularly the NT) are silent, there are two opposing views:... See More
1) Scriptural silence equals condemnation.
2) Scriptural silence equals liberty.
There are flaws with both views: On one hand, it is difficult and dangerous to condemn something without clear Biblical authority. On the other hand, it is just as dangerous to condone something if there is room for doubt whether or not it pleases God.
So where is the middle ground on this? Liberty with extreme caution.
C. Does it honor God?
First of all, if it honors you, or is an attempt to draw attention to you or your accomplishments, then it's vanity. "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord" (1 Cor 1:31).
1 Cor 10:31 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”.
Though we can't say 1 Cor 6:19-20 applies directly to tattoos, it does give us a principle: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
Is the tattoo honoring God? Is it for God's own good purposes? Will it be pleasing to Him? Is it how God wants to be honored?
D. What about a tattoo that honors God?
Paul told the Corinthians that he would be willing to "become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some" (1 Cor 9:22).
1 Cor 10:23 says, “Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible – but not everything is constructive.”
If we put those two verses together, we can say that a tattoo that is Christian in nature (that honors God) could be “permissible.” Would it be beneficial and constructive in honoring God and saving the lost? Perhaps, perhaps not.
Conclusion:
I think it comes down to whether it is vanity (self glorification) or God honoring. A decision that can only be decided in one's own heart (conscience).
Humbly, Phil
2 comments:
So, what about makeup and jewelry? Or, people who go tanning on a regular basis, because they cannot except their own skin color as good enough because the world insists that tan is what you need to be?
Great question!
In the Old Testament, when God was guiding Samuel to select the next King of Israel from the house of Jesse, He reminded Samuel that He was more concerned about what's on the inside (heart) than on the outside (1 Samuel 16:7). That is God's principle which reflects who He is (His personhood).
The apostles Peter and Paul reiterated that principle. Peter wrote: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight” (1 Peter 3:3-5). Paul wrote: “I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God” (1 Timothy 2:9-10).
Are the apostles forbidding women from wearing jewelry, makeup, or braided hair? Or are they teaching women to not let their outward appearance become more important than their inner beauty? I would argue that it is the latter.
I don't believe there's anything wrong with wearing jewelry, makeup, or braided hair as long as it is done in a modest manner and with the right attitude. We (women and men) should not be so focused on our outward appearance that we neglect our inner spiritual life. God focuses on the heart. If we're spending too much time and money on our appearance, then the problem is that our priorities are messed up. Jewelry, clothing, how we fix our hair, tanning, driving a hot car, etc. can be the results of the problem, not the problem itself (vanity, wrong priorities and attitude).
Like I said in the original post, it comes down to personal reflection and conviction of the Holy Spirit. I applaud women who choose modesty, especially in this sex-craved world which we live, but I'm against having fashion police in the Church - that just opens the door for legalism, which leads to hypocrisy.
Phil
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