Tattoos are more popular than ever in many parts of the world, with the number of people with tattoos increasing dramatically in recent years. In previous years, people looked at tattoos as a sign of revolt from delinquents and rebels. However, the edginess of rebellion associated with tattoos is starting to wear off. People consider getting tattoos to express their values, morals, or identity. Additionally, many people also prefer getting tattoos to honor memories. Many people also like getting the face or name of their loved ones tattooed. Still, Christians worldwide constantly ask themselves, “can we go to heaven with tattoos?”
Tattoos in the Bible.
There are a lot of arguments about getting tattoos. Many believe that humans are built in the image of God. When one inks their body, they are altering the creation of God. Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky….”According to this idea, our bodies are pure, and we should let them be as God had designed them for us.
Inking or tattooing is a kind of violation of God’s creation, and in one way, we will be insulting what God had created. On the other hand, taking this saying to the heart may also mean people should refrain from manicures and even haircuts. When you get a tattoo, you tend to taint God’s creation. However, this may not be very reasonable.
Leviticus 19:28 says, “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.” Many Bible scholars believe that this is a direct reference to a mourning ritual that the pagans followed during the time of Moses. Many Christians believe that this scripture is God explicitly saying not to get a tattoo.
However, that isn’t the case. The reason for the prohibition of tattoos in this passage is not stated, but tattooing was likely a pagan practice connected with idolatry and superstition. It was typical for the pagans to mark their skin with the name of a false god or with a symbol honoring some idol.
God demanded that His children be different. As He reminded them in the same verse, “I am the Lord.” The Israelites belonged to Him; they were His workmanship, and they should not bear the name of a false god on their bodies. While New Testament believers are not under the Mosaic Law, we can take from this command the principle that if a Christian chooses to get a tattoo, it should never be for superstitious reasons or promote worldly philosophy.
Do tattoos violate your body being a temple?
Many Christians argue that people should refrain from getting tattoos because their bodies are holy temples. It is our body where the Holy Spirit resides. The mention of the same is made in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, saying, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
Although the context doesn’t stand for tattoos, it indicates sexual immorality. According to this verse, Christians should follow the path of morality because when you indulge in immoral sexual relationships, you disrespect your body as a temple.
According to this thinking, our body is a holy temple. When we mark it with tattoos, we move away from the Biblical teachings and don’t stay intact to our values. Nonetheless, many believers argue that if tattooing is a sin, piercings should also be a sin.
Can we go to heaven with tattoos?
Many Christians believe getting tattoos in the modern-day is harmless if your intentions are not Pagan mourning rituals. Nonetheless, many Christians believe that getting tattoos is wrong and consider it worldly. When Christians think of something as worldly, it means an unholy activity, and the contrast for worldliness is holiness. Although tattoos aren’t evil, many people consider these to be Godless elements. Tattoos are modern-day trends, and they don’t form a significant place in the church. If you get tattoos, you’re not committing any crime or sin.
Following the statement given in Leviticus 19:28, Christians believe that God instructs humans to refrain from getting tattoos. However, the main thing to understand is if getting a tattoo is a sin or a good thing to do if you’re a Christian.
According to 1 Corinthians 10:23, “Everything is permissible- but not everything is beneficial.” Tattoos may be allowed in Christianity, but there is a contradictory thought. When you tattoo yourself, you indulge in cutting yourself due to the needle tattoo process. Therefore, according to the instruction of God, you should refrain from committing any such act. Whether The Old Testament or The New Testament, it advises refraining from following the Pagan life.
Tattoos have become more prevalent in modern times than in previous years. Many Christians believe that tattoos are sinful, and they won’t get into heaven if they get a tattoo. However, the Bible warns against tattoos connected to idolatry and superstition. Therefore, people with tattoos can still go to heaven. Tattoos don’t prevent people from going to heaven when they die. While some Christians believe tattoos are unholy, the Bible teaches that going into heaven is based on believing in Jesus Christ. People who trust and accept that Christ died for their sin and rose from the dead go to heaven, even if they have tattoos.
The Bible teaches us to have faith in God to go to heaven. Anyone who is not a believer will not get to go with heaven. People should not rebel against God, be it with their motives, actions, or words. Anyone who refuses to believe in the power of God tends to sin. People who get tattoos will still have the chance to go to heaven if they repent their sins and reflect their belief in Christ.
