Tattoos - Should Christians Get Them?
It is significant that the Mosaic Law forbade God's people to tattoo themselves. Leviticus 19:28 says:"(You) shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am Jehovah." (ASV)
Even though Christians today are no longer bound to the Mosaic Law, the prohibition it laid on tattooing is worth considering. (Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14, 15) Additionally, if you are a Christian, the Bible counsels that you certainly would not want to make markings on your body—even temporarily—that has any trace of paganism or false worship. (See 2 Corinthians 6:15-18.)
Another thing to consider is whether choosing to get a tattoo would enhance or undermine your claim of being a Christian. As many react negatively, one could ask themselves, "How may others feel about my wearing a tattoo?" (1 Corinthians 10:29-33) Could it be a "cause for stumbling" others? (2 Corinthians 6:3)
One who seeks to please God should also keep in mind that becoming a Christian involves the offering of oneself to God. The Bible says that our bodies are living sacrifices presented to God for His use:
"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?" - Rom 12:1 (NLT)
For much more, see:
What Does the Bible Say About Tattoos? (JW.ORG)
Should I Get a Tattoo? (g03 9/22 pp. 25-27; Watchtower Online Library)
The Bible’s Viewpoint - Body Decoration—The Need for Reasonableness (g00 8/8 pp. 18-19; Watchtower Online Library)
Tattoos (INDEX; Watchtower Online Library)
(To those who are not Jehovah's Witnesses (JWs), please remember that if you are looking for the authoritative information about the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society's (WTBTS) Bible-based beliefs and practices, you should look to our OFFICIAL WEBSITE at http://www.jw.org/en. Numerous publications as well as the New World Translation Bible (NWT) and the very useful Watchtower Online Library can be found there.)
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