
1 Corinthians 6:12a says:“Everything is permissible for me” -but not everything is beneficial.The real question is, is it a sin? To answer the question immediately: It's not a sin to get a tattoo.There is nothing inherently wrong with a tattoo. There is something wrong (very wrong) with idolatry and its pagan practices origin.The most common verse people point to when discussing tattoos is Leviticus 19:28: Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD. Here is something else in the same chapter: 27 Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard. These were the commands to the Israelites and the Levities. If you study these Old Covenant commands, they refer to the Israelites keeping themselves far from the appearance of these idolatrous nations (I would recommend reading all of Leviticus 19).
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It can be problematic when scripture is quoted out of context, or without regard to other scripture. This is one case where pointing to a single verse has created an inaccurate legalismAs you can see, many of the other 'rules' that are laid out in Leviticus are not followed today. Does that mean that the whole book of Leviticus, or even the Bible should not be followed? No! It just means that we need to carefully analyze what the theme of the Bible is, and realize what it means for us today. The book of Leviticus contained several 'laws' that were made to keep the children of Israel healthy and holy for God.Tattoos in those days were extremely dangerous and could result in injury, disease, or death. The verse also is referring to a pagan ritual of putting tattoo marks on oneself for the dead, in order to protect oneself from the spirit world.Why then, should one get a tattoo?A person does not need to get a tattoo! I am not advocating that everyone should get a tattoo - rather I am saying that we should not shun those who have tattoos, or make the judgment that they must not be a Christian.Some Christians get tattoos to show their allegiance to Christ, while others just think that it is something cool to do.1 Samuel 16:7b says:The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. Clothing nor Tattoos can measure ones relationship or dedication to God.
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