A topic that seems to have come up a lot lately is one of having tattoos and being Christian. I've seen this discussion in at least 6 Christian forums, with varied opinions and comments.
Recently I responded to a Christian brother in his Bikers for Jesus group who had asked my thoughts on Christians and tattoo's, wondering also if becoming a Christian had changed my thoughts on tattoo's. He and others were discussing that topic, and he knew I was both heavily inked and heavily into the Kingdom of God and ministry. In their discussion they had touched on the Mosaic Law, discerning the intent of the written Scripture, and the 'body of Christ'.
Let me say this... before I became a Christian, I did have plans to continue my extensive full back and right arm fantasy piece, down to cover my forearm with some crazy skull & genie. When I accepted the Lord's call on my life, I rethought my plan, and decided it wouldn't be the best witness. I have thought about getting some ink that shows my faith in Christ, and in His Word - based on the Scriptures from Luke 9:23, John 6:56, and Jer 31:33.
But his question really got me thinking, so I opened the Word, and sought the Lord, for insight on this matter. What follows is what I believe God showed me. I know it is a tad long, but I hope it will shed some light on this subject. It may seem to be off topic at the beginning, but if you read it through, you will see how it ties together. :)
....
Right off the bat, one of the first passages that came to me is from Paul's letter to the Christian church in Rome.
"I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean." - Rom 14:14
The apostle here is speaking mainly of food and the observance of certain 'holy' days, but it applies to all areas of our life. Alcohol has been a big one throughout the ages. There is nothing wrong with alcohol in and of itself. Jesus often partook, and as we know made wine Himself. If alcohol was an abomination to God, then Jesus would have sinned, but we know He was sinless. Drunkenness is a sin, and was a bondage for me . I overindulged for many years, causing trouble and wreaking havoc, until the Lord kicked me in the arse & showed me the Truth, (namely the 'Woes' from Isaiah 5). He delivered me from this bondage, as I chose to be obedient to His Word. For several years after I would occasionally enjoy an ale or two, usually while having deep Kingdom conversation with friends. And I felt no condemnation.
However, to some to whom God has spoken it is a sin to ever partake of the fermented fruit of the vine. If they drink, it is sin. And if I am around someone to whom drinking alcohol is a sin, do I figure that it's their problem, and drink in front of them, or defend my liberty in Christ Jesus?? No.
"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin." - Rom 14:19-23
The liberty we have in Christ Jesus frees us from a set of rules and regulations, but this only can apply IF we are under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." - Rom 8:1 (KJV)
The law under which we are governed as Christians is the Law of the Spirit of Life. And the Holy Spirit will never lead us to engage in any sinful activities (such as breaking any of the Ten Commandments). Now God laid down many laws in the Old Testament for the nation of Israel, which were to test their obedience, and were meant to prepare them for the coming of Messiah.
"wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." - Gal 3:24-25
(Sadly, many today do not understand true faith in Christ, and so try to walk after the Spirit AND the flesh at the same time. That cannot work. More on this later...)
....
Right off the bat, one of the first passages that came to me is from Paul's letter to the Christian church in Rome.
"I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean." - Rom 14:14
The apostle here is speaking mainly of food and the observance of certain 'holy' days, but it applies to all areas of our life. Alcohol has been a big one throughout the ages. There is nothing wrong with alcohol in and of itself. Jesus often partook, and as we know made wine Himself. If alcohol was an abomination to God, then Jesus would have sinned, but we know He was sinless. Drunkenness is a sin, and was a bondage for me . I overindulged for many years, causing trouble and wreaking havoc, until the Lord kicked me in the arse & showed me the Truth, (namely the 'Woes' from Isaiah 5). He delivered me from this bondage, as I chose to be obedient to His Word. For several years after I would occasionally enjoy an ale or two, usually while having deep Kingdom conversation with friends. And I felt no condemnation.
However, to some to whom God has spoken it is a sin to ever partake of the fermented fruit of the vine. If they drink, it is sin. And if I am around someone to whom drinking alcohol is a sin, do I figure that it's their problem, and drink in front of them, or defend my liberty in Christ Jesus?? No.
"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin." - Rom 14:19-23
The liberty we have in Christ Jesus frees us from a set of rules and regulations, but this only can apply IF we are under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." - Rom 8:1 (KJV)
The law under which we are governed as Christians is the Law of the Spirit of Life. And the Holy Spirit will never lead us to engage in any sinful activities (such as breaking any of the Ten Commandments). Now God laid down many laws in the Old Testament for the nation of Israel, which were to test their obedience, and were meant to prepare them for the coming of Messiah.
"wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." - Gal 3:24-25
(Sadly, many today do not understand true faith in Christ, and so try to walk after the Spirit AND the flesh at the same time. That cannot work. More on this later...)
Now again... we are not under the Law of Moses, but we will, throughout eternity, be under the Law of the Spirit of Life, which is God's Eternal Moral Law. A heresy that has crept into some Christian churches is Antinomianism which states that faith alone, and not obedience to any law, is all that is required for salvation. Scripture clearly refutes such a destructive doctrine is passages as Romans chap 6, Gal 5:19-21, and James chapter 2, among others.
"as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."
- Rom 8:14
"as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."
- Rom 8:14
We are to be walking according to the Holy Spirit of God. Every day, in every decision. We are to be bringing all our ambitions, hopes and plans before His throne and seeking His will before we make any decision. We are not following and obeying the 613 rules of the Law of Moses, but rather we are to be following and obeying the Living Word. If we believe that we - as Spirit led Christians who are following after the Lord Jesus Christ - are still under the Mosaic Law with all its regulations, statutes and kosher rules, then we must keep the entire thing, for God's Word tells us - "For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." - James 2:10
Either we are abiding by the letter of the Law of Moses and trusting in it for our salvation, or we are abiding in Christ and trusting in Him.
Concerning the subject of tattoo's in this context, if we go back to the verse that many use to condemn tattooing - Lev 19:28 - and we read it in the context of the entire chapter, we can see the intent of God for His people to whom He was speaking. If we determine to obey God's commands to the Israelites at that time, then we must obey ALL of His commands which means that in addition to not tattooing ourselves (for the dead, by the way, is what is says), then neither can we cut the sides of our hair or trim our beards. We cannot wear clothing that is made of any mixture of linen & wool. We cannot eat any fruit of a tree until the fifth year, after of course sacrificing the entire crop of the fourth year to the Lord. (These are all commands listed alongside the one about tattoo's, in Lev 19:1-37) The verse about tattoo's is in that context. And being heavily tattooed myself, I've heard it quoted to me more than once. And usually by people who are clean shaven, and are wearing clothes with mixed fabrics.
Either we are abiding by the letter of the Law of Moses and trusting in it for our salvation, or we are abiding in Christ and trusting in Him.
Concerning the subject of tattoo's in this context, if we go back to the verse that many use to condemn tattooing - Lev 19:28 - and we read it in the context of the entire chapter, we can see the intent of God for His people to whom He was speaking. If we determine to obey God's commands to the Israelites at that time, then we must obey ALL of His commands which means that in addition to not tattooing ourselves (for the dead, by the way, is what is says), then neither can we cut the sides of our hair or trim our beards. We cannot wear clothing that is made of any mixture of linen & wool. We cannot eat any fruit of a tree until the fifth year, after of course sacrificing the entire crop of the fourth year to the Lord. (These are all commands listed alongside the one about tattoo's, in Lev 19:1-37) The verse about tattoo's is in that context. And being heavily tattooed myself, I've heard it quoted to me more than once. And usually by people who are clean shaven, and are wearing clothes with mixed fabrics.
Laws from Leviticus 19 -
19 ‘You shall keep My statutes. You shall not let your livestock breed with another kind. You shall not sow your field with mixed seed. Nor shall a garment of mixed linen and wool come upon you... 26 ‘You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor shall you practice divination or soothsaying. 27 You shall not shave around the sides of your head, nor shall you disfigure the edges of your beard. 28 You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD. 29 ‘Do not prostitute your daughter, to cause her to be a harlot, lest the land fall into harlotry, and the land become full of wickedness.
Now this chapter in Leviticus also contains many verses that we would all agree ARE commandments that we ought to obey, such as not stealing, or lying, or blaspheming His Name, or hating your brother, or committing adultery, or selling your daughter as a prostitute. So the question remains... what do we obey?
We obey the Law of the Spirit of Life.
"For the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit." - Rom 8:2-5
The law of the Spirit of Life is for us all, for all who would believe in Christ. But the Lord will also give us commands as individuals, that we are to obey. A quick example -
Good friend of mine's brother is senior pastor at a church. Big ex-Marine, works out a lot, built. One day as he's driving in his truck, he's looking in the side mirror, admiring his muscled biceps, and the Lord speaks to him... "You are becoming vain, I want you to start wearing long sleeve shirts". The Lord clearly spoke this to his spirit. Without inquiring of the Lord, the next Sunday, from the pulpit, he informs the men in his congregation that they must now wear long sleeve shirts when they assemble. This actually happened. Now was this a command for all to obey, or was it for the pastor alone?
We have liberty in Christ Jesus, but only as we follow Him and the Law of the Spirit of Life. That is why we call Christianity a relationship, not a religion. We must take all to the Lord. We must seek His wisdom and ask for discernment in all things. It is not about following a set of rules, it is about obedience. It is not following the letter of the Mosaic Law, but following the Holy Spirit - For "He (God) has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives Life." - 1Cor 3:6
Let us be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Let us not flaunt our liberty in Christ, as He may be speaking differently to someone else on a particular subject. In 2006 I felt lead by the Spirit to quit smoking cigars after 22 years. And I really enjoyed smoking good cigars, and often gathered with brothers to discuss life & the Lord while partaking of a couple El Rey Del Mundos. Is God informing me that cigars are sinful, and that no one should smoke them? No, He is telling me to quit. It is His command for me, and He expects me to obey. After a bit of a battle with my flesh, I've now been obedient for the last 14 years. That command was for me. I do not look down on anyone else, or condemn those who still smoke.
We obey the Law of the Spirit of Life.
"For the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit." - Rom 8:2-5
The law of the Spirit of Life is for us all, for all who would believe in Christ. But the Lord will also give us commands as individuals, that we are to obey. A quick example -
Good friend of mine's brother is senior pastor at a church. Big ex-Marine, works out a lot, built. One day as he's driving in his truck, he's looking in the side mirror, admiring his muscled biceps, and the Lord speaks to him... "You are becoming vain, I want you to start wearing long sleeve shirts". The Lord clearly spoke this to his spirit. Without inquiring of the Lord, the next Sunday, from the pulpit, he informs the men in his congregation that they must now wear long sleeve shirts when they assemble. This actually happened. Now was this a command for all to obey, or was it for the pastor alone?
We have liberty in Christ Jesus, but only as we follow Him and the Law of the Spirit of Life. That is why we call Christianity a relationship, not a religion. We must take all to the Lord. We must seek His wisdom and ask for discernment in all things. It is not about following a set of rules, it is about obedience. It is not following the letter of the Mosaic Law, but following the Holy Spirit - For "He (God) has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives Life." - 1Cor 3:6
Let us be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Let us not flaunt our liberty in Christ, as He may be speaking differently to someone else on a particular subject. In 2006 I felt lead by the Spirit to quit smoking cigars after 22 years. And I really enjoyed smoking good cigars, and often gathered with brothers to discuss life & the Lord while partaking of a couple El Rey Del Mundos. Is God informing me that cigars are sinful, and that no one should smoke them? No, He is telling me to quit. It is His command for me, and He expects me to obey. After a bit of a battle with my flesh, I've now been obedient for the last 14 years. That command was for me. I do not look down on anyone else, or condemn those who still smoke.
If you feel a check from the Lord when you are thinking about getting tattooed or pierced, then perhaps you should hold off, and spend some time in prayer and seeking God's will, before you make a decision. We need always to be sensitive to the Law of the Spirit of Life.
Another point - God looks at each one of us, and judges us by our heart. "for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." - 1Sam 16:7
A few years ago, I had long hair down to my waist, listened to a lot of Rock music, smoked big cigars, and usually wore faded jeans, denim & boots in addition to the tattoo's. On first impression, I was often thought to be a drug addict or crazy biker or worse. In reality, I was an elder and council member in our Foursquare Church in Poway, was involved in 2 Bible studies, and spent much time each day reading the Word, and writing encouragements to my brothers & sisters in Christ. The Lord looked at my heart. "God does not judge by external appearance" (Gal 2:6 NIV). In His time, by His Spirit, He dealt with me on some of those things. Eventually He convicted me about the cigars,the music and my hair, so I quit smoking, cut my hair and now listen to mostly Christian worship music.
Let me emphasis - In His time, by His Spirit.We cannot determine where anyone is in their relationship to Christ based solely on their appearance. James wrote on this subject - "My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?" - James 2:1-4
A few years ago, I had long hair down to my waist, listened to a lot of Rock music, smoked big cigars, and usually wore faded jeans, denim & boots in addition to the tattoo's. On first impression, I was often thought to be a drug addict or crazy biker or worse. In reality, I was an elder and council member in our Foursquare Church in Poway, was involved in 2 Bible studies, and spent much time each day reading the Word, and writing encouragements to my brothers & sisters in Christ. The Lord looked at my heart. "God does not judge by external appearance" (Gal 2:6 NIV). In His time, by His Spirit, He dealt with me on some of those things. Eventually He convicted me about the cigars,the music and my hair, so I quit smoking, cut my hair and now listen to mostly Christian worship music.
Let me emphasis - In His time, by His Spirit.We cannot determine where anyone is in their relationship to Christ based solely on their appearance. James wrote on this subject - "My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?" - James 2:1-4
And later on in the same passage -
"if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder."Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
I have learned not to judge anyone based on their appearance. In fact I do not judge anyone's salvation or their relationship to Christ. What I do judge is sin. Hating what God hates and loving what He loves. Striving to obey what He has spoken to me by His Spirit, and what He has revealed to us in His Word. And what I do judge is the fruit of one's testimony. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them." - Matt 7:18-20
What is in one's heart, will be evident by the fruit of their lives.
There is only One Truth. There is only One Way. But in that God deals with us as individuals, He speaks to us in different ways, even as our desires, our passions, our temptations are different. The key is not trying to make a list of rules & regulations out of the Scriptures, or listening to any one man as the ultimate authority on Biblical interpretation, but rather to follow our Lord Jesus, seek Him daily, and allow ourselves to be taught by His Spirit.
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." - John 14:26
As I mentioned at the start, there is so much to be discussed here. I hope to share some of my beliefs on what the Scripture says to me about the 'body of Christ' and 'our body being the temple of God, and of the Holy Spirit', soon. I love discussing the things of the Kingdom.
God's blessings, wisdom and understanding to all,
Michael
