Do you have a tatoo?

[Brother-Paul]

@NYQueens977

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,
whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

That being said, I don't see an issue with having a tattoo of a dragon on your back, and I don't see any verses that say you can't.

Would you put a tattoo on God's back?

As a Christian you are His, you are not your own, you were bought at a price, Christ's death on the cross for your sins was the price, and our Lord paid it in Full!

Would you tattoo a dragon on the back of the Holy Spirit?

Romans 12 (NKJV)
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

A tattoo is defacing the body God has given us. As saved believers our body becomes the home, a temple of the Holy Spirit who abides in us. WE ARE God's.

We are not to confirm to this world, being influenced by the world, we are to be influenced by God and The Word.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, influenced by God and The Word.

If God had wanted me to have a tattoo on my body I would have been born with one!

Tattoo's have come and gone over the years, but they have never been as popular as they are now, we are in the latter days of the end times, everything God doesn't want us to do the devil temps us to do. It is not a sin to have a picture on your body the devil says, God does not want us to deface our bodies, that He created for us. The devil says surely you are not defacing your body it is art, really, it all started in the Garden of Eden, surely not.

The world are like sheep, without a shepherd, the devil loves it. God likes what He made, He thinks we are beautiful, we are 'made in His Image' in the 'Image of Him we are made'. We are therefore

If we have a tattoo
we are defacing the body God created for us
we are defacing the body He created in His image
we are defacing the Temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in every saved soul
we are therefore conforming to the ways of the world
we are not being transformed by the renewing of our mind

Now we should consider these things and also consider the following...

If a person has a tattoo before being saved, we must accept they did so as sinners, they knew no better, but very important at the point we come to God through Jesus, repent of our sins and become born again, we are saved, God took us as we were at the point.

But if we have a tattoo after being born again, after the Holy Spirit entered our hearts, after our body became a Temple of the Holy Spirit, then we have defaced the body God created for us, God Saved, and the Holy Spirit entered to abide in us. It is therefore, I believe, based on the above a SIN.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,
whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Shalom

 

[B-A-C]

Lev 19:28; 'You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD.

 

[Trevor]

@NYQueens977

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,
whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.



Would you put a tattoo on God's back?

As a Christian you are His, you are not your own, you were bought at a price, Christ's death on the cross for your sins was the price, and our Lord paid it in Full!

Would you tattoo a dragon on the back of the Holy Spirit?

Romans 12 (NKJV)
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

A tattoo is defacing the body God has given us. As saved believers our body becomes the home, a temple of the Holy Spirit who abides in us. WE ARE God's.

We are not to confirm to this world, being influenced by the world, we are to be influenced by God and The Word.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, influenced by God and The Word.

If God had wanted me to have a tattoo on my body I would have been born with one!

Tattoo's have come and gone over the years, but they have never been as popular as they are now, we are in the latter days of the end times, everything God doesn't want us to do the devil temps us to do. It is not a sin to have a picture on your body the devil says, God does not want us to deface our bodies, that He created for us. The devil says surely you are not defacing your body it is art, really, it all started in the Garden of Eden, surely not.

The world are like sheep, without a shepherd, the devil loves it. God likes what He made, He thinks we are beautiful, we are 'made in His Image' in the 'Image of Him we are made'. We are therefore

If we have a tattoo
we are defacing the body God created for us
we are defacing the body He created in His image
we are defacing the Temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in every saved soul
we are therefore conforming to the ways of the world
we are not being transformed by the renewing of our mind

Now we should consider these things and also consider the following...

If a person has a tattoo before being saved, we must accept they did so as sinners, they knew no better, but very important at the point we come to God through Jesus, repent of our sins and become born again, we are saved, God took us as we were at the point.

But if we have a tattoo after being born again, after the Holy Spirit entered our hearts, after our body became a Temple of the Holy Spirit, then we have defaced the body God created for us, God Saved, and the Holy Spirit entered to abide in us. It is therefore, I believe, based on the above a SIN.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,
whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Shalom

Hi Paul, I unfortunately

@NYQueens977

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,
whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.



Would you put a tattoo on God's back?

As a Christian you are His, you are not your own, you were bought at a price, Christ's death on the cross for your sins was the price, and our Lord paid it in Full!

Would you tattoo a dragon on the back of the Holy Spirit?

Romans 12 (NKJV)
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

A tattoo is defacing the body God has given us. As saved believers our body becomes the home, a temple of the Holy Spirit who abides in us. WE ARE God's.

We are not to confirm to this world, being influenced by the world, we are to be influenced by God and The Word.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, influenced by God and The Word.

If God had wanted me to have a tattoo on my body I would have been born with one!

Tattoo's have come and gone over the years, but they have never been as popular as they are now, we are in the latter days of the end times, everything God doesn't want us to do the devil temps us to do. It is not a sin to have a picture on your body the devil says, God does not want us to deface our bodies, that He created for us. The devil says surely you are not defacing your body it is art, really, it all started in the Garden of Eden, surely not.

The world are like sheep, without a shepherd, the devil loves it. God likes what He made, He thinks we are beautiful, we are 'made in His Image' in the 'Image of Him we are made'. We are therefore

If we have a tattoo
we are defacing the body God created for us
we are defacing the body He created in His image
we are defacing the Temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in every saved soul
we are therefore conforming to the ways of the world
we are not being transformed by the renewing of our mind

Now we should consider these things and also consider the following...

If a person has a tattoo before being saved, we must accept they did so as sinners, they knew no better, but very important at the point we come to God through Jesus, repent of our sins and become born again, we are saved, God took us as we were at the point.

But if we have a tattoo after being born again, after the Holy Spirit entered our hearts, after our body became a Temple of the Holy Spirit, then we have defaced the body God created for us, God Saved, and the Holy Spirit entered to abide in us. It is therefore, I believe, based on the above a SIN.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,
whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Shalom

Hi Paul, Being a tattooed sinner myself, and also a Christian, I have on occasions been made to feel uncomfortable in Christian company. I believe, to major in on tattoos and make an issue of them could possibly be counter productive. It could cause a tattooed person to feel unwelcome. I believe it is wise to remember that we all fall short of the glory of God and except for Jesus we'd all end up in the same place, whether the sin be murder, adultery, defacing the temple of the Holy Spirit, or looking on a brother with judgement. Two scriptures come to mind, one regarding the murderer on the cross next to him, who acknowledged that his sentence was just, and yet because he acknowledged that Jesus was who he said he was moved Jesus to address him; Luke 23:43 And Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise". and the second one that comes to mind is John 8 : 7 when they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw the stone". So as one who has often been in the firing line, forgive me for mentioning how it feels to be singled out. Blessings in Jesus.

 

[Brother-Paul]

Greetings @Trevor

You will see in the last few posts tgat my reply was to @NYQueens977 who stated she couldn't find any scripture that pointed to a tattoo being wrong, she didn't see anything wrong with a tattoo of a dragon on her back.

So my reply, with scripture, was answering her question.

You will also note towards the end of my post I stated, if a person has a tattoo before being born again, before the Holy Spirit entered the heart, before the body became a Temple of the living God, then we must accept that person, as God accepts the person, he takes us as we are! Then moulds us to be the people he wants us to be.

No christian should condemn another Christian that has tattoos from before they were saved.

But I also stated that if a person has a tattoo after being saved, they are defacing the body God created, defacing the body God saved, defacing the body the Holy Spirit abides in.

So we must not condemn the person because they have tattoos. They may have had it from before they were saved, they may have had the tattoo after being saved, but they may have already repented, the tattoo remains visible but they may have already repented for defacing the body, that we don't know.

So we must do all things in love, gently and carefully asking the person when they had the tattoo, and making clear if they have not repented then they should do so and get right with God. It doesn't remove the tattoo, it does make the heart right with God.

Shalom

 

[Trevor]

Greetings @Trevor

You will see in the last few posts tgat my reply was to @NYQueens977 who stated she couldn't find any scripture that pointed to a tattoo being wrong, she didn't see anything wrong with a tattoo of a dragon on her back.

So my reply, with scripture, was answering her question.

You will also note towards the end of my post I stated, if a person has a tattoo before being born again, before the Holy Spirit entered the heart, before the body became a Temple of the living God, then we must accept that person, as God accepts the person, he takes us as we are! Then moulds us to be the people he wants us to be.

No christian should condemn another Christian that has tattoos from before they were saved.

But I also stated that if a person has a tattoo after being saved, they are defacing the body God created, defacing the body God saved, defacing the body the Holy Spirit abides in.

So we must not condemn the person because they have tattoos. They may have had it from before they were saved, they may have had the tattoo after being saved, but they may have already repented, the tattoo remains visible but they may have already repented for defacing the body, that we don't know.

So we must do all things in love, gently and carefully asking the person when they had the tattoo, and making clear if they have not repented then they should do so and get right with God. It doesn't remove the tattoo, it does make the heart right with God.

Shalom

Sorry Paul, I know your right, but after years of being hammered for having tattoos and smoking and generally being a sinner, it seems that most of the posts major on the sins that relate to me, and over the years it's made it hard for me to feel part of the church. Bless you bro.

 

[Brother-Paul]

Sorry Paul, I know your right, but after years of being hammered for having tattoos and smoking and generally being a sinner, it seems that most of the posts major on the sins that relate to me, and over the years it's made it hard for me to feel part of the church. Bless you bro.

No problem Trevor,

I understand people can jump in with both feet.

That was why I detailed as I did.

1 we do not know when the tattoo was done, before saved or after

2 if God accepted the person 'as they are' with tattoos who are we to comment negatively and wave scriptures without explanation.

3 we have a duty as saved souls to explain if a person has sinned, they may not realise, they may have been misled. But we are to do so tactfully handing love.

Bless you brother

 

[NYQueens977]

@Brother-Paul

You wrote a whole essay, intro body and thesis, and yet you still failed to disprove my point.

Warning, this post is going to be long.

The first mistake you made was using 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 in the context of tattoos. If you read the entire passage, you would see that Paul is writing to the Corinthians to call out their sexual immorality, not their tattooing habits.

18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

A lot of Christian's use this verse to apply to everything that has to do with the body, may it be piercings, drinking, drugs, and so on, deviating from the true message of the verse. But Christians often interpret verses differently, which is understandable. As I told another in this forum, the Bible is a literary text, and literary texts are often left open to interpretation, no matter how explicit it may seem to be. Two people can read "the door was painted red," and have completely different takeaways.

So you may interpret 1 Corinthians as a warning against marking your body or mistreating it, just as I may interpret it as a warning against sexual immorality alone, and both of us could be right, and both of us could be wrong. That's just the beauty of literary interpretation. But to clarify, I do believe that our bodies are like a temple, but that metaphor has nothing to do with tattoos.

Now to answer your question, "Would I put a dragon tattoo on God's back?"
It depends, because I'm not a heavy advocate for tattooing someone without their consent. Would God like a dragon tattoo? Or how about a flower? Or a Bob Ross painting? It depends on what He would like, and if I'm even capable of delivering a quality tattoo for a supernatural deity that I can't even see. The same answer applies for the Holy Spirit. It all depends on what they like.
In fact, even if you phrased that question differently, like, "would I put a tattoo on my mother?" The answer would remain relatively the same. Does she want a tattoo? What would she like? Can I deliver on giving her a quality tattoo? Etc. etc.

Romans 12 has nothing to do with tattoos for me, as I don't see having a nice tattoo of a koi fish as something "of the world," just as I don't see getting your ears pierced or hair dyed as something "of the world," but as an expression of art that should be appreciated when pulled off correctly.

You say, "A tattoo is defacing the body God has given us. As saved believers our body becomes the home, a temple of the Holy Spirit who abides in us..." but the same logic can be applied to hair cutting or nail trimming. I mean, are those not a part of our bodies? Then who are we, as mere vessels for the holy spirit, to remove parts of our hair and nails. After all, Leviticus 19:27 warns us, "Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard," so keeping our hair short is technically a sin by your line of reasoning. Unless those laws served some purpose other than moral guidelines that need to be followed in our modern society, such as maintaining the tribalistic sense of alienation and superiority over other pagan nations

"If God had wanted me to have a tattoo on my body I would have been born with one!"
If God wanted me to be able to fly, He would've given me wings! If God wanted me to wear Adidas sneakers and Hilfiger sweaters, I would've been born with them! If God wanted me to be immune to small pox and polio, then I would've been born with one! If God wanted me to have purple hair, then I would've been born with purple hair! If God wanted me to be born with red nails, then I would've been born with red nails!

I can't consider tattoos as something of the Devil because I fail to see how getting a tattoo of a cross, a flower, a scripture, a diamond, or whatever else, a sin. I can see how getting a tattoo of the devil, an upside down cross, a cult, etc. is a sin, as a Christian shouldn't associate themselves with those sorts of things in any way, not even with a t shirt. But for the rest, it's harmless. It's a form of expression. It's art.

Now this is the part of your response that made me almost lose faith in Christianity as a whole until I reminded myself that this isn't what Christianity is:
"If a person has a tattoo before being saved, we must accept they did so as sinners, they knew no better, but very important at the point we come to God through Jesus, repent of our sins and become born again, we are saved, God took us as we were at the point."
There are so many things wrong with this sentence alone, but let me break it down to two points:
(1) It implies that those who get tattoos after being saved should be condemned.
(2) It implies that Christians have the burden to judge and condemn those who unapologetically got tattoos after being saved.
Both of these are false, as Christians have no right to even look at another brother sideways with an ounce of judgement if they're doing something you don'e agree with, especially if that something is completely harmless (tattoos, piercings). Not to mention that people who do have tattoos, according to the Bible and it's teachings as far as I could see, shouldn't be condemned regardless of your opinions on tattooing.

I heard someone put tattoos like stained-glass windows on churches. You don't need them, and they don't serve any real function, but they look nice and add to the temple (if you wish to interpret our bodies as such) something that wasn't there before.

Now to direct my attention to @Trevor
I'm sorry that you've received such backlash from the church. If the church was proper, then they should've never treated you differently for having tattoos and a smoking habit, both of which are difficult to get rid of. Regardless if you feel like tattoos are a sin or not, and regardless of when or how you got your tattoos, your church should have made you feel welcomed, not alienated. That sort of behavior is not reflective of Jesus or his ministry.

We are all sinners, but the way you call yourself a sinner makes me feel like the term is used as self-deprecation, and that's not accurate. The fact that we are sinners and saved should make us feel fortunate, celebratory, joyous, and even satisfied, not somber and discontented. Maybe I'm interpreting your response wrong, and maybe your view of sinners isn't self-deprecatory, but that was my takeaway on your response, so forgive me for my assumptions.

 

[Brother-Paul]

@Brother-Paul

You wrote a whole essay, intro body and thesis, and yet you still failed to disprove my point.

Warning, this post is going to be long.

The first mistake you made was using 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 in the context of tattoos. If you read the entire passage, you would see that Paul is writing to the Corinthians to call out their sexual immorality, not their tattooing habits.

18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

A lot of Christian's use this verse to apply to everything that has to do with the body, may it be piercings, drinking, drugs, and so on, deviating from the true message of the verse. But Christians often interpret verses differently, which is understandable. As I told another in this forum, the Bible is a literary text, and literary texts are often left open to interpretation, no matter how explicit it may seem to be. Two people can read "the door was painted red," and have completely different takeaways.

I Cor 6 is related to sin, in context in this part of the chapter, yes it quotes sexual immorality, but sexual immorality is sin.

It is like for instance reading John 3, first 8 verses, and saying it only applies to Jesus and Nicodemus, it was a discussion between Jesus and a teacher of Israel, a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling party, so it is not applicable to me. The subject was the need to be born again, it is applicable to all, not just Nicodemus and the Jews. I Corinthians 6 is about sin, their sexual immorality, although the emphasised point in the text, it is still about sin.

So you may interpret 1 Corinthians as a warning against marking your body or mistreating it, just as I may interpret it as a warning against sexual immorality alone, and both of us could be right, and both of us could be wrong. That's just the beauty of literary interpretation. But to clarify, I do believe that our bodies are like a temple, but that metaphor has nothing to do with tattoos.

1 Cor 6 is a warning about sin, in this case sexual immorality. I consider it sin based on what I posted previously, if you don't that is your choice, but one day, soon, we will stand in front of the Lord and give account for everything we have done, said or thought that was sin. You may choose to take a chance, I am not willing to do so, to me scripture points to it being a sin.

Now to answer your question, "Would I put a dragon tattoo on God's back?"
It depends, because I'm not a heavy advocate for tattooing someone without their consent. Would God like a dragon tattoo? Or how about a flower? Or a Bob Ross painting? It depends on what He would like, and if I'm even capable of delivering a quality tattoo for a supernatural deity that I can't even see. The same answer applies for the Holy Spirit. It all depends on what they like.
In fact, even if you phrased that question differently, like, "would I put a tattoo on my mother?" The answer would remain relatively the same. Does she want a tattoo? What would she like? Can I deliver on giving her a quality tattoo? Etc. etc.

I understand your reply, but if a saved soul defaced the body, in which the Holy Spirit abides, which is the Temple of God, then to have a tattoo is doing so without his permission when scripture points to it being a sin. So if you ask God in prayer, through Jesus, whether you should have a tattoo on your body, as a saved believer, and don't wait for an answer but go ahead and have one, you have done so without permission, you may have asked first, but if He chose to test your faith the onus is on you. You may not see an issue with that, there is enough in scripture for me to make sure I don't have a tattoo on my body, which is not my body, it was purchased at a price.

Romans 12 has nothing to do with tattoos for me, as I don't see having a nice tattoo of a koi fish as something "of the world," just as I don't see getting your ears pierced or hair dyed as something "of the world," but as an expression of art that should be appreciated when pulled off correctly.

God created and said what he had created was beautiful, He didn't say I have created this I will call it art! The term art was created by man.

You say, "A tattoo is defacing the body God has given us. As saved believers our body becomes the home, a temple of the Holy Spirit who abides in us..." but the same logic can be applied to hair cutting or nail trimming. I mean, are those not a part of our bodies? Then who are we, as mere vessels for the holy spirit, to remove parts of our hair and nails. After all, Leviticus 19:27 warns us, "Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard," so keeping our hair short is technically a sin by your line of reasoning. Unless those laws served some purpose other than moral guidelines that need to be followed in our modern society, such as maintaining the tribalistic sense of alienation and superiority over other pagan nations

First may I clarify, I never quoted Leviticus.

Secondly defacing the body with a tattoo is nothing like cutting our hair and nails. Our hair and nails were with us from a very young age, most are born with them, they grow and so need to be cut, a tattoo doesn't grow, it defaces the body.

"If God had wanted me to have a tattoo on my body I would have been born with one!"
If God wanted me to be able to fly, He would've given me wings! If God wanted me to wear Adidas sneakers and Hilfiger sweaters, I would've been born with them! If God wanted me to be immune to small pox and polio, then I would've been born with one! If God wanted me to have purple hair, then I would've been born with purple hair! If God wanted me to be born with red nails, then I would've been born with red nails!

Your reply does not make sense sister, I said, if God had wanted me to have a picture/tattoo on my body I would have been born with one. But I wasn't because God created my body as He wanted it to be.

You say if God had wanted you to fly He would have given you wings, so true, but he didn't. You and I and all humans are not meant to physically fly.

You know how you were born sister, that was what God intended you to be like, were you born with a tattoo? No!

I can't consider tattoos as something of the Devil because I fail to see how getting a tattoo of a cross, a flower, a scripture, a diamond, or whatever else, a sin. I can see how getting a tattoo of the devil, an upside down cross, a cult, etc. is a sin, as a Christian shouldn't associate themselves with those sorts of things in any way, not even with a t shirt. But for the rest, it's harmless. It's a form of expression. It's art.

No one has said a tattoo is something of the devil, the devil doesn't make us do anything, he didn't make Adam or Eve do anything, what he did was 'tempt them' by making them think things are not against God's will, surely it is only a picture, it is harmless, it is art, it can be beautiful, God won't mind. Really!

Now this is the part of your response that made me almost lose faith in Christianity as a whole until I reminded myself that this isn't what Christianity is:
"If a person has a tattoo before being saved, we must accept they did so as sinners, they knew no better, but very important at the point we come to God through Jesus, repent of our sins and become born again, we are saved, God took us as we were at the point."
There are so many things wrong with this sentence alone, but let me break it down to two points:
(1) It implies that those who get tattoos after being saved should be condemned.
(2) It implies that Christians have the burden to judge and condemn those who unapologetically got tattoos after being saved.
Both of these are false, as Christians have no right to even look at another brother sideways with an ounce of judgement if they're doing something you don'e agree with, especially if that something is completely harmless (tattoos, piercings). Not to mention that people who do have tattoos, according to the Bible and it's teachings as far as I could see, shouldn't be condemned regardless of your opinions on tattooing.

I heard someone put tattoos like stained-glass windows on churches. You don't need them, and they don't serve any real function, but they look nice and add to the temple (if you wish to interpret our bodies as such) something that wasn't there before.

Allow me to clarify

When a soul has not accept/has rejected God, they do not know, do not want to know what God says, it is my life they say, it is my body, I will do what I want, what I think is best for me.

Now if this soul has a tattoo they did so of their own accord, they didn't know or want to know God did not want them to deface their bodies.

This is why God takes us as we are sinners, then moulds us to be the people He wants us to be, He removes sin from a truly repent heart, when they accept Jesus and become born again. He removes the veil that blinded us from sin and allows His Light and His Word
to reveal the Truth to us.

Now if a Christian comes amongst other Christians, the other Christians should not condemn the person who had the tattoo before they were saved. God accepted that person at that time in love, and so should we.

But if the person is saved and then has a tattoo, the brethren have a duty to let them know, in love, what scripture says about defacing the body. But it must be done in love. The person then has the option to get right with God, seek forgiveness, God forgives them but the tattoo remains, again another reason we must not be harsh and condemn another brother or sister, if they seek forgiveness with a genuine and open heart through Jesus, they will be forgiven.

 

[Brad Huber]

Hi Paul, I unfortunately

Hi Paul, Being a tattooed sinner myself, and also a Christian, I have on occasions been made to feel uncomfortable in Christian company. I believe, to major in on tattoos and make an issue of them could possibly be counter productive. It could cause a tattooed person to feel unwelcome. I believe it is wise to remember that we all fall short of the glory of God and except for Jesus we'd all end up in the same place, whether the sin be murder, adultery, defacing the temple of the Holy Spirit, or looking on a brother with judgement. Two scriptures come to mind, one regarding the murderer on the cross next to him, who acknowledged that his sentence was just, and yet because he acknowledged that Jesus was who he said he was moved Jesus to address him; Luke 23:43 And Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise". and the second one that comes to mind is John 8 : 7 when they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw the stone". So as one who has often been in the firing line, forgive me for mentioning how it feels to be singled out. Blessings in Jesus.

We all come to Christ as sinners, but we are expected to do better after we turn to Christ and we will IF we utilize the power of the Holy Spirit to help us do so, and part of that doing better is not getting any more tattoo's than what you already have. This is someone who wants to know, and sharing truth is what we should do if we are courageous.

 

[Trevor]

We all come to Christ as sinners, but we are expected to do better after we turn to Christ and we will IF we utilize the power of the Holy Spirit to help us do so, and part of that doing better is not getting any more tattoo's than what you already have. This is someone who wants to know, and sharing truth is what we should do if we are courageous.

Hi Brad, I thought we needed grace to overcome, I didn't think we were to do it in our own strength. If we could obey the law in our own strength, why would we need Jesus. My understanding is that we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God, even you Brad, so what sin are you expected to overcome that you find it hard to, you must have sin, the Bible says so. That being the case, why haven't you overcome yours? Bless you

 

[Brad Huber]

Hi Brad, I thought we needed grace to overcome, I didn't think we were to do it in our own strength. If we could obey the law in our own strength, why would we need Jesus. My understanding is that we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God, even you Brad, so what sin are you expected to overcome that you find it hard to, you must have sin, the Bible says so. That being the case, why haven't you overcome yours? Bless you

Again, its not on our own power, its through the power of the Holy Spirit. Just like we cannot be saved without grace, we cannot become more like Christ without the indwelling and USE of the Holy Spirit. And you will still falter on occasions, but it will be a LOT less if you listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit and follow its leading. I am not talking about the law found in scripture, I am talking about the ACTUAL Holy Spirit that was sent to us to help us in this life to become more like Christ. Far too many christians simply want grace and never grow up in their faith, not even the desire to have more than the basic saving from hell.

 

[NYQueens977]

I Cor 6 is related to sin, in context in this part of the chapter, yes it quotes sexual immorality, but sexual immorality is sin.

It is like for instance reading John 3, first 8 verses, and saying it only applies to Jesus and Nicodemus, it was a discussion between Jesus and a teacher of Israel, a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling party, so it is not applicable to me. The subject was the need to be born again, it is applicable to all, not just Nicodemus and the Jews. I Corinthians 6 is about sin, their sexual immorality, although the emphasised point in the text, it is still about sin.




1 Cor 6 is a warning about sin, in this case sexual immorality. I consider it sin based on what I posted previously, if you don't that is your choice, but one day, soon, we will stand in front of the Lord and give account for everything we have done, said or thought that was sin. You may choose to take a chance, I am not willing to do so, to me scripture points to it being a sin.




I understand your reply, but if a saved soul defaced the body, in which the Holy Spirit abides, which is the Temple of God, then to have a tattoo is doing so without his permission when scripture points to it being a sin. So if you ask God in prayer, through Jesus, whether you should have a tattoo on your body, as a saved believer, and don't wait for an answer but go ahead and have one, you have done so without permission, you may have asked first, but if He chose to test your faith the owness is on you. You may not see an issue with that, there is enough in scripture for me to make sure I don't have a tattoo on my body, which is not my body, it was purchased at a price.




God created and said what he had created was beautiful, He didn't say I have created this I will call it art! The term art was created by man.




First may I clarify, I never quoted Leviticus.

Secondly defacing the body with a tattoo is nothing like cutting our hair and nails. Our hair and nails were with us from a very young age, most are born with them, they grow and so need to be cut, a tattoo doesn't grow, it defaces the body.





Your reply does not make sense sister, I said, if God had wanted me to have a picture/tattoo on my body I would have been born with one. But I wasn't because God created my body as He wanted it to be.

You say if God had wanted you to fly He would have given you wings, so true, but he didn't. You and I and all humans are not meant to physically fly.

You know how you were born sister, that was what God intended you to be like, were you born with a tattoo? No!




No one has said a tattoo is something of the devil, the devil doesn't make us do anything, he didn't make Adam or Eve do anything, what he did was 'tempt them' by making them think things are not against God's will, surely it is only a picture, it is harmless, it is art, it can be beautiful, God won't mind. Really!




Allow me to clarify

When a soul has not accept/has rejected God, they do not know, do not want to know what God says, it is my life they say, it is my body, I will do what I want, what I think is best for me.

Now if this soul has a tattoo they did so of their own accord, they didn't know or want to know God did not want them to deface their bodies.

This is why God takes us as we are sinners, then moulds us to be the people He wants us to be, He removes sin from a truly repent heart, when they accept Jesus and become born again. He removes the veil that blinded us from sin and allows His Light and His Word
to reveal the Truth to us.

Now if a Christian comes amongst other Christians, the other Christians should not condemn the person who had the tattoo before they were saved. God accepted that person at that time in love, and so should we.

But if the person is saved and then has a tattoo, the brethren have a duty to let them know, in love, what scripture says about defacing the body. But it must be done in love. The person then has the option to get right with God, seek forgiveness, God forgives them but the tattoo remains, again another reason we must not be harsh and condemn another brother or sister, if they seek forgiveness with a genuine and open heart through Jesus, they will be forgiven.

My reasoning for clearing up the context of 1 Corinth. 6 was to show that the verse had nothing to do with marking your body, as you have stated in your first post. I also said that there are different takeaways from the passage, some people broadening that meaning to "don't change your body whatsoever" because it's not our body, it's God's, but I'm not one of those people because, as I said before, to believe in something like that is to admit that we can't dye our hair or pierce our ears, because it's not our body, and we have no right to do so. So you may interpret 1 Corinth. 6 as a warning against tattoos and other body modifications, but I still see no evidence that supports that claim.

And when I said that humans weren't meant to fly, I was referring to planes and how, even though we don't have wings and were clearly not made to fly, we still managed to find a way to do so. I'm sorry if that wasn't clear. The point of that segment was to show how we weren't born with anything, such as clothes or an immunity, but we still walk around with clothes and are vaccinated. Just because we weren't born with something, doesn't mean that we can't acquire something later in life. That's just how it is.

I'm also well aware that you didn't quote Leviticus, but many people in this thread have in the context of tattoos, and I find it ironic how many people focus so heavily on the one verse that refers to markings, and actively ignore the verse that comes right after about cutting your hair. Also, on that note, you say that hair and nails are natural and grow with time, but nevertheless, according to the same laws that supposedly forbid having markings on your body, it's a sin to trim your beards. But I suppose that was a bit of a straw man, as you, yourself, never brought up Leviticus, so I, again, apologize for my fallacy.

But as for this here:
"No one has said a tattoo is something of the devil, the devil doesn't make us do anything, he didn't make Adam or Eve do anything, what he did was 'tempt them' by making them think things are not against God's will, surely it is only a picture, it is harmless, it is art, it can be beautiful, God won't mind. Really!" I feel like I almost understand what you're getting at here, but the wording is still rather odd. You say that tattoos aren't of the Devil, but turn around and say that it's a sin that the Devil tempts us with, so it is of the devil? Otherwise, why bother tempting us with something that is not of the Devil. In my mind, I usually equate sin with the devil, but maybe that's just me. Also, you're not really saying anything here other than, once again, saying that getting a tattoo is a sin and that sometimes the Devil will tempt us into getting one, which I still don't agree.

The rest of what you say goes along with this type of reasoning, that people who don't know God get tattoos not realizing its a sin, and that it's our job as Christians to point out the sin (with love) that their brother or sister is in, in this case, having a tattoo, and that's where we disagree.

I don't see tattoos inherently sinful. Can people corrupt it and twist it into something evil? Sure, just like how they can corrupt literally anything and everything, but tattoos aren't sinful, and having one isn't a sin. If it was a sin, then wouldn't the Bible at least mentioned explicitly? Tattoos, piercings, and certain clothes were used as a form of ritual worship in the ancient world, which is why God understandably didn't want His people partaking in that practice, but modern tattoos aren't taken as a form of worship, but as a way of expressing your individuality and creativity.
I take 1 Corinthians 6 as a message to take care of your body and make sure that it's healthy, as the body and spirit are one. If the body isn't healthy and respected, then the soul will slowly deteriorate. Just like how I don't see in the harm in piercing your ears (if done correctly), neither physically or spiritually, I don't see the any physical (if done right) or spiritual harm in having a tattoo.
You won't agree with me, and that's fine. I don't see this as much as a gamble as your making it to be, because if there really is a clear cut law that says in the Bible that I can't do it, then I haven't heard of it, and none of the scriptures that you've been showing me has proved that otherwise. So I guess the only thing we can do is agree to disagree, minus the implications that I may end up in Hell.

 

[Trevor]

Again, its not on our own power, its through the power of the Holy Spirit. Just like we cannot be saved without grace, we cannot become more like Christ without the indwelling and USE of the Holy Spirit. And you will still falter on occasions, but it will be a LOT less if you listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit and follow its leading. I am not talking about the law found in scripture, I am talking about the ACTUAL Holy Spirit that was sent to us to help us in this life to become more like Christ. Far too many christians simply want grace and never grow up in their faith, not even the desire to have more than the basic saving from hell.

Hi Brad, Your right, It's all by the power of the Holy Spirit. However I believe that as the bible says "all things work to the good for those in Christ Jesus". When Jesus told Peter that he would deny him three times before the **** crowed, Peter had no say in the matter and he denied Jesus three times, one of them with curses. But when Jesus reinstated him by causing him to tell him he loved him three times, Peter came out of it stronger. Paul was give a thorn in his side, a messenger of Satan sent to buffet him, this was done to keep Paul from being conceited. Here God used a messenger of Satan to influence Paul. Judas was just one of the disciples, until Jesus broke the bread and it was then that the devil entered him and under the devil's power he betrayed Jesus. Again Satan was used to influence Judas. I prayed for over twenty years for the Lord to deliver me from tobacco and then he did, why did he allow Satan to keep me bound for twenty years? one reason is, I could not judge another when I couldn't overcome my own sin. in the meantime, I was freed from many things to the degree that I became a different person. there is, however, still more work to be done in me for which I am still praying, I have no doubt he will finish the job but it's glory to glory and in his time. When we come to the Lord we are in his hands and he deals with us in his way, not ours. Bless you mate.

 

[Brother-Paul]

We all come to Christ as sinners, but we are expected to do better after we turn to Christ and we will IF we utilize the power of the Holy Spirit to help us do so, and part of that doing better is not getting any more tattoo's than what you already have. This is someone who wants to know, and sharing truth is what we should do if we are courageous.

Totally agree brother.

 

[Brother-Paul]

My reasoning for clearing up the context of 1 Corinth. 6 was to show that the verse had nothing to do with marking your body, as you have stated in your first post. I also said that there are different takeaways from the passage, some people broadening that meaning to "don't change your body whatsoever" because it's not our body, it's God's, but I'm not one of those people because, as I said before, to believe in something like that is to admit that we can't dye our hair or pierce our ears, because it's not our body, and we have no right to do so. So you may interpret 1 Corinth. 6 as a warning against tattoos and other body modifications, but I still see no evidence that supports that claim.

And when I said that humans weren't meant to fly, I was referring to planes and how, even though we don't have wings and were clearly not made to fly, we still managed to find a way to do so. I'm sorry if that wasn't clear. The point of that segment was to show how we weren't born with anything, such as clothes or an immunity, but we still walk around with clothes and are vaccinated. Just because we weren't born with something, doesn't mean that we can't acquire something later in life. That's just how it is.

I'm also well aware that you didn't quote Leviticus, but many people in this thread have in the context of tattoos, and I find it ironic how many people focus so heavily on the one verse that refers to markings, and actively ignore the verse that comes right after about cutting your hair. Also, on that note, you say that hair and nails are natural and grow with time, but nevertheless, according to the same laws that supposedly forbid having markings on your body, it's a sin to trim your beards. But I suppose that was a bit of a straw man, as you, yourself, never brought up Leviticus, so I, again, apologize for my fallacy.

But as for this here:
"No one has said a tattoo is something of the devil, the devil doesn't make us do anything, he didn't make Adam or Eve do anything, what he did was 'tempt them' by making them think things are not against God's will, surely it is only a picture, it is harmless, it is art, it can be beautiful, God won't mind. Really!" I feel like I almost understand what you're getting at here, but the wording is still rather odd. You say that tattoos aren't of the Devil, but turn around and say that it's a sin that the Devil tempts us with, so it is of the devil? Otherwise, why bother tempting us with something that is not of the Devil. In my mind, I usually equate sin with the devil, but maybe that's just me. Also, you're not really saying anything here other than, once again, saying that getting a tattoo is a sin and that sometimes the Devil will tempt us into getting one, which I still don't agree.

The rest of what you say goes along with this type of reasoning, that people who don't know God get tattoos not realizing its a sin, and that it's our job as Christians to point out the sin (with love) that their brother or sister is in, in this case, having a tattoo, and that's where we disagree.

I don't see tattoos inherently sinful. Can people corrupt it and twist it into something evil? Sure, just like how they can corrupt literally anything and everything, but tattoos aren't sinful, and having one isn't a sin. If it was a sin, then wouldn't the Bible at least mentioned explicitly? Tattoos, piercings, and certain clothes were used as a form of ritual worship in the ancient world, which is why God understandably didn't want His people partaking in that practice, but modern tattoos aren't taken as a form of worship, but as a way of expressing your individuality and creativity.
I take 1 Corinthians 6 as a message to take care of your body and make sure that it's healthy, as the body and spirit are one. If the body isn't healthy and respected, then the soul will slowly deteriorate. Just like how I don't see in the harm in piercing your ears (if done correctly), neither physically or spiritually, I don't see the any physical (if done right) or spiritual harm in having a tattoo.
You won't agree with me, and that's fine. I don't see this as much as a gamble as your making it to be, because if there really is a clear cut law that says in the Bible that I can't do it, then I haven't heard of it, and none of the scriptures that you've been showing me has proved that otherwise. So I guess the only thing we can do is agree to disagree, minus the implications that I may end up in Hell.

The Bible is a book of love, the greatest love story ever... I am sure we agree.

The Bible is God's Word, through His Love, from Genesis to Revelation, regarding the great lengths God went to, to hopefully save us from SIN... Again I am sure we agree.

Therefore the context of The Bible, end to end, is Love, forgiveness and SIN.

So when we read, study, meditate on The Word, we do so to better understand God's love, to better understand the need of forgiveness, of our Sins.

God hates SIN, but loves the sinner, so much so He allowed His One and Only Son to die for our sins. Jesus shed His Blood for our SINS, He paid the price we should pay for our SINS.

From Genesis to Revelation we are given a clear message, God, SIN, (repentance, forgiveness, salvation) available to all though not all will accept it.

So from the beginning we see, God first, then sin came, God first, then the Fall. God hates SIN He is righteous, we are to be righteous, we are told to practice righteousness.

Every sin, no matter how big or small leads to death, if not forgiven and washed away by the Blood of Christ Jesus our Lord.

Now the Bible, unlike any other book, includes stories of things that happened to people, prophets, apostles, Jews or Gentiles, and of Jesus Life on earth. The Bible lists examples in the stories of different sins, one may be sexual immorality, and other may be stealing, another adultery, etc, but to keep in context with All The Word of God, we have to accept sin is sin, no big sin or small sin, sin is sin, and sin separates us from God. So if we want to be right with God, we all should do everything we can to avoid sin, I am sure we agree.

But then we come to the issue raised here, is a tattoo on a saved souls body a sin?

Now we can say, hang on brother-paul, 1 Cor 6 is about sexual immorality, not about tattoo's on some ones body, you would be partially right. Let us look a little closer, is it just about sexual immorality? Here we read an example of food and the stomach, here we read the body is for the Lord, here is says our bodies, as saved souls, are members of Christ Himself, and who ever is united with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (NIV2011)
12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.
15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”
17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

In context therefore what are we reading? In this section of scripture alone it talks about being righteous, it is further confirming that sexual immorality is a sin inside the body, all other sins a person commits outside the body. So yes there is an example of sexual immorality, for the hearers then and from then onwards, but the underlying context here and in the word is SIN.

Let us come back to this previous comment if I may...

"No one has said a tattoo is something of the devil, the devil doesn't make us do anything, he didn't make Adam or Eve do anything, what he did was 'tempt them' by making them think things are not against God's will, surely it is only a picture, it is harmless, it is art, it can be beautiful, God won't mind. Really!"

I feel like I almost understand what you're getting at here, but the wording is still rather odd. You say that tattoos aren't of the Devil, but turn around and say that it's a sin that the Devil tempts us with, so it is of the devil? Otherwise, why bother tempting us with something that is not of the Devil. In my mind, I usually equate sin with the devil, but maybe that's just me. Also, you're not really saying anything here other than, once again, saying that getting a tattoo is a sin and that sometimes the Devil will tempt us into getting one, which I still don't agree."

The tattoo IS NOT the sin, the sin is accepting or actually doing the defacing of the body, the Temple of God.
The devil did nothing more than tempting the person to do something God does not want us to do.
We sinned by allowing ourself to be tempted and going ahead with defacing the body, the Spirit dwells in.

I don't see tattoos inherently sinful. Can people corrupt it and twist it into something evil? Sure, just like how they can corrupt literally anything and everything, but tattoos aren't sinful, and having one isn't a sin. If it was a sin, then wouldn't the Bible at least mentioned explicitly?

Dear sister the Bible is full of examples from the lives of those mentioned above, it cannot cover all contingencies, it takes things that happened and used them to warn us all. The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit who reveals the Truth in what is said and has been recorded, helping us understand God, God's will for us to be righteous and not to be tempted and sin.

Allow me to use an example that causes some misunderstanding. The Bible is clear homosexuality and lesbianism is sin, there are even warning prophesied that in the latter days man will go with man and woman with woman and they will be repaid in their own kind. Sin always carries a price, the wages of sin is death.

Now the gay brigade, LGBT+Q, argue that Jesus never said one word that these things are wrong, so they believe they are right. It is true Jesus didn't actually say anything about homosexuality and lesbianism during His ministry, there are two reasons, one He never came across it in the 3 plus years of His ministry, two scripture already covers the fact it is Sin. So we have to be very careful how we interpret scripture.

Tattoos, piercings, and certain clothes were used as a form of ritual worship in the ancient world, which is why God understandably didn't want His people partaking in that practice, but modern tattoos aren't taken as a form of worship, but as a way of expressing your individuality and creativity.

But they are defacing the body, the body of a saved soul, which is the Temple of God.

I take 1 Corinthians 6 as a message to take care of your body and make sure that it's healthy, as the body and spirit are one. If the body isn't healthy and respected, then the soul will slowly deteriorate. Just like how I don't see in the harm in piercing your ears (if done correctly), neither physically or spiritually, I don't see the any physical (if done right) or spiritual harm in having a tattoo.
You won't agree with me, and that's fine. I don't see this as much as a gamble as your making it to be, because if there really is a clear cut law that says in the Bible that I can't do it, then I haven't heard of it, and none of the scriptures that you've been showing me has proved that otherwise. So I guess the only thing we can do is agree to disagree, minus the implications that I may end up in Hell.

There is no way I would gamble, with money, with possessions and even more so with my saved body/soul.

All I have done is quote scripture and try explain the overall context of it.

I do not want you to be tempted to do something and later you regret it, you can repent for sure, but the tattoo remains as a reminder, you had a choice, we all have a choice. As for me if there is only one verse in scripture that says something is wrong, I will not be tempted to do it or try it, my Salvation is more important to me, what God and our Lord did for me is worth more to me.

What ever you decide, peace be with you, Jesus loves you I do too.

 

[Brother-Paul]

Is it right to condemn a believer because they have a tattoo... NO!

The person made have had the tattoo from before being saved.
We must accept God takes us 'as we are' at that second of becoming born again.
We must accept others also, if God accepts us as we are who are we to go against God.

When a person is born again, ALL their past sins are wiped away and remembered no more. But the defaced scars, tattoos etc remain.

Now if a person has a tattoo after being born again, they have willingly defaced the body, the Temple of God. They must seek forgiveness.
But the brethren must not condemn a person for having a tattoo, they may have had it before being saved, they may have repented and got right with God.

The sins are forgiven, the tattoo remains, for some a painful reminder for the rest of their lives. They have to live with it, we must not condemn them.

But if a person has a tattoo after being born again, and did it unknowingly, the brethren should guide them to understand what they did was temptation, it was a sin, so the person can repent and get right with God.

We are to do everything in love, guiding with scripture and truth at all times.

Blessings

 

[Hekuran]

I think we should listen more carefully to what @Trevor has said about feeling judged in the presence of Christians.

Look at how people responded to Jesus. People with scandalously sinful lives -- prostitutes and tax collectors -- felt comfortable in his presence. And Jesus' most extreme reactions were against those of us who had the veneer of pious respectability, yet oppressed and diminished the weakest.

 

[NYQueens977]

The Bible is a book of love, the greatest love story ever... I am sure we agree.

The Bible is God's Word, through His Love, from Genesis to Revelation, regarding the great lengths God went to, to hopefully save us from SIN... Again I am sure we agree.

Therefore the context of The Bible, end to end, is Love, forgiveness and SIN.

So when we read, study, meditate on The Word, we do so to better understand God's love, to better understand the need of forgiveness, of our Sins.

God hates SIN, but loves the sinner, so much so He allowed His One and Only Son to die for our sins. Jesus shed His Blood for our SINS, He paid the price we should pay for our SINS.

From Genesis to Revelation we are given a clear message, God, SIN, (repentance, forgiveness, salvation) available to all though not all will accept it.

So from the beginning we see, God first, then sin came, God first, then the Fall. God hates SIN He is righteous, we are to be righteous, we are told to practice righteousness.

Every sin, no matter how big or small leads to death, if not forgiven and washed away by the Blood of Christ Jesus our Lord.

Now the Bible, unlike any other book, includes stories of things that happened to people, prophets, apostles, Jews or Gentiles, and of Jesus Life on earth. The Bible lists examples in the stories of different sins, one may be sexual immorality, and other may be stealing, another adultery, etc, but to keep in context with All The Word of God, we have to accept sin is sin, no big sin or small sin, sin is sin, and sin separates us from God. So if we want to be right with God, we all should do everything we can to avoid sin, I am sure we agree.

But then we come to the issue raised here, is a tattoo on a saved souls body a sin?

Now we can say, hang on brother-paul, 1 Cor 6 is about sexual immorality, not about tattoo's on some ones body, you would be partially right. Let us look a little closer, is it just about sexual immorality? Here we read an example of food and the stomach, here we read the body is for the Lord, here is says our bodies, as saved souls, are members of Christ Himself, and who ever is united with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (NIV2011)
12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.
15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”
17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

In context therefore what are we reading? In this section of scripture alone it talks about being righteous, it is further confirming that sexual immorality is a sin inside the body, all other sins a person commits outside the body. So yes there is an example of sexual immorality, for the hearers then and from then onwards, but the underlying context here and in the word is SIN.

Let us come back to this previous comment if I may...

"No one has said a tattoo is something of the devil, the devil doesn't make us do anything, he didn't make Adam or Eve do anything, what he did was 'tempt them' by making them think things are not against God's will, surely it is only a picture, it is harmless, it is art, it can be beautiful, God won't mind. Really!"



The tattoo IS NOT the sin, the sin is accepting or actually doing the defacing of the body, the Temple of God.
The devil did nothing more than tempting the person to do something God does not want us to do.
We sinned by allowing ourself to be tempted and going ahead with defacing the body, the Spirit dwells in.




Dear sister the Bible is full of examples from the lives of those mentioned above, it cannot cover all contingencies, it takes things that happened and used them to warn us all. The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit who reveals the Truth in what is said and has been recorded, helping us understand God, God's will for us to be righteous and not to be tempted and sin.

Allow me to use an example that causes some misunderstanding. The Bible is clear homosexuality and lesbianism is sin, there are even warning prophesied that in the latter days man will go with man and woman with woman and they will be repaid in their own kind. Sin always carries a price, the wages of sin is death.

Now the gay brigade, LGBT+Q, argue that Jesus never said one word that these things are wrong, so they believe they are right. It is true Jesus didn't actually say anything about homosexuality and lesbianism during His ministry, there are two reasons, one He never came across it in the 3 plus years of His ministry, two scripture already covers the fact it is Sin. So we have to be very careful how we interpret scripture.




But they are defacing the body, the body of a saved soul, which is the Temple of God.





There is no way I would gamble, with money, with possessions and even more so with my saved body/soul.

All I have done is quote scripture and try explain the overall context of it.

I do not want you to be tempted to do something and later you regret it, you can repent for sure, but the tattoo remains as a reminder, you had a choice, we all have a choice. As for me if there is only one verse in scripture that says something is wrong, I will not be tempted to do it or try it, my Salvation is more important to me, what God and our Lord did for me is worth more to me.

What ever you decide, peace be with you, Jesus loves you I do too.

As frustrating as this is going to sound, I still don't get it. You're giving me the same 5 verses, and you keep saying that it's a sin, but I still don't see how. The bible says nothing about defacing your body as a sin outside of Leviticus, and we've already discussed the context. You say that 1 Corinth. 6 can refer to sin in general that involves the body (even though it doesn't explicitly say that, but hurray to literary interpretation), and therefore can also refer to tattoos. I don't agree with this.
I don't see it as a sin because, the Bible doesn't say anything about modern tattoos. I cannot interpret 1 Corinth. 6 as anything other than encouragement to take care of our bodies, as it is a temple and needs to be kept healthy physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
The difference between the issues with tattoos and the LGBT is that there are verses that discourage homosexual/effeminate behavior. However, there are absolutely no verses that discourage the modern tattoo (a tattoo created as art, not for worship). But there may be one verse that references tattoos in Revelation.
In Revelations 19:16, Jesus is described with having marks on his robe and on His thigh that reads "King of Kings, Lord of Lords". You could say that it's a tattoo, blood, normal ink, or maybe a sticker. Who knows? Revelations is a strange book, but you could see that even Jesus in the end times isn't above putting a mark on His body that expressed who He is. But that, as is many things in the Bible, is open to interpretation.
You're right, this body is not mine. Paul said that we were bought at a price, and we need to take care of our bodies as such. But you and I have very different views on what tattoos are.
You believe that it's vandalizing our bodies.
I believe that it's decorating our bodies.
You see it as a sin, like the people who advocate for plain, humble, church buildings as to preserve the temple.
I see it as an art, like the people who put up stained-glass windows in their churches to add to the temple.
Sp by the looks of it, you and I have no intention of changing our minds, so why are we still discussing this?

 

[Trevor]

I think we should listen more carefully to what @Trevor has said about feeling judged in the presence of Christians.

Look at how people responded to Jesus. People with scandalously sinful lives -- prostitutes and tax collectors -- felt comfortable in his presence. And Jesus' most extreme reactions were against those of us who had the veneer of pious respectability, yet oppressed and diminished the weakest.

Hi Hekuran, I agree with your post, but I'd like to explain that it was more different life styles that shocked simple, genteel people. Not long after I became born again, I joined a church. I didn't come to Jesus through Christians, I came to Jesus through reading the scriptures, I'm a street musician and as such a street person. The people I associated with were, one might say, down market. I moved from London, to a small town in northern England high up in the fells of Cumbria. The people there were far removed from the people I associated with in London, in Alston they were country people, some of whom, had seldom left Alston Moor. The Moor was Methodist and the people who had faith were devout. they were beautiful people, but they found the incomers strange. I was the local singer, I'd sing in the pubs and clubs throughout the north of England, and so I became well known in the town. Up until then my faith had been philosophical, I was not born again and I didn't mix with the Methodists, as a street singer, I was, one might say, a loner. The only time I'd mix with the local people or go in pubs was to sing, apart from that I would keep myself to myself. Anyway, even though I had a belief I was still a sinner, Helen and I were of the alternative way of life, we'd had an open relationship and being a musician I wasn't averse to promiscuity. This over the years, I believe, eroded our relationship, I was plagued with guilt and extremely unhappy. A friend of mine had asked me if I was born again, I told him I was a Christian and that was good enough for me. But the time came when my marriage became threatened, Helen informed me she wanted her freedom, we had at the time three children, and I was devastated, my whole world was about to disintegrate. It was then that God spoke to me, his voice came from inside, but I knew it was him. He asked me if I had figured it out yet, I knew he meant my purpose in life, and I told him I wouldn't know where to start, I felt him say why don't you give my way a go, when I asked him what his way was, he told me it was in the scriptures. I knew deep within that I had to be born again. Two of my friends who were Christians were paying us a visit and I knelt with them, confessed my sin and asked Jesus to come into my life. I told Helen what I had done and she, being torn between the family and her freedom didn't know what to do. She knew that if she asked her friends for advice they would tell her to leave me and that would destroy our children and our family and she knew it would break our children's hearts, she had nowhere to turn and so she too gave her life to Jesus. It wasn't long before we started to experience the Spirit of God as we sought Jesus in the scriptures and so we decided to attend the Methodist church. The people received us with genuine kindness although we were worlds apart in understanding the more sordid ways of the world and I believe that was in fact a barrier between us. Being a singer it wasn't long before I was asked to sing choruses in the services and meetings. The problem arrived when I read in James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. I needed a lot of healing from a misspent life and so I confessed, that proved to be a big mistake. These people were genteel and the sins that I confessed, shocked them and their attitudes changed toward me and they drew away, to the point where I would feel embarrassed in their company. This caused me to cease going to the church, so we started to fellowship in our house. after a while others started to join us and a fellowship grew from there. The people of the church still, on occasion ask me to sing for them and I do. We still love them. I've related this, Hekuran to explain the intricacies of how it was. Bless you

 

[Hekuran]

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