Let me preface everything I’m about to say: I do not have any tattoos. I’ve never found a piece of art that I just had to have imprinted on my body, so for that reason (and probably others), it’s just never really been a temptation. Plus, I really don’t like needles.
For that reason, Leviticus 19:28 doesn’t give me a lot of pause. If the Bible says no tattoos, then no tattoos it is. Even if it is in the Old Testament and therefore not applicable to us (in terms of Law), I’ll still keep it—if not for the simple fact that, as I stated above, I hate needles.
I take exception to people who try to use this verse to prohibit Christians from getting tattoos today, though. Because it’s in the Old Law, it doesn’t apply to us in terms of day-to-day living.
If it did, wouldn’t the rest of that section also apply? Should we also not “round off the side growth on our heads” or refrain from “harming the edges of our beards”? I shave my facial hair often; am I violating God’s command by doing so?
Obviously not. Moreover, it seems pretty clear from the context that what God is talking about in these verses has more to do with a pagan, ritualistic type of grooming habit than anything else (although I’m sure the general principles still applied to the Jews).
For example, right before God prohibits the “tattoo marks,” He specifically outlaws cuts in your body “for the dead.”
It was common in those days and in those cultures to make huge shows of mourning. Jonah describes the people of Nineveh who sat in sackcloth and ashes, and refrained from eating or drinking anything, purely to try and avert God’s wrath (Jonah 3). The prophets of Baal cut themselves in hopes of appeasing their mute and nonexistent deity (1 Kings 18).
The associations with cutting and sadness are numerous. Ancient cultures adopted these types of rituals as a way of showing deep emotion. And unfortunately, even in today’s world, cutting your body and other forms of self-harm are usually driven by pain, sadness, or anger.
So it makes sense why God would want to outlaw something like this. The primary reason is because tattoos and other funeral marks are seen as idolatrous devotions.
But alongside that is (a) the idea that you are mutilating the creation of God, and (b) you are doing so because of an emotion that God wants to help you through. If you are depressed or experience severe emotional pain, prayer should be your outlet, not self-harm.
(Although if you do struggle with this, please consider contacting professionals who can help. They’re trained to help you through things like this. Text the word CONNECT to the number 741741 and you’ll reach a counselor ASAP.)
Someone may very well read this and think that since they’re not sacrificing to pagan gods, that tattoos are okay. I’m not going to comment on that here.
What I will say is to take deep consideration for what types of messages you’re putting on your body. Profanity, vulgar, sensual jokes shouldn’t be under consideration at all, but even just having a tattoo may cause someone to stumble.
All I ask is that you think long and hard about what you’re doing. Think about the motive behind it, what you want to put, and how long it will be there. Because whatever decision you make you in that tattoo parlor, it’s there for life.
And here’s the most important question: Will that mark be a testament to God’s glory, or a detriment to His people?
