Textual Exposition

We’ve been walking through this series based on the questions and topics you guys submitted. And far be it from me to call anyone predictable, but some of these topics and questions I probably could’ve seen coming. How do we deal with sins like homosexuality is kinda a hot button issue, the descent into hell from the creed is something that has come up in a few conversations, heaven and hell - these are all topics that would’ve been towards the top of my list if I was guessing for topics.

‌Today’s is a little bit outside of that, because someone asked me about the faithfulness of tattoos.

‌So, as your diligent pastor and preacher, I started to explore the topic from a Biblical perspective. Now, normally when I research a topic I have to narrow down where in Scripture we’re going to draw from; for example, if you look for a topic like discipleship it comes up dozens of times in dozens of different verses. But for this topic, I was actually able to search the Bible because it only comes up one time in the entire English Standard Version. It’s in Leviticus 19:28 which says “you shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD.” And the context of this is important, God is instructing the Israelites to not make cuts on their bodies or tattoo themselves for the dead. In the time that Leviticus was written, tattoos were part of some other religions that worshipped their dead ancestors, tattoos were a form of idolatry and unavoidably connected people with other religions.

Application

‌I don’t know about y’all, but when I see someone with a tattoo, my first reaction isn’t “that person must be part of a cult of the dead.” Even if someone has a skull tattoo, that’s not my first thought. So does that mean that tattoos are completely okay, we don’t have any problems with them at all.  ‌Well, yes and no.  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 tells us “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” So is there anything wrong with tattoos necessarily, well it depends what kind of message they send.

I want you to look at these pictures, what would you assume about these people that you have probably never met?

You see, tattoos and clothing and jewelry can all send a message about who we are. I would say not to judge a book by its cover - but that’s actually exactly what covers are for. What we are willing to permanently put on our bodies, the clothing we wear, they both bear a witness to who we are. So you should glorify God with that. So tattoos of meaningful Bible verses - sure. Tattoos reminding you of who you are as a child of God or reminding you of His incredible creation - sure. Tats for sports teams or brands or just cool designs - maybe, could also communicate that thing is more important than it should be. Tats of symbols from other religions or things that are pretty directly against Christian ethics - those should be avoided in the spirit of this Law from Leviticus.

And if you’re looking for an overarching rule, here it is. Does the tattoo give witness to the love and forgiveness that Christ has for you, does it give a positive image to you as a redeemed child of God? Because that is our ultimate criteria, that what we do and how we portray ourselves reflect the incredible love and forgiveness that Jesus offers us in His sacrifice on the cross. Amen.