Is it a sin for Christians to get a tattoo?

Theology
1

7851-tattoo-of-cross-on-hand-dark-background-unspl
7851-tattoo-of-cross-on-hand-dark-background-unspl800×418 12.7 KB

Is It a Sin for Christians to Get Tattoos?

Tattoos are a popular form of self-expression today, but as Christians, we need to ask: Is it a sin to get one? The Bible emphasizes that God looks at the heart, not the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). So, the real question is, what’s your motive? Are you honoring God with your body, or is there another reason behind your decision?

Before deciding, consider how your tattoo will reflect your faith and relationship with Christ. If you’re unsure, it’s always wise to seek God’s guidance and explore what Scripture says. For more insight, check out this article: Is It Biblical for Christians to Get Tattoos?.

1 Like
2

I personally don’t like them, but there isnt anything that prohibits them.

1 Like
4

It also dictates how to cut your hair and when you can eat fruit from a tree.
Leviticus 19:23, 27 ESV
[23] “When you come into the land and plant any kind of tree for food, then you shall regard its fruit as forbidden. Three years it shall be forbidden to you; it must not be eaten.
[27] You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard.

Leviticus 19:23-27 “When you come into the land and plant any kind of tree for food, then you shall regard its fruit as forbidden. Three years it shall be forbidden to you; it must not be eaten. And in the fourth year a | English Standard Version 2016 (ESV) | Download The Bible App Now.
Do you follow these prescriptions?

1 Like
6

I think @DrDale brings up a good point. If we are going to use Leviticus as a ruler for tattoos being a sin then we have to apply Leviticus to every other situation.

4 Likes
7

But does not the Bible state in other scripture we are to treat our bodies as a ‘temple’?

1 Like
8

Read Genesis 17:9-14, and note how absolute it is. Now read Galatians and see Paul’s response to people who saw that and thought that Christians needed to be circumcised. We have died to the Law, and have been adopted as God’s beloved children! The paradigm has changed from obedience to the Law, to our relationship with our Father and loving our neighbors.

1 Like
9

Does maiming one’s body, which is a temple of the Holy Spirit, treat God’s handiwork with love?

1 Like
10

Is it a sin? I doubt it. You can usually take single verses from scripture to support or condemn, but, you have to look at the body of the message the scripture is meant for. If you had tattoos prior to being saved then ask forgiveness for having them as the old you is not anymore. The bigger question would be why you would want to get something permanent on your body. I do believe the body belongs to God, he gave it to us to use while here on earth. Take care of it. I could be wrong but my guess is if you prayed about getting a tattoo(say you want one now) I don’t believe that prayer would be answered. How does having a tattoo advance the glory of God?

2 Likes
11

My son, a young pastor, has gotten a large tattoo on his arm that is a reminder of how short life is. He uses it as an evangelism tool.

I, myself, don’t have any and don’t plan to get one, but our life and decisions as Christians are (or should be) according to our relationship with our Father and not according to Law.

12

If it is maiming, pierced ears would be in that category- and Early Israelites pierced the ear of permanent slaves.

Tattoos are a form of body adornment like rings or a necklace. The sin would be the reason for getting a tattoo or in some cases, what the tattoo is depicting.

13

Wouldn’t a shirt or the fake tattoos do that? Tattoos are permanent. Ear piercings are not. But I’m sure people that “want” one will justify it by any means to seek approval.

14

Or they realize they are not chained to Old Testament codes that were in place for ancient Jews.
Applying your way of thinking, those who dislike tattoos will use any excuse to condemn them.

15

What’s interesting is most who get tattoos often regret them later in life. My stance on tattoos isn’t all based on scripture but also to do with change. What someone likes and think is cool changes as they get older. Most 60-80 year olds I’ve talked too and with regret, most are veterans or church goers.Maybe your son fits into that small group that it won’t have those regrets. Maybe the Lord led him to get that tattoo for specifically leading one person to Christ. I’m not totally condemning them as it’s not my place to judge, but, I do caution people and would advise them to pray about it. And they need to be able to differentiate between their wants and what God leads them to do. Obviously it doesn’t have any effect on our salvation. We all make decisions that we wish we had a second chance at.
Somehow I managed 12 years of service without getting one probably because my dad had his from service and wished he hadn’t gotten them. Our kids have them and I tell them the same thing I’ve said here.

3 Likes
16

I personally think it’s a matter of conscience. My dad has tattoos, but he says that if he could go back in time, he wouldn’t have gotten them. Two of aunts have tattoos, but they don’t seem to regret them. But then again, I’m not really sure where they are spiritually.

17

I believe it is a sin to get a tattoo because as a Christian, our Body is meant to be Holy Temple of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ living in us.

For some they think it is like a form of body art, but I am sure God would disapprove of this because why would you put some image that is NOT God honoring on your body to be there forever? You might get strange people looking at you weirdly to explain it, thus making you feel even more guilty of spending money on it also. It is permanent, once you get it, you can’t get a Refund.

18

Getting a tattoo is not maiming your body. Maim means to cause severe or permanent injury to someone or something, often by violence.

19

Today (July 17) is “national tattoo day,” so it brought me back to this discussion about whether it’s a sin. The Bible doesn’t exactly seem to teach that tattoos send anyone to hell, or keep them out of heaven. Salvation comes through Christ alone, not the state of your skin, Ephesians 2:8–9…

20

Ah, the tattoo tango… yet again. Let’s slice this open with the sharp edge of Scripture, not sentiment.

First off, let’s correct the mushy middle. The question isn’t merely “What’s your motive?” The real question is, does Scripture give a clear command or principle that governs the issue? Because if we reduce sin to motive alone, then why not justify anything with “good intentions”? That’s how we ended up with golden calves and prosperity preachers.

Now, Leviticus 19:28 says it plainly: “You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.” I know, I know... cue the “That’s Old Testament!” choir. But before they break into harmony, let’s talk theology.

No, Christians are not under the ceremonial or civil codes of ancient Israel—but don’t toss the whole Law like yesterday’s bagels. The moral principles behind these laws still reflect the character of a holy God. The verse in question ties tattoos to pagan mourning rituals and idolatrous practices. So ask yourself: is this about art… or is it about assimilation?

Because the bigger issue isn’t ink… it’s influence. Are you being conformed to the world, or transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2)? Are you marking your body because culture calls it cool, or because the Lord of Glory wrote it on your heart?

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 hits like a thunderclap: “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” Not “express yourself however you feel.” Not “as long as your heart’s in the right place.” No… glorify God.

Now if you’ve already got tattoos? Grace covers. This isn’t about condemnation—it’s about conviction. But if you’re on the fence and still asking, “Is it sin?”… maybe ask why you’re trying to see how close you can get to the fire without getting burned.

So no, it’s not always a sin by default. But it’s never just a style choice. In a world obsessed with branding itself, be branded by the cross.

—Sincere Seeker. Scripturally savage. Here for the Truth.

21

I hesitate to even weigh-in on this subject, a topic I personally know very little about. The scriptures shared on the subject seem to cover the waterfront adequately for me. One other passage (idea) did come to mind; if someone has already shared it, I missed it.

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 1 Corinthians 6:12.

Permanent ink, injected under my skin, feels like “being brought under its power” (or under some other power), to me anyway. I’m sure it probably does not feel that way to others, but for me, I am not inclined to make myself a billboard.

KP

1 Like