Should A Christian Get A Tattoo?

I will start by stating I am a Christian (follow of Christ). I love God & Jesus, and I am an admitted sinner. I have been around many "religious" Christians who look down on me for having tattoos. I don't have many, in fact, I only have 3 very small ones. Each one I drew myself, and each one has meaning to it. I have a heart on my left wrist, a cat on my right wrist, and a dove with a halo on my neck, behind my ear. No colored in, just basic black lines.

I have seen many who have come to know Christ and prior to that, had many tattoos done. Many of which are not what God would like, but as I said, they had them done before knowing Christ. Do you believe that a person like that should be looked down upon?

As stated above, many younger Christians have tattoos. They have anything from dragons to demons, to flowers & peace signs tattooed on them. Though what is scared into their skin is not honoring God, I don't think God would look at them any differently for something like that being done prior to coming to Christ. We all have a past. We have all made mistakes. I think it is a shame for other Christians to look down on their brothers or sisters for having tattoos that don't symbolize God's love because they do not know where they were in their path when they received them.

I am a Christian who received one of my tattoos after being saved. The dove on my neck with the halo. Why did I get that tattoo? It symbolizes my love for God and my walk to salvation. Should I be worried for getting something on my body that brings honor to God? NO! I received that tattoo with the intention of my heart being set on honoring God and my love for Him. I wear it as a proud statement in saying I belong to Him, as does my heart. What about getting tattoos after salvation that don't honor God? I believe we can look upon the heart for the answer...

Romans 14:23 says, "And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."

In that scripture, we know that anything that is not of faith is sin. Nowhere in the bible does it state that tattoos are sinful, HOWEVER, understanding the scripture above, anything you place on your body that is not of faith (of God, honoring Him) is a sin. That can mean clothing, not just tattoos! If a person is to examine their own heart, in asking "Why am I getting this tattoo?" then the answer would be clear. Is it okay for Christians to get tattoos? I can't answer that because the Christian getting the tattoo must look upon his or her own heart for the answer. Before getting your chosen tattoo...

Ask :

• Is my heart fixed on God & Christ in my decision to get this tattoo?
• Will this tattoo honor God (be in faith)?
• Will this tattoo cause unclean attention to my body?
• How will my mother & father feel about this tattoo, do they approve of it?
• Is the sole purpose of this tattoo to glorify God or to glorify my own body?

Tattoos will remain a touchy subject for many people because the idea of it is strange and unusual. If you are a Christian, a true believer in Christ, then I believe you can answer if it is okay or not for you to receive a tattoo by asking yourself the above questions. Questions your heart and talk to God about it. I personally don't feel wrong for my dove tattoo because my heart was in the right place. Some Christians may not understand why people get tattoos done, but they can certainly see that if a tattoo, a permanent scar, is honoring God, then it cannot be of the Devil for it is in faith, there for it is NOT a sin.