“Tattooed by God”

Trends come and go in cycles and if you hang around long enough, you will see the trend repeat itself more than once in your life time. The funny thing to me with trends is how the generation that “starts” them does so thinking that they are new and never had been done before!

 

One of the trends that has me baffled is the trend of tattoos; the act or practice of marking the skin with indelible ink. For some reason in this age of “doing my own thing” and “being a unique individual”,  everyone seems to have to get a tattoo; and many of them look the same. Tattoos aren’t new; they’ve been around a long time…

Should a Christian get a tattoo or body piercing? Well, the Old Testament law commanded the Israelites, “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:28).

The New Testament does not say anything about whether or not a Christian should or shouldn’t get a tattoo. But, the fact that there was a command against tattoos should raise some questions. And it is something that each of us should ponder, rather than assume that it is OK with God to do so.

The Bible says; “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” (Romans 14:13-14).

We were bought at a price and therefore we should glorify God in our body and in our spirit, which are God’s. (1 Corinthians 6:20). Simply put; we belong to God and I believe that we should make sure we have His clear “permission” before we mark our bodies with tattoos or piercings. He is our Savior and our Lord.

Did you know that we are already “tattooed” by God? The Bible says that “…His Father’s name written on their foreheads” (Revelation 14:1b) “… And I will write on him My new name” (Revelation 3:12b)

Did you know that God has already “tattooed” your name on the palm of His hand? The Bible says; “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands…” (Isaiah 49:16a)

Did you catch that? We may forget about God, but God doesn’t forget us! He has His children “tattooed” on His hands perhaps to remind Himself of how much He loves you! He is yours, and you are His; He will never forget about you!

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."