Is your tattoo faith based?
- Thread starter farouk
- Start date
-
Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.
You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
Thanks to all who voted in the poll so far!
If you have not voted yet in the poll, please vote now!
If you have not voted yet in the poll, please vote now!
Remembering that God never changes we must understand His purpose for those under the black and white laws written and any spiritual [symbolic?] message God may have for us based on what was written then. I had a beard until some time after my marriage. I shaved because that is what my wife wanted. I do not believe that I am bound to have a beard or to not have a beard, but I know there are people on both sides of that question. I would not pretend to dictate to anyone else what to do. We must always be listening to God and obeying what He tells us is right for us. Do we not hear His voice?
Interesting!
In terms of verses in Leviticus, just as I would not tell someone that he should or should not have a beard, so also I would not tell him - or statistically more likely now, her - that they should or should not have a tattoo.
What all of us need to do to listen to the voice of God and follow where we are led. Never mind statistics as they may give you the wrong answer when it comes to the things of God. Even the scriptures wrongly interpreted will give you the wrong answer.
"But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers." John 10:2-5
Are we His sheep? If we are then we will hear His voice or...?
Consider:
"And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:" Matt 25:32-34
"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:" Matt 25:41
Great verses in general terms, very relevant to many discussions also. In more specific term I was thinking of some of the things mentioned in Leviticus: both beards and tattoos; I would find it hard to be dogmatic one way or the other.
Absolutely not dogmatic, but if we are following God at all should we not consult with Him about what we should do or should not do when it comes to beards or tatoos? Yes, we can make up "our own mind", but when it comes down to it, we are not our own. We belong to Him and are His stewards over all over which He has given us control. Are we good stewards always seeking the will of God or are seeking and doing first our own will?
Sounds good, yes. There's also the point about Christians liberty in Romans 14. Blessings.
I have just read that chapter and don't encounter the word, "liberty" nor the word "Christian", but perhaps you read another version than I do. If you wish to make a point you should specify or quote the verse(s).
In any case I believe we ultimately have only two choices, which are God's Way or not.
God wants us to enjoy the good things of His creation, but we do always does need to be do things in the manner He intended. If we have any doubt what that is, we should sincerely ask of Him. We are selfish in our flesh, but Jesus walking the flesh was always selfless in his attitudes and in his actions. Are we not to be like Him?
KJV:
"Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. [...]
5One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."
Good but this speaks, I believe more about how we are consider others and how we are to behave in front of them. What must do is that which fully persuades us in our own mind. This will be different things for different people depending upon where they are at the moment with God and what their own role is to be in the Body of Christ. No black and white rules here. What is so for the right baby toe of the Body of Christ is not necessarily going to be so for the left ear lobe.
Thanks for your concern.
She is still going through some things which means, so am I, but there is a bright Light shining before us so we are not complaining. Give God the glory!
PS:
Ms. Rita: I think that from the perspective of Christian receivers of tattoos - especially faith based ones - there are some rather distinct aspects which may or may not be present in one person or another as they go to get inked.
Firstly there is the undoubted exhilaration of receiving ink in an aesthetically fine design that may have personal, positive associations.
Secondly, some Christians who have it done in faith based designs might not necessarily experience a great deal of exhilaration from the inking procedure as the chosen design takes shape, but they might receive an ongoing quiet satisfaction that the faith expression - Bible verse or phrase or Christians fish sign <>< - is being an effective talking point or matter for thought among other people on a regular or occasional basis.
(If any of this makes sense?)
@stunnedbygrace , FYI: Actually there is this recent thread; if you've not any particular comment, did you see the poll, at least?
@stunnedbygrace PS: If I'm correctly guessing, I think I can thank you for having just voted in the poll (and I think I can extrapolate how you voted) although by its very nature a poll's anonymity relates to the 5th Amendment element!
It would probably be a good idea if there were more Christian tattoo artists. Maybe more Christians with art skills should consider apprenticing. A good atmosphere in a parlor does mean something to a lot of people.
PS: @Mayflower (since the other thread was discussing), maybe you would agree with this? IDK.
PS: @Mayflower (since the other thread was discussing), maybe you would agree with this? IDK.
Last edited:
I am not sure.... Two of my sons, and my daughter all have tattoos- my daughter is not a Christian but there was real meaning behind what she had done. It meant a great deal to her, but she wasn't keen on the procedure- just loved the tattoo. My sons got different tattoos done at different ages, my middle son, once again had purpose behind the design, my oldest just likes tattoos. Also many people who have tattoos have talking points , and testimonies to why they chose what they had done.
I think the Christian has other aspects of thoughts running alongside , I know I was a little bit concerned about the attitudes of others, especially the older generations of Christians that were in the church where I went at the time.
As we have seen here many people have differing views and opinions - I didn't rush in and get my tattoo, I thought about it, reflected on scripture and even spoke to my pastor.
Rita
Nice post; thanks.
Clearly you did it thoughtfully and carefully without regrets; and like you say it can become an effective talking point with others.
So would you be completely done inking now?
Similar threads
