#ChurchOnKingsrowe - Tat Tat Tatted UP!

One question would you go into a church and spray paint Jesus Saves or John 3:16 or what have you on the walls chairs or anything to that nature? Why or Why not

Sorry about the double post!

My point of addressing this question is not to argue or debate, but present another view and it is out love and not intended to offend anyone’s beliefs.

My main arguments are, should the body of Christ be focusing on symbolism and outward expressions of faith instead of being faithful witness through how we live and growing in our understanding of word so we can grow spiritually and do we need a crutch like tattoos to be effective soul winners? Furthermore, are individual outward expressions of faith like tattoos and piercings unnecessary distractions that can hinder fellowship and congregational intimacy, experiences and worship?

Firstly, let us look at 19:26-29. God knew then, just as today its human nation to try to be like someone that is cool or gets attention. Fades start and before you know it every one is doing it. Now this generation of young people in church have begun to emulate, rappers, celebrates and entertainers that wear tattoos and make up and piercings even though they did not promote Christianity.

In that day certain religions where associated with piercing their skin, cutting flesh and wearing certain clothes, tattoos, and hair in a particular style and to the Israelites it looked cool. What offended God was these religions also sacrificed people and even their children to Gods, had sex with their daughters and prostitute them, prayed to the dead, sought to tell the future without God’s intervention and ate raw meat with blood as part of satanic rituals Consequently, God instituted laws that prohibited his Holy chosen people from looking and acting like them because these acts and behaviors were associated with evil and worshipping other Gods.  Non Israelites also would assume that they worshipped other God’s thus their God’s glory would diminish.  Ex 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: KJV

In addition God knew how much joy it brought Satan to that know that God’s people were envious of how cool his people looked their behavior was evil in nature.

In this present time, many people that are serious about tattoos and piercings are not just motivated by the look alone because the pain is spiritual and they are used in satanic rituals. For people that worship Satan getting tattoos and burning flesh are part of ceremonies where they dedicate their life to him. Furthermore, this is also the case in many cultures that use tattooing and mutilating flesh for spiritual and religious purposes. You see this is especially true among the indigenous people of Hawaii, Samoans, the Fiji Islands and various African tribes. 1 Corinthians Chapter 8, the Apostle Paul is specifically talking about these people. Wouldn’t this be a stumbling block for new saints when they join a church and see that believers also tattoo and pierce and mutilated their flesh? Also, what about people that would not be receptive to saints witnessing to who had on makeup, tattoos, piercings, bones in their nose or cut flesh, because they associated such with deviants and Antichrist behavior.

Secondly, once we began to look at using our bodies as a way to witness, the questions becomes is there any boundaries. Is it okay for sister’s to wear booty shorts and dress sexy clothes to draw men to them so they can witness. What about men wearing makeup or cross dressing to appeal to a certain population?  What about some cutting flesh or bones in noses to represent love for Christ? Once we go down this road can any of us say that certain acts of outward expression are wrong?  Jesus said, when you get into situations, don’t worry about what to say because the Holy Spirit will tell you what to say. Furthermore, even we come to church to worship, hear the word and fellowship, what a circus church would become with all this acts of self expression which would hinder our worship.

Finally, a point of the New Testament is outward expressions of worship and faith is no longer needed to please God. We don’t get circumcised as part of being a Christian and our worship experience and intimacy with God does not have to include incense, sacrificing of animals and certain furniture in the Temple and dress.  Paul said, the new covenant of praise and worship comes from within and is expressed outwardly. What is important to God is the circumcised heart. If you love me you don’t have to write scriptures on your body live them and imitate Christ

Enclosing, my prayer is that the new generation of believers began to establish a new thing. Why do we have to imitate the world and identified with it. Man, I would love to see thousands of young brothers come together to pray and worship the Lord in spirit and truth and profess Holy living. What an alternative for brothers that are looking for an alternative to gangs and the thug life.

1 Samuel 16:7 - "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

im covered in tattoos, but thats on the outside. my heart and spirit are covered by the blood. thats exactly how i put it when people try and bring the old law at me, good work Street. 

I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i agree with everything u said i always felt the same way when ppl try to use old testament law to say that we should or shouldn't do something. now personally i don't like tatts. i like the art of it i think they're tight, BUT i think they're disgraceful to the body....that's personally speaking so i wouldn' say no christians shouldn't get tatts, but i will say this tattoos are assosciated with a bad vibe ppl see you tatted up and they don't assume "oh this is definitely a man of GOD" no matter what you got on ur arm cuz a lot of heathens will have Christ on the cross or a scripture tatted on them so.....

i feel what street was saying makes a lot of sense i always thought about that leviticus answer when ppl use that to say no. i always felt the same way about ppl using the old testament law to say that we should or shouldn't due something. now personally i don't like tatts. i like the art of it how it looks everything i think they're tight, BUT i think there disgraceful to the body...but thats just how i feel personally

I completely agree with you Street. I'm going to get some tattoos after
a couple more years in the gym so they don't end up stretching. I'm
going to use it as a tool to minister to people. People find tattoos
interesting and they catch people's attention, so when they ask about
it there is a perfect opportunity to share the Gospel, just like you
do.

Preach, Yaves! This topic has been misconstrued for far too long. It's like I ask people, if I get my daughter a doll, am I practicing idolatry?

I have nothing against ink, but I do think we should be careful what we put on our bodies. Nothing offensive, and if having a tat is offensive, we should take the same steps as not to offend someone who is offended by what we eat. Cover up.

Looking to get a few more and thanks to you I'm going to look for something that will also give me the opportunity to witness. Nothing wasted!

Very good insight on this topic...excellent breaking down of the word!!!!

this cat always choppin it up! lol

Yo, good insight on this topic man. People talk about this a lot and I
thank you for shedding some light on this issue. Stay blessed man.

Thats deep bro.. I was goin 2 get some tatts that I already HAVE
covered in honor of my grandparents n I feel if they are already on me
why not have em represent my grandprents?.. so good lookin out on
breakin it down bra!