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Tattoos have become very popular in our culture as entertainers, professional athletes, actors and actresses, and just almost everyone you see on the streets are wearing tattoos. According to Harris Poll, one in five U.S. adults have at least one tattoo (21percent) which is up from the 16 percent and 14 percent who reported having a tattoo in 2003 and 2008, respectively. The question now is, should Christians wear tattoos? And what does the Bible have to say about this?
The Bible says in the book of Leviticus 19:28 (NIV) “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.” Many Christians are of the views that this law no longer applies to Christians in today’s society as this was an Old Testament law, but I bet to disagree. Yes I do agree that it was an Old Testament law but it just as applicable to us as it was to them.
Not only that, but we must consider why the Lord gave this commandment in the first place. The Children of Israel had left Egypt and were on their way to Canaan land. The people of Canaan were pagan worshippers who worshipped many different gods and as a part of their worship they would mark themselves with images and other symbols of their different gods. God did not want his people to have any part in this practice as it was demonic.
Let us explore six (6) reasons why Christians should not wear tattoos:
- It is a form of blood-letting. The tattooing procedure involves cutting the flesh with a sharp needle or instrument in order to make designs. The result is something called “blood-letting”. Blood-letting has both occultic and demonic origins as it is considered a power source that is supernaturally unleashed. Several historians have indicated that the wearing of tattoos is very much connected to scarification which is associated with pagan religious practices. For example, in 1Kings 18:25-28, the prophets of Baal were trying to gain supernatural power by cutting themselves. The Children of Israel learnt this practice from their Canaanites neighbors who would customarily slash their bodies for ritualistic purposes, especially to mourn their dead and honor their gods
- The wearing of tattoos is associated with paganism, demonism, Baal worship, shamanism, mysticism, heathenism, cannibalism and many other pagan beliefs. There is a move in the 21st century to divert Christians and young people in general from the demonic roots of tattoos to a practice that is ‘cool’ and that nothing is wrong with wearing tattoos, it is just fashion. This is a deception by the enemy to destroy the lives of every unsuspected Christian and non-Christian. By wearing tattoos you are making an open invitation for Satan and his demons to come into your life and destroy you. I have seen people that demons have attach themselves to them like a snake because they are covered in tattoos. Many books have indicated that tattooing is a magical rite and the tattooist is respected as a priest or shaman, even if the tattooist is not aware of this.
- Wearing of tattoos is a mark of rebellion and indecency. The Bible let us know that rebellion is as bad as witchcraft (1Sam. 15:23). The wearing of tattoos as always been a sign of rebellion and deviancy by those who wears them of society’s standards. It is not only a sign of rebellion against society’s standards, but it is also rebellion against God’s law. In addition, the tattoo was used to mark the criminal, adulterers, traitors, deserters, the deviant and outcast. Also, it is the mark of indecency. Many studies have shown that a person who wears tattoos is more likely to engage in homosexuality, lesbianism, and gross sexual perversion. Moreover, studies of tattooed young people indicate 1) they are nearly four times more likely to engage in sexual intercourse; 2) Over two times more likely to experience alcohol related problems; 3) Nearly two times more likely to use illegal drugs; 4) Over two times more likely to express violent behavior; and 5) Over two times more likely to drop out of high school.
- Wearing of tattoos is putting your health at risk. Medical reports have indicated that a person who wears tattoos are at risk of skin cancer and other serious skin disorders such as sarcoid, keloid scarring, allergic dermatitis, photosensitivity reactions, psoriasis, and tumors. One must also ask the question, “Are these tattoo parlors regulated by the Government and who are ensuring that these shops are hygienic?”
- The Bible forbids us from putting on any markings on our skins. The Bible says that “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.”- Leviticus 19:28. A lot of people are saying that this commandment by God not to put on any tattoos on our skin is an Old Testament law, and we are living in the New Testament era. That is very true but let me ask you a question, the Old Testament says in Leviticus 19:29 that you should not prostitute your daughter, but it says nothing about this in the New Testament, does that make it okay to prostitute your daughter? I think not! This commandment is as applicable to the people then as it is to us now, and we will do well to abide by this commandment as tattoos is demonic and is from pagan origin. You may say the people then did it for pagan reasons, you do it for fashion, but I would like you to know that demons will always attach themselves to anything that belongs to them or any markings that has pagan origins.
- A lot of the tattoos that are being put on the skins today have serious symbolic mystical and occult meanings. Tattoos are not just body decorations but they have very serious meanings to them and are demonic. Ronald Scutt, in his book, Art, Sex and Symbol, argues that most of the time tattoos are associated with spiritual, religious and mystical purposes; linking it to mystical significance, sun-worship, serpent worship, and the sun-god Baal. The most popular tattoos are that of death, perversion and darkness-skulls, snakes, demons. For example, many young people are wearing tattoo of Grim Reaper, which is a death demon. Tattoos therefore have deep meanings.
What should you do if you had put on tattoos before coming to Christ?
If you had put on tattoos before coming to Christ the deed has already been done on there is nothing you can do now about that. However, what you can now do is one of two options:
1.Remove the tattoos surgically. A reputable dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon can be use to remove the tattoos
- If the above will be too expensive for you to do at this moment, God has provided another means. Repent and anoint the areas that have on the tattoos. Get consecrated olive oil and anoint the area(s) that have on the tattoos and ask the Lord to forgive you of marking your skins. It is very important that you command any demons that might have attach themselves to you to leave in the name of Jesus and never return. Remember, wearing of tattoos is demonic therefore demons will attach themselves unto you so there powers must be broken from your life.
A child of God should have nothing to do with anything that is demonic. Most of these fads are demonic and should be avoided. We are living in the world but we are not a part of the world so let us strive for purity of mind, spirit and body.
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