Do you agree that the real reason to avoid tattoos is that it is a poor testimony to the eternal truth and urgency of biblical prophecy?

Answer

The person who submitted the above question said she was taught that…. “Christians should avoid allowing any permanent mark to be made in his/her body as a reminder and a testament to the warning given in The Revelation of John, that in the End Times, people will accept the Mark of the Beast, and that will preclude or negate Salvation.”

The question is not saying that a tattoo is (in our day) the mark of the beast, but rather that a tattoo is a “poor testimony to eternal truth and the urgency of biblical prophecy, and a “reminder” and testimony to what we are told in the book of Revelation.

A  Reminder

A reminder brings to mind or causes someone to remember something.  Does an unmarked body bring to mind the teaching that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit? (1 Corinthians 6:19). However, a reminder is something tangibly seen or heard. It seems not very likely that the absence of a tattoo would cause someone to think of their body as a temple of the Holy Spirit — especially in these days when so many visually seen things that capture our attention and direct our thoughts.

A Testimony

A testimony is defined as a formal written or spoken statement, especially one given in a court of law.

Since an unmarked body would be a testimony of silence, it doesn’t fit the definition, nor would it be an effective testimony.  One might argue that a tattoo of a cross or other religious symbol if done tastefully, would “speak” much louder.  It could even be a means to open a conversation and testify for the Lord. It could also be used to discuss end-time events and then turn the conversation to one of spiritual importance.

To mark or not to mark?  

We are to be a light to a lost and dying world (Matthew 5:14), so we want people to find us welcoming by our words and appearance.  It’s hard to say that an unmarked body is a testimony, but let’s consider the flip side of the question and ask, is a marked body a testimony?

I think we can all agree that tattoos make a statement.  Careful consideration should be given to what a tattoo “says” and to whom it “speaks.”  Also, consider “when” it is “speaking.”  By that I mean, what does it say about one’s beliefs today, and what will it say in five, ten, or more years from now?  The permanency of tattoos should always be a major factor in deciding to get one.

There’s no denying that some tattoos would be considered sinful (by God and by other people).  To make myself perfectly clear, I’m speaking of those that picture and “proclaim” an unbiblical message and, of course, those that have demonic subject matter.  Anything that dishonors God is sinful.  But there’s also the “grey area” where judgment is required — specifically tattoos that are neutral or reflect God-honoring messages.  Again, it depends more on the heart and the motivation for getting a tatoo.

Once again, the answer to this question is highly individualistic and can only be answered when considering many factors.  For more information, read the additional articles listed below.

With Personal Liberty is Personal Responsibility

Christ has given us the gift of eternal life and the assurance that we are forever secure.  Whatever we do, right or wrong, we will not earn more or less of His love.  He loves us.

We have the liberty to live our lives knowing that Christ paid for all our sins and He has forgiven them (past, present, and future sins).  With that freedom comes great responsibility—a responsibility to respond.  And with the knowledge of all that Jesus has done for us and the joy we have in knowing we are forever saved, we should always desire to honor Him.  Remember that Christ has given us His Spirit to lead and direct us and help us make God-honoring choices.

Therefore, trust that through the study of God’s Word and through prayer, the Holy Spirit will lead and direct you to use your freedom to glorify God.  Let your decisions be rooted in gratitude to Jesus and guided by His Holy Spirit.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 1 Corinthians 2:12 

Let’s focus our eyes on Jesus, devote our hearts to Him, and go forth and be a testimony for Him …with or without a tattoo.

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More on this subject:

• What is the Mark of the Beast
• Is the Mark of the Beast a Tattoo? A Computer Chip? A Barcode?
• Is my TATTOO a sin?
• To tat or not to tat? Is that the question?
• Is a tattoo a poor testimony?