Q: What does the Bible say about wearing tattoos?

A: It’s surprising that a legislator like Moses would regulate fashion, but here is the rest of the story. Moses wrote, “you shall not print any marks upon you,” (Lev 19:26‑28). The New American Standard Bible uses the term “tattoo.” Israel was forbidden to imitate superstitious practices of pagan nations surrounding them, as these practices indicated idolatry. Part of Egyptian ritual was to shave whiskers as can be seen on coffins of mummies and representations of false gods. Some shaved their heads bald to resemble planets and stars, as they worshiped the hosts of heaven. Others cut their faces, arms and legs as an offering to pagan deities at funerals. God did not want his people aligning themselves with idolatrous practices.

Simple symbols such as flowers, leaves and stars were used to honor idols and thus became a sign of apostasy. Some eventually disobeyed and slowly drifted from the right worship of Jehovah. (See Jer 41:5.) Falling away doesn’t occur over night. It takes time.

Now please don’t jump the next person you see with a tattoo and tell them, “you’re headed to hell for that thing.” Read the entire text in Leviticus and realize Michael Jordan shaves his head, but that doesn't mean he worships the moon god. If you have tattoos understand that whosoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. (See Rom 10:9.) God wants our hearts more than our forearms. Our bus driver at Calvary in Black Canyon City has a tattoo. He also hosts our Thursday night Bible studies in Anthem, and is a great brother in Jesus.

Perhaps you have tattoos aligning you with a destructive or discriminatory organization. A Christian can use those markings to declare who they used to be, but no longer are. An ex‑drug user who has become a new creation in Christ can use the needle tracks to declare how Jesus transformed his life.

What if you’re a teenager? I do not promote tattoos, but I do promote honoring moms and dads. If you are a teenager and your parents or guardians don’t want you to have a tattoo, then be obedient and don’t get tattooed. Stop pouting. It’s not becoming of you as you approach adulthood. Remember that you will soon have children of your own and reap whatever you have sown. You and your spouse will ask your parents to watch your children, and grandma and grandpa will spoil them rotten; then return them to you to repair on a regular basis.

You will then long for the day when you will have grandchildren you can spoil rotten but it won’t happen. Jesus will have come back long before that. Ha! So be good.

Shalom y’all.........