Can we go to Heaven with tattoos
Can we go to Heaven with tattoos is often asked by people with permanent marks on their body and those who have heard that God does not let tattoos into Heaven. Many people believe that getting a tattoo is a sin, and that it tarnishes the temple of The Holy Spirit. What does the exact translation of the Bible say about this topic?
The King James Version of the Bible is not clear to state tattoos as a sin. Many Bible scholars use a verse in Deuteronomy as an Old Testament law requiring that there be no markings on the body of any kind or for any reason thus supposing they are sinful .
Deuteronomy 14:1 which says “Ye are the children of the Lord your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead. I am the Lord.” (The Orthodox Jewish Bible says the same thing exactly.)
In this blog I will present the ancient pagan practices of tattooing contrasted by modern-day tattoos and body piercings. Are they a kind of violation of God and the Kingdom of Heaven? In a non-Christian world how can we be a picture of Jesus to reveal God’s plan to everyone around us? All of this and more will be explored as you read further.
What Ancient Pagan Practices Involved Tattooing?
Ancient pagan groups were some of the first to use tattoos as a form of ritual. For them, it was a way to connect with the divine and show their devotion. To this day, many pagan groups still use tattooing as part of their practice. Pagans believe that the body is a temple and that by adorning it with art, they are honoring the gods.
Tattoos can also be used as a form of protection, warding off evil spirits. For some pagan groups, tattooing is seen as a sacred act that should only be done by those who are initiated into the group. Others believe that anyone can get tattooed, as long as they do it for the right reasons.
There are many different ways that people can honor the pagan gods, and one of those ways is through body art. A tattoo is a permanent form of body art, and it can be a way to show your dedication to the gods. The pain of getting the tattoo can be seen as a way to connect with the gods, and it can be a way to show your dedication to them.
Another form of body art that can be used to honor the pagan gods is body painting. This is a temporary form of body art, but it can be just as powerful as a tattoo. No matter what form of body art you choose or what part of your body they are on, they believe that if you do it with intention and dedication, the pagan gods will honor you.
Tattoos and piercings are both considered to be an outward adornment of the inner self. In modern day belief, only explicit mention of body modifications are considered to be alterations of God’s image. Many believe it is a choice made for your own body.
The Correlation Between Tattoos and Piercings
Tattoos and piercings have been around for centuries, with evidence of both practices dating back to ancient times. It is believed that piercings were first done for religious or spiritual reasons, while tattoos may have been used as a form of body art or as a way to mark someone as a member of a particular tribe or group.
Piercings were often done as a way to honor the gods or to show respect for religious beliefs. In some cultures, piercings were also seen as a way to ward off evil spirits. Today, piercings are more commonly seen as a form of self-expression or as a fashion statement. However, there are still many people who choose to get piercings for religious or spiritual reasons.
What do you think about piercings? Do you have any piercings?
Are Tattoos A Kind Of Violation Of God And The Kingdom Of Heaven?
God’s opinion of tattoos is quite clear in some of the modern-day translations of the Bible. In part of the context in Leviticus 19:28, God says, “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.” This verse is pretty straightforward; God doesn’t want His people to mark their bodies with tattoos. There is good news which we will find a little further down.
The reason God is opposed to tattoos is because they are a form of self-mutilation. God created us in His image and He doesn’t want us to mar that image with tattoos. When we get tattoos, we are essentially saying that we don’t like the way God made us and we want to change it.
David, a king of ancient Israel, wrote Psalm 139:13-14 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” This expression gives the full credit and praise to God for the perfection of every part of his being.
Tattoos are also a form of idolatry. In Colossians, God says, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” When we get tattoos, we are putting our trust in the artist to create something that is beautiful and permanent. But the only thing that is truly permanent is God.
Some people believe that the mark of the Beast will be a tattoo on the forehead or the wrist thus leading to the belief that tattoos are a pathway to Hell. This is not what the mark of the Beast is. The mark of the Beast will be given during the tribulation to those who follow the Antichrist and it will be used as a means of identification and control. It’s important to note that receiving the mark of the Beast is not something that happens accidentally or unknowingly.
In A Non-Christian World How Can We Be A Picture Of Jesus To Reveal God’s Plan To Everyone Around Us?
God created us in His image according to Genesis 1:27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
God’s image is in every person, so we need to love and respect people as God does. We also need to be ready to forgive others when they sin against us. This shows that we trust God to deal with the situation and that we believe in his plan for everyone’s life.
When we live like this, people see Jesus in us and it makes them want to know more about him. God loves everyone, so we need to show that love to others in everything we do. This is how we can be an example of Jesus Christ to non-Christians and help them see God’s plan for their lives.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we have to remember that He said ” I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me.” Jeremiah 33:8 (Old Testament). And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25 (New Testament)
Both the Old Testament and New Testament show the importance of God’s forgiveness being complete and our need to see others in such a way as to forgive no matter what was done to us because we have been forgiven of everything.
This is not an easy task however, it should not cause us to be discouraged because God’s Word says that “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5) And Philippians 4:13 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Some people have used word tattoos, religious tattoos, or even specific Christian tattoos to begin conversations with those that question God’s acceptance of them. This could give insight into His undeserved and unequaled love for everyone beginning with those in the tattoo parlor.
The Short answer is that at the end of the day, God’s desire is that not one should die without knowing Him so He sent Jesus to pay the debt of sin and cover each of us with his blood as He is the perfect completion of the sacrifice required. All sin is covered by His sacrifice. So, once anyone expresses their desire to be forgiven of the sins they know they have committed against God’s only Son, Lord Jesus, it is God’s plan and purpose to completely forgive all of them
If tattoos are in fact sinful, they are covered by the sacrifice of His death on the cross. Don’t allow yourself to give into peer pressure to judge anyone for their actions or deeds, that is God’s responsibility and His alone. Jesus said “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:17)
A lot of people have a modern day concept of tattoos and no concept of the gift of God to His creation; to be completely forgiven of everything, accepting His peace rather than His wrath. The most important thing is, none of this is dependent on an individual and their ‘good works.’ It is not eliminated by adding a new tattoo to your physical body.
The Son of God took it all upon Himself. Christ’s death and His resurrection fully cover everything. Check out more about What does it mean to be a Christian, at my other blog.
P.S. (Plain and simple), Can we go to Heaven with tattoos?
Tattoos for aesthetic purposes are not what determines our eternal life in Heaven or Hell. Find out more about that in these posts: Does God Love Everyone? What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?
References:
King James Version (KJV)
New International Version (NIV)