There is no clear answer when it comes to the question “is it a sin to get a tattoo of a cross”. Some people believe that as long as the tattoo is not used in place of worship, then there is no problem with having one. Others believe that any type of tattoo is unacceptable for a Christian. In this article, we’ll look at the biblical perspective about this topic.
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Is it a sin?
A lot of people got tattoos before giving their life to Jesus Christ and turning from their old ways. And a great number of them never return to remove the tattoos nor get new ones. In Leviticus 19:28, the Bible says, “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord..” For many Christians, this is a clear indication that getting a tattoo is a sin.
So, it’s a sin to get a tattoo, including getting a cross tattoo.
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Biblical Reasons Not To Get A Tattoo
Here are some biblical reasons not to get a tattoo. We’ll take our guidance from some of the bible verses mentioned below.
- Because the bible clearly speaks against getting one. See Leviticus 19:28 .This verse is perhaps the most direct reference against tattoos in the Bible. It reads, “Do not cut your bodies for the dead, and do not mark your skin with tattoos. I am the Lord.”
- The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. See 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: These verses affirm the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit and imply that altering the body is not in alignment with honoring God.
- As priests, we’re ordered not to make cuts on our bodies. See Leviticus 21:5: In this verse, priests are charged not to make cuts on their bodies, which some interpret as including tattoos.
- Because it may make people have a wrong perception about us. See 1 Thessalonians 5:22: “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” Some Christians interpret this to mean avoiding tattoos, especially those with a sinful or negative connotation.
- Because we have to present our bodies as a living sacrifice unto God. See Romans 12:1-2: These verses call for believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. Some interpret this as a call against tattoos.
Why do Christians get cross tats?
Christians get cross tattoos for different reasons. Some use it as a means to show off their faith, others use it to show off themselves because they think it’s cool to have such a tattoo. Whatever the reasons are, you shouldn’t get a tattoo as a Christian.
Will God forgive me for getting one?
Only God can ultimately judge and forgive us for our actions. As a result, it’s impossible to say for sure whether or not God will forgive someone for getting a tattoo.
The Bible teaches that everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, but through Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven (Romans 3:23-24). This means that no matter what we have done, if we genuinely repent and turn to God, He will forgive us.
In 1 Corinthians 10:23, it says, “Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial.” This verse suggests that while something may be allowed, it may not necessarily be good for us. Getting a tattoo is one of those things that might fall into this category.
What does the Bible say about it in Revelations and Leviticus?
The Bible doesn’t specifically mention “tattoos”, but there is a passage in the book of Revelation that refers to the “mark of the beast.” This is sometimes interpreted as a reference to tattoos, and some Christians believe that getting a tattoo is a sin because it could be seen as an endorsement of the devil based on Leviticus 19:28 KJV. Others believe that tattoos are not inherently sinful based
Getting a tattoo is akin to fulfilling the desires of your flesh, as you’d be keen to show off your tattoo to anyone that cares to see it. It’s best to stick to the instruction of God in Leviticus 19:28, and not get a tattoo on ourselves.
What if I had a tattoo before I became a Christian?
If you had a tattoo before becoming a Christian, there is no need to worry. The Bible teaches that when we become followers of Jesus, our old selves are gone, and we are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17). However, this doesn’t mean that we should continue getting tattoos without considering the potential consequences. If possible, you should remove the existing tattoos you got prior to becoming born again.
There’s still a lot of argument surrounding the issue of getting a tattoo as a Christian. But we urge you not to get one, and to find a means to erase the ones you’ve gotten where possible.