TATTOOS (OR BODY MODIFICATION)

POSTED BY JOEL TAYLOR ON OCTOBER 28, 2011 IN GENERAL

Not long ago, one of our church members asked me a question. “What should be the Christian attitude toward tattoos, or body modifications?” I put the following together to answer that question.

Observe: By definition, modification means changing. Back in my 1960s “muscle” car days, many of those street legal cars were modified; that is, changed from the original form. I enjoyed the drag races, and worked one year at the Clairmont Nationals Drag Race. The “modified stock” was one of the most popular classes. More recently, I heard someone say there was probably not a stock Harley Davidson on the road. Every one had been modified in some way. Of course, H-D urges such modifications as they greatly increase the profit.

Body modifications. The person is displeased with their God-given appearance, and seeks to change it. When even Christians are displeased with the way God made them, then how can we condemn those who are displeased with the way God made the plant and animal world. Has the Christian attitude toward physical modification over the past couple of decades resulted in plant modification over the past couple of decades, GMO? Are not both the sinful outworking of man’s displeasure with God’s design? 

Those of my generation look on in amazement at the appeal of tattoos, as well as body piercing, to Christians. For many years, tattoos have been one of the world’s mark of demonism, rebellion, or even of worldly “manhood”. When my generation (70 in Aug), thinks of tattoos and piercing, we think of “bikers” (no, I don’t have a tattoo nor piercing) and seminude “biker-babes”.

(There was a man in my battalion in the service who was tattooed over every inch of his body, so he had to wear long sleeves at all times so the tattoos would not show. He was the only man with a sewing machine, and made some good money with it.)

In other words, Satan worship through body modification has been common throughout history among those in rebellion against God, which results in rebellion against man. Therefore, we are left in amazement at the appeal of such openly demonic things to Christians.

The world exalts tattoos, and pastors have failed to condemn them for what they are. So these demonic activities have quietly been accepted by many who have professed Christ.

The world has dressed up tattoos. Rather than naked women and other openly wicked tattoos, tattoos are changing shape to hide their true nature— pretty butterflies, flowers or other delicate things, and then those shapes are put in an inconspicuous place. (Secret rebellion against God and man. See Jeremiah 6:20, which we will discuss at a later time.)

What does God, and secular history, say about body-modification?

Leviticus 19:28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD. Print any marks Tattooing was probably practiced in ancient Egypt, as it is now by the lower classes of the modern Egyptians, and was connected with superstitious notions. Any voluntary disfigurement of the person was in itself an outrage upon God’s workmanship, and might well form the subject of a law. (Barnes’ Notes) nor print any marks upon you—by tattooing, imprinting figures of flowers, leaves, stars, and other fanciful devices on various parts of their person. The impression was made sometimes by means of a hot iron, sometimes by ink or paint, as is done by the Arab females of the present day and the different castes of the Hindus. It is probable that a strong propensity to adopt such marks in honor of some idol gave occasion to the prohibition in this verse; and they were wisely forbidden, for they were signs of apostasy; and, when once made, they were insuperable obstacles to a return. (See allusions to the practice, #Isa 44:5 Re 13:17 14:1). (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary) nor print any marks upon you; Aben Ezra observes, there are some that say this is in connection with the preceding clause, for there were who marked their bodies with a known figure, by burning, for the dead; and he adds, and there are to this day such, who are marked in their youth in their faces, that they may be known; these prints or marks were made with ink or black lead, or, however, the incisions in the flesh were filled up therewith; but this was usually done as an idolatrous practice; so says Ben Gersom, this was the custom of the Gentiles in ancient times, to imprint upon themselves the mark of an idol, to show that they were his servants; and the law cautions from doing this, as he adds, to the exalted name (the name of God): in the Misnah it is said {h}, a man is not guilty unless he writes the name, as it is said, #Le 19:28; which the Talmudists {i} and the commentators {k} interpret of the name of an idol, and not of God: (John Gill)

After doing much research, I found the following to be true to both Scripture and history. So rather than “reinventing the wheel”, I will present the “wheel” as these men have developed it.

If you do not want to follow the documentation, and it is quite clearly presented, I will quickly sum up the matter. Tattoos are clearly forbidden to God’s people, with good reason. History tells us that tattoos are seen as bloodletting rituals to demonic gods. The numerous pin pricks are considered by the occultist as inlets for evil to enter the body. Moreover, there is no effort to deny nor even hide the satanic nature of tattoos by those involved in the industry.

Scripture, facts and history prove that tattoos are earthly, sensual and devilish. James 3:5, which brings us to,

Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.

I am confident that the vast majority of those receiving, even purchasing, tattoos have no clue of the horrendous demonic influence to which they are subjecting themselves. Paul tells us that Christians can, and do, give place for the devil to work in their lives. Scripture tells us that seeking after the things of this world given place to the devil, and tattoos are one of the more obvious ways place is given to the devil. Regardless of the motive behind a tattoo, the results are the same. They are demonic in origin, as well as in practice. Throughout history, tattoos spoke of and speak of worshiping the gods of evil of every description, as well as slavery

Observe:

Leviticus 19:28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.

“But that is Old Testament. We are now under grace, not under law!”

Can you say then that the ancient demonic nature of tattoos no longer applies, though modern tattoo artist tells us it is? Does Christianity innoculate us against the works of the devil in our lives? Did Paul “miss speak” when he said, Neither give place to the devil, for there is no way a Christian can give place to the devil.

Now What?

Leviticus 5:4 Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these. 5 And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing:

Once a sin has been revealed, it must be confessed, renounced and the blood of Christ applied to that sin. 2 Cor. 4:2. Otherwise, the power given to the devil will continue, and can even increase, because the enemy has been given our permission to work in us.

– Ovid Need

For the original article go to:

https://5ptsalt.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/tattoos-or-body-modification/