I love tattoos. Is it okay or wrong as a christian to possess one even one of the cross or a scripture?
Leviticus 19:28 (NKJV)
You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I
am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:28 (KJV)
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I
am the LORD.
The words translated as
tattoo marks (kĕtōbet qa‘ăqaʾ) occur only here. Although their precise meaning is unclear, the first word is related to ‘writing’ or ‘marking’, and the context supports some sort of marking on the flesh (either tattooing or perhaps painting). It is not clear whether this is connected with mourning rites or is simply another pagan custom that involves putting marks on the body; in either case, it is probably prohibited for the same reasons as the preceding practices.
Tattoos today—at least in Western cultures—do not have the same pagan associations as they did in ancient Israel, so believers are no longer prohibited from getting them (just as they are no longer prohibited from various hair or beard styles,
v. 27).
Other quite separate questions might include: ‘Is it wise to get a tattoo?’ and ‘What does it mean to do so wisely?’
Tyndale Commentaries - Leviticus.
The question you should ask I believe is not the tatoo but do you want to deface the body God has given you?
Lets look at some New Testiment quotes...
Romans 8:5 (KJV)
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh;
but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:20 (KJV)
For ye are bought with a price:
therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV)
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do,
do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
Therefore pray and read the scriptures and pray again.
As for me, I couldn't deface the body God has given me, the body which is not my own as a saved believer. I couldn't deliberately choose to deface the Temple of God or the vessel it abides in.
Tattoos are popular in the age we live, we see them on stars, celebrities, sports players, but does this not influence us, yes it does. But is it right in God's eyes, I think not, there is enough in scripture, without Leviticus, to make me feel it is wrong to deface the body which belongs to God.
Tattoos are a flesh thing, no matter what the image is they are still a tattoo, do tattoos bring glory to God, some may say it is art the images are good, maybe so, but they bring glory to flesh not God. You see a person tattoo you maybe say, I like that, it is cool, etc. Your mate says thank you, I like it too. Is that bringing glory to God? It is an image, imprinted INTO your flesh, for you to show off, or others to view. Does that bring glory to God? I don't think so but you my friend must decide.
May the Lord Bless your heart, you want to be right with God, you are looking at worldly things, then looking for scripture to confirm if it is right.
Bless you.