At the close of last week’s article, we considered how tattoos are ultimately left in the realm of opinion – so long as one’s tattoos do not violate the principles of modesty or stewardship. Notice the so long in the last sentence. If one’s tattoos cause him or her to be immodest or violate stewardship principles, there may well be a need for repentance. If one’s tattoos harm his or her influence and ability to effectively share the gospel, there may well be a need for repentance. But what does repentance look like for something that we cannot just wipe off our bodies?
Obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ requires one to repent of His sins and to be baptized (Acts 2:38). In baptism, our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16; Rev. 1:5). While this is true, baptism does not wash away one’s tattoos.[1] Therefore, when an individual with tattoos displaying sinful images, offensive signs, or foul language obeys the gospel, he or she will exit the waters of baptism with their tattoos still on their person. This being the case, one has several options. It might be that based on where the inappropriate tattoos are, he or she can easily cover them up by wearing long sleeves or long pants. Perhaps it is a situation where one needs to cover a tattoo with a bandage to keep it hidden. It might even be the case that an unforeseen consequence of taking care of one’s past sinful decisions would be to undergo the pricey process of having a tattoo removed.
Subjects of morality are not always easy to discuss. They make us uncomfortable (and perhaps for good reason) because they are not always as cut and dry as we would like them to be. God’s word is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, [and] for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). Determining whether a tattoo is or is not acceptable is not as simple as finding one verse that says “thou shall” or “thou shalt not,” but God’s word still provides us with the wisdom and principles necessary to reach a right conclusion. May we always strive as children of God to make wise decisions, and may we always strive to “glorify God in [our bodies] and in [our spirits], which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:20).
[1] Don Blackwell, The Truth About Moral Issues (Maxwell, TX: World Video Bible School, 2014), 9.
By: Preston McElyea