Last week, we posed the question – “Is it okay for a Christian to have a tattoo?” This question is perhaps more complicated than what we might realize. As we considered in the previous article, Leviticus 19:28, the go to verse from the Old Testament regarding tattoos, is not applicable for us today. Moreover, we as Christians are not bound to follow the Old Law (cf. Matt. 5:17; Rom. 7:4-6). This being the case, we must consider what the New Testament says regarding the subject of tattoos.
Although the New Testament does not specifically speak of tattoos, it does teach us principles we can and should apply to the discussion. The first principle to consider might be modesty. Unfortunately, we almost always tend to align modesty with our dress and forget that modesty is more than the clothes we wear. To be modest is to be both respectable and appropriate.[1]
How then does modesty apply to a discussion of tattoos? If a tattoo brings unnecessary attention to one’s person, or the tattoo itself is an image of that which is inappropriate, the tattoo may cause one to be immodest. Maintaining modesty as a Christian is linked directly to “professing godliness” (1 Tim. 2:9-10). Consider how there are some tattoos people receive today that actually harm one’s ability to profess godliness. Some receive tattoos of naked women, filthy language, or offensive and racist signs. If we are being honest with ourselves, the difficulty of sharing the love of God with someone while displaying something crude and offensive on our person is not likely to “profess godliness.” It might be the case, however, that one may have a modest tattoo. It may be a small tattoo on the wrist or somewhere that is not going to draw undue attention. The tattoo may be of a Bible verse or a harmless image that would not cause issues when sharing the gospel with someone else. A tattoo has the potential to be immodest, but a tattoo can be modest just the same.
Next week, we will consider a second New Testament principle that applies to this conversation regarding tattoos – stewardship.
[1] BDAG, s.v. “κόσμιος(ία),” 561.
By: Preston McElyea