But Mom, I really want one! Even Daddy has a tattoo, I argued passionately. Yes, she replied, but that was when he was a drunk Marine in Viet Nam. Now he's a Christian. And with that one sentence, she struck the jugular. What I heard was something like this: Me + Tattoo = Not a Christian. In retrospect, I'm really glad my parents didn't allow me to get a tattoo when I wanted it at sixteen. I mean really, how uncool would I be today with a Lisa Frank dolphin on my ankle and the Chinese character for love on my tailbone?
Now that I'm older and study the scriptures with more voracity, I took at look at the tattoo-text in Leviticus 19. Though my mother's reason for forbidding tattoos was sincere, I'm not sure it's a Christian versus non-Christian issue. But she attended an uber-conservative church in her formative years and regurgitated the beliefs in our household. The problem is when we take a text out of context and make it a pretext for something else, we can become legalistic and dogmatic over issues that aren't explicitly sins. Or worse, we can have a gross misinterpretation of scripture.
The issues really deals with the intent of the heart and personal convictions. Here's my two cents:
Are Tattoos A Sin? from Bianca Juarez on Vimeo.
26 comments:
WOW. I've never thought about it like this. I always thought it was just wrong to be like the world, but I guess going to the opera, the movies, or listening to the radio is like being like the world too.
I'm doing a heart check!
Well said Bianca! How much heartache & legalism we might avoid if we approached Scripture with the intent to learn the immediate context before making context/application for today. A constant reminder as I approach the Bible. Thanks!
Well put!! I've heard this explained several times however never as simple and practical. I'm glad you brought up the "glorifying to God & motives" piece! Good job!! Keep it up.
-j (143)
This is great! My husband and I personally have a handful of tattoos, some are just representing us or something really personal to us, and what we like. But both of our main focal point tattoos are “Christian tattoos” . Ive got a nice line of words that represent “Gods rebellion”, and my husband has this big piece on his chest that its so obvious and out there and it is in dutch (he is dutch)….so every one has to ask what it says , and it means “everything is God” . So its all pretty cool conversation starters. And I really think it might bridge some thoughts about certain types of people loving the lord, and for some people to know how cool it really is! :)
you're so darn cute :) and i like your outfit ;) I love your approach to this... I think its the best answer I've heard!
Wow, well explained. Sadly people today's church have became like a big social club, where if you don’t know anybody or If you do not behave the way they do, you are not welcome or accepted, if people are going to used the "tattoo" part to reject you it is just to cover the Ink sin they have in their heart and it is easy to point your gray to cover my black. . They just cover it by telling you, the bible said this or that I read it, yes it is true, they might read the bible but that doesn't make then holly. I would say and agree with Bianca 100%, just ask God, the will sued the Holy Spirit to guide you with the best decision. After all our body is the temple of Christ
I like that, "check your heart....check your motives". I always wanted a tattoo, but never got one. Not because of what other Christian's would say. Because I HATE needles. Great vlog today B!
Heck no I wouldn't give up hamburgers!! p.s. fall back...michael schoefield is mine!!
I just have to say that you're awesome, Bianca! Loving these vlogs!
this vlog really confirmed my decisions on tattoos... thanks for following the leading of the Spirit and posting your opinions... spot on as usual.. peace!
Peazee <><
Loving these Friday videos. You make me smile...
Whew! I thought I was going to get stoned for my position. Thanks guys!
I just showed my mom the video. She laughed. But why does it look like I've been taking big swigs out of the Nyquil bottle? Just call me Paula Abdul ;)
I think you have a very good point - we need to rethink anything we do that doesn't glorify God. As far as the Lev. laws written for only the Levites - it is for all Israelites and we (Christians) are spiritual Israelites today. I personally don't eat unclean meat (pork, etc. fyi- beef hamburgers are clean :) because even in the New Testament it refers to clean/unclean meats (ex: Peter's vision in Acts 10 that talks about the unclean animals and he hasn't eaten of them - and the vision is telling him to open his heart and preaching to the Gentiles). Plus I don’t see how our bodies have changed since then and I believe that God knows what foods are best for us since he did create us. Anyway, just a thought on that, but is it a salvation issue - absolutely not! We are all responsible for what we are convicted of. Thank you for taking the time to do these videos - I love them!
Wanna get at Tat with me and Promise in CHI @ the end of the month?? hahaha.
great thoughts!
agreed.
I have two they're very special to me both of them are sister tattoos.
working on 2 more.
Im really diggin' on your friday vlogs to answer some questions, so thank you for taking the time to do so.
there are a lot of things to consider when getting a tattoo
and I think it's a good reminder that not only should one consider how society, family and work react to it but also taking the consideration of our Lord.
hopefully this will help those to be a bit smarter about what they do to their bodies.
awesome Vlog! =]
Godly people must talk fast...because, dang, you're on FIRE!!! ;)
xoxo
whewww! I was worried for J & myself. Hahaha!! Very, very well put. This is the best explanation, of such a touchy subject, i've ever heard!! Totally true! Love it!
XX
very well said:) I completely agree...on a random note, what kind of make-up do u use? it looks fabulous!!! (help a sista out wont you:))
i thought you had a really solid biblical answer =)
Again... check your motives! Seems to be a recurring theme. Great vlog...
p.s. love your scarf! :)
great thoughts bianca...i love how you pointed to glorifying God in all things. i did laugh though because at my church you're an outcast if you DON'T have a tattoo! gotta love seattle ;)
I am so glad that I listened to my parents when I was younger--for the most part. Things that seemed so cool back when I was sixteen are so stupid to me now that I am older. I am glad that I listened to them so that now that I have more life experience, it all makes perfect sense and I really would have regretted some of those decisions. I personally have never wanted a tattoo but I agree that in any decision we make we should do a heart check and ask if it is something that would please God and something that is right for me personally. Great post!
good stuff girl!!! you are thought provoking, and i like it!
i have a tattoo. it's my hubby's handwritingand says "LOVE". :) i'm not convicted about it at all, but then again i don't drink at all, b/c i am convicted about that. you're so right. it's about personal conviction. keep it up!
ps-my dad's a pastor too.
The bible also tells us that our body is a temple. I don't think we should be putting graffiti all over our bodies
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