Bible Question:
Leviticus 19:28 says "you shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead,nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord." What does "for the dead" mean? Does it mean you can get a tattoo if it's glorifing the Lord? |
Bible Answer: Consider this: Leviticus is one of the 5 books of the Law. Are we, who have accepted our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, under the Law? No. Personally, I George, feel that it is between the individual and the Lord. Keep in mind however that a tatto is perminant, (or nearly, anyway.) I have one. It is about 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. It is a crucifix on my left forearm, standing behind double hearts, with my wifes name therein. Would I do it again? Perhaps. I don't want to look like a coloring book though. Will it send me to Hell? NO! I defy anyone to prove "Scripturally" otherwise. "Nothing is a sin of itself." "Anything done to the excess is sin." (KJV)Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: Gal 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. However, 1Co 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 1Co 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? Per Matthew Henry's concise concordance; Some among the Corinthians seem to have been ready to say, All things are lawful for me. This dangerous conceit St. Paul opposes. There is a liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, in which we must stand fast. But surely a Christian would never put himself into the power of any bodily appetite. The body is for the Lord; is to be an instrument of righteousness to holiness, therefore is never to be made an instrument of sin. It is an honour to the body, that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead; and it will be an honour to our bodies, that they will be raised. The hope of a resurrection to glory, should keep Christians from dishonouring their bodies by fleshly lusts. And if the soul be united to Christ by faith, the whole man is become a member of his spiritual body. Other vices may be conquered in fight; that here cautioned against, only by flight. And vast multitudes are cut off by this vice in its various forms and consequences. Its effects fall not only directly upon the body, but often upon the mind. Our bodies have been redeemed from deserved condemnation and hopeless slavery by the atoning sacrifice of Christ. We are to be clean, as vessels fitted for our Master's use. Being united to Christ as one spirit, and bought with a price of unspeakable value, the believer should consider himself as wholly the Lord's, by the strongest ties. May we make it our business, to the latest day and hour of our lives, to glorify God with our bodies, and with our spirits which are his. George |