Why I Won't Ever Get Another Tattoo

I'm a minister. I wasn't always a minister. I wasn't always a Christian either. That's the number one reason why I won't ever get another tattoo. You see, I remember why I got a tattoo in the first place. I was in prison, doing time for bank robbery and armed robbery, Like many inmates, I decided to get a tattoo, even though it was against prison regulations. A fellow convict who happened to be a tattooist inked me. I'm glad I chose to have the Scorpion tattoo done on the left side of my upper back and out of sight for the most part.

Addiction to the ink is a very real bondage.

TATTOO TABOO

When I became a Christian I was still in prison. One thing was certain, however. I chose to serve Jesus with all my heart, body and soul. This meant I would never do drugs again. It also meant I'd never get another tattoo.

I was tempted many times to get inked again. Yet, no matter how many times I tried to justify getting another tat (or using drugs again) the Lord of the resurrection and new life kept reminding me that my body was now the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16 & 6:19).

Of course, I tried to justify getting another tattoo. Like many of today's third millennium believers (including some pastors and youth pastors) who attempt to nullify Old Testament  teachings against getting a tattoo, I tried to find scriptural  excuses and "okays" from the New Testament to justify getting another tattoo. But there really isn't any place in the New Testament that says it's alright to get inked.

There are, however, many New Testament Scriptures that warn against serving, walking and living in the flesh rather than in the spirit. Getting a tattoo is never a spiritual act. Rather, it is either a mystical, soulical, carnal, secular, or fleshly act.

WHAT ABOUT JESUS TATTOOS?

In 1998 a consortium of 100 tattoo parlor owners across the nation banned together and formed the Christian Tattoo Association, whose members vowed to "push" Christianity by using tattooing as a witnessing tool. One of its founding members is married to the granddaughter of one of California's best-known pastors and whose church movement has over 700 affiliate fellowships. Clients include pastors and youth pastors who personally believe that the Bible isn't referring to religious tattoos when it admonishes believers to steer clear of branding the flesh, including inkings.

We are bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ
and our bodies are not our own!

THIS IS WHAT I ENCOURAGE CHRISTIANS WHO WANT TO GET INKED TO DO INSTEAD

Instead of getting a Jesus tattoo or religious inking or marking, why not buy a couple of Jesus tee-shirts or other religious apparel that boldly proclaim in large and colorful print your love and commitment to Jesus and wear them both proudly and loudly?  You can always get a new tee-shirt to replace the old message with a new and fresh one. But a tattoo is permanent. Instead of inking a favorite Scripture on your neck, arm or hand, why not buy a colorful wristband or necklace that asks, "WWJD?" (What Would Jesus Do?), or "WJGATBITCTTD?" (Would Jesus Get A Tattoo Because It's The Cool Thing To Do?), or "WWJRWMTD?" (What Would Jesus Really Want Me To Do?).

THINK BEFORE YOU INK

Getting a tattoo is like teaching a pony only one trick. The novelty soon wears off and you're stuck with a pony that can only do one trick. Once you get a tattoo, you'll start thinking  you need another one as the novelty wears off. Like drugs, it is easy to become addicted to the ink.

Although I am free in Christ to do whatever I want to that is lawful (1 Corinthians 6:12), I won't ever get another tattoo because: (1) God's Word really tells me not to; (2) my array of Jesus tee-shirts is a far better witness than a tattoo; and (3) I want Jesus, not self, soul or flesh, to be Lord of my life.