In the Old Testament, God specifically commanded the Israelites not to get any tattoos or cut their bodies in Leviticus 19:28. Back then, some pagan groups had rituals where they would cut themselves and get tattoos as part of mourning for their dead. God wanted to set the Israelites apart from the pagan practices of other nearby cultures.

The extensive Old Testament law also had very strict rules and standards for holiness, cleanliness, and avoiding unnecessary risks according to ancient Jewish customs.

Jesus Fulfilled the Old Testament Law

But when Jesus Christ came as the Messiah, he established a new covenant based on salvation by grace rather than strict adherence to the Mosaic law. Jesus fulfilled the law through his sinless life and sacrificial death.

When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, he freed those who put their faith in him from trying to earn salvation by perfectly obeying all the Old Testament commandments and ceremonial rules. This does not make God’s law irrelevant but rather shows that Jesus fulfilled its requirements completely on our behalf.

So even though tattoos were clearly banned under the old covenant, the New Testament does not repeat this prohibition after Jesus’ coming. This allows freedom in decision-making for believers under grace, though still aiming to uphold God’s principles. The extensive requirements of the law served their purpose until the fullness of Christ’s grace and truth were revealed.

Motives and Meanings Are Most Important

Under the new covenant of grace, the main biblical considerations for modern Christians center around the motivations and meanings behind getting tattooed. Tattoos are done for the glory of God and to express one’s wholesome self, or are they done only to satisfy fleshly impulses and gain public attention?

The New Testament frequently warns believers to avoid passions and lusts of the flesh, cling to higher purposes, and renew their minds according to godly values rather than conforming to the patterns of this world. So the heart motivations and personal conviction behind a believer’s decision to get a tattoo can be just as important, if not more so, than the external act itself.

Additionally, because Christians’ bodies are considered the temple of the Holy Spirit, decorating them in ways that show reverence and honor toward God is another biblical consideration regarding tattoos. A tattoo that aesthetically enhances or expresses faith differs greatly from one that defiles or distracts from reflecting God’s holiness through our bodies.

Tattoos Can Have Positive Meaning

In today’s modern culture, tattoos have become quite common and mainstream as a mode of self-expression and commemorating meaningful events or beliefs. For believers who thoughtfully consider their convictions under new covenant grace, this means tattoos now can often have significance and symbolism that doesn’t necessarily contradict biblical values.

A tattoo can represent and celebrate one’s cultural heritage, family legacy, inspirational words and art that motivates and uplifts people, physical and spiritual healing from past wounds, group solidarity for a cause, or memories of defining moments in life marked with ink. Additionally, scripture verses or other faith-based imagery such as tattoos can enhance reminders of God’s love, promises, and stories of redemption.

So when done in a balanced, well-thought-out manner according to one’s walk with Christ, modern believers should feel freedom in marking significant touchpoints and meanings in life with permanent ink according to their biblical discernment. Of course, for any believers who feel unsure or convicted against getting tattoos, their conscience deserves respect and space as well.

Think About Your Testimony and Modesty

Christians should also consider how visible tattoos may shape what others assume about their faith and character. And modesty in placing matters.

Culture Changes Quickly

Culture changes quickly. God’s Spirit helps believers make wise choices with tattoos that show His grace and truth.

Inner Transformation Matters Most

Most important is that our hearts are transformed by Jesus from the inside out. That matters far more than outside appearance with ink.

The Bible Does Not Clearly Prohibit or Endorse Tattoos

The Bible does not clearly say yes or no on tattoos now. God gives wisdom for decisions when we ask.

Christian Preachers who have tattoos

• Pastor Kevin “Tattoo” Wilson – Founder of Jesus Ink tattoo parlor and senior pastor of The Net church in Memphis, Tennessee. He has multiple religious tattoos.
  
• Pastor Chris Durso – Lead pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee. He has full-sleeve tattoos on both arms.
  
• Pastor Matt Brown – Founder and lead pastor of Sandals Church in California. He has a number of tattoos, including Philippians 4:13.
  
• Pastor Jay Haizlip – Founder and lead pastor of The Sanctuary church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He has tattoos on both arms.
  
• Pastor Judah Smith – Lead pastor of Churchome in Seattle, Washington, and Los Angeles, California. He has religious tattoos including a Jesus fish.
  
• Pastor Tim Stewart – Lead pastor of Restoration Church in Tallahassee, Florida. He has sleeve tattoos and other visible ink.
  
• Willie Robertson – Ministry leader, author, and motivational speaker on the Duck Dynasty TV series. He has multiple arm tattoos.
  
• Pastor Ed Young – Founding pastor of Fellowship Church in Texas. He has religious tattoos including a cross and disciples on his back.
  
• Pastor Derwin Gray – Lead pastor of Transformation Church in South Carolina. He has two full-sleeve tattoos.
  
• Nadia Bolz-Weber – Tattooed Lutheran pastor, public theologian, and author. She has multiple visible religious tattoos.
  

The list demonstrates that tattoos are increasingly accepted across generations of Christian leaders and do not inherently undermine one’s calling or influence. Biblical principles remain vital.

Honor God with Lives of Love and Holiness

Above all, biblical revelation emphasizes that outward expressions matter far less than the state of our hearts and the fruit of God’s Spirit expressed through our relationships and deeds. While our bodies are temples deserving of honor, true devotion stems from within.

In all matters including tattoos, the Lord calls believers to pursue virtue, discernment, modesty, and devotion to God’s Kingdom purposes. When our lives affirm Christ-like love and holiness by the Spirit’s power, our outward appearance becomes secondary. In a rapidly changing culture, upholding and modeling scriptural truth remains vital. Our hope rests in reflecting God’s light from the inside out.