To Tattoo Or Not To Tattoo - 1 Corinthians 10:23

All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. - 1 Corinthians 10:23
So is it sinful to get a tattoo? This is always a subject guaranteed to create a disagreement not only among Christians but people in general. The "tat-free crowd" likes to point to Leviticus 19:28 - "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord." Tattoos and ‘piercings’ have a long association with pagan practices and for that reason alone should be avoided. However, those Christians in favor of fashionable "ink-wear" point to the fact that we are no longer under the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament for we are now under a New Covenant. So is there a quick answer? Sure, but a quick answer needs quick qualification. The answer is . . . it depends. Thought you were going to get a locked-down easily discerned answer? Not a chance. You see, while the answer is easy to arrive at it is our motivations that need testing.
First, let us look at the reason(?) for getting a tattoo. For many it is a way to distinguish themselves (as in ‘gang tattoos) or a method of self-expression (as in rebellion against the reverent or the conventional). In neither case is the reason laudable. However, there is an even more insidious reason for getting tattooed - as a cultural or worldly fashion statement. Scripture has a thing or two to say about that - "Therefore,"Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." - 2 Corinthians Also - "And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.’"
Let’s look at the simple act of getting a tattoo. It involves a conscious (or semi-conscious) decision to have an image (graven or not) transferred into our very flesh with lifetime ramifications. In other words, short of a painful surgical operation, the image or images will remain in our flesh throughout our lives and long into the grave. A picture is already developing here (no pun intended).
Now add to this fact the tattoo’s price and we now have a situation where monies perhaps better spent on real human needs have been squandered on a selfish desire to somehow improve what God has created . . . you! The picture is becoming clearer now.
Remember what Jesus told us - "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:21. In the verses preceding Matt 6:21 Jesus was telling his disciples not to worry about "laying up treasures" on earth where moths and rust could destroy them. He wanted them to understand that one’s eternity should be the chief concern, not what one acquired or gained in this life. So while the mere act of getting a tattoo may not be sinful in and of itself you should probably give it the 1 Corinthians 10:23 test - is it profitable and/or does it edify? According to Strong’s, "profitable" comes to us from "expedient" - conducive, advantageous, be good for, thus profitable. "Edify" means to be a "house-builder," to build up or embolden. One need only look to the very next verse to see what Paul means by being profitable and edifying:
1 Corinthians 10:24 - "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being."Paul is telling us that we should be seeking ways to build up Christ’s church and any activity we engage in must meet this final test. Does it build up the church? Does it set us apart from nonbelievers as "holy?" Is what we are about to do or engage in setting a Christian example to our fellow Christians and those around us? Can you defend your decision to get that tattoo in light of this New Covenant scripture? I think that we now have a clear picture of what the bible has to say about tattoos. I, myself, have never felt the need or desire to mark my body with either ink or piercings; that was my choice. I have simply never seen an image that I would want to display on my skin for the rest of my life. Again - the final decision will always rest with you. Perhaps the idea is something you may just want to contemplate long and hard. Think about it! And pray for guidance. May God’s peace be with you always.