Bible Students

I do not believe the Old Testament should be used to directly apply laws to the life of the New Testament believer. This is for a whole manner of reasons, but most importantly Jesus has given a new Law, and we are no longer under the old Law. This is not to say the Old Testament is not helpful for Christians. It is incredibly helpful as we use it to understand the character of God. However, the specific application of the character of God is different from time to time, especially depending on the influences around God’s people.

I believe Paul offers an often ignored insight into the Law when he speaks about eating food sacrificed to idols in 1 Corinthians. He essentially states three things: For those who are drawn away from God in eating food sacrificed to idols, you shall not eat that food. For those who are not drawn away, you may eat. However, for the sake of those who are, do not eat the food. Paul argues that even eating food sacrificed to idols is not evil in itself, but only when it draws one away from God.

For particular laws in the Old Testament, especially those without explanation (like the one at hand), it makes sense that the law is responding to a culturally-understood practice which was drawing people away from God. In other words, this was probably a well-known pagan practice which was enticing people away from God, and so the nation (ever-prone to pagan worship) was commanded not to walk in that way. For New Testament believers, who understand strongly there is no God but one, and that nothing is evil in itself, but evil when it draws us away from God, I do not believe tattoos are evil in themself.

That said, they can become a sin if they are making one to be drawn away from God or godliness. Obviously, a Christian who tattoos 666 on their right hand is not following the Spirit in this action. However, to the one who can have a tattoo in response to God’s love and obedience to following Him, there is no problem with a tattoo.