Hey students... this idea of The Untouchables series that we finished up last night came from you! I wanted to talk about stuff that you think about and that you talk about, but a lot of times the church doesn’t talk about. If you missed any of the Untouchables talks on homosexuality, porn, racism/prejudice, death and disability you can catch up on previous posts.
Last night we tackled the topic of tattoos and piercings. I had so much to say that I couldn't finish everything last night. I hope that you caught the truths I presented and what God's Word had to say. But what I didn't get to share about was motives. So, if you are tracking in the direction of wanting a tattoo, I would just encourage you to check your motives. 1 Chronicles 28:9 says that “…the Lord sees every heart and understands and knows every plan and thought.” Why do you want one in first place?
1. Do you want a tattoo because everyone else has one? Is it a cool thing? Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” You don’t have to prove to anyone that you’re cool enough or tough enough. You’re a child of the King if you are a Christ-follower and God has already put his stamp of approval on you.
2. Do you want to get a tattoo because you have a heart of rebellion? Rebellion toward your parents: “I can’t wait until I’m 18 then I am going to get tattoo…and no one can stop me! I don’t care what my mom and dad think about it. I don’t care what anyone says…it’s my body!" Maybe it’s rebellion toward some kind of authority in your life. Be careful and examine your motives for getting a tattoo. Rebellion is a outward sign of what is going on inwardly in your heart. Remember your heart is what God cares about most!
3. Do you want get a tattoo because you are a committed Christian and you want to be a witness for Christ? You want people to know that you are Christian and you want to use your tattoo to lead people to Christ. The Bible tells us that your witness is through the fruit of your life and by opening your mouth and sharing the Good News. In John 13:35 it says, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, (if you have a Christian bumper sticker, or a Christian t-shirt or a cross tattoo…no….it says they will know you are my disciples) if you love one another…” I’m not against Christian t-shirts, bumper stickers or even tattoos to express your faith, but you cannot and aren't required to use any of those external marks to define your life and witness as a Christ-follower.
Let me wrap up by telling you about the mark the Jesus has given you. ”He put his mark on us to show that we are his, and he put his Spirit in our hearts to be a guarantee for all he has promised” (2 Corinthians 1:22). By accepting Jesus into your life you automatically receive a special mark on your life… and guess what? It’s painless. And it is the most beautiful marking you have ever seen. The mark on your life when you receive Jesus Christ by faith into your life isn’t temporary. It’s eternal. It lasts forever. God put his Spirit into our lives as a guarantee… that we belong to Him.
You guys heard truth last night. Hopefully you didn't hear my bias or my trying to sway you one way or the other. Just remember - with any decision in life, I would challenge you to look to Scripture, talk to others (wiser people) and pray about it. If I can answer any more questions I’d love to. Just post a reply, IM or email me!
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