There are many questions that Christians have about what is and is not allowed in regard to their faith. One big question that often comes up is whether or not tattoos are allowed in Heaven.
Surely, if God is all-loving and accepting, then He must be okay with our tattoos, right? Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question.
In this article, we will explore what the Bible has to say about tattoos, as well as what some Christian leaders and theologians believe about the matter.
What Does The Bible Say About Tattoos?
There is only one direct mention of tattoos in the Bible, and it is found in Leviticus 19:28. This verse says, “You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD.”
This specific verse shows us that God Himself is against the act of tattooing. He makes it clear that we are not to mar our bodies in this way, as it is disrespectful to His creation.
We can also see from this old testament verse that tattoos are associated with pagan worship and death. In the ancient world, pagans would often tattoo themselves as a way of dedicating their bodies to their false gods.
Christians, on the other hand, are called to worship the one true God. We are also called to live our lives in a way that honors Him and brings Him glory.
In Romans 12:1, Paul says, “I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
This verse shows us that our bodies are not our own but belong to God. We are to take care of our bodies and not do anything to them that would dishonor Him.
So, based on what we see in Scripture, it seems that tattoos are not allowed in Heaven. However, there is more to consider on this matter.
Read Also: Should Heaven Be Capitalized? All The Facts!
Why Some People Believe That Tattoos Are Normal.
Now, there are many Christians who believe that this verse does not apply to us today. They say that the verse is specifically talking about a pagan practice that was happening at the time, and it is not relevant to us now.
There are a few problems with this argument. Let’s see what a couple of these are.
1. Modern Ideology.
The first problem with this argument is that it is based on modern ideology and not on biblical truth. Just because something is popular or accepted in our culture does not make it right in the eyes of God.
Today, tattoo marks are seen as a form of self-expression. They are seen as a way to show the world who we are and what we stand for.
But, just because something is popular does not make it right. We need to be careful not to base our beliefs on what is popular or accepted in our culture. This is also a reason why people leave the Church.
2. The Bible Is Relevant To Us Today.
Another problem with this argument is that it discounts the fact that the Bible is relevant to us today. Just because something was happening in the past does not mean that it is not still relevant to us today.
The Bible is the word of God, and it is just as applicable to us today as it was to the people in the past. Keep in mind that the Bible is such a hard text to read and understand that to this day we still learn new things from it.
Related Read: Why People Are Leaving The Church? 10 Reasons
3. We Are Called To Be Set Apart.
The third and final problem with this argument is that it goes against what we are called to as Christians. We are called to be set apart from the world, not to conform to it (Romans 12:2).
When we get tattoos, we are conforming to the world’s standards, not God’s. We are following the crowd instead of being set apart from it. This is also true in music and arts, people tend to follow what everyone is listening to or think is the truth.
Connecting with God is essential to praying effectively and receiving answers. Our FREE cheat sheet will help you build a strong relationship with God and create an effective prayer life.
Are Tattoos A Sin Against The Holy Spirit?
If you have tattoos, does that mean you have sinned against the Holy Spirit? This is a difficult question to answer.
First, let’s define what a sin against the Holy Spirit is. A sin against the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin. It is a sin that will keep you from ever entering Heaven. In Matthew 12:31, Jesus tells his disciples that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.
1. The Bible Is Clear That Tattoos Are Wrong.
As we have already seen, the Bible is clear that tattoos are wrong. They are associated with pagan worship and death, and we are called to avoid them. And even today, where they don’t have anything to do with paganism (in most cases) they are still considered a sin.
2. The Bible Is Clear That There Is Only One Unforgivable Sin.
The Bible is also clear that there is only one unforgivable sin, and that is the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:28-29).
So a tattoo would not be considered a sin against the Holy Spirit because a person that has a tattoo can still repent and be forgiven. It’s not the end of the world for that person and can still be saved.
So, Can We Go To Heaven With Tattoos?
The short answer is yes, but if you repent/ confess.
God’s grace is sufficient for us, and His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
This means that no matter how big or small our sin is, God’s grace is sufficient to cover it. All we need to do is repent and turn away from our sin.
If you have tattoos, you need to confess them as sins and ask God for forgiveness. He will forgive you and help you to overcome them.
Tattoos are not an unforgivable sin, but they are something that you need to be aware of. If you have one, make sure to confess and don’t do another ever again (if you actually want to be saved, everyone has his own choice in life).
If you are thinking about getting a tattoo, I would encourage you to prayerfully consider it first. There are many ways that we can get tricked in today’s society, and getting a tattoo is one of them.
I encourage you to think about what you are doing and why you are doing it. If you are getting a tattoo because you think it will make you look cool or because everyone else is doing it, I would urge you to rethink your decision!
Reasons Why People Won’t Go to Heaven.
So, if tattoos can be forgiven and a person can still enter heaven, what are some reasons why people won’t go to heaven?
1. Unrepentant Sinners.
The first reason is that some people choose to live in unrepentant sin. This means that they know what they are doing is wrong, but they continue to do it anyway. Unrepentant sinners will not be allowed into heaven because they have not asked for forgiveness from God.
Even if you are afraid to confess your sin to a priest, you need to understand that the priest has no right to judge you and won’t do it. He wants to help you be on the right path with God. Also, when you confess you are not talking to the priest but directly to God!
2. Those Who Reject Christ.
The second reason is that some people reject Christ altogether. They may not believe in him or they may deny that he is the son of God.
Either way, those who reject Christ as their savior will not be allowed into heaven. This is also the same for the Holy Spirit.
3. Those Who Live in Constant Sin.
The third and final reason is that some people live in constant sin. This means that they are not actively trying to repent or turn away from their sinful lifestyles. These people will not be allowed into heaven because they have not made an effort to change their ways.
The truth is, only God knows who will and who will not be allowed into heaven. We cannot judge other people’s salvation. However, we can make sure that we are living in a way that is pleasing to God so that we can have confidence in our own salvation.
Also helping other people understand these things can play a role in their salvation as well. People need to know that there is a heaven and a hell, and they need to know what they can do to make sure they go to heaven.
Jesus Christ died for our sins so that we could have eternal life. We need to make sure that we are living in a way that is worthy of that gift.
So, if you have tattoos, don’t worry. Just make sure that you are living a life that is pleasing to God, repent for your sin, and reject anything that goes against God’s word!
Bible Verses That Teach Us About Sin
The Bible teaches us a lot about sin. Here are some verses that talk about sin and how we can overcome it!
| Bible Verse | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Colossians 3:5–6, "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these, the wrath of God is coming." | This verse tells us that we need to put to death our sinful desires. We cannot let them control us. Instead, we need to control them. |
| 1 John 2:16, "For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world." | This verse tells us that the things we desire in this world are not from God. They are from the world and they will only lead us away from God. We need to be careful of what we allow ourselves to desire. |
| 1 John 3:4, "Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness." | This verse tells us that those who sin are also practicing lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness. It goes against God's laws. We need to make sure we are living according to God's laws and not our own. |
| Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." | This verse tells us that the punishment for sin is death. But, God offers us eternal life through Jesus. This is a free gift that we can receive if we turn away from our sin and turn to Jesus. |
| James 4:17, "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." | This verse tells us that if we know what is right and we don't do it, then that is sin. We need to make sure we are doing what is right in God's eyes, not just in our own. |
As you can see, the Bible has a lot to say about sin. We need to be careful of what we allow into our lives.
We need to put to death our sinful desires. And we need to make sure we are living according to God’s laws, not our own. If we do these things, we can overcome sin and have eternal life with God.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will People Have Tattoos in Heaven?
No, people will not have tattoos in heaven. Every physical imperfection will be gone, including tattoos. If you had for example dental implants in your lifetime, these too will be gone because they are not natural.
In heaven, every human will be in their perfect state as God originally intended.
Will People With “Bible Verses” Tattoos Go to Heaven?
No, people with “Bible verses” tattoos will not go to heaven unless they have confessed and asked for forgiveness of their sins. The Bible is very clear that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and we are not to defile them.
What if The Tattoo is of a Cross or Jesus?
Even if the tattoo is of a cross or Jesus, unless the person has asked for forgiveness of their sins, they will not go to heaven. If you have a tattoo of a cross or Jesus, and you have not asked for forgiveness of your sins, I urge you to do so today.
Asking for forgiveness is the only way to be sure that you will get to heaven when you die. And, it’s never too late to ask for forgiveness. No matter how bad you think your sin is, God is always willing to forgive you if you are willing to turn away from your sin and follow him.
Final Thoughts
The Bible is clear on the topic of tattoos. While some people may believe that they are normal, Scripture makes it very clear that tattoos are a sin.
If you have tattoos and hope to get into heaven, you need to repent and ask for forgiveness from God. He is willing to forgive any sin, but you must be willing to turn away from that sin and commit your life to Him. Are you ready to make that commitment?
We hope this article helped answer your question. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to us. We would be more than happy to help in any way we can!
Charalampos
Charalampos is an Orthodox Christian who wants to help others learn about Christianity. His main goal is to help people understand the Bible and how to apply its teachings in their everyday lives. He also enjoys spending time with his family, playing sports, and hiking.
Connecting with God is essential to praying effectively and receiving answers. Our FREE cheat sheet will help you build a strong relationship with God and create an effective prayer life.
