Tattoos, Holiness, and the Word of God

Ken Kalis
5 days ago
3 min read

The question is not just, “Is this allowed?” but rather, “Does this glorify Christ?” Paul* (5-67) commands, “So glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:20). — *“You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD.”*— Leviticus 19:28

When I was a boy, tattoos were rare. Only sailors had them, and in Sunday school, we were warned away from them with God’s Word:

“You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD.”— Leviticus 19:28

That was enough for us. But times have changed. These days, nearly everyone in the gym or on the street has a tattoo. I recently met a tattoo artist who knew this very verse. His response was quick: “That’s Old Testament. They were under law, we are under grace.”

But is that the answer you want to give when you stand before Jesus? (4 BC- 30 AD) “Lord, I ignored Your Word because I thought grace meant I didn’t need to take it seriously.”

Law and Grace

It’s true—we are no longer under the ceremonial law of Moses*. (1571-1452 BC) The dietary rules, the feast days, and the temple sacrifices have all been fulfilled in Christ (Col. 2:16–17; Gal. 3:24–25). But that does not mean we can dismiss God’s commands.

An asterisk* after a name means the person is in my book SPIRITUAL LIVES

Check out more biographies and poetry at my blog here: https://www.kenkalis.com/blog

Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matt. 5:17).

Grace is not permission to sin. Grace is the power to live in obedience (Rom. 6:14–18).

The Call to Holiness

Scripture is clear: “As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Pet. 1:15). Friendship with the world, James reminds us, is enmity with God (James 4:4).

The question is not just, “Is this allowed?” but rather, “Does this glorify Christ?” Paul* (5-67) commands, “So glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:20).

Tattoos Today

Some argue that tattoos are simply cultural and neutral. Others insist they are inherently worldly and defiling. But here’s the heart of the matter: if the goal is to look “cool,” to blend in with the crowd, or to draw attention to self, then it is the very opposite of holiness.

I’ve even heard of pastors proudly displaying tattoos. But the pastor’s first calling is not to be trendy—it is to “preach the Word” (2 Tim. 4:2). God has not called His ministers to entertain or to fit in with the culture, but to stand apart, shepherding His flock in truth.

A Sobering Reminder

Yes, we are free from many aspects of the Old Covenant. But all of God’s Word is inspired, and every line is given for our instruction (2 Tim. 3:16). To brush off His commands as irrelevant is dangerous. When we stand before Christ, will we say, “Lord, I thought that part of Your Word didn’t apply to me”?

Better to take Him at His Word. Better to err on the side of holiness than worldliness.

Conclusion

The question of tattoos isn’t really about ink on skin—it’s about the heart. Are we set apart for God, or are we blending in with the world? Grace does not free us to do as we please; it calls us higher.

As for me, I hear the words of Joshua ringing out: “Choose this day whom you will serve … but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Josh. 24:15). And in the end, we don’t need ink on our skin when His Word is written on our hearts.

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Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,

All His wonderful passion and purity;

O Thou Spirit divine All my nature refine,

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me."

When your burden is heavy and hard to bear,

When your neighbors refuse all your load to share,

When you're feeling so blue, Don't know just what to do,

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you.

"When somebody has been so unkind to you,

Some word spoken that pierces you through and through,

Think how He was beguiled, Spat upon and reviled;