Do All to the Glory of God
ICS Daily Devotions
1 Corinthians 10:31,33 (NKJV) Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God…. just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved
As Christians, we are in the world but not of the world. Therefore, we need to be mindful that there is a subtle pressure for us to conform to the world rather than to be transformed by God.
Many influencers and celebrities convey lifestyles, values, beliefs, and attitudes that differ from those of Christians. Pop culture is highly influential, and how these celebrities look and speak impacts us. For example, many of them talk about the significance of their tattoos, which have become a form of art and expression today.
Leviticus 19:28 (NKJV) You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.
What does the Bible say about tattoos? Tattooing was associated with pagan rituals, mourning, and religious rites, and this is still true today. Tattooing in the days of the Old Testament was prohibited by the Lord because He didn’t want the Israelites to be associated with the heathens and idol worship. The Jews were the chosen people and set apart people for the Lord.
People in different parts of Asia, especially those belonging to secret societies or triads, like to tattoo their logos on their bodies because they have pledged blood allegiance to these groups. Others might have tattooed their bodies out of a rebellious attitude towards their parents. These reasons show that a rebellious attitude is often why tattooing is associated with triad groups and people who have gone wayward in their lives.
As a church, we ought to welcome unbelievers with tattoos. They have the right to call on the name of Jesus to be saved, and we should not judge them but welcome them to be part of the body of believers. However, if you are a believer contemplating getting a tattoo, the opening passage teaches us that whatever we do, we do it all to the glory of God. The Bible also teaches us that our bodies are the temple of God, in which the Holy Spirit resides, and we have been bought at a price (2 Corinthians 6:19-20). Not everything lawful is beneficial (1 Corinthians 10:23-24), and tattooing your body does not glorify God.
To avoid stumbling the youth or children, we are encouraged not to tattoo our bodies. The tattooing process hurts our skin, and the dye hinders making skin diagnoses. Our bodies don’t belong to us but to God, who purchased them with the blood of Jesus Christ. We can glorify God in many ways, and the best way is to live a redeemed lifestyle to be the salt and light of the world.
Sermon Series: Not all things are beneficial
