Concerning Things Not Clearly Written in the Bible, Such as Tattoos and Cosmetic Surgery

It seems that the passage above is the only verse in Scripture that directly says not to put tattoos on the body. However, just because only one such verse is recorded among the many passages of the Bible, we cannot say that its meaning is small. This is because every word recorded in the sixty-six books of the Bible is the word of God. In any case, today I would like to consider what kind of heart we, as saints, should have concerning matters that are not clearly dealt with in the Bible, such as tattoos or cosmetic surgery for beauty.

This may sound like a slightly different subject, but in the past I have been asked the following question several times.

Many people generally regard the first spread of Christianity in Korea as having begun during the Joseon Dynasty in the eighteenth century, though some may differ on the exact period. In any case, the question was this: Can those who did not know Jesus before that time go to heaven?

The Bible records the following concerning this matter.

Romans 2:14-15 “14For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.”

As this passage says, even “the Gentiles, which have not the law,” if they do not have their conscience seared (1 Timothy 4:2) and act according to a right conscience, are said to be doing the same as keeping the law. In truth, whether a person can or cannot go to heaven is not a matter for us to judge. It is entirely a matter for Jesus, our Judge, to decide. Because Jesus is the most fair and righteous One, He will judge each person fairly according to his works.

James 4:12 “There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?”

Jeremiah 9:24 “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”

Matthew 16:27 “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”

Revelation 22:11-12 “11He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”

As the passages above say, we cannot judge anything concerning other people. Only Jesus, who is the Lawgiver and Judge, will judge each person according to his works with lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness. For reference, although God overlooked the times of ignorance, He now commands all people everywhere to repent, that is, to turn back to Jesus. Therefore, we must know that now no one has any excuse (Romans 1:20).

Acts 17:30-31 “30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

Returning again to the matter of tattoos, the Bible teaches us that the reason we exist in this world is that God saw that it was good (Genesis 1), that is, that we exist for Jesus.

Colossians 1:15-16 “15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”

Isaiah 43:21 “This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.”

We must also view Job’s trial by this same standard of the word. Some people wonder, “Why did God test righteous Job?” However, we must know that it is only natural, in the relationship between the Creator and His creatures, for God to receive joy, glory, and praise through us. Therefore, at first, Job also had the following faith.

Job 1:20-22 “20Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. 22In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”

Thus, in all things—whether they are painful or joyful—we are people who exist for Jesus (Colossians 3:17). When we think by this faith about matters not clearly written in the Bible, such as tattoos and cosmetic surgery for beauty, we will naturally have no choice but to consider, in light of our own conscience, whether such things are truly necessary for the sake of Jesus. What I am referring to here is not something done out of necessity, such as treatment, but something done simply to express one’s individuality or to become more beautiful. Therefore, we must examine ourselves according to our conscience, without offense, and ask for whom we are trying to tattoo our bodies and for whom we desire to become more beautiful. For the Jesus whom we believe in does not look at our outward appearance, but at our heart.

1 Samuel 16:7 “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

As mentioned earlier, man cannot judge man (Romans 2:1-2). In other words, these matters are between Jesus and each individual. That is, each person must make his own decision according to a right conscience while thinking of Jesus. Jesus first showed us the example of sacrifice for our sake (Philippians 2:5-8), and now we also must become saints who know how to sacrifice for Jesus. Therefore, we must strive to act according to the will that pleases Jesus with sound discernment. If our hearts always become hearts that think of Jesus first in this way, then even concerning matters not clearly written in the Bible, we will always be able to make the right decision according to a conscience that seeks Jesus.

Romans 12:2-3 “2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

Romans 14:7-9 “7For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. 9For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.”

Romans 8:13-14, 16-18 “13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Amen.