Exploring The Holy Texts

Okay so I was pondering through the Book of Leviticus. Chapter 19 was umm... interesting. I don't even think that is the right word to use for that chapter. Maybe thought-provoking? Intriguing? Bloggable? Anyway... you get the gist, it was worth talking about.

So it talked about all these various laws. For example, do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves, do not steal and do not lie. So verse 16 says, "Do not go about spreading slander among your people." Which, in simpler words translates to, "Don't spread gossip and rumors." Now raise your hand if you have ever gossiped or spread a rumor.

I know I have. Verse 27 says, "Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard." (Trust me, these 2 verses will come full circle in a little bit). So I hear older men talking to young men all the time about getting a haircut or trimming their beard. But would it be wrong for the young men to turn around and say that they are just following God's Word? Or would that be considered talking back?

Alright, the verse that I have been eagerly waiting to discuss...Verse 28. "Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord." So why isn't it a big deal to get your hair cut but it's frowned upon to get a tattoo? Why is it so common to gossip or spread/hear rumors? Because it's just hair and hair grows back? Because tattoos are permanent? Because we can't focus on our own lives so we talk about others? But the Bible literally says not to do any of that.

I'm going to give an example of a "godly gossip".

Person A: Can you pray for Rebecca? I heard she's having marriage troubles.

Person B: Oh my, of course I can! She said he was away on business, guess not.

Person A: I think they are going to get a divorce. I saw him with Rachel a couple weeks ago... All we can do is pray and ask the Lord to fix it.

Person B: Rachel and Tim are probably already dating, poor Rebecca.

^A conversation like this is nothing more than gossip, disguised as a prayer request used as a way to share information about another member of church.

Okay, this is where I am pretty sure I am putting my own spin on things but this is just what I interpreted from my reading. So I already stated that in Levitcus 19:28, it talks about how tattoos are sinful. (Alright, bear with me, just hear me out). In Revelation 19:16, it states "On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords." Now, remember, I said that this is what I interpreted. From that verse, I am hearing that Jesus had a tattoo on his thigh, I'm just saying.

I just want to know why when I obtained my first tattoo, I didn't want to tell any church folks or my parents because I thought I would be looked down upon. Then 1.5 years later, I decided to get my 2nd tattoo. Then, a year later, my 3rd tattoo. I just want to understand why it's hard for people to tell the older generation they received a tattoo, but it's so simple to exclaim that you received a haircut yesterday. To this day, my grandparents (who were the Pastor and First Lady of my church) don't know I have multiple tattoos [well they probably do know after reading this]. But I'm not ashamed of my tattoos. They are all spiritual to me. My first one is located on my left rib and says "God is greater than the highs and the lows", but in symbols.

My second one, which is also located on my left rib, says, "Strength", where the T's look like the cross that Jesus died on; and my third is an anchor, because Jesus is the anchor of my soul, which is located on my ankle.

So with all that being said, I am confused as to why us Christians pick and choose what to follow. Do I follow everything in the Bible or is it okay to pick and choose what I want to believe?

#Bible #exploration #tattoos #sin