Reading this link, "What does the Bible Says About Tattoos," can further guide us about tattoos as having evil or witchcraft connotations.
And going to another link of the same title tells us about the same thing, that tattoos have been identified as pagan practices in Japan, South America, Asia, Africa, Alaska and in other parts of the world, not to mention those in prison cells, of course, where it is a prevalent feature on those who just came out of the penitentiary.
Today, most people regard it as a form of art, but may we not forget that honoring God's words in Genesis is more important, first and foremost, that God created us in His image and likeness and that we should honor and respect our body as the Temple of God, sacred as one having been created by the Father.
Peace Be to Those Who Follow Jesus, But Will There be Peace for Those Who Deny Him?
Our life is a borrowed one, from God, for one who believes in creation.
[Read on post: 'Laminin,' Binding Truth of the Cross and Creation, Avoiding Hell, Purgatory and Generational Sins, that we may see and believe that God in the crucified Christ is the truth in our being.]
Others may not believe in this but if probabilities become one of the basis, have we not noticed how many people who have learned to trust and surrender themselves to God are more blessed with peace and love in their life together with their love ones? And those who do foolish things against others and go against the will of the Father as embodied in the Ten Commandments and in the teachings of Christ Jesus have, more often than not, a more confused, insecure and troubled life?
And for so long as we put God first in everything that we do, we are saved.
God is all knowing and makes sure all those who follow Him through His Son Jesus Christ, keeping him in their hearts and not deny him, will be blessed and saved spiritually.
Peace to those who follow him. But will there be true peace for those who deny him?
Let me qualify this. While we are all sinners, Christ wants us to continue to grow our faith in him.
With his love, mercy and forgiveness, we can be saved through confession, prayers and our willingness to change in his ways, as we seek his guidance through the Holy Spirit.
Follow through as you reflect on the following passage from the book of Matthew, and be guided with the truth in the words of our True Messiah, Jesus Christ, while he was challenging his twelve disciples to carry his words with determination, full of trust and unwavering faith in him as they set forth to heal the sick, drive out demons and preach in Jesus' name among the Gentiles or non-Jewish community.
Imperative and stern as his warning may have been for those who may deny him, which is a grave sin equivalent to blasphemy or denying God Himself as he and the Father are One, he wants to make his disciples confident as his followers, representing the Son of God, who is more than a prophet or a teacher, that many more will be led to the truth in Christ Jesus.
Yet, let not this passage be misinterpreted. Behind this warning is a forgiving and a merciful heart that is full of love and who brings peace to those who turn to him for redemption, conversion and renewal.
Look around you and pray, as I do believe that 'prayers can move mountains,' and you will realize the truth beyond this powerful message of Christ with what is happening for those who turn away from Jesus.
In Matthew 10:26-42, Christ assured his disciples not to be afraid of people who hate them because of him as he said, “So do not be afraid of them, there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
“‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law
a man’s enemies will be the member of his own household.’
“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
“He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the One who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”
Do we not notice how unprecedented catastrophes have caused the world much death, destruction and devastation such as the gulf oil crisis, the powerful earthquake in Japan that caused a great tsunami tilting the earth's axis, the rising of waters in populated areas, the series of powerful and deadly tornadoes plowing across the US, the upheaval in the Middle East and in Greece, chaos within households and families and some more looming in the horizon on top of the global economic crisis due to the growing sinfulness of man towards materialism as against the love and fear of God through the love of others?
God moves in mysterious ways. It is only in Christ Jesus and allowing ourselves to be enlightened by the power of the Holy Spirit through baptism in deep faith, with prayers and good deeds shall we be able to comprehend better His ways, His words and commandments.
Being able to read this is no coincidence, that you too may share the light, and with the love of Christ, you can better understand that "all things happen for a reason."
[Read on our related post: "God's Awesome Works in God's Awesome Creation and the Messiah in Jesus."]
Obedience to the Will of the Father
And going back to our body, while we may be allowed to love and preserve it, as to keep it healthy, lovable and beautiful, let us not be overwhelmed by our own perception of beauty to the extent of being defiant to what God allows, lest we want to be engulfed by too much of our pride, arrogance and selfishness that unwittingly, we are led to the dark side of life, where the evil one may be feasting with delight as it lurks and waits for the kill.
Everything can be done in moderation just as long as it does not go against the will of the Father and so long as it does not cause undue harm to others.
But is not a tattoo or piercing one's skin to hang an attached object worn more out of pride and a sense of belonging, or plainly a sense of insecurity more than anythings else?
Do we need to follow others with utter disregard of good healthy and hygienic practices that these may just endanger our own safety and the health of others as well?
Anyone already with tattoos can reflect on how God has loved you since the time He created you with no unnecessary blemish on your skin. But now your skin is blemished out of your own wish and craving because it is the fad, is this not like graffiti on the Temple of God?
Do you think our Creator will be happy or will He be happier if it is left clean just like anybody else who truly trusts on His will, out of honor, respect and obedience? Or would this be sacrilege and disobedience to the Father?
Now, if this has been out of ignorance of God's will for us, how are you wanting to repent if that mark on you stays? Don't you think you have been marked differently from the others now that you have become a black sheep with an indelible mark on your skin?
Yet, because of God's great love for you, Christ will still seek you as a lost sheep who ran astray to return back where you belong, to his flock, and see the light in him and the true meaning of peace and happiness in life.
And that tattoo on your skin now becomes your reality check, and has become a positive reminder of God's unconditional love for you, with that fervent hope that you will never find yourself lost again.
Not the emptiness that evil and the dark side of life brings, which will make you feel confused and lost forever.
Would piercing, cutting one's flesh with tattoos or unnecessary dangling ornaments give us fulfillment in this life then?
Or are we just being fooled by the evil one to adore or idolize others or ourselves while taking away the true and more lasting happiness when we chose to live with Christ and in Christ?
Would living in simplicity and humility, with more dignity, integrity, honor and respectability be a better option than self denial and self-pity brought about by sins of the flesh, foolish pride and insecurity?
Is this truly loving oneself or just putting your self and your love ones at risk as they too may get confused getting the wrong signals from deeds that steer us away from the more responsible and the more disciplined behavior in Christ?
What is the real long term effect of this practice? Is it going to be good for everybody or not?
As in Proverbs 15:33, "The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor."
[Read on another post on: "'Love' by Saint Paul, Love of God and Self-Pity," for added enlightenment.]
The possibility that the needles or tools used in piercing may not have been properly sterilized is always there and this already pose some danger.
And being dragged further to what is evil and wrong because of the so-called "normalcy bias," wherein many people get hooked to thinking that it is normal to do what everybody does, without first weighing the realities and the long term negative repercussions these create in society can do us more harm than good.
Is this not only digging ones own pit to doom and trouble, and sadly extending the effects to future generations?
Is it not time to wake up to reality and learn from the lessons of our past as our early fathers have tested our Almighty God of His patience and power which includes the great flood in Noah's time, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the fall of the Tower of Babel, the rise and fall of many conquerors and dictators, the devastation caused by the Great Plague, by World War I and II, the now dwindling world economy that is causing a lot of chaos and confusion in many parts of the globe?
Evil That Veers Us Away from Jesus
Is it not time to see the truth in what is being imparted to us by God the need to go to His Son, Jesus Christ, and get inspiration from his teachings that we may thread the right path?
We may not realize it but those who lead us away from Jesus, and make us believe more on the power of the mind than of God, in psychic powers, in mind readers, in fortune tellers, playing spirit of the glass, transcendental meditation and levitation, propagating pornography, abortion and same sex or gay marriage, suicide bombing and terrorism, evil and violence on video and computer games, false prophets and soothsayers, black magic and voodoo worshipers, sorcery, witchcraft and the like, be wary, as these are the very tools of the evil one to deceive those who are weak in their faith and become willing victims, trapped from the dark side, only to see their lives troubled in the long run as they are carried away by wealth, power and materialism.
Anything that promotes hatred, divisiveness, lies, various ways leading to deny the truth in Christ Jesus and utter disregard for love. life and concern for others is not of God, but of the evil one.
Keep Our Light Burning in the love of Christ
Would a "never care less" mentality help us as we become blind to what is eating into the flesh of man that continues to destroy the fabric of society, as we are losing grip and our hold onto our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for us on the cross?
Will giving up be the right path? Or will it be holding up the light of Jesus, to shine in this world and show pure love for ourselves by loving God through the love and genuine concern for others?
Nothing is ever too late for our God is a forgiving God, and with the love and mercy in Jesus, His Son, the Prince of Peace and our Advocate to the Father and Redeemer for the atonement of our sins, and our sincere intention to renew ourselves is what counts most, for whatever is past can never be undone.
We can only hope and pray for the misguided for renewal, that the Holy Spirit may come upon them, and that with the love, mercy and forgiveness in Jesus, they could be freed from sin.
In 1 John 3:13-15, “Do not be surprised my brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and know that no murderer has eternal life in him.”
Anyone who does good for his neighbors is blessed, but anyone who lives in hate and vengeance will hardly attain peace in his life.
God knows knows what is in our heart, we can never hide anything from Him.
Let the wings of human justice take its course, whatever the outcome, show love, mercy and compassion and give thanks to God, for vengeance is not ours, but that of God.
And in Romans 12:14-21, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eye of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘it is mine to avenge, I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him,
If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
And moving forward in Christ is the best remedy, that the evil one may again cower in fear and may be rendered maimed and powerless as we continue to thank and glorify God the Father Almighty for everything good in this life.
Turning back to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, as a lost flock is our calling and this should not remain unheeded lest we want to be lost forever from his protection, care and guidance, as he is the "Truth, the Way and the Life," for in him we see the light, and in him and with him, we find true happiness and peace in this life.
In 1 Corinthians 1:17-31, in the Gospel of St. Paul, he writes to the Corinthians, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel – not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.’
“Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”
“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were influential, not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written:
“Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
[View this beautiful inspirational music video from our link with PeacewithGod.net - "Who is Jesus."]
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In Matthew 5:22, Jesus said, “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool,’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
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