Are you a Christian with a tattoo? What do you do now?

It is clear in the Word that tattoos are an abomination to the Lord. “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:28) ) It can easily be seen that there are two separate and distinct commands in this verse. The heathen had an idolatrous practice of cutting their flesh when mourning for the dead and in their worship to appease their false gods. But the righteous are not to sorrow as others who have no hope. Martin Luther, among other prominent Christians, practiced self-flagellation, whipping themselves to the point of drawing blood as a means of penance for their sins. Roman Catholics called the Flagellants, even Pope John Paul 11 used self-inflicted whipping to identify with the sufferings of Christ. The Islamic counterpart, the Day of Ashura, predominantly observed by the Shi’ite Muslims in countries such as Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Greece, is an annual religious ritual of mourning the death of Muhammad’s grandson where devotees use extreme flagellation and violently slash and whip themselves with sharp knives and chains to which razor blades.
Self- harm can be comprised of self-flagellation, self-cutting, burning, or scratching the flesh. These same self-harm spiritual powers are also attached to the skin art of tattoos and create a doorway for demonization. Interestingly, the Greek word for “mark” or “tattoo” is stigma, a common English word which means “to disgrace, defame or ruin one’s reputation.” It is rebellion against societal norms, against authority, and ultimately rebellion against God which equates with witchcraft (1 Sam. 15:23).
1. If you are a Christian, God wants you to separate yourself from any religious, social, or cultural practices associated with demonic worship. God desires that we separate ourselves from the world and its trends. If you have not received a tattoo, consider the scriptures and what you read here. God forbid the Israelites to mark or disfigure their bodies as He did not want them to be identified with the pagan practices around them. He has not changed His mind for New Testament believers when He warns that we are not to be conformed to this world and imitate its worldly practices and traditions (James 4:4-8; Matthew 15:3).
2. Some believe that a Christian symbol tattoo is acceptable to God. A tattoo may be a religious symbol, but this does not mean because tattooing has become an accepted practice in our society that God approves it. God never said, “Do not mark on your body except it be a cross or scripture tattoo.” Scripture makes it perfectly clear that God is against the practice of marking the body (Leviticus 19:28). Tattoos were inkings or markings that were forcibly made on the skin of slaves proving they belonged to a particular owner. The mark of the beast could very well be a tattoo or something similar to a tattoo. This mark will identify those who are owned by Satan.
3. If you have a tattoo and now acknowledge that it is wrong, repent to God for violating His Word, receive forgiveness through faith in Christ Jesus, and forget those things that are behind. Repent for any marking, branding (scarification), bloodletting (self-cutting or mutilation by cutting or burning), or piercing that has defiled the temple of God (your body) (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).
4. Renounce or confess verbally the symbol or spirits behind the tattoos you are wearing. Many tattoo images are evil and have idolatrous pagan symbols with serpents, skulls, and crossbones that symbolize death. Sexual tattoos or the names of lovers in private places can invite spirits of lust and perversion. Religious tattoos can release a spirit of antichrist and error.
5. Consider having it removed. Be led by the Spirit of God on this issue (Romans 8:14). Removing it could cause problems or further damage to some people, so listen to the Holy Spirit. You can anoint those places with oil and break any demonic assignment or covenant of the enemy that came through the tattooing.
In conclusion, when we wear tattoos, we identify ourselves with those who worshipped idol gods motivated by demon spirits, and we violate the commandments of God. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price, Therefore honor God with your body’’ I Cor. 6:19,20 (NIV).

Prayer of Repentance for Tattoos

Father God, please forgive me for marking my skin. According to Leviticus 19:28 it is forbidden by God. In the Name of Jesus I confess and repent for getting tattoos contrary to the word of God. I thank you Father that by faith I believe I am forgiven right now, in Jesus’ name.
I break the curse of idolatry and rebellion off of my life. I break any demonic power or assignment over me that came in because of my disobedience to the word of God. I renounce all demonic power coming from this tattoo (lay hands on the tattoo). You are rendered powerless over me by the blood of Jesus.
My skin is sanctified by the blood of Jesus, as is my entire body, mind, soul, and spirit. I dedicate my entire body to God for His use according to Romans 12:1-2 which says: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. In Jesus Name, Amen.