Leviticus 19
“Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:16 NIV
The Lord commands us not to spread slander or gossip. The apostle Paul wrote: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29). Gossip and slander can even separate believers in the body of Christ, taking away the bond of unity that Christ died for us to have: “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases” (Proverbs 26:20). The latest gossip may be a “delicious morsel” for your flesh to hear (Proverbs 18:8), but we would be wise to ignore, and even learn to hate slander and gossip of any kind. If someone has a private conversation with you about something personal, keep the information to yourself out of respect and love.
“Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:28 NIV
So, is it a sin to get a tattoo? At first glance this verse would clearly suggest that it is a sin. But, in context, this verse is actually dealing with keeping the Israelites from practicing the rituals of the pagan people living around them. Tattoos during this time period were marks made on the body to show dedication to pagan gods. God’s desire was to set His people apart from other cultures. The focus here is prohibiting worldly, heathen worship and witchcraft. He does this out of protection, because He knows that this type of unwholesome worship will lead them away from the one true God. If you are considering the question, “To tattoo or not to tattoo?” the more serious questions to ask yourself are: What are my motives for wanting a tattoo? Am I seeking to glorify God or draw attention to myself? Will my tattoo be a source of contention for my loved ones? Will getting a tattoo cause me to disobey my parents? Will my tattoo cause someone who is weak in the faith to stumble? Romans 14:23 states, “…everything that does not come from faith is sin.” Now that’s pretty clear! Ultimately, the decision is between you and God.
“Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:32 NIV
In this verse, God tells us that we should have respect for our elders. The Bible has a lot to say about aging and about the wisdom that can come with age, if you are walking with God. For example: “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” (Job 12:12). This respect for elders is opposite of what our culture tries to teach us. Our culture tells us that elderly people can be a burden to society. This is ridiculous, and we need to always remember to respect all people, young and old alike. We all have something to offer in this life, which changes as we age. We can all learn from each other, as we try to become more and more like Christ every day. If you are “young,” seek out older people who have been drinking deeply from God’s love and goodness throughout their lives. They have wisdom to share that will help you so that you can also grow in your faith. The Bible tells us that “The godly will flourish like palm trees. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green” (Psalms 92:12,14).