What to Do About a Tattoo
"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." — Isaiah 1:18
A Question Asked Constantly
Wherever this subject is taught, someone asks the same question: I have tattoos from before I came to Christ. What am I supposed to do? I cannot undo them.
The question deserves a straight answer, without shame and without evasion.
First: The Cross Covers This
Start here, because many people carry genuine grief about marks received in a life they have since left behind.
Jesus made provision for this on the cross. Whatever was done, whenever it was done, and whatever it meant at the time — it was covered when He died.
"Come now, and let us reason together," says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)
You are not disqualified. You are not marked in the eyes of God. He sees the blood of His Son when He looks at you, and nothing on your skin changes that.
Second: Deal With Any Claim
The mark is permanent. Any spiritual claim attached to it is not.
Repent for receiving it, and for whatever it represented at the time. Ask God to forgive and cleanse you.
Renounce the allegiance it signified, by name if you know it.
Anoint the tattoo with oil and command any curse associated with it to be broken at once in the name of Jesus Christ.
Command every spirit associated with it to leave you immediately in the name of Jesus.
Ask the Lord to seal what was opened and to cleanse your body as His temple.
This is a straightforward act. Do it out loud, once, thoroughly.
Third: Consider the Design Itself
Where the tattoo is an occult symbol, or is lewd, or causes you ongoing distress, there is a practical option worth considering.
You can have the design covered — blocked out with solid ink by a competent, sterile artist so the original design is no longer discernible, or covered by a new design entirely.
This is particularly worth doing with explicitly occult symbols and with designs created specifically for use in that service. Removal by laser is also widely available now, though it is expensive and slow.
None of this is required for your standing with God. It is a matter of conscience and testimony, and different believers will decide differently. Do not let anyone shame you either into or out of it.
A Word About New Ones
For believers considering a new tattoo: the point of these lessons is not a rule but a question. What is this design? What does it represent? Where did the imagery come from? Would I be comfortable explaining it?
Ask the question first. That is all this teaching asks of you.
Point to Ponder
The mark may be permanent. The claim is not, and the shame never was.
Verse to Remember
"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." — Isaiah 1:18
Question to Consider
Have I been carrying shame about something the cross already covered?
Today's Practice
If you have tattoos or other marks, do this today.
Get some oil. Put your hand on each mark and pray out loud:
"Father, I confess the sin of receiving this mark and everything it represented. I renounce every allegiance it signified. Forgive me and cleanse me by the blood of Jesus Christ.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I break every curse attached to this mark, and I command every spirit associated with it to leave me now and never return.
Lord, seal what was opened. This body is Your temple and it belongs to You alone."
Then let it be finished. Do not repeat it compulsively and do not carry it as shame any longer.
If you decide to have a design covered or removed, that is a fine decision — but make it from freedom, not from guilt.
Prayer
Father, thank You that You do not look at my skin. You look at the blood of Your Son.
I confess what I did and what it meant. I renounce it fully. Cleanse me and make me clean — not partly clean, not clean with an asterisk. Clean.
In the name of Jesus Christ I break every curse attached to any mark on my body and command every spirit associated with it to go.
And Father, take the shame with it. I have carried this long enough. You said my sins would be as white as snow, and I believe You.
My body is Your temple. Fill it with Your Spirit. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God does not look at your skin. He looks at the blood of His Son.