To those who need signs to sustain their faith, I must say that one day, through the Holy Spirit who dwells within me, the Lord revealed to me that my purpose is to preach the Word, only the Word, and, being human and flawed, not much beyond the Word.
This perception about purpose The so-called [character] is what allows me to clearly analyze modern dilemmas, such as the figure of Christian tattoo artist, searching the Scriptures for the Truth of salvation: scrutinizing, paying attention to details, meditating day and night, and disseminating this understanding through impersonal publications.
Ultimately, what should be exposed and combated is sin, not individuals.
I never presumed to take upon myself the impossible task of separating the wheat from the chaff, but as time passed, I discovered that it is enough to shed light on the Word, without mixture, for both to reveal themselves spontaneously.
- The wheat — even living in the mud — comes closer and finds hope;
- The tares—even when occupying leadership positions within ecclesiastical organizations—feel uncomfortable, rebel, and try to hurl personal insults…
A perfect illustration of this astonishing spiritual phenomenon occurred after my last publication, where I presented a biblical approach to why tattoos and the figure of the "Christian tattoo artist" are unnecessary in the life of any legitimate Christian, representing acts of rebellion against a decree of God that has not been revoked.
The Outraged Offender: A Spiritual Response to the Truth
For our struggle is not against human beings,
and yes against principalities and powers,
against the rulers of this dark world system,
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
I suffered a lot until I learned that the number of people who are intellectually or emotionally possessed is absurd.
When the Truth disturbs them to the point of generating protest, it is no use engaging in the "games" they propose: it must be through the Holy Spirit and through the Word of God alone—not me—that the liberation of captive souls, whose identities I do not even reveal, is promoted.
I don't have much to add now to what has been published and the responses you can see in the image, but it's impressive to recognize the “modus operandi”"of the entity that was influencing that person.".
Even without ever having seen her or debated with her, it was as if I were dealing with the same old slanderers from a decade ago:
- First, a question disguised as "good intentions.".
- Immediately following that comes indignation at the inflexibility of the Word.
- Finally, blinded by emotion, they resort to insults, which start out generic and try to reach me personally!
In this particular episode, during the entity's third manifestation, I even hallucinated, comparing myself to someone else and claiming that I had sent people to ecclesiastical businesses or ordered someone to have their arms ripped off!
Ultimately, the creature's selective and apostate vision becomes evident, even as it tries to disguise it as a supposed "love for souls.".
What they really want is simply to throw open the narrow doors of Truth in the name of numbers, while the Christians who remain faithful—and capable of discerning the deception involved in practices such as that of a Christian tattoo artist — They are labeled as: “sanctimonious,” “unintelligent,” “black-hearted,” “scoundrels,” “full of rotten and petulant feelings,” “probably too ugly to want to get a tattoo,” “with self-image issues,” “psychopaths,” “without compassion”…
According to them, we are "chest-beaters" and use the Word as a "crutch.".
Indeed, there is purity on our side, but it never came from man, but rather from the foundation of the Body of Christ: the Gospel cannot be mixed with impurities until it can be absorbed by an increasingly degraded humanity…
The fury of this entity is, in fact, directed against the few who fight in defense of the Gospel without compromise.
What is wonderful about serving the Lord is that even such a sordid manifestation ends up being an opportunity so that, through sincere and legitimate questions, the wheat can be brought near! See:
An approach without sarcasm, sincere questioning, and above all, faced with the same inflexible truth offered before, the ability to understand that the focus should always be on the Gospel, not on offending individuals who have been called to serve it… even if they are covered in tattoos!
And even more intense than that was another message I received, but this one was from a…
Professional Christian Tattoo Artist
Peace be with you, my dear Teóphilo.
For the past four days I have been reading your website, because on cold winter days my workload drops considerably, so I have had enough time to examine the site and the sacred scriptures.
I confess I've been surprised by what I've been reading, after all, everything so far is in the light of God's word, although from time to time I come across some phrases that sound sarcastic. I realized from them that, as they say: You kill the guy with your fingernail (hahaha), but even in those moments, using the word.
Not in a personal way, but as if showing the way forward.
In short, I'm enjoying this, and what brought me here is the text where you address the topic of TATTOOS: as you can see in my profile, I'm a professional tattoo artist, and yes, I'm a Christian!
What I'm about to tell you is how I got this job, very briefly, because you probably have better things to do:
I was born into a Christian home; my family serves God in the Christian Congregation in Brazil (about which, out of curiosity, I would like to know your opinion). At age 13, I was baptized and participated in the youth ministry, called "youth assistant.".
I am a musician and I married a young woman who is also God-fearing, whose entire family also belongs to the same faith and doctrine.
I must tell you that I was an exemplary young man in doctrine, fervent, a reader and staunch defender of the scriptures (something, unfortunately, uncommon in the CCB) and had the respect of the local ministry and the entire brotherhood, but God allowed spiritual coldness to knock on my door one day and I, in my human weakness, gave space for the evil one to act in my life.
I started with strange and heavy readings, diabolical music, television, and so on… until I discovered tattoos: my brother, I wish I could turn back time and steer clear of everything the devil has put in my path!
Spiritually blind, I distanced myself from the church, moved to another state, and dedicated myself to tattooing.
Thankfully, God's mercy is greater than our weaknesses, and one day, after some years, God's mercy came knocking at my door and showed the devil that those who are His are by no means lost: like the prodigal son, after suffering and eating pig's acorns, my father (God) embraced me, showed His love, and brought me back into His house.
Today, I have returned to being firm on the path, and day by day God has been placing a dose of spiritual eye drops in my eyes, so that I may see the paths I walked when I was blind, and thus glorify Him for His love and mercy toward my soul.
I continue with my studio… until God's appointed time, but I seek to transform the curse into a blessing by proclaiming the Lord Jesus whenever possible: my hope is that, somehow, I can cleanse the eyes of those who are still in darkness.
I confess: I am no longer happy in what I do, but one day I sought the Word to get out of where I am, and God sent His Word and answered me like this: "You are inside hell, but even inside hell, don't lose communion with me."“
And that's what I try to do, my brother: to be in communion with God even within a place that is unusual for Christians.
God has touched many tattoo artists and has worked in their lives as well. Look at how many communities there are on social media… although not all of them follow the biblical JESUS, but rather “Jesus” (hahaha… that was a great one)!
I specifically ask you to pray to God and answer the following question:
Is it possible to have a job that, in the eyes of many, is not Christian and still please, possess, live for, and serve God?
In my case, it's out of necessity, since I don't have another profession, and what I earn, with my education and experience in previous jobs, I will hardly earn again: in 1ˢᵗ Corinthians 7:20 it says: "Each one should remain in the profession in which he was called," and in 1 and 2ⁿᵈ Thessalonians, Paul also exhorts to work.
Trying to look at it from another perspective: in Rio de Janeiro, for example, a violent city where the police either kill or die… aren't there any Christian police officers? And if a criminal points a rifle at his chest… is he going to show the guy the Bible? Don't we also have brothers who are police chiefs? Gynecologists?
Imagine the scene: a brother who is a gynecologist and also the doctor for the sisters in his church.
Doesn't that make things difficult too?
Well, I don't want to apologize here, because everyone has their own opinion, but the important thing is that the will of the Almighty be fulfilled in us. After all, so that many might be saved, Paul and so many others were imprisoned, tortured, cursed… but in everything they were more than conquerors.
Here I am (spiritually) bound to my livelihood, tortured by my conscience and cursed by some, but believing that my trial will result in salvation for someone.
God bless you, for you have gained another reader and friend in Christ!
A fraternal hug... and I await your reply.
The peace of the Lord be with you!
Purpose as a Thermometer of Faith: Vocation or Occupation?
It was impossible not to be moved by those words.
Unlike the baseless accusations I made earlier, here is a crucial issue that demands an answer!
Dear brother (whose identity I will keep private), your words clearly demonstrate that the Holy Spirit is working in your life, for you value the Word above your own choices.
This unease that has been felt is the conviction that only the true Holy Spirit It produces in us, sinners.
Unlike others who call themselves "tattooed and Christian," your humility—not before me, who am nothing more than your brother—before the Lord is the beginning of sanctification!
But don't become vain: sanctification is a journey of correction, not a final destination.
Regarding the CCB: Although in 2009 I sought caution, today biblical clarity compels us to be emphatic. The exclusivism of the Christian Congregation in Brazil—the idea that salvation resides only within it—is a theological monstrosity. As pointed out by... Sola Scriptura, These distortions bring it closer to the concept of a cult.
Now that we're sure you've read and understood the text about tattoos, let's move on to researching what the Bible actually says about professions and read the passage you mentioned, but... let's use a good Bible version and read a little beyond just one verse:
Each one should remain in the calling to which he was called.
Were you called while a servant? Don't worry about it;
And if you can still be free, seize the opportunity.
For he who was called to faith in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman;
Likewise, he who is called while free is a servant of Christ.
You were bought at a great price;
Do not become slaves of men.
Brothers and sisters, each one should remain in the situation in which he was called before God.
I read it, reread it, and I don't see a professional restriction here, but a warning: in Christ, we were bought to be free, being servants only of Him!
Everything else — professions, freedom, slavery, suffering… — ceases to be a priority in the face of this.
Ephesians 4:1 This confirms that this "vocation" is not professional—otherwise, Paul would be a "prisoner by vocation"!
The question for every Christian tattoo artist is: do you feel free or enslaved by your profession?
The Logic of Purpose
Another very interesting point you raised was the question of which activities might be considered worthy or undignified when performed by Christians.
Let's analyze the PURPOSE of some professions:
- POLICE OFFICER: your PURPOSE It is to protect human life through the maintenance of law and order.
The degradation of this world is what has made this profession so intensely associated with death, because when we observe the End Times Thermometer — which is the millimeter-precise fulfillment of the prophecies and 2ⁿᵈ Timothy 3 We will see that this current state of social chaos was inevitable and, I'll go further... it's going to get worse! - GYNECOLOGIST: your PURPOSE It's about treating diseases related to the female reproductive organs, and there's no way to do that without looking. Contact with nudity is inherent and inevitable for the noble goal of healing.
- PROSTITUTEyour only PURPOSE It is to profit through the sinful use of one's body.
She can go to schools to give lectures, appear on TV… befriend authorities and even pay for daily media coverage to be called a “celebrity,” but her purpose remains the same… and TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE before the Word.
So, analyzing each PURPOSE, we can understand the existence of Christian police officers, Christian gynecologists… but never Christian prostitutes, not even the current ones, who try to illustrate the display of their bodies with biblical passages, because — according to the words of the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 5:28 They are instruments of temptation for anyone who sets eyes upon them!
And what about the Christian tattoo artist? What is their main purpose?
If we ignore the technical aspect of the act, what motivates someone to seek out marks on the body?
The exaltation of the ego and the sublimation of vanity.
As we saw in BRANDS, The Word commands us not to mark our bodies and does not support excessive vanity.
Where does sustenance end and enslavement to a certain standard of living begin?
The Financial Dilemma: Livelihood or Slavery?
Far be it from me to judge those I don't know, but I present a second question to help you differentiate what is truly important from what is merely convenient: do you engage in an activity that provides for your livelihood… or are you enslaving yourself to a job to maintain a certain standard of living and support eccentricities?
You don't need to answer me.
However, based on Matthew 19:16-22, I ask you: do you truly want to serve the Lord?
Going further (and based on Luke 12:22-31Are you able to trust in the sustenance that will come from Him?
You are not incapable!
You can certainly start over in another area.
Perhaps without the same recognition or the same benefits, but something with a PURPOSE that is appropriate to biblical standards.
Understand this: this man who is writing to you has also had all his foundations — professional, financial, ecclesiastical and, more recently, sensual — completely turned upside down in recent years.
The pandemic came right after I became deaf, and I never imagined living in such miserable conditions, but even so, I never stopped hoping and trusting in the Lord's providence!
I was forced to give up comforts that I considered essential, only to discover that they were mere vanities.
Currently, even though I still face some difficulties, I cannot help but glorify and thank God the Creator, because if it weren't for that difficult moment... I would never have seen my vocation, I would never have prioritized my true calling.
Let no one deceive you with empty words;
Because it is precisely due to this behavior that God's wrath comes upon the children of disobedience.
Therefore, do not be participants with them.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Therefore, walk as children of light,
For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth;
e Learn to discern what is pleasing to the Lord..
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them;
Because it's shameful even to mention the things they do in secret.
But all these attitudes, being condemned, are revealed by the light, for absolutely everything becomes visible in the light.
That is why it was said:
“"Awake, you who sleep, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.".
Okay: I think I managed to be honest without having to "kill you with my fingernails"!
Know that I am nothing more than a "softie," capable of readily loving brothers I have never met... and urging them to trust and seek, submitting first to God and trusting that all else will be added unto us.
Please don't hate me if some of my words displeased you.
Please know that I will pray for you, as your situation is not easy either.
Will you pray for me too?
May the Lord, our God and mighty one who protects and sustains us, be with us in our anguish, and through His Word, remove any doubts that may overwhelm us.
A fraternal hug
New Purpose: The Persistence of Error Through the Decades
It would be incomplete to end this post without revealing a crucial detail: the angry demonstration that opens this text took place on May 8, 2021.
The message from the Christian tattoo artist and my response were originally published in… May 29, 2009!!!
There is a gap of more than a decade between these events, but the essence of the conflict is the same.
The creature that, according to him, he "killed with his fingernail," was a tattooed man who manifested himself in February 3, 2009.
As I've come to recognize over these years as Teóphilo, that person was possessed by the exact same "entity" that manifested itself, in exactly the same way, more than a decade later.
The links are available so that you, the reader, can see and understand that my battle in defense of the true Gospel is a long one.
I'm not here to invent fads or distort the Scriptures to please more readers or seek donations.
For the word of God is living and active,
sharper than any double-edged sword;
capable of penetrating even to the point of dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow,
and is sensitive enough to perceive the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
And there is no creature unknown to the eyes of God.
Absolutely everything is uncovered and out in the open before the one to whom we will have to give an account.
My purpose is to serve the Lord through the exposition of the Scriptures, and honestly, I really need your help to keep this flowing.
Thank you for reading this far, and I truly need any help you can offer: comments, shares, and reactions help spread this content, which was produced with the intention of contributing to the edification of the Body of Christ in the world.
A shortened and easy-to-remember link to this post is:
https://cutt.ly/finalidade
FRONT MAINTENANCE
Theology is free, but the infrastructure to keep it alive against the tide of the gospel industry has its costs. This project rejects sponsors and automated ads so as not to pollute your reading with profane content.
If this content has strengthened your faith—or angered the righteous heretics—and you wish to see this collection grow, use the option below. It's safe, straightforward, and maintains the independence of this voice.
The content of this dedicated space is intended for various possible communications, such as polls to determine the next "“Debates with Intelligenc-AI”...and any other subjects not directly related to the Gospel: this purple box will be gradually added to articles and studies as they are revised and will present the same message in all of them, but always updated: what you are reading now may already be totally different from what was here last week.
If you want to know the full history, my intention is to keep it recorded in Threads… follow me there!
Paraphrasing the apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:23-24May grace and peace be with us all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, now and forever!
Português do Brasil 
English 
Español de Argentina