Tattoos are popular. People want to have marks on their bodies identifying them with mom or dad, some other person, organization, or cause. There are also earrings, nose rings, ornaments piercing other body parts. The Bible forbids tattoos. "You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:28).

The Bible also speaks of the mark of the beast (Revelation 16:2). The beast is the image of the dragon or the devil (Revelation 13:1). Those bearing the mark of the beast have the unholy spirit. Their lives are characterized by the deeds of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). Tattoos are a physical mark. The mark of the beast is spiritual. It relates to all we do and all we think (Revelation 20:4).

Some tattoos may be attractive. We may enjoy living like the devil. God marks us in another way. The apostle Paul exclaims it is God "who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge" (2 Corinthians 1:22). A seal authenticates. God places the Holy Spirit on His people as a seal of authentication. Paul speaks of "the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed" (Ephesians 4:30). The fruit of the Spirit makes the seal or mark of God quite visible (Galatians 5:22-23).