Leandro de Souza, widely known as Brazil’s “most tattooed man,” is sharing his testimony of transformation after giving his life to Jesus Christ. After years of struggling with drug addiction and living a lifestyle he says left him empty, de Souza says he encountered the saving grace of Jesus. Known for having more than 170 tattoos covering much of his body, he has begun the process of removing many of them as an outward expression of the new life he believes he has found in Christ. Before-and-after photos of his transformation have spread across social media, with many Christians celebrating his testimony as a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. His story is not ultimately about tattoos. It is about redemption. It is about a Savior who changes hearts. The Gospel teaches that Jesus does not simply improve lives—He makes people new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Ezekiel 36:26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.” Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” No matter your past. No matter your mistakes. No matter how far you think you’ve gone. Jesus Christ is still saving, restoring, and transforming lives today. Leandro de Souza, widely known as Brazil’s “most tattooed man,” is sharing his testimony of transformation after giving his life to Jesus Christ.

A Nugget of Truth. 12 Steps to Revival, That Will Open Your Eyes in These Last Days. In a world drifting further from God's truth, the Lord is calling His people back to genuine revival. Throughout Scripture, Elijah and John the Baptist stood as powerful messengers raised up to prepare hearts for God's work. Their lives reveal a pattern of faithfulness, courage, humility, and unwavering devotion that God desires to see again before Christ's return. The Bible teaches that the same spirit and power that rested upon Elijah and John will be manifested among God's people in the last days. Their messages were not merely for their generation—they are a prophetic blueprint for end-time revival. As you study these 12 characteristics, prayerfully consider how God may be calling you to participate in this final movement of spiritual awakening, reformation, and preparation for the soon coming of Jesus Christ. "And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias... to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." — Luke 1:17 1. Bold and Fearless Preaching—Even Before Leaders Elijah—Elijah told Ahab, “I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim” (1 Kings 18:18). • John—“John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife” (Mark 6:18). Both John the Baptist and Elijah were fearless in preaching a straight message before rulers and governments. Jesus said this would happen again in the last days. “Ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them” (Mark 13:9). " 2. Simple Diet and Lifestyle • Elijah—“Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand” (1 Kings 17:11). • John—“He did eat locusts and wild honey” (Mark 1:6). Both Elijah and John were known for their simple diets and wilderness living. These basic rigors kept their mental faculties clear and their bodies strong, that they might be prepared for the special work God called them to do. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Likewise, the church in the last days must be revived to the truth that there is a strong connection between the body and the spirit. What we eat and drink, as well as our personal living habits, has a direct effect on our mental clarity and ability to discern truth. 3. Modest Dress, Simple Clothing • Elijah—“He was an hairy man [with a garment of hair], and girt with a girdle [belt] of leather about his loins [waist]” (2 Kings 1:8). • John—“And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin [leather belt] about his loins [waist]” (Mark 1:6). In a time when kings and priests loved to wear ornaments and long, flowing robes, Elijah and John’s modesty and simplicity were a stinging rebuke. We live in an age where there has never been more arrogant attention given to flamboyance and fashion. The main goal of modern clothing designers is to highlight a person’s sexuality. Sadly, everything from body piercing to tattoos is being indulged even among professed Christians. Once again, the church desperately needs last-day Elijahs to witness for Christ by their example of humility and simplicity through modest clothing and appearance. 4. Discipling Others • Elijah—“So he departed thence, and found Elisha … and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him” (1 Kings 19:19). • John—“And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things” (Luke 7:18). The Scriptures record that Elijah not only discipled Elisha, but he also visited the schools of the prophets (also translated “the disciples of the prophets”), which were scattered all through the land of Israel (2 Kings 2). These training centers combined spiritual instruction with practical work skills, and the young men trained there went throughout Israel to teach others the ways of God. John, likewise, reproduced his faith by teaching the disciples who followed him. Both John and Elijah spent most of their time training not the priests and Levites, but rather the common people. Similarly, the last great movement of God will not be led by clergy alone, but also by Spirit-filled laypersons. This is why the Elijah message must give attention to training, discipling, and mobilizing every member of God’s church. 5. Preaching Baptism of Repentance and Death to Self. • Elijah—“And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan” (2 Kings 2:6). • John—“Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins” (Matthew 3:5, 6). One identifying mark of the Elijah message is that it calls people to the Jordan River—a symbol of repentance and baptism. The children of Israel had to cross the Jordan to enter the Promised Land, just as we enter the waters of baptism and cross over to a new life. The great commission of Jesus to the church will have its finest hour in the future, when once again modern Elijahs will baptize converts to Christ in explosive, Pentecostal-like numbers. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19)." 6. Manifested Humility. • Elijah—“And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees” (1 Kings 18:42). • John—“He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear” (Matthew 3:11). Before Jesus comes again, the people of God will have learned to reflect the meek and humble character of Jesus in an age of arrogance and pride. “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8)." 7. Endure Religious Persecution. • Elijah—“Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them [who had been killed] by to morrow about this time” (1 Kings 19:2). • John—“And she went forth, and said unto her mother [Herodias], What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist” (Mark 6:24). In the Old Testament, a pagan queen named Jezebel married Ahab, the king of Israel. Jezebel and her daughter, Athaliah, persecuted God’s people and tried to entice Ahab to kill Elijah and the other prophets. In the New Testament, Herodias, the pagan wife of king Herod, and her daughter Salome succeeded in enticing Herod to kill John the Baptist. The persecution experienced by Elijah and John will soon be repeated. In the last days, Revelation tells us the “Mother of harlots” and her daughters will persecute God’s remnant people, the last-day Elijahs. “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17). “And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus” (Revelation 17:5, 6)." 8. Running Before the King. • Elijah—“And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel” (1 Kings 18:46). • John—“As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias [Isaiah] the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Luke 3:4). When a monarch traveled in Bible times, servants often ran ahead to prepare the path for the approaching king. They cleared the road of rocks and obstacles, filled in potholes, cut down high spots, and straightened the crooked turns. In the same way, those preaching the Elijah message in the last days will help prepare people for the coming of our King Jesus. They will proclaim a message that makes the way of salvation clear, plain, and easy to understand. “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” (Revelation 14:6)." 9. Supreme Interest in Glorifying God • Elijah—“Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again” (1 Kings 18:37). • John—“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Those preaching the Elijah message will make glorifying God their top priority. They will be wholly consecrated to God’s cause, just as were John and Elijah. They will be willing to make any sacrifice that others might be saved—in other words, to spend and be spent in the work of God. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1)." 10. Repairing God’s Altar. • Elijah—“And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down” (1 Kings 18:30). • John—“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:1, 2). The Elijah message will be a trumpet call to return to “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3). Today, when so many are telling us that the teachings of the Bible are old-fashioned and need to be revised to better fit the times, we desperately need to be reminded that God said, “For I am the Lord, I change not” (Malachi 3:6). “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in” (Isaiah 58:12)." 11. Messages Spark Reformation. • Elijah—“Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel. … And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him” (1 Kings 18:19–21). • John—“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins” (Mark 1:4, 5). In the days of Elijah and John the Baptist, God’s people had been corrupted by the pagan influences around them and had compromised God’s truth (1 Kings 19:14; Matthew 3:1, 2). These two brave prophets delivered a message that sparked revival and reform among God’s people. Today, once again, it seems that much of Christianity is lukewarm and worldly. If judgment is going to begin at God’s house (Ezekiel 9:6; 1 Peter 4:17), then certainly the revival must start there too! Since God’s plan is for His people to reach the entire world, He must first send the Elijah message to reach the church." 12. Point People to Christ. • Elijah—“Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God” (1 Kings 18:36). • John—“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The burning desire of modern Elijahs will be to turn people to Jesus, that they might know Him and have everlasting life.

No matter what someone looks like, no matter how many mistakes they have made, and no matter how broken their past may be, no one is beyond the reach of God's amazing grace. People may judge the tattoos, the appearance, the failures, or the reputation, but God looks beyond what the eyes can see. He sees a heart that is seeking Him, a soul crying out for mercy, and a life that can be completely transformed by His love. The church should never be a place where sinners are rejected—it should be a place where they encounter the forgiveness, hope, and restoration found in Jesus Christ. Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future when they surrender their life to God. Before judging someone else's story, remember that we were all sinners in need of God's grace. The same mercy that saved us is available to everyone who comes to Him with a humble and repentant heart. "For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." — 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV) Let us choose compassion over condemnation, love over prejudice, and grace over judgment. Because one sincere prayer can change a life forever.

https://www.harvestministriesnz.com/post/what-does-the-bible-say-about-tattoos

Today is Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. The name comes from the Hebrew word "shoah" meaning catastrophe, utter destruction or desolation. It was established in 1959 on the anniversary of Warsaw Ghetto uprising on April 19, 1943. The television movie, Skokie, aired on November 17, 1981 on CBS. It was produced by Robert Berger for Titus Productions, directed by Herbert Wise and written by Ernest Kinoy. The story, based on actual events, focuses on concentration camp survivor Max Feldman (Danny Kaye,) his wife Bertha (Kim Hunter) and their teenaged daughter Janet (Maren Kanter.) They live peacefully in the Chicago suburb of Skokie, Illinois where Max has just discovered that a group of Nazis planned to march through their town. Danny's performance is powerful and one to watch. He has seen first hand what the Nazis had done back in Germany and he wasn't about to go through that again. He wasn't going to ignore them, no,not this time. He would rather fight and spill blood if he had to. After making that impassioned speech, Danny looked around and noticed tears in the eyes of what he thought were were Hollywood extras. They were actual Holocaust survivors. As Danny remembered "everyone one of them had tattoos on their arms "

BIBLE TEACHING Generational Curses, Unclean Things, Familiar Spirits, Tattoos, Media, Doors, and Freedom in Jesus Christ We need to speak plainly about something many believers do not handle carefully enough: spiritual contamination. Some people live in repeated cycles and never ask why. The same patterns keep showing up in the family. The same bondage keeps returning. The same anger, addiction, poverty, lust, brokenness, fear, and confusion keep appearing from one generation to another. The Bible does not teach fear. It teaches discernment. The Bible does not teach superstition. It teaches holiness. The Bible does not teach legalism. It teaches freedom in Christ. This is not about becoming paranoid. This is about becoming spiritually awake. The center of all of it is this: Jesus Christ sets people free. The New Testament word for freedom is ἐλευθερόω (eleutheroō) - to set free, to liberate, to make free indeed. Jesus did not come to decorate bondage. He came to destroy it. WHAT IS A GENERATIONAL CURSE? A generational curse is not a magical spell sitting on a family tree. It is a repeated spiritual, moral, and often practical pattern of sin and consequences that passes through generations because the same rebellion, idolatry, disobedience, and unbelief keep being repeated. In Exodus 20:5–6, God says He visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Him, but He also shows mercy to thousands who love Him and keep His commandments. The Hebrew word for iniquity is עָוֹן (ʿavon) - crookedness, guilt, perversity, the twisted consequences of sin. That means sin is not just a private act. Sin carries weight. Sin leaves a trail. Sin can shape a family atmosphere. What a parent opens, a child can inherit. What a generation normalizes, the next generation may continue. But the Bible also gives balance in Ezekiel 18:20, where God says the son will not bear the guilt of the father, and the father will not bear the guilt of the son. That means each person is accountable before God for their own sin. So we must hold both truths together: Sin can produce family patterns. But nobody is doomed forever if they come to Christ. That is why Galatians 3:13 matters so much: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us.” The word for curse there is κατάρα (katara) - a curse, a pronouncement of doom. The word redeemed is ἐξαγοράζω (exagorazō) - to buy out of slavery, to purchase out from under ownership. Jesus did not only forgive sins. He broke the legal right of the curse over those who belong to Him. BLOODLINE CURSES ARE REAL PATTERNS, BUT JESUS IS GREATER When people talk about bloodline curses, they are often talking about repeated patterns in a family line. It may look like: repeated divorce repeated poverty repeated addiction repeated fatherlessness repeated anger repeated occult involvement repeated sickness repeated unforgiveness repeated rebellion repeated sexual immorality These patterns can come through: generational sin family agreements with darkness unresolved trauma idols in the home spoken words repeated rebellion hidden practices that invited oppression But the good news is this: Jesus Christ breaks every chain. In Colossians 2:14–15, we are told that Jesus canceled the record of debt that stood against us and triumphed over principalities and powers through the cross. The Greek words matter here: ἀρχαί (archai) - principalities, ruling powers ἐξουσίαι (exousiai) - authorities χειρόγραφον (cheirographon) - handwritten record of debt That means Jesus did not just forgive. He canceled the accusation and disarmed the powers. So the blood of Jesus is not a symbol only. It is victory. It is authority. It is deliverance. It is legal cancellation. It is the end of the enemy’s claim. FAMILIAR SPIRITS AND SPIRITUAL AGREEMENTS Familiar spirits are spirits that attach themselves to families, homes, or individuals, often because of repeated sin, rebellion, occult involvement, or agreements with darkness. The Old Testament warns against them in Leviticus 19:31 and Deuteronomy 18:10–12. The Hebrew terms often associated with this are: medium, familiar spirit, spirit of the dead - אוֹב (ʾov) familiar spirit, spirit of knowing - יִדְּעֹנִי (yiddeʿoni) These are forbidden because they are counterfeit spiritual access. They are a false doorway into the invisible realm. Familiar spirits can manifest as: recurring strongholds unexplained fear or anxiety repeated deception oppression in the home compulsions or habits that feel unbreakable cycles that seem to “know your family” They can attach to bloodlines, objects, or even generational curses. Often, the enemy uses them to continue cycles of sin or to intimidate believers. But the Word is clear: no familiar spirit has authority over a child of God. In Acts 16:18, Paul commands a spirit to come out in the name of Jesus, and it obeys instantly. The authority of Jesus is not theoretical. It is active. Jesus said in Luke 10:19: “I have given you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy.” The word authority there is ἐξουσία (exousia) - delegated right, legal authority, permission to act under a higher King. So familiar spirits are real, but Jesus is greater. We are not powerless. We are not victims. We are conquerors in Christ. HOW DO DOORS OPEN SPIRITUALLY? Doors open in several ways: Through personal sin - giving room for darkness. Through family patterns - repeated rebellion or occult involvement. Through unclean objects and practices - items connected to idolatry, death, witchcraft, or rebellion. Through media and entertainment - movies, music, and visual content can shape your mind spiritually. Through spoken words - agreements with darkness, curses, or self-condemnation. Through unforgiveness - leaving a place in the heart empty allows the enemy to return. Jesus warned in Matthew 12:43–45 that when an unclean spirit leaves and finds the house empty, swept, and put in order, it can return with more trouble. The Greek idea of the house there is οἶκος (oikos) - house, household, family environment. That means deliverance is not enough if the house is left empty. The house must be filled with the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, prayer, worship, and obedience. Jesus closes every door when we repent, renounce evil, and fill our hearts with the Holy Spirit. UNCLEAN THINGS IN THE HOUSE A house is not only a structure. A house is a spiritual environment. What you allow in your home matters: music movies symbols idols occult items sexual impurity curses spoken in the house constant anger disrespect ungodly altars witchcraft objects rebellion normalized as entertainment In the Old Testament, Joshua 7 shows how hidden sin can bring judgment on the whole camp. One man’s secret disobedience became a public problem. In 1 Corinthians 10:20–21, Paul warns against participating in what belongs to demons. That means believers should not be casual about what they bring into their homes. Do not ignore objects connected to darkness. Remove agreements with sin. But remember this carefully: objects themselves do not have power over God’s children. The issue is what they represent, what they were used for, and what spiritual agreement they carry. A home must not only be clean physically. It must be clean spiritually. CLOTHES, SCARVES, BONES, AND SYMBOLS Clothing or objects themselves are not magical. But clothing can represent identity, allegiance, honor, shame, rebellion, paganism, modesty, or holiness. The Bible speaks about this in several places: Deuteronomy 22:5 - clothing and identity distinctions 1 Timothy 2:9 - modest apparel Acts 19:11–12 - objects as points of contact for God In Acts 19, cloths and aprons associated with Paul were used by God in healing. That does not mean cloth has power by itself. It means God can use physical things as points of contact when He chooses. So if a scarf, cloth, bone, charm, or symbol is tied to witchcraft, occult practices, ancestral rituals, or death worship, remove it. Do not keep agreements with darkness. We do not worship objects. We do not fear objects. We do not give objects more power than Christ. But we also do not stay careless about spiritual symbols. TATTOOS: WHAT DOES THE WORD REALLY SAY? People often quote Leviticus 19:28, where God says not to make cuts in the body for the dead and not to tattoo themselves. The Hebrew idea here is tied to pagan mourning rituals and idolatrous identity. In context, God was setting Israel apart from the nations around them. So what is the real issue? Not just ink. The issue is pagan identity, covenant loyalty, and holiness. The New Testament adds an important truth in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20: Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for temple there is ναός (naos) - the holy sanctuary, not just a building, but the place where God dwells. That means your body is not yours to glorify rebellion, vanity, lust, death, gang identity, occult symbolism, or self-worship. Tattoos are not condemned automatically. But motives matter: Is it honoring God? Is it tied to rebellion, lust, death, occult, or vanity? Does it glorify Christ or self? If someone already has tattoos, the blood of Jesus is greater than the ink on the skin. They are not condemned if they are in Christ. But if someone is considering tattoos, they must not treat the body lightly. The heart behind the tattoo matters more than the ink. MOVIES, MUSIC, AND WHAT WE ALLOW INTO THE MIND Matthew 6:22–23 says the eye is the lamp of the body. The Greek word for eye is ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmos), and the idea is that what enters through the eye affects the whole inner life. What you watch shapes your imagination, conscience, appetite, fears, and worldview. Repeated exposure to occult themes, sexual immorality, revenge, witchcraft, rebellion, or darkness opens doors spiritually. That does not mean every movie is evil. But it does mean believers must not be careless. You cannot feed on darkness and then wonder why your spirit feels weak. You cannot normalize sin in your entertainment and then expect spiritual sensitivity. What enters the mind shapes what grows in the heart. GENERATIONAL, NORMAL, AND BLOODLINE CURSES There are different kinds of curse language in Scripture and in life: Generational curses - repeated sin across family lines Normal curses - spoken words of evil Bloodline curses - family patterns of oppression Self-curses - agreements with negative words about yourself But always remember: the authority of Christ is greater than any curse. In Numbers 23:23, Balaam says there is no enchantment against Jacob. In Isaiah 54:17, the Word declares that no weapon formed against God’s people shall prosper. That does not mean weapons won’t form. It means they will not win. The curse may come. The curse may speak. The curse may threaten. But in Christ, it does not rule. JESUS SETS US FREE This is the center of the message. John 8:36 - “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” 1 John 3:8 - Jesus was manifested to destroy the works of the devil. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - in Christ, you are a new creation. Galatians 3:13 h redeemed from the curse. The Greek word for new creation is καινὴ κτίσις (kainē ktisis) — not repaired, but made new. That means curses, bloodline oppression, occult powers, and familiar spirits are all subject to Jesus. He is not one power among many. He is Lord over all. WALKING IN DELIVERANCE Deliverance is not only a prayer event. It is a life of surrender. You must: repent renounce darkness forgive others remove unclean objects close spiritual doors stop feeding on darkness renew your mind pray over your family speak the Word walk in obedience stay filled with the Holy Spirit The Greek word for repent is μετανοέω (metanoeō) - to change one’s mind, to turn, to reorient one’s whole life. A cleaned house and life must be filled with Christ. A cleaned house without Christ becomes vulnerable again. A cleaned heart without the Word becomes unstable again. A cleansed life without discipleship becomes empty again. TEACH CHILDREN SPIRITUAL WARFARE EARLY This is very important. Teach children: prayer discernment rejection of evil honoring God with the body and mind The Bible says: Proverbs 22:6 - train up a child in the way they should go Deuteronomy 6:6–7 - teach God’s words diligently to children Ephesians 6:4 - bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord The Greek word in Ephesians 6:4 for nurture is παιδεία (paideia) - training, discipline, instruction. Children are not just to be corrected; they are to be trained in truth. Teach them early to know Jesus, resist darkness, and walk in truth. Do not wait until the world has discipled them first. Train them while they are young. Generational curses broken in Jesus’ name. Bloodline oppression destroyed. Unclean things removed. Spiritual doors closed. Bodies sanctified. Minds renewed. Children protected. Christ redeems, cleanses, restores, and sets free. CLOSING DECLARATION I declare: Every curse broken in Jesus’ name. Every familiar spirit removed. Every unclean object removed. Every door of darkness shut. My body a temple of the Holy Spirit. My mind belongs to Christ. My children will walk in truth. My home belongs to Jesus. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed. #BibleStudy #VerseByVerse #Gospel #dagoodnews #follow #share #LikeFollowShare #JesusCentered #GodFirst #WordOfGod #PreachTheWord #ChristianLiving #Scripture #Faith #JesusIsLord #DaGoodNews #YouTube #Grow #LordsBook #ChristianLordsbook #ChristianFacebook #DailyDevotional #Jesus #God

FULL BIBLE TEACHING Generational Curses, Unclean Things, Familiar Spirits, Tattoos, Media, Doors, and Freedom in Jesus Christ 📖 I’m going to share a small Bible study with verses to back up all the claims I made this morning. 🙌 Join the WhatsApp group to receive it: 👉 https://chat.whatsapp.com/HJgZWj7CXhoDhWG2TVrysG?mode=gi_t⁠�

For years, Leandro de Souza was known across Brazil as “the most tattooed man in the country.” An estimated 95% of his body was covered in ink — face, scalp, arms, torso, even eyelids. His transformation into a living canvas drew attention online and in the media. Some admired him. Others stared. Many judged. But everyone noticed. Tattoos weren’t just decoration for Leandro. They were identity. Expression. Armor. Each piece marked a chapter of his life — rebellion, pain, freedom, belonging. The more ink he added, the more he felt seen. And then something shifted. In recent years, Leandro publicly shared that he had embraced evangelical Christianity. His faith, he says, brought an internal change that he could no longer ignore. The man who once covered himself in ink now began to feel that his exterior no longer reflected who he had become inside. So he made a decision that shocked many of the same people who had followed his transformation for years. He began laser removal. If getting tattooed is painful, removing tattoos is something else entirely. Laser removal is long, expensive, and physically intense. It requires multiple sessions over months or even years. The skin blisters. It swells. It burns. It peels. And Leandro is removing almost all of it. He has openly spoken about the process being painful — both physically and emotionally. Tattoos that once represented independence now represent a version of himself he feels he has left behind. He has said that after finding faith, he wanted his appearance to align with his spiritual renewal. He has quoted Scripture publicly, including: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 For Leandro, that verse isn’t symbolic. It’s literal. This isn’t a quiet transformation. It’s happening in front of millions. Social media posts show his face slowly clearing. Layers of ink fading session by session. A visible undoing of what once defined him. Reactions have been divided. Some celebrate his faith journey, calling it redemption, renewal, proof that change is possible. Others question whether appearance truly matters in spiritual transformation. Some argue that faith is internal and does not require physical erasure. Others defend his right to start over however he chooses. But beyond debate, there is something undeniably powerful about the image: a man who once altered his body to reflect who he was becoming… now altering it again for the same reason. Identity is rarely static. People change. Beliefs shift. Convictions deepen. And sometimes the external world becomes a mirror of those internal shifts. Leandro’s story raises uncomfortable and fascinating questions: Are we defined by our past choices? Does transformation require visible change? Can faith inspire not only internal growth but physical reinvention? Or is this simply a deeply personal journey playing out in public? Regardless of perspective, one thing is clear: laser removal on that scale is not cosmetic. It is commitment. It is enduring pain for months to align with conviction. It is a willingness to be seen mid-transition — neither who you were nor fully who you are becoming. That takes courage. Leandro once stood out because of ink. Now he stands out because he is removing it. Whether one views this as religious devotion, personal reinvention, or both, the message resonates far beyond tattoos. People are not frozen in time. No matter how extreme the past may seem, transformation remains possible. And sometimes, the most radical statement a person can make is this: “I am not who I used to be.”

TATTOOS IS NOT A SIN ITS AN ABOMINATION Tattooing is not a neutral act, and it has never been spiritually empty. From Scripture, history, and divine instruction, the marking of the body has consistently been associated with pagan worship, mourning rituals, rebellion, and self-ownership apart from God. God spoke plainly and authoritatively: ”You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:28) This command ends with “I am the LORD” a declaration of authority, ownership, and finality. When God says “You shall not”, He is not suggesting, negotiating, or contextualizing. He is commanding. The origin reveals the nature Historically, tattoos were practiced by Gentile nations: •As marks of devotion to idols🫵 •As ritual acts connected to the dead🫵 •As identity symbols outside covenant🫵 •As rebellion against divine order🫵 Never once did God instruct His covenant people—Israel, the Hebrews, the Jews—to mark their bodies for beauty, identity, or expression. God marks His people by covenant, not by ink. The body does not belong to the individual Under the New Covenant, the standard is not relaxed it is raised: “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit… and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20) A temple is consecrated, not customized. A temple is sanctified, not stylized by the world. A temple is owned by God, not redesigned by personal desire. Tattooing makes a statement spoken or unspoken that says: “This body is mine to alter as I wish.” But Scripture says otherwise. Grace does not legalize disobedience Grace forgives sin; it does not authorize it. Christ did not die to free us to imitate the world, but to separate us from it. ”Be not conformed to this world.” (Romans 12:2) “Come out from among them and be separate.” (2 Corinthians 6:17) Any teaching that claims tattoos are acceptable for children of God weakens holiness, dismisses Scripture, and cheapens grace. “I Have Engraved You on the Palms of My Hands” — Rightly Understood Some point to Isaiah 49:16 as justification: “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.” This is not literal tattooing. God is Spirit (John 4:24). He does not have flesh, skin, or ink. This verse is Hebrew metaphorical languagea powerful image expressing permanent remembrance, covenant love, and divine faithfulness. Scripture frequently uses physical imagery to communicate spiritual truth: “Apple of His eye” → value and protection “Under the shadow of His wings” → refuge “Engraved on My hands” → eternal remembrance Just as God does not literally have wings or an apple in His eye, He did not tattoo Himself. Description is not permission. Metaphor is not command. The critical distinction God uses imagery to teach truth. Humans use ink to alter flesh. God owns Himself. Humans do not own their bodies. God describes remembrance. God forbids body marking. These are not equivalent. Does God see and remember you? Yes perfectly and continually. The eyes of the LORD are in every place.” (Proverbs 15:3) “Your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20) God does not need ink to remember His people. He remembers by covenant, knowledge, and love. Tattoos are: Not biblical Not covenantal Not holy Not necessary Not godly Children of God should not be seen associated with practices that originated in paganism, rebellion, and self-exaltation. Holiness is not old-fashioned. Obedience is not legalism. Separation is not bondage it is identity. “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16) By Charles Great