Upon seeing Michael Amoia, you might make certain assumptions. As the reigning Guinness World Record Holder for most insect tattoos on his body (he has 864 of them!), you might suspect he likes bugs. He doesn’t like them, however; in fact, he says he “hates” them. It makes one wonder why he has paid to have ants, moths, beetles, and earwigs permanently inked on his body.
Another assumption some might make (and this may apply more to those of us who are older) is that this man is on the fringe of society. The stereotype with some is that people who are heavily tattooed cannot be successful. But Amoia has done very well in his chosen field. As a music producer Amoia has worked with some high-profile celebrities and has won eight Emmy Awards in the process.
The 48-year-old knows that others initially view him as odd: “Hopefully I can open up some people’s minds so they can realize, you know, there’s a few ways to look at things and don’t judge a book by its cover, I guess.”
Different tattoos are designed to communicate different things. But can’t that also be said about the clothes we choose to wear, the hairstyle we sport, the cars we drive, etc.? You may think certain things about that person driving a luxury-type car, but be honest – do you know them at all?
The Bible teaches this same message: Be slow to make judgments based on appearances only. Samuel, a prophet and judge of Israel, decided that Jesse’s son Eliab was the Lord’s choice to be the next king: “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!” he thought (1 Samuel 16:6). But the Lord said (in effect), “Not so fast!” “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
Jesus lived by this principle of looking on the heart. Why else would He have chosen Matthew to be one of His twelve apostles (Matthew 9:9-13)? Did Jesus not know that public sentiment ran strongly against association with such people (Matthew 9:11)? Of course He knew that; He lived in the culture of the day. But Jesus also knew that Matthew, looked down upon by many, had great potential for helping to spread the kingdom of heaven on earth.
It took longer for Peter to learn this truth. When he was called to go to the house of Cornelius he was hesitant: “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation” (Acts 10:28). So why did he go? “God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean” (Acts 10:28).
Soon afterward Peter made this declaration: “… God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34,35). God’s love is not conditioned on my display or non-display of tattoos, or by the nicety of my clothing. He looks on my heart, and for that I’m thankful. Shouldn’t we, therefore, look on others in the same way?
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34).
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2022, Timothy D. Hall