Greetings godly sisters!
How's your life in the Lord going? Steadfast and strong or weak and wavering?
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."1 Corinthians 15:58
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"Ephesians 4:14
I would like to do a post on head covering for women. It is a simple yet deep subject; a much confused and ignored and disobeyed command of God for His people, His women.
The simple answer to why Christian women wear headcoverings is that God commands it.
There are many false views on it though and no I don't claim to know it all but it is no surprise really that in the last century or two this practice, for those who call themselves Christian, has been largely abandoned. It went along with MANY other compromises and sins in those claiming Christ in recent times.
Why would we listen to just anyone who calls themselves Christians or believers when we know in this age, false teachers and apostasy abounds? Paul was even very concerned about error entering in and we can read much about deception coming in and that is upon us now like no other time...including in this area of headcovering. Remember also in the Garden how Eve was deceived and today with feminism it isn't any different.
"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them."Acts 20:29-30
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."2 Peter 2:1-2
And for those who still do practice women's head covering it is either out of their tradition, or what they are used to, or along with a certain denomination, or done in an unbiblical manner, or done as a personal preference or desire (like the woman I wrote about on this post). Many seem to think it is something optional or a "non-essential" (which doesn't exist as no command of God is not essential to be obeyed.) as if you see it in scripture and are convicted about it do it, and if not you do not have to. But so few see it as a command. And why does finding and obeying the commands of God matter? If a woman claims to be a believer and has become a new creation through the new birth via the biblical gospel, then she will be looking to obey the Lord out of her love for Him and by the Spirit in her. The Spirit will convict her and lead her to obey this command because of her faith. He will give her power to obey this and put down her own flesh.
It is a large subject one connected to our meek and quiet role as women, all of which cannot be covered in this one post.
Let God's Word speak for itself...for those who have ears to hear. Here is the scripture that sets out this command for women saints. Keep in mind that women right from early on in the Bible and in various places are seen covering their heads.
Paul writes....
"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God."
1 Corinthians 11:1-16
He was praising them for keeping what he had previously taught them and he went on to tell them this, writing in detail why a woman is to cover her head. Praise God He told us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) for us as women. (And we can also read in Acts 18 that Paul had already spent 18 months teaching truth to the believers in Corinth.).
And we can go back and read Paul's opening statements of the letter and it is written to all saints everywhere.
"Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:"1 Corinthians 1:1-2
And this area of scripture that teaches women to headcover really doesn't need much explanation and is reasonably straight forward. It says for man to be unveiled and a woman veiled because man is her head. It says it is a shame for a woman to be shaven and have short hair. It says nature teaches woman with long hair is her glory (and man with long hair is his shame). It says a woman is to be covered because of the angels...and much more.
And so now we have women (who claim to be believers and therefore praying) showing their glory with uncovered heads which God says is shameful and uncomely for her to do. As a side note, it reminds me of these verses...people have turned glory into shame.
"Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)"Philippians 3:17-19
There are many or most women who glory in their uncovered heads which is their shame.
Because it says that to be uncovered is one and the same things as being shaved bald...both shameful for a woman.
"But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven."
1 Corinthians 11:5
Oh, people say, it's just a custom at Corinth. No it's not. Paul is teaching on the order that God created from the beginning and he lays it out for the saints as this.
God
Christ
Man
Woman
Nothing about a custom or culture or anything there. We know from the beginning that God created the woman for the man, so he is her head. And that is where women are not the spiritual leaders and teachers. She is to cover her head because of this for one reason. To not do so is to dishonour her head (man).
Also another fact to consider is that what Paul wrote were God's commands. So many don't take that seriously.
And see this what he wrote in this same letter...
"If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord."
1 Corinthians 14:37
Wow, that is serious. And we know the scriptures were inspired by the Holy Spirit/God Himself. So if you are wondering whether headcovering really is to be obeyed today you need to ponder all these things and go where the facts lead and obey.
And we know...
"And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."
Luke 4:4
So knowing these things really helped me to see through the lies and deception I had heard all my life from Christianity in general. But honestly the Holy Spirit will convict in this...if we are truly seeking.
And study the Greek words as well...especially note that the word covering in verse 15 is a different original word to the ones used above it to say a woman is to be covered.
If a woman isn't seeking all truth and willing to lose her life for Christ, then there may be parts of scripture that she ignores and doesn't want to look at it too deeply for fear of what it will say and mean to her. That was me in the past sadly. But I repented and left that lukewarmness and sin behind. So if you are reading this I hope you are seeking all of God's truth to obey it. As James says...
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."
James 1:22
Don't deceive yourself by not obeying. Disobedience is sin and sin not repented of leads to death not salvation.
Women who claim to be born again believers need to examine themselves and see if they truly are, and study this area and obey it no matter the cost. (They will need to stop looking to their pastors or trusting the teachings of the theologians who they think know better and are unbiblical. I mean, we are responsible before God and today so many false teachers abound.) If you have the Holy Spirit and the Word then that is really all you need. Study the Word and put away all the unbiblical teachings of men and women who are not biblical. Yes it is easy and a dangerous thing to get swept away if we aren't discerning and if we compromise in any areas but learning the state of apostasy of "the church" is a huge wake up call to get serious and run from that as it goes deeper into more sin.
"Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle."2 Thessalonians 2:15
And then we need to obey this too...separation from those departing from sound doctrine, from those who refuse to obey in this area of headcovering once shown the truth of it.
"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us."2 Thessalonians 3:6
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."Psalm 1:1
There is no room for "different opinions". It is pride and vanity to think we can ignore this because it isn't popular today and our flesh doesn't like it.
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."1 Corinthians 1:10
So that's what I have to write on that. There would be much more to say but if a woman is truly seeking then she can see what it says for herself.
Yep, if you've never worn a covering before then yes it could be really hard at first in the flesh but we have to walk in the Spirit, fear and obey God, and not fear man. Remember the rich young ruler who couldn't give up one thing to follow Christ. Can you give up your "reputation" and uncovered head (which is shameful) in order to follow Christ? I hope so. I hope you will obey.
Remember this...
"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;"Hebrews 5:9
You can see a post I did here on what a woman can wear for a covering.
Well I hope that could edify and bless the readers as we all strive on to be obedient to our Lord and Saviour in all our ways, having been born by the Spirit.
Love in Christ,
...from a daughter of God
See the biblical path of the gospel to eternal life in more detail here.