What does the Bible say about dying your hair?
I was very surprised about a year ago to find out that at least some UPC churches teach against people dying their hair. I do not recall ever hearing anyone preach against people dying their hair until about a year ago, but since then I have come into contact with other people who have heard the same thing preached. It seems to be a fairly common doctrine in UPC churches, even though I cannot find any official UPC position about it.
Since it does seem to be such a common doctrine, I have decided to write a brief article on it.
The first time that I heard anyone preach against people dying their hair was when my last UPC pastor mentioned it in during a church service. He used Mat 5:36 as his argument, which says: "Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black" (Mat 5:36 KJV). Now it is obvious to any casual reader that Jesus is not speaking against people dying their hair. He is saying that people do not have the ability to turn their hair from white to black or from black to white. That is all that He is saying, and nothing more.
I do not know what arguments other UPC pastors use to preach against people dying their hair, but I do know that there is no Scripture in the Bible that says that people should not dye their hair.
Of course, some people might think that the reason the Bible does not say anything about it is because people did not dye their hair during Biblical times. It is a mistake to think that, however, because dying and highlighting the hair was quite common during Paul’s day. Nelson’s Bible Manners and Customs has this to say:
Paul…would have noticed that many men had blond hair. A few of them could have been slaves from Germany, but Italian Roman citizens should have had dark hair. Puzzled, on inquiry he might have found out that a considerable number of men dyed their hair because blond hair was fashionable. He would have seen some brown tints too1.
Of course, just because the Bible does not explicitly teach against something does not make it right. The Bible does not say anything against abortion, even though abortion and the killing of unwanted or deformed children was very common in the Roman Empire2. Just because the Bible doesn’t explicitly say that you shouldn’t have an abortion does not mean that it is alright to do so. However, the fact that the Bible says nothing for or against women dying their hair–whereas it does say something against murder, by implication making abortion and the killing of newborn children unacceptable–leads me to believe that God has no problem with women or men dying or highlighting their hair.
References:
- Nelson’s Bible Manners and Customs: How the People of the Bible Really Lived, "Rome and Italy in the Career of Paul," ed. Howard F. Vos [↩]
- Ibid. [↩]
October 20th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
If we carefully search the scriptures, the Bible never condones dying your hair. In fact there are many older people who decide to dye their hair to cover up their gray. The Bible declares “The hoary (gray) head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31). Likewise it’s written, “The glory of young men is their strength: and the BEAUTY of old men is the gray head” (Proverbs 20:29). So we can see from these scriptures that God expected for our hair to change colors naturally and not because we dye it.
Jesus did say, “Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black” (Matthew 5:36). This scripture itself speaks to the issue that only God can truly change the color of our hair. The fact of the matter is when people dye their hair, it is a sign of pride. They desire to have a different color of hair than what God gave them.
I have even seen some young people with blue hair, pink hair, green hair etc. This is a sign of vanity.
We need to learn to be satisfied with the natural color of hair the Lord gave us. When God brought forth his creation he said, “It is good”.
We as God’s creation need to accept ourselves, and love ourselves and realize that whatever color God made your hair, be completely satisfied.
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:08 pm
In response to Donald H, I would respectfully like to say that if you are going to think this way about vanity, you must apply it to EVERYTHING. How do you choose what you wear? By choosing what looks good on you – this is the same as colouring your hair to look good. Vanity. How ridiculous?
I believe that Jesus would be saying to us not to worry about these things and that there are much bigger things to be thinking about. If you want to colour your hair – do it.
Think on 1 Samuel 16:7
“The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
As long as you are right with God and he knows your heart, it won’t matter what you look like! Go on Dye your hair if you want to!
Sarah x
January 12th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
You are right, th Bible does not speak of abortion, but based on the values of today, not of the Bible, make it wrong to have abortions. But thses are your views not the Gods word. If it were Gods word he would have spent the extra couple of verses abominating abortion. Just because the Bible says it is wrong to murder, you cannot make the stretch that God is prohibiting abortion. And remember, the children of Israel captured a man collecting sticks on the Sabbath and asked if they “shall slew him”. God agreed and the man was stoned to death. Why is it allowed for God to allow murder, but have the judgment to condemn it. And how then are we to make the connection of abortion and murder? I guess its your definition of murder versus mine. Problem is, you dded the abortion, and God didn’t
February 16th, 2009 at 8:14 am
To Matthew.. your comment has absolutely NOTHING to do with people dying their hair. And why may I ask are you here, of all places, voicing your support of abortion?? (and making the presumption that you are male, what would you know about it any way.. have you ever been pregnant??)
ANYWAY-
I think that it is okay to dye ones hair, IF it is done in a MODEST way, not to unduly attract attention to oneself.
This is an excellent site, btw. I love the common sense approach to the questions you have answered biblically.
February 25th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Who decides what is “Moderation”? Is two colors still moderation. You can say “dye your hair, just use moderation”. My moderation might not be yours. I believe purple and orange hair are moderate. So where do you draw the line? If you only allow certain color, aren’t you being legalistic?
March 29th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Dying your hair a different color is not a vain thing to do. It is a form of expression. I am a Christian and I play “rock” music in church. I don’t do this for me. I do this for those who would never accept God’s message from a “goody goody” I am being in the world and not of it. An angry teenager with purple hair is more likely to listen to a Christian who looks like him with green hair, than a Bible thumping suit wearing southern baptist preacher. I take my appearance and my music into bars and preach the Gospel to those who are sinners. If I were to go in there and play southern gospel music in suspenders and slacks, I would accomplish nothing for God and be laughed out of the bar and no one would come to Christ but if I get on their level and bring the message they will be more apt to listen to me. This is a way to change the method and not the message. Paul did this numerous times, for example when speaking to the Greeks he knew they had many gods, they even had a god of the “unknown gods” in case they missed one. Paul used this to his advantage telling them that his God was the God they had missed and was their unknown God and reigned supreme over all of their gods combined. He changed the method and not the message and they listened. Changing you hair color for some can be an extremely effective ministry tool. Not to mention these references are old testament law and not new testament grace that are used to support your arguments.
June 8th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
well if your pastor preaches it and you do it anyways its time for deliverance from rebellion.also dying your hair is like a lie just like wearing makeup its fake your showing people something fake not to mention its worldy and if you want to look like the world then you like the world and there for the love of christ is not in you.you r to be holy unto the lord no spot r blemish r u wont go.just becareful what you open yourself up to it could open doors to other things.pastor is just watching out for your soul.i would be more worried if pastors where not preaching against this and im a 24 years old women.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
**Lie** Do you or any lady in your church: curl your hair, perm your hair, straighten your hair, shave your legs, wear padded bras, wear girdles/support hose, colored pantyhose, have tips put on your nails (even american style), wear lip gloss, curl your eyelashes….the list can go on and on. Each one of these instances is lying in some form or fashion, if you want to get technical. Look, I’m in no way saying any of these things is wrong–why do we as ladies do them? So we can feel pretty, look good and feel good about ourselves. And, I don’t believe that Jesus has a problem with that. He wants us to feel good about ourselves and feel as pretty as He sees us. Do I think it can be overdone–YES! But, I also believe that He isn’t pleased with us if we walk around in natty blue jean skirts and unwashed, scraggly hair. That isn’t “HOLY” Whatever you feel lead to do, make sure you look presentable at all times–there is nothing that will destroy a witness faster than the first impression, and that does go both ways. Either as looking too overdone and made up or looking scroungy, like you don’t care what you look like.
Most of all, we have an entire Book in the Bible devoted to a woman who dressed herself up, wore makeup and jewelry……and saved a nation. When I was in the UPC, I always wondered and questioned why it was so wrong, if it was ok for Esther to do it? And, she is celebrated for it.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Shane,
in response to what you said, I completely understand the logic you use but i don’t exactly agree with you. I do agree with you to an extent though. You do have to look the part if you are going to minister through a Christian rock band but i don’t think that you have to go as far as dyeing your hair different colors. Maybe you could just have a more extreme style of hair and not exactly a different color. The Bible never says “thou shall not dye thy hair” but it does say “let not your good be evil spoken of.” I’m not going to say that you are wrong for dyeing your hair green…I think that should be something that you spend time reading your Bible, praying and fasting about. Just for the record, I also am a musician in a Christian rock band. We don’t dye our hair but i guarantee you, if you saw us without our instruments that you would know that we were either heavy metal fans or heavy metal musicians. We do all of that while staying inside the guidelines that the Bible has laid out.
Like I said, I don’t think you are exactly wrong for it but I will give you the exact reason (other than my pastor doesn’t want us to) we don’t do that. The Bible says to be instant in season and out of season. It also lays down the basic principle that we, as ministers, are always subject to God’s divine will. Consumed, the band I play in, would prefer not to play in churches but in venues such as bars or clubs because we feel like we are sent to minister to those that have never heard the Word of God before but sometimes God still sends us to a church somewhere. The reason He does that could be because there is someone that has been going to that church but has never truly been filled with God’s power. This leads to the question, would a person that has been in church for 20 years but never received the Holy Ghost be more apt to listen to “some punk kid with green hair” (I’m not calling you that, but they might) or someone who can still look like the belong on the platform of their church? Just because people are in church does not mean that they are saved and they also must be ministered to. I believe that when you dye your hair like that, that you are limiting what God can do with you because there are many pastors that would not let you set foot on their platform looking like that. Simply put, do you want to limit God to what you want Him to do through you or will you let Him do what He sees best?
August 23rd, 2009 at 1:50 am
the bible says for you not to paint or cut yourselves.find it in the bible.GOD made you perfect for the purpose that HE has made you for.
abortion is wrong. find pictures of the carnage on the internet.ask women who have had abotions. if they are truthful to themselves, they will have a birthdate and a name for that aborted child.
it’s hard to cut the guilt out. JESUS can.
what GOD doesn’t like is that you try to overwrite his will.
if you repent jesus can erase all of your guilt and make you new
August 25th, 2009 at 8:34 am
Yes, when God created man, he said it is good. Yes I agree with that but and we should not modify the things that God did, So if dying one’s hair, or wearing of make-up is a modification of one’s body, so tooth brushing, combing your hair, applying lotion, taking a bath, cutting both men and women’s hair, rounding the beards, applying powder on a baby’s back, and many, many more, etc…are also prohibitions? WHAT A THEOLOGY?So, if Gen 1:31 is to be taken in literal, therefore I conclude, all that I have been doing in my own self and to my surroundings are all vanity.. Because I modify them all, even the trees and fruits that I have been picking on our backyard. If you are going to dye your hair, ask first permission to your parents if you are dependent then ask about how they feel. If you are an independent one, then ask God, if He allows you to do so. The bottom line is, it is all the Heart that matters..Ask guidance from the Lord Jesus Christ, that is why he came to earth, for us to have a direct communication with Him..God bless us all…
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:36 am
I have been reading your articles on various subjects, make-up, jewelry, women wearing pants, dyeing of hair etc. Do you have any articles on women not to cut their hair?
thanks for your response
Jim
December 7th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Does the Bible Say it’s Wrong for Women to Cut their Hair?
http://www.actseighteen.com/articles/uncuthair.htm
December 7th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Wow !
I had no idea the simple subject of dying ones hair would have so many different responses. I dotn think dying your hair is a deal breaker with God. I’m dying a chunk of my hair pink to prove that point in my church. It may turn some people away from Christ but it may turn some people towards him I strongly doubt the 1st option. I think the main thing with any form of self expression is to always be led by the spirit and to do it with good intentions in your heat. There are people out there who look “the part”, who look “holy” but have an evil heart. There are people out there who may have tattoos all over their body and peircings and still serve God with all their heart, mind and body.
December 29th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Josh, in reading your article and noticing your site is called whyileft.org I’m assuming you’re refering to the fact that you left being apostolic and perhaps even the UPC. This is the first time I have come across your website so I don’t know too much about where you’re coming from. However, I really question whether you were ever truly part of the UPC or just dabbled around. I base that on the fact that you say you “cannot find any official UPC position about it.” If you had really been part of the UPC you would have known about a position paper dated September 25, 1977 called “Holiness”. Under the subheading of “Holiness and Makeup” you would have found this statement:
“Today’s Western society reveals a desire for a synthetic appearance; dye for the hair, paint for the face, mascara and liner for the eyes, and other forms of make-up create artificiality rather than reality. These practices are not new, for Queen Jezebel, whose very image speaks of rebellion and opposition to all that is godly and Christ-like, used facial paint and other make-up in her vanity to attract the attention of men: ‘And when Jehu was come to Jesreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out a window’ (II Kings 9:30.”
That subsection goes on to give scripture references from both Old and New Testaments to support the position. This is an actual excerpt from a Position Paper that has been in the UPC Manual since 1977. I don’t think you looked very hard for the position of the United Pentecostal Church.
A few other things I would like to point out. You say that your last UPC pastor used Matthew 5:36 as the basis of his teaching. I didn’t hear the whole sermon and you didn’t give it to us so we don’t really know the entire context nor other scriptural texts taht he used. But my question is, if Jesus said “…thou canst not make one hair white or black” could it be that those who dye their hair are trying to prove Jesus wrong? i.e. “Oh yes I can, Jesus! Watch this! See! I can turn my white hair black. I can turn my black hair white. I can even turn it pink, blue, green or any other color I want to! You lied, Jesus!”
You quoted from Nelson’s “Bible Manners and Customs” but by doing so you only proved three things. First, that Paul would have noticed worldly, pagan, ungodly men with their hair dyed. Secondly, that dying hair was “fashionable” which is simply another way of saying “worldly”. And third, that it was certainly not a practice of Paul or any of the other apostles. As Christians we are not to be conformed to this world. We are “built upon the foundation of the apostles” and I don’t see the apostles living by the priciples that condone make-up on any part of the body whether it is the eyes, face, or hair.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord, not the world, not our foolish vanity and pride, not our insecurities and fears of rejection from the world that thinks we look “old” with gray hair. No, we will do everything possible to live holy and godly in this present world, including keeping the paint out of our hair.
A couple of other
December 30th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Hi Luke, I appreciate your comments. I always welcome people sharing their views, whether or not they agree with mine.
It seems that you have done your research on some topics very well. I’d like to request that you do similar research on me, by at least reading the “About” and “My Story” sections of this Web site, before you doubt whether I was every really part of the UPC. (I was never an official member of the UPC, but I have never been an official member of any organization. I did attend UPC churches regularly for 11 years though. As a matter of fact, I was raised Oneness-holiness Pentecostal, and only attended Oneness-holiness churches until I was 26 years old. So I did not “dabble” in the UPC. I preached behind UPC pulpits, was baptized in Jesus’ Name, spoke in tongues, obeyed the standards, etc etc etc.)
I have no problem with you attacking my views, but I do have a problem with you attacking me as a person–especially when it’s obvious that you haven’t even bothered to read the introductory material on this Web site.
I normally delete comments that are a direct attack on another person, but since yours were directed at me I will let your post remain. I’ve got thick skin. Especially after running this Web site for 3 years =). But in the future please refrain to commenting on the material. Attacks on other people will not be tolerated.
Also, thank you for the information about the official UPC view on this subject. I don’t claim to be familiar with every position paper the UPC or other holiness / Oneness organizations have published. The fact that I did not find an official position paper (written over 30 years ago) when I did my research does not negate the fact that I did do research. Additionally, the fact that an official UPC position exists does not in any way negate the comments that I made on the subject. So again, please remember to attack the message and not the messenger.
Please feel free to post your views on any material on this Web site. I welcome comments from all points of view. My goal is to promote thought, not to squelch opposing view points. But keep your comments isolated to the material, not to the person writing the material (whether it be my articles or other peoples’ comments).
Thanks,
Josh Spiers
December 30th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Josh,
Sorry. You call that an attack? I admitted right up front that I had just run across your site and didn’t know exactly where you were coming from. Secondly, I was only answering the claims and charges you were making and dealing with the sources you quoted. How is that an attack? You admit that I am right when you say you were “never an official member of the UPC…” If you preached behind UPC pulpits it must have been by the tolerance and kindness of UPC pastors that let an unlicensed young man do so. They must have loved you and seen potential in you. I’m not attacking or criticizing you, I just questioned the depth of your experience with the UPC. If that is attacking you, I apologize. I promise you I will thoroughly familiarize myself with your story.
I feel like I need to start a website called whyicameback.org. My parents backslid over holiness standards when I was 11 years old. They left the UPC, plunged our family into worldliness, divorce and disintigration, set me on a course for dropping out of high school, drug abuse, agnosticism, and a whole litany of lawless behavior. All because my mom wanted to quibble about her hair and jewelry? Tell me that makes sense! Finally, at the age of 26, at the age you left, I came back to a place of sanity, righteousness, truth and godliness. A place where I could put my feet on solid ground. Holiness standards are no problem for me. They’re sure a lot better than the standards of the world I lived by. I’ve been astounded over the years as I have watched people leave the Church over things like this. I can’t comprehend the attitude that says, “What’s wrong with dying your hair? (or any other holiness standard). My question would rather be, “What’s wrong with NOT dying your hair?” “What’s wrong with NOT doing drugs?” “What’s wrong with NOT drinking alcohol?” “What’s wrong with NOT wearing make-up?” What’s wrong with NOT wearing jewelry?” Its the same principle as people who ask, “Do I have to get the Holy Ghost?” Who wouldn’t want it?! Why would any man or woman feel so bound by the rules and restrictions of this world and the world’s standards of beauty and fashion? Is there something wrong with being a REAL Christian rather than a synthetic, artificial one?
I don’t know, maybe I’m just silly, but I can’t imagine Mary, Martha, Joanna, Sarah or any godly woman worrying about dying their hair. I can easily imagine Mary Magdalene feeling liberated by the fact that she no longer had to put on her make up to attract men. And that’s another thing. What kind of men are attracted to phony, synthetic, made-up, dyed-up women?
Finally, not to attack you, but although the position paper of the UPC that I alluded to was written over 30 years ago, once any position paper is adopted by the UPC it is printed every year in the updated UPC Manual. The 2010 edition of the UPC Manual has just been printed and distributed and it includes, as it has since the 1978 edition, this position paper. I wasn’t suggesting that you would have to research information from 30 years ago. It is as current today as it was then. It hasn’t ever been removed or unpublished for the past 32 editions.
I appreciate this discussion and am grateful you have allowed me to present a viewpoint that I hope may be helpful to a better understanding of the matter at hand.
Luke
December 31st, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Hey Luke, I appreciate your response. If my response to you seemed a bit harsh then I apologize. I truly do. There are two reasons that I responded to your original comment the way that I did.
The first reason is that I get very frustrated with people making assumptions about why I left the UPC–especially when I have made my reasons abundantly clear on the main pages of this site. These assumptions usually come in 3 forms: A) I left over holiness standards, B) I left out of rebellion and/or deception, and C) I don’t *really* understand the truth, and if I did then I never would have left. (I did not leave for any of those reasons, by the way.) I interpreted your comments in the “C” category, and if you did not intend them that way then I apologize. I hope that you can accept my apology if I sounded harsh in my response to you.
The second reason is that I have little tolerance for ad hominem attacks (attacks directed at the individual presenting the argument, instead of at the argument itself). I took several of your comments in that way. If they weren’t intended in that way then I apologize.
As far as position papers go, my information on UPC doctrine comes from official UPC Web sites. When I perused those I did not find any reference to women dying their hair. If it was there then I missed it. Either way, it doesn’t matter. I wrote this article with the assumption that the doctrine about not dying hair was not an official doctrine. If it is, then the points that I made are still the same.
Now, Luke, you’ve placed me in an interesting dilemma. I’ve been thinking about it since yesterday. You see, I make it a point to never debate in these comments. I like to let people voice their opinions and go on their way. Yesterday I was thinking that I made a mistake by responding to your comments at all, because I had the feeling it would lead to a debate. Now I’m glad that I did.
You see, I have been searching for someone for about two years now who would hold an open, honest debate with me in written form, and allow it to be published on this Web site. I think that sort of debate would be very beneficial to everyone who visits this site. I would like to ask you to pray about it, and if you would be interested in holding a written debate and publishing it here, then let me know through email at jmspiers@gmail.com and we’ll set out the terms.
Just to clarify, when I say “debate” I don’t mean “argument.” There are always plenty of people who are willing to argue :). You strike me as the type of person who is more interested in truth then you are in arguing. I think it could make for a very good debate that would benefit everyone who visits this site.
Please pray about it and let me know. Oh, and also please visit the following links so you can know exactly where I’m coming from before you make your decision :)
* About (info on who I am & what this site is about)
– http://www.whyileft.org/about/
* My Story (my testimony)
– http://www.whyileft.org/my-story/
* An Important Note On Terms (UPC, Oneness Pentecostal, Apostolic, etc)
– http://www.whyileft.org/an-important-note-on-terms
In Christ,
– Josh S.
January 25th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Josh,
I’ll pray about it. I’m just not sure it will be that profitable. Seems to be one of those “doubtful disputations” the Bible talks about. My feeling is that it is so simple that some people just get it and some don’t, mainly because they don’t want to.
Luke
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:19 pm
(To Shane 3/2009) Dying The Hair
I am also a “Christain” and i am so happy to be a “goody goody”if that is what you call Christian’s who are filled with the Holy Spirit. knowing that i belong to Jesus Christ and that i associate with no worldliness.In my oppinion “Rock Music” does not belong in Church Service’s or in a Person Professing that they are Filled with the Holy Spirit. Over the year’s Jesus has filled so many People with His HOLY SPIRIT but they go on living their live’s as before.Nothing has changed Concerning the Place’s they go ,the way they Dress, the Company that they keep, the way they Talk concerning Cursing and 0ther Bad Language that they Use. I have to ask ,how do you know that you will be laughed at if you go in a Bar wearing Slacks and Suspenders to Preach the word of God? Speaking for my self the Holy Spirit will not let me go into no Bar, or Night Club or any Restaurant that sell’s Alcoholic Drink’s. I was with my Daughter and Son In Law a few years ago and we stopped to get something to eat at a place that sold Alcoholic Drinks. The Restaurant had a lighted sign in the window saying that they sold beer . I felt so condemned that i could not go in .We went somewhere else. I am saying that for me . That has happened to me a couple of other times. I could not go in, being led by the Holy Spirit. If you feel lead by the Lord to go in those kind of place,s, Well that is you. Are you saying that you “dye” your hair “green” or “purple” to fit in with the worldly people in the Bar’s that you go into to preach the Gospel to? I can’t help but wonder if the Apostle’s dyed their hair a different color when they went about Preaching the Gospel to Sinner’s. I don’t think so. I think that i am safe in saying that i don’t think Jesus changed the color of his hair or appearance when he went about Preaching to Sinner’s. I think that it is wrong for you to speak against the Southern Baptist Preacher’s calling them “Bible Thumping Suit Wearing Southern Baptist Preacher’s.” I don’t think that any of the Southern Baptist Preacher’s would come out against you if you came into their Church wearing Blue Jean’s and a shirt.
2 CORINTHIAN’S 6:14-18
May 5th, 2010 at 10:53 am
*NeNe*….responding to what you said:
I am firm believer in living good old fashion holiness. I grow my hair long, and I wear skirts. HOWEVER, that does not mean I look “scroungy”. I look just as put together as the next woman, only more modestly dressed. I wash my hair daily, I comb it, I style it. I wear clothes that FIT me, and skirts that are up-to-date. I believe in modest apparel. I believe in covering up your body. And I also believe in seperation from the world. if I went out tomorrow and had my hair cut and colored according to todays latest fasion, then that makes me OF THIS WORLD, and not seperated. Don’t judge a group of people by a few’s examples. Most holiness women that I know are very clean and presentable.
June 11th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Steve the bible does not say it’s wrong for a women to cut her hair, but it does say “but if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering” 1st Corinthians 11:15. So I say go ahead cut it, style it, look good, just don’t cut it all off.
To Amber, you go gurl with your SANTIFIED self. Holiness had better stand for something or they will fall for anything. John 1:10 says He (Jesus) was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him NOT. You STAND!!!
June 13th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Amber, the term “of this world” is not singling out our clothing. Facebook has become the growing #1 reason for divorce according to attorneys but we are all on facebook. So in saying that, being on facebook could be considered “being of this world” since technology is starting to decay the family unit are we going to tell people its a sin now to be on their computers and social websites? No, because we expect people to use common sense. Just because a person dresses holy doesnt mean they are not conforming to the world in another area of their life, and every person who doesnt have the same convictions as you isnt “living of this world” and may have a stronger conviction in another area than you do. I heard a saying if Satan couldnt tear us apart by making us worse he will tear us apart by making us better. Just something to think about?
June 13th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
In response to Tanya about dying her hair, you are only 24 and not going gray yet so when you reach your 40′s and begin going gray lets see how you feel about dying your hair than. When I was 24 it wasnt a big issue either but I dont feel like it is my pastors say to tell me i have to go gray because that is between me, my husband and God since the Bible clearly does not say its a sin unless it becomes a spirit of vanity, and our clothes can make us vain.
June 30th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
I cant imagine Peter, James and Paul worrying about the latest I phone or I Pad either but those issues arent preached against. Mary and martha wouldnt be worrying about their next pedicure or manicure either but those things arent preached against. Really??
July 14th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
josh, i was looking for comments on the hair and found your site.i think this type of site is healthy.i’ll get to the meat of my comment as regarding the hair dying,cutting,etc (two things)#1 christ said “if you love me”keep my commandments.we submit to Godly standards because we love God not because its forced on us.
#2 (UNITY)example: when i got saved i ignoriantly tried to hug one of the sisters i was told that the brothers didnt hug the sisters they only shook their hands because they taught that it gave place to the devil to use the flesh.my fleshed wanted to rebell and gave excuses for not wanting to submit but the holy ghost spoke to me and said “can you fit in with the body of christ” i loved God so, i submitted it from the heart and after i submitted it then God opened my eyes to it.
conclusion:sanctification takes the rebellion out of the heart of man and makes him fit with the body of christ. whether its hair dying, cutting,modesty “not my will lord but thy will be donei in earth(our earthen vessell)as it is in heaven.please respond!
July 16th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
There are many wonderful saints who make up the body of Christ. And only a portion of them are “holiness”. It is not rebellion to live by the convictions God has placed on your heart. I lived the outward standards for over 10 years but when I searched God’s word, I realized through study and prayer that there simply was no Biblical foundation for many of the outward standards that had been taught to me as heaven or hell issues. I don’t take this lightly. I have sought God about my decisions.
Isn’t it sad that in a lost and dying world, we have to be consumed with looking the part in order to fit in and be used!! Modesty and moderation are Biblical. Loving your brother and your sister is Biblical. It doesn’t say only show them love if they look just like you do. God help us to see the bigger picture and help us not be modern day Pharisees!! I would hate to stand before the Lord one day and have him say that because of my haughty spirit, a sinner never gave his heart to the Lord!
July 17th, 2010 at 12:27 am
Crystal, thanks for writing such a wonderful post. I’ll let Bro. Howard take your post as my response =). You essentially said the same thing that I was going to say. I couldn’t have said it better myself!
It’s impossible to follow the rules of every Christian group. That’s definitely not unity! Unity is what Paul wrote in Romans 14:
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written:
‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will confess to God.’
So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way. As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
(Romans 14:1-19 NIV)
There are times when I do not do things that I consider “lawful” because I do not want to offend a brother or sister in Christ. For example, when I am visiting my former UPC/ALJC churches I will always wear long pants and remove my leather bracelet and necklace. I don’t have to do that, but I don’t see any reason to stir up a fuss. I fear they would find it deliberately offensive, and I do not want to offend.
BUT my brothers and sisters in Christ also have the responsibility of not judging me when we disagree over things like a pair of shorts or a leather bracelet. Our master is God, He’s the One to whom we will give an account, and we will stand for He is able to make us stand =)
- Josh S.
July 28th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Hi Josh. I was looking online for stuff in the bible that talks about a woman cutting or trimming her hair. Could you help me out? Thanks so much. God bless. Wonderful work. Im an Apostolic Pentecostal thats why Im searching for that info.
July 28th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Just as he states on this site that he will not go by man made laws… I think it’s odd that he is making his own laws on what he believes is the correct answer. Please read the bible for yourself. Don’t reach out for the help of someone who is out to “bash” a former church & their beliefs & twist the word of God around!
(original content left untouched, but name of poster changed from “To Heather” to “A Humble Servant,” which is the name the poster used in two of their other posts)
A Humble Servant, you have posted 4 times under 3 different names. In one of your posts you accused me of never having an experience (referring to receiving the Holy Spirit, I presume). In another of your posts you accused me of making my own laws. In another of your posts you chastised me for even making this Web site.
I believe you have made your point clear.
Everyone is free to post their views on this Web site. However, I must ask you to respect the fact that others might not agree with you and some people might even ask me questions. When that happens I ask you to refrain from discouraging them or making accusations against me.
My reasons for making this Web site were originally to answer the questions that my friends and family members had for me. Nothing less, nothing more (that information is found on the “About” page: http://www.whyileft.org/about). I encourage you to read My Story; that might clarify your views of my motives: http://www.whyileft.org/my-story/.
You obviously feel very strongly that I am leading people astray. I respect that. 5 years ago I would have felt the same way about a Web site like this. But that does not excuse comments with baseless accusations.
Thank you for your understanding =)
- Josh S.
July 29th, 2010 at 8:32 am
Heather, I’ll be happy to answer your question about cutting and trimming hair to the best of my ability! Unfortunately work will be pretty busy today and tomorrow so it will be the weekend before I can reply.
The question about cut hair is by FAR the number one question that people ask me. I have been planning an article on the subject for some time. I will make it a goal to go ahead and post that article this Saturday or Sunday for you and for the others who have asked =)
God bless!
- Josh S.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:12 am
I am not putting my name on here, as I do not want to put my name on an open website – due to all the craziness these days! I never once put a “fake” name on this site – where it ask for a name, I put the subject reference, instead. I understand you wanting to answer questions for friends and family members over your decision to leave UPC, but why make a WEBSITE about it?!? Could you not have left your church in a humble way and pray if you truly felt their beliefs were not right?! Do you think that is “Christ-like”?! I believe we should be peace-makers. You are pretty much “bashing” pentecostal beliefs on this site! It is truly sad. Why can you say how you feel on here, but when somone disagrees you seem to make a fuss over it?!? Just asking…not arguing. ;) Why can you give people your advice, but when others try to, you say to “refrain from discouraging” them. Maybe…just maybe…you are leading souls to a worlds point of view, therefore, why can’t we – the “pentecostals” put our view in?!? Since, after all, this site is pretty much bashing us! Just a little bit of info… I am NOT a UPC member! I am, however, a pentecostal girl. I did not grow up this way. I acutally converted 3 yrs ago at the age of 23. Therefore, I was not raised &/or brainwashed with pentecostal beliefs! My life has taken a complete transformation! It’s been awesome, to say the least!
P.S. ~ I wasn’t saying that you have never had an experience with the Holy Ghost. I was saying people in general who say they do not believe in speaking in tongues, obviously has never received the gift of speaking in tongues, through the Holy Ghost.
August 10th, 2010 at 8:45 am
as i was reading different view points on the subject of cutting or dying
your hair i wanted to let you know what the bible says about these things.
1 timothy says In like manner also that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair
or gold, or pearls, or costly array. When we repent and start bring fruit
worthty or repentenace and get filled with the Holy Ghost it will guide us
into all truth. People don’t realize that any thing that we try to change
about what God has given us is adorning ourselves. God is the one that
made us. We didn’t come out with dyed hair, permed hair, our face painted up. But to get away from doing these things only comes by the
true love that you have for Jesus. The bible tells us to walk in the spirit
and we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Because you see all these things
please the flesh and not the spirit. Yes, I was a person that love the things
of the flesh but when I was filled the with the Holy Ghost My eyes were
open. When we go to doing things to our bodys to make ourselves look
better, we start drawing other people attention to us. With women it starts
the men to notice them. And could even cause them to lust. So that
will make there blood upon their hands. All that this really boils down to
is how much that you truely love God. The bible says for us To work out
our own salvation with fear and trembling. The sad thing about that noone
fears anymore. Anything goes. Someone wrote about women looking
scrabby. (I think that is the word they used). The bible says that John the
Baptist came out of the wilderness eating locust and wild honey. Do you
think he was a pleasent sight to see. No, but he looked how God had made
him. When you really fall in love with Jesus you will lay your treasures up
in heaven were rust and moth does not corrupt.(In your heart is heaven)
Not on earth (your flesh) were rust and moth does corrupt. Flesh cannot
please God. Only in the spirit. And on long hair. Jesus says a women long
hair is her glory. There is a reason that he put long and not just hair.
Because when I first read that scripture I didn’t catch the word long. I
thought it said a womens hair is her glory. So I always felt if my hair looked good I felt good. Then one day I caught the long hair and then
I had to start doing it. My flesh doesn’t like doing anything that Gods word
tells me to. But I have to do it to make it to heaven. It was also put in
the bible how mary magalene wash Jesus feet with tears and dried them
with her HAIR. Today if Jesus come to us would we be able to do this.
we should not be asking man or women if these things are right or wrong
we should ask God. Because the bible says If any of you lack wisdom
let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and
it shall be given him. So we must remember no matter what i think or
you thing it is what God says.
God
September 12th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
hey guys,
Our bodies are temples of holy ghost 1cor 6:19. Tatoos, dying hair, plastic surgeries make our bodies to look good outside for a non believer, but not in the sight of God. Thats y bible says that love not the world neither the things that are in the world. Those who love the world the love of father is not in him. Our focus should not be on the mortal body but for the immortal one. And also bible also says that those who destroys the body with corruptible things him God will destroy. So be careful and always do what is right in the sight of God.
I hope this helps
September 13th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Phinehas,
1 Cor. 6:19 and the corresponding command to “honor God with your body” relates to morality, not to a dress code. Here is the passage in context:
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Cor. 6:18-20).
If we say that the passage refers to a dress code and dyed hair and tattoos then that makes the passage into something it was never intended to be. As a matter of fact, if we go that route then we could come up with the exact opposite conclusion. I could conclude that my body is the temple of God, so He wants it to look nice, so I should dump all of my money into having plastic surgery and perfect hair and teeth and clothes and everything else!
Now, you might say that I would be severely distorting Scripture to draw that conclusion, and you would be right. But I respectfully say that you are just as severely distorting Scripture by taking 1 Cor. 6:19 out of context and trying to apply it to a whole range of things that the author never intended (I.e., tattoos and dyed hair).
Am I against tattoos? No. Am I against dyed hair? No. Am I against plastic surgery? No–just like I’m not against get braces to make your teeth straight or using teeth whitener and tanning beds (why should we bash one but support the others?).
I do believe that our focus should be on the inner person and not external appearance, but that does not mean that doing anything to make ourselves look nice or in fashion is wrong! Am I going to go buy $1,000 suits and $400 shirts? No. On my income that would be lavish and very unacceptable (although it might be acceptable to someone who makes far more money than me). But will I buy a suit for a job interview or for special occasions? Absolutely! It is possible and acceptable to look nice without going to extremes.
I hope that helps =)
God bless,
- Josh S.
October 13th, 2010 at 10:05 am
I happened upon this post, which is unusual for me as I’m rarely online, but when I saw this, it intrigued me as I’ve been talking to a woman about this very same thing.
2 points:
Long – “long” as mentioned in I Cor 11:15 – In the Strongs Exhaustive Concordane w/the Vine’s Dictionary…the greek word is komao which means to “let the hair grow long”. Once you cut something (even trimming) the portion you have cut is no longer growing, so women should let their hair grow long.
Dyeing Hair – This is an area I struggled with, too. Being raised apostolic I was never taught about dyeing hair so much, but more about it was wrong to wear makeup. Never got any scriptures that really made sense to me, but was just told not to do it. Once I committed myself to serving God, He answered this for me. I have a great testimony about this which you can read at http://www.whiteriverupc.org/testimonies
The scripture that God gave me was Jude 8. Look up the word “defile” in this scripture using the same concordance I noted above…”defile” means to “stain, tinge or dye with another color”! REMEMBER, Man never revealed this to me, God did!
“Someone who loves Jesus” hit the nail right on the head. If there is something you do not know the answer for and if you REALLY want to know, take it to God and He WILL reveal His perfect truth to you!
I do hope this helps someone in their search for truth…The truth of God, not the truth of man.
October 20th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Apostolic believer,
I read your testimony because I am interested in the same things you wrote about! I have a few points to make about the issue of dyed hair:
Many times when the word “defiled” is used in the Bible, it is referring to fornication. The administrator has referred to this in previous posts about defiling the temple. I have looked up other translations of Jude 8 and none of them use the word “tint” in place of “defile”.
I looked this up in the Strong concordance and found that there was a secondary meaning to the word “defile” in this same passage, which was “to pollute, sully, contaminate, soil, to defile with sins”.
The same exact form of “defile” is found in Titus 1:15: Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
In this same concordance, “filthy dreamers” in that verse is translated “to be beguiled with sensual images and carried away to an impious course of conduct”.
It would make sense to me that this verse is referring more to immoral living, which God commands against in other scriptures, and not tinting the body, as some might suggest.
Like many others here, I am just looking to do God’s will and not add or take away anything from His word and I am searching the scriptures for the real truth. Thank you, Josh, for this site and for the opportunity to research these important topics.
November 6th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Apostolic Believer:
I appreciate you commenting!
I would like to point out one thing:
You truncated the definition of komao, thereby making it seem that the definition means “uncut hair.” The full definition of the word (according to Vine’s) is, “to let the hair grow long, to wear long hair.”
It would be improper to interpret the Greek word “komao” as meaning uncut hair. As a man with short hair I can attest that I have to cut it every couple of weeks to keep it short. The portions that I cut don’t stop growing. They keep growing, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, just as they would if I never cut my hair. That’s why I have to keep cutting it!
There is nothing in 1 Cor. 11 that says “long” means “uncut.” The relationship just doesn’t exist. We can delve into the Greek all day long but the answer will remain the same: “Long” hair does not mean “uncut” hair. It never did, and it never will. The two are never tied together by Paul.
NOTE: I am replying to the issue of long hair because you brought it up, and I felt the need to set the record straight about the meaning of “komao.” However, this thread is about the dying of hair, not the cutting of hair, so let’s all try to keep it on topic =)
Reese:
I agree with your conclusions. The Bible says nothing against the dying of hair. It’s just not there. That’s why people have to resort to Scriptural manipulation to try to make the Scriptural texts say things that they do not.
Thanks to both of you for your input!
God bless,
- Josh S.
December 30th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
So i have a totally serious question. I have dyed my hair with chemicals in the past. When i read some in the Bible as a personal conviction i stopped and the trimming etc. So I started loosing tons of hair and my health was failing. I went to the doctor and he diagnosed me with a severe case of seborrheic dermatitis aka dandruff to the extreme and aka cradle cap. It made my hair turn white and fall out im 23. So the doctor prescribed a treatment of shamppoo and vitamins. Well the vitamins helped my health problem and the shampoo took care of the itchy flaky stuffs. So its been 2 months later and my hair is still weak and brittle and turning white (from the fungus killing it ) and falling out. I found this product called Henna ( lawsonia) which has no chemicals in it all organic and natural. however it aside from it being an herb that kills the fungus I have and making your hair strong and healthy even mending split ends, it dyes your hair when you use it. I am dark headed naturally and it makes your hair a little mermaid red. I was wondering what are the views on this because I am not dying for a vanity reason it is for medical. Also you can mix the herb with another herb called indigo (stuff that dyes blue jeans ) to make the hair color “natural” like black or brown etc. Do you think that using the henna medically should i try to mask it to my natural with the other herb or just roll with the red color because I really don’t care if it’s dyed , i’m just trying to save what hair I have left. I tis my glory after all and I’m stuck here please help =p thanks
December 31st, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Tiffany,
It sounds like you’re going through quite an ordeal. My Mom has pretty bad psoriasis so I’ve seen first hand how miserable conditions like that can make a person. She was eventually able to find a solution that alleviated most of her symptoms, and I pray that you will be able to do the same.
As far as the dying of the hair goes, there is nothing wrong with that, regardless of your reasons for doing it. There is simply nothing in the Bible that says, or even hints, that it is wrong.
God bless,
- Josh S.
January 9th, 2011 at 4:31 am
I recently wrote an article of my scalp issues and glad to say that this natural herb did infact take care of it , even more spectacular is that when i “dyed” it with the herb it came out fire red. I prayed for God to make it more natural (which i had red tones anyways) and he did. It darkened way ore than its supposed to into a reddish brown. =D
I still don’t like the fact of the color altering but – this did mend some split ends and it did take care of my hair falling out. It killed the fungus on the shaft of the hair and with vitamin B complex i have healthy hair again! It doesn’t itch and it feels restored.
I seen another lady use it on a tutorial for Appo hiar styles – and i thought wow she might have the same thing. So i still have a personal convitction about using it for dye – but just to tell ppl it really did work for me and i used the 100% i heard teh chemical “henna” does not work for it – and don’t use dandruff shampoo from doctor it makes the hair stay green ,oh noes =o
Thanks Josh for letting me post this hopefully it helps someone else !
January 9th, 2011 at 6:03 am
Tiffany, thanks for the update, and praise God for leading you to the right solution!
In Christ,
- Josh S.
January 14th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Shane,
AMEN! I am a baby Christian, I was saved on January 2nd! The girl that introduced me to Christianity was humble and able to get down on my level and relate to me as a human being. Without her I would never be where I am today. Love the Lord with all of your heart. Keep rockin’.
-Emily
February 25th, 2011 at 7:22 pm
I believe it it what a man’s inside appearance which truly says where he is in life. I have been a Christian for many years and I tend to like to color my hair. I’ve had it purple, red, orange, and blue from various times. I do it because it is who I am, but I am filled with the Holy Spirit and profess the name of the Lord always
Different people have different doctrines about how to teach the Bible and what it explicitly says. But when the Holy Spirit starts to convict you for what you are doing, then at that time it becomes wrong.
On a side tangent, I will go off on how some say that poker is wrong because it is gambling ( well in a since it’s a game of skill, but there is some gambles that go on) based on the soldiers drawing lots for the tunic. But did not the apostles draw lots to see who would replace Judas as an apostle? What about in Joshua after they lost the battle if Ai, the drew lots to see who was to blame, and the same way in Jonah?
Not to hijack this to go off in another direction, but only merely as an example of if it is right or wrong. Just because someone wants to be different does not mean they are filled with the love of the Lord.
You can go to my website to see some of the things the Lord has done for me. It is a blog with commentary from Bible scripture. I know the Lord has given me the gift of writing, and I want to fully use it to glorify the Lord. No matter who you are remember James 1:17 say “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
God bless you in all you do
Jonathan
April 12th, 2011 at 3:03 am
I do not believe that anybody has the right to judge anyone for their beliefs and/or personal convictions. I am an apostolic pentecostal. I wear skirts, I don’t cut/dye my hair, I don’t wear makeup, i don’t wear pants, etc.. never have. When i turned 18 i thought i was too cool for church, but in the few years that i was in and out of church; not one time (though things were available to me or offered) did i feel like it was okay to cut my hair, dye my hair, wear makeup, wear pants, wear jewelry, smoke a cigarette, take a drink. There were sooo many times i was tempted but something grabbed at my heart so strongly, and i would cry myself to sleep that night for even thinking i could have gone through with any of that. I don’t need to search the bible for those things or argue with people about it, it is as clear as day that I am to live the way I am convicted to live. I do not condemn or judge people that do not believe like i do, i do try to show (those who ask) what is in the bible and what is in my heart. I am in no way claiming to be perfect but i strongly believe that God will direct/convict/guide “whosoever will”. God knows who is sincere and who is not, and only the sincere/hungry will be shown the truth. I know this section was about dying hair etc but I wrote what i wrote because its all in the same to me.
Nor are these scriptures anything to do with dying hair, but all of this connects for me; especially after reading that 99.9% of the people on here are finding it hard to find/believe what the bible says about certain things. If you forget about what the world says and try not to break down the bible until you have completely lost yourself, you can just turn to God and find all of your answers through him. Those who get it, will get it.. those who don’t.. well they won’t. It’s all between you and God in the end.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. (Psalm 9:9-10)
May 12th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
Some people think this verse would prohibit women from wearing pants because pants have traditionally been worn by men. But, in light of the similarity of men’s and women’s clothing in Biblical times and the fact that pants were not worn by either sex at that time, that conclusion would be difficult to justify.
Mixed materials
There was also a prohibition against wearing clothes woven of wool and linen together:
Do not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together. (NIV, Deuteronomy 22:11)
Some times people look at the scriptures and do not take the time to research them, and I mean by the hebrew mostly greek trannslation times. It is sad to be judged on our appearences. Song of Solomon 1:10-11, NASB
“Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, Your neck with strings of beads. We will make for you ornaments of gold With beads of silver.”
There is also numerous scriptures of jewels being a good thing. just do not make this your worship. When I grew up in the upc, now I am a nondeominational christian, I heard woman can not have nail polish, lip gloss and cover up. Now as an adult I came back to God alittle over a year ago, well they now say its ok to wear coverup, and french manicures….not nail polish but…french manicures hmmm that is man made doctrines. Sooooo….its just sad. People are taking some scriptures and using some, twisting and changing it to what they want.
June 26th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
In my opinion, I don’t think that it is wrong to dye your hair. (Pointless info mine is fire red at the moment, I wanted change and a way to express myself without tattoos and piercing’s)
These arguments or debates always seem to get messy. Its the fight of the fittest in a way..I’m right you’re wrong..and vice versa. I guess everybody is entitled to their own opinions and you should respect that. What is ‘right’ for you isn’t necessarily right for the next person. The issue comes with the various ways people interpret the Bible and then you get a clash of views which then leads to the forced ‘feeding’ of that views. That said, I have a big issue with people taking Bible verses out of context just to suit them and their beliefs.
To comment on the post about mary and martha, obviously they wouldn’t worry about those things because their culture and ‘world’ was very different than ours to date. Mea, yet what if you cut your hair of for a good cause like a cancer marathon? Or what if you loose your hair because of an illness? Hmm.
We’re all fast to jump and judge, deciding what God will say. If your hair is purple…blue..black..mixed that isn’t our problem. We don’t know what is between you and God. I don’t think it is vain to take care of yourself or to love yourself (love by accepting who you are, strong and weak points and if you have a positive self concept).
I just always thought Jesus loved you for the ‘inside’. He knows your heart and why we do certain things. In the end, we’ll never be able to make everybody happy.
=]
June 26th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Sorry, didn’t see this post was archived. So that’s why I still commented :) (lol)
August 28th, 2011 at 1:07 am
Many say that the bible does not speak about abortion, but it does. One of the ten commandments says……..thy shall not kill. Abotion common sense kills destroys a human, so abortion is another word for kill.
August 28th, 2011 at 1:11 am
If I dye my hair to attract men, then it is a sin. If we color our hair for attention, lust, flirt…………….then it is a sin, otherwise its okay.
September 20th, 2011 at 6:11 pm
I am a 34 year old woman and I was raised in foster care all my life. When I was 18 years old I began going to a independent holiness church with a friend. I was saved and met my husband there and we were married when I turned 21. Anyway to make a long story short. I was never treated like one of them they shunned me and I was not allowed to do things in the church. I am a very modest woman I have long hair and I wear very modest makeup. I have always felt a call in my life to work with children but never given the opportunity. After 13 years of this . My husband and I decided to pull out and are now trying to find another church. A lot of times people just judge based on the outward and not the inward. I almost gave up on church because of the way I was treated. Oh by the way I forgot to mention my Father in law is the pastor of this church.
November 16th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
This is for the comment left about how dieing your hair is unnatural…and its living in the worlds desires because you are portraying a false identity,which is not you!!While your sitting on your computer which is very “worldly “” and allows sin to enter!!so u must get OFF YR COMPUTER OR CELL PHONE NOW!!if u want to stop living in the world
December 12th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
I came to this site seeking advice on what God would say about the little strip of blue I recently put into my hair, and all I really found was bickering of personal views.
I agree with the view that God knows my heart. He knows that I didn’t dye my hair for the purpose of vanity, or because I was ashamed of the brown hair God gave me, and he certainly knows that it’s not because I felt like rebelling… which is the current view my father chooses to have. I did it because I thought it would be fun, and because I didn’t think there would be so much debate about whether God is angry with me now or not.
To those who provided scripture for me to reflect on, thank you. I will certainly discuss this with my own pastor, pray about it and hope that God provides me with an answer less muddled with debate and passive aggression.
Oh and I am a pentecost as well, but my church is not a part of the UPC. We’re just a small church with a strong love for God and for one another. Anyway, I’m saying this for the 34 year old woman who put ‘Discouraged’ as their name. Please don’t let a corrupt church or lukewarm Christians stop you in your walk with God. It took my parents many years of prayer before we were finally blessed with the church we now go to. I will definitely pray for you as well.
God Bless.
January 26th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
Pls people stop worrying yourselves about dying your hair cutting etc. all that is needed is to follow the ten commandments. i think that’s what the lord wants us to do.