Pastor Brad's 80s Christian Metal Guitar World-- Christianity Is it wrong for a man to have long hair? Guitar Jams     Christianity Index     Contact 1 Corinthians 11:14-16 "Isn't it obvious that it's disgraceful for a man to have long hair? 15  And isn't it obvious that long hair is a woman's pride and joy?  For it has been given to her as a covering.  16  But if anyone wants to argue about this, all I can say is that we have no other custom than this, and all the churches of God feel the same way about it." Okay, before we tackle this passage and attempt to get to the heart of what Paul is dealing with here, let me share a couple general thoughts with you… I love helping people grow in Jesus and BE FREE in Him!!!!!  Christ came to give us life (Jn. 10:10)!  He came to seek and save the lost (Lk. 19:10)!  He gave us truth to set us free (Jn. 8:32)!  He didn't come to bring condemnation-but rather salvation (Jn 3:16-17)! Jesus came to give us all these wonderful things-life, salvation, freedom.  Note, I said that JESUS gives those things… I.e. religion DOES NOT.  Friends, one of my missions in life is to set people free from RELIGION and encourage people to commit to living in RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS!  Rules don't breed life… they breed bondage.  Jesus IS… THE WAY… THE TRUTH… and THE LIFE. Do you know the difference between RELIGION and RELATIONSHIP?  Religion is spelled "do"… It's all about doing, doing, doing… check lists, reading programs, attending religious meetings and on and on and on…  And no matter how many religious things you do… you will AWLAYS lay your head on your pillow at night and think, "Oh man, I forgot to do that…." Or "Shoot, I screwed up there…" and you'll have no peace.  Religion is NEVER satisfied… there's always more to do, do, do, do… there is no REST in religion only WORK.  RELATIONSHIP, on the other hand, is spelled, "done".  When you acknowledge Christ as Lord and receive Him by faith as your Savior-you are forgiven (Col. 1:14)… you are justified (Rom. 5:1) … there is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1).  You can rest in that (Mt. 11:28).  WHY'D I SAY       ALL THAT STUFF              ON A PAGE THAT'S                       SUPPOSED TO BE                              ABOUT MEN                                           AND LONG                                          HAIR???? Because, it's a religious and legalistic mindset that reads passages like this one and uses them to beat people up!!!  One last thought before we set you free with what's really going on in this passage.  I would really encourage you to read my article on THE MEAN/MEANT RULE… it's an awesomely important principle of interpreting Scripture-if you will employ it, it will help you really understand Scripture and avoid a LOT of bondage and whacky teachings! OKAY… NOW, WHAT'S PAUL TALKING ABOUT HERE WITH THE LONG HAIR THING? I can't say it any better than the note in the NIV Life Application Bible… this is dead on! "In talking about head coverings and length of hair Paul is saying that believers should look and behave in ways that are honorable within their own culture.  In many cultures long hair on men is considered appropriate and masculine.  In Corinth it was thought to be a sign of male prostitution in pagan temples.  And women with short hair were labeled prostitutes.  Paul was saying that in Corinthian culture, Christian women should keep their hair long.  If short hair on women was a sign of prostitution, then a Christian woman with short hair would find it even more difficult to be a believable  witness for Jesus Christ.  Paul wasn't saying we should adopt all the practices of our culture, but that we should avoid appearances and behavior that detract  from our ultimate goal of being believable witnesses for Jesus Christ while demonstrating our Christian faith." The only thing I can add to that is-AMEN! Blessings, pb