Discernment and the Church

Just a few words here today about a comment I recently received on one of our TV broadcasts that are on youtube. Maybe this will help someone here in some way, I don't know; but it is certain that some understanding is desperately needed in a lot of sects within the body of Christ. Anyway, the comment was about my son Elisha who does the broadcasts with me, playing gospel music. Many of you have seen him on the clips I post sometimes here on facebook, and the issue is that he has hair that is a little short of shoulder length. Here is what the man had to say: "1 Co 11:14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, I don't mean to offend you, just reminding you; God bless you both." Okay, I've been in Christ for 32 years and have been around a lot of dear brothers and sisters who are part of many Pentecostal affiliations, so I am fully aware of this kind of mindset, usually found in "apostolic" circles. So what about this? What is the truth of the matter? Well, that is what I intend to set forth here, so bear with me. And the only reason I will bother with this is that many children of God are hindered by these kinds of petty things. I may as well go ahead and quote the passage he mentioned, especially seeing he did not quote it accurately to begin with: "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... 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 [congregations] of God" (I Cor. 11:6-10,14-16). I didn't quote the entire passage but I have referenced the verses that matter to the whole issue. So a woman's hair is given to her for a covering, and it is a glory to her (vs. 15). Not only so, but it is a sign of her being under authority to the man ["power" - vs. 10]. And it is true that because of these things, it is more comely that a woman's hair is of sufficient length, and longer than a man's hair (vs. 15). And if she is going to wear her hair really short, she may as well shave it off, because it is a dishonor to do so (vs. 6). And by the same token, if a man has hair that is too long it is a dishonor to him (vs. 14). Now that is the crux of the issue, and I would like to point out the confusion of the thinking of those who hawk these kinds of issues. First of all, almost all of the sects that have these hair ordinances, also set forth that a woman cannot cut her hair at any time. And if they do not uphold that commandment, then they believe that a woman must have hair close to waist length. I've actually seen hair on women literally to the feet, and I don't have a problem with that if it is what someone feels like doing.

The real problem and the hypocrisy of the issue is this: If a woman's hair is supposed to be long for a "covering," and long means close to the waist, or never cut at all, which is usually the case; then how is a man's hair "long" if it is shoulder length or less? Uh-huhhhh. See what I mean? It is just a judgmental commandment of men that carries a condemning spirit that doesn't make any sense at all. Not to mention that almost invariably, where these hair laws are upheld, the women wear their "covering" up in a bun on top of their head, and thus leave their head "uncovered." Also any woman with my son's hair length would be condemned by these sects, so how is his hair "long"? And the verse in that passage that is always overlooked by these "hair police" is the last one that the apostle had to say on the matter: "But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the [congregations] of God" (vs. 16). So Paul was saying that if someone wanted to make an issue of the hair matter, just let them know that we do not have any commandment or custom on the issue. And that is the edifying stance because that is the only mindset that cuts out contention and strife regarding a carnal matter that does not determine anything about someone's hope of salvation. Now a couple of interesting points that I can add about the particular comment that was left for me on youtube, are these: One of the most notable men of God since the apostles, who lived in the 20th century, was commissioned for his ministry by an angel, which angel also visited him on a regular basis. In fact I have even been told personally by the son of this man of God how that he was allowed once to see this angel that visited with his father. This angel, who when he first appeared to the man of God, stated, "Fear not, I am sent from the presence of almighty God." Anyway this angel was described both by the man of God and by his son who saw him, as being about six feet tall, around 200 pounds, with olive colored skin, and DARK HAIR TO HIS SHOULDERS. So if my son Elisha is so out of order, then why does God allow his messengers to get away with such dishonorable practices in heaven? Ironically, though not meaningful, the description of that angel perfectly describes my son, to the tee. Funny I think. And this same man of God, who was fabulously gifted with visions and experiences with God, also visited paradise toward the end of his life. Escorted by the angel, he saw a multitude of people whom he had led to Christ in their lifetimes. He said that they were all young, perfect, and beautiful. In fact the angel asked him about one of the beautiful young women, if he recognized her. The man of God said, "no." The angel then told him that the woman was above 90 years old when he had led her to Christ. My goodness, how I feel that down in my soul, don't you? But the point here is that the man of God described all of the women as having long hair to their waist, and all of the men as having hair TO THEIR SHOULDERS. So again my friend, we should not take it upon ourselves to define petty things like hair length, the way we personally want it to be; and then condemn those who do not fit that mode. I believe it to be much wiser and safer to heed the following admonition of the great apostle Paul: "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink [carnal things]; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in THESE THINGS serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" (Rom. 14:17-19). And as far as the hair issue goes: " But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the [congregations] of God." Amen.