In most churches nowadays, you won’t miss at least one member in the congregation having plaited their hair. It has become common to see Christians with extreme hairstyles in churches on Sundays. Despite the high number of Christians donning new and fancy hairstyles daily, some still have reservations about the same. The crucial question preventing them from taking this decision is, “is braiding hair a sin?”
Braiding hair is not a sin; however, it is discouraged in the Bible when Christians prioritize it over doing godly deeds. Some verses in the Bible have discouraged women from braiding their hair, especially when they place outward adornment before God.
Several questions have been lingering in the minds of concerned Christians. Is it wrong to braid my hair? Why does the Bible talk against the braiding of hair? Will I be sinning if I braid my hair? Can I braid my hair without sinning? These are some of the crucial questions Christians would like to be answered concerning the braiding of hair and Christianity. This article will answer these questions and more on braiding and Christianity.
What does the Bible say about braiding hair?
The bible verses about the braiding of hair discourage Christians from doing so while telling them the correct way of doing things. The verses have been used to convey how a model Christian should be, with the braiding of hair being discouraged. The following are the verses that speak about braiding.
In 1st Timothy 2:9-10 Christian women are encouraged to apply modesty in their appearance, and one requirement is avoiding hair braiding.
In 1st Peter 3:3-4, hair braiding is regarded as part of the outward appearance that does not please God. Therefore it is discouraged Christians from being encouraged to beautify their hearts, for that is what God looks at.
These two verses mention braiding directly and suggest God’s take on hair braiding. These two verses imply that God disapproves of braiding hair which only enhances outward beauty. He would seemingly prefer Christians to focus more on preparing their hearts for the chance to get to heaven.
What is the church’s take on braiding hair?
Different churches have got their different takes on the braiding of hair. Some churches that base their doctrines much on the scripture do not allow their congregants, especially women, to braid their hair. In these churches, the women are only allowed to keep their hair in the most natural way possible, while some even ask their women to cover their hair completely.
Other churches are more liberal when it comes to the braiding of hair. Some churches allow the braiding only when it is done in moderation, while others allow the extremes.
One side of the church focuses on the verses of the epistles where braiding is discouraged. The other side focuses on the book of 1st Samuel 16:7, where God says He focuses on the heart of the human rather than their outward appearance.
Does braiding hair have pagan roots?
Since the braiding of hair does not have its roots in Christianity, we can only assume that paganism could have brought about the culture of braiding hair. Ancient Egyptians, who happened to be pagans, have been documented as people who practiced braiding to enhance beauty.
Mummies preserved for many years have been found with braids, further proving that this has been part of their long-standing culture. Since God and its roots disapprove that it is not traced to Christianity, we can conclude that braiding might have its roots in paganism.
Why are Christians discouraged from braiding their hair?
Focus on outward appearance stunts the inward growth of a person. When a person focuses more on the outward appearance, the inward, which is the most important, is bound to suffer. This is because, as a Christian, you cannot serve two masters at once. You either focus on the inward appearance and please God or the outward appearance and please a man. It is more profitable to focus on the heart since it plays a key role in preparing humans for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Since God wants humans to portray themselves in ways that glorify Him, he has instructed us to what He would like us to appear. He has then spoken in the Epistle of Timothy of how He would like women to appear; with unbraided hair. That is the most acceptable way of appearing in front of God.
Braiding hair does not have its roots in Christianity. This means that it does not glorify God in any way. Anything that does not glorify God is discouraged in Christianity.
How can Christians style their hair without sinning?
Since braiding is unacceptable in the eyes of the Lord, we can assume that most extreme hairstyles are unpleasant to God. Therefore, the only style a Christian can be encouraged to put in their hair is allowing it to look as natural as possible. Since God dislikes braiding, representing different hairstyles, we can assume that God would like our hair to look as natural as He made it. That is the only sure style of hair someone can have without sinning.
Why is the Catholic Church not against braiding hair?
The Catholic Church is not against the braiding of hair and does not consider it a sin to braid as long as it is done in modesty. Although they allow for braiding, they encourage it to be moderate and decent enough for a model Christian woman who is tasked with portraying the image of Christ to the world and winning souls. They also allow for hair braiding if it helps one restore their original nature, for example, covering a scar on the head.
For as long as it is done in modesty, the Catholic Church has no issue with their congregants braiding their hair.
Where in the Bible does it say not to braid hair?
1st Timothy 2:9-10 is a message to women to shun braiding their hair. The verse speaks about godly women and how they should appear. Braids and expensive ornaments should not appear in the looks of a woman truly seeking God.
1st Peter 3:3-4 is a call to humans not to allow outward appearance like the braiding of hair to overshadow their hearts. The Lord sends a message that He prefers a humble heart that seeks Him than someone who has enhanced his outward appearance to try and please Him.
Bible verses about braiding hair
1st Timothy 2:9-10 which says, “Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness with good works.” in this verse Christian women are being discouraged from braiding their hair as it seemingly alters their modesty.
1st Peter 3:3-4 says, “Do not let your adorning be external, the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” This word was given to Christians to remind them that outward appearance, like braiding hair, does not please God as much as a good heart does.
1st Samuel 16:7 says, But the Lord said to Samuel, “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; man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” This verse reminds us that God does not focus on outward appearance like a man. We should therefore strive to impress him inwardly.
References
Why the Bible Talks Against Braided Hair
Bible Verses about Braided Hair
Ancient Egyptians and Their Culture
3000 year Old Mummy found with Braids
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
Good morning Mr. Jordan.
I just read this and I have to say that you are prejudiced. You talk about leaving hair in the most natural way. Did you consider we Africans manage our afro hair especially when it is thick and may be long? We don’t have Caucasian hair that you can brush and leave exposed. If we do that then brushing the hair later becomes a herculean task. Weaving or braiding is the best way to manage hair that is not relaxed. I don’t use relaxers on my type C hair and my daughter’s also. I make her hair sometimes and it is not easy to come because it is so thick. I think you wrote this piece without considering African race that has a different type of hair that is fragile and cannot stand everyday combing.
If you say the Bible said we should not braid our hair, then are we to stop wearing apparel too and wearing jewelleries too? You can’t pick only braiding and exclude the other two. You justified how the others should be done and completely annexed braiding of hair. The fact that this was done in places where they didn’t serve God doesn’t make it pagan. They simply deviced a means to efficiently handle their challenge, otherwise even their native dishes should also be abandoned since they invented them when they didn’t know God. Please let’s not partial and misguided. Thank you.