7.09.2013

Take cover! (a look at head covering)


Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. 

For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man is not from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.

For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 

Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.

Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering. But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.
[1 Corinthians 11:2-16, NKJV]

This passage has long fascinated me, and has often created strife & discord, or at the very least confusion, among the church - and can infuriate or confound those who are not Christian. Should women cover their heads all the time? Just at church? Can a man sport long hair? Should a woman cut her hair short? What was Paul writing about in this letter to the church at Corinth, so long ago?

Take cover: biblical headcoverings
Photo by Molly Viglione Photography, 2013
As with any doctrine in the Bible, it's important to remember that we must be willing to take into account the historical context AND the whole counsel of God when we try to discern what is meant. Many factions and heresies in the church have come from those who try to build a doctrine based on their limited understanding of one or two verses! As I began to research what it all meant, I have found the following online resources to be helpful:

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 11
John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on 1 Corinthians 11
Faith Defenders - Head Coverings

I was also introduced to this website recently, and I've appreciated the insights here. I don't know that I necessarily agree that it is a mandatory practice as of yet, but I'm not done searching for answers. (May I never be done searching for answers, Lord! Make my spirit a teachable one!)
The site is called "The Head Covering Movement". I've highlighted some of the really helpful articles:
An Introduction to a Neglected Doctrine
Why Head Coverings? Reason #1: Creation Order
Why Head Coverings? Reason #2: Angels
Why Head Coverings? Reason #3: Nature
Why Head Coverings? Reason #4: Church Practice

And the following books are helpful on the subject of biblical womanhood -some of which address headcovering. It is by no means an exhaustive list, only what I would recommend because I've read all or parts of them:
Recovering Biblical Manhood & Womanhood by Wayne Grudem & John Piper
The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace

Let me stress this, as I share. For the time being, I choose to wear a scarf, kerchief, etc - all day. My choice to cover my head in no way is a symbol of my salvation, or my superiority as a believer. It does not mean that I think all women should cover their heads. It does not mean that I think another's worship or prayers mean less than mine.

It does mean that in my own personal relationship with my Lord, I feel Him asking me to wear this symbol as a tangible reminder that I have been created as a woman under authority - my husband's, my church leadership's, and God's - so that God might get the most glory. Will & I have had seasons in our marriage of much discord. Pain, frustration, anger, bitterness. Friends, it ought not to be this way - but sometimes that is reality. Even though I often do a shoddy job of it, the deepest desire of my heart is to live a life that brings God the most honor - and walking around with a reminder on my head keeps me accountable to Him throughout the day. I need the constant reminder to treat Will with honor and respect - because often, I don't. To my shame, and his, and ultimately, God's. I need the reminder that God has given me a specific role - and it's not to be the star of the show!! My role is to support, care for, encourage, and live a quiet life of gratitude and praise - willing to pour out my time, strength, & energies out of love for Christ, Will, and my beautiful daughters [who are continually learning from my example what the love of God looks like in action!], even when conditions are not ideal. Even when I am dishonored, or dismissed, or not loved or appreciated as I feel I ought to be. The gentle tug of the pins that hold my covering in place remind me through my day that 1) I should be living a lifestyle of continual worship & prayer, and 2) I am called to cultivate a submissive heart attitude - to put others' needs & wants before my own, trusting that the Lord will take care of my desires & needs in His time! 3) I can always take cover in the Lord. He is my refuge, strong tower, shelter, and He guards my very life when I run to Him!

So, friend, if you are reading this, please know that I don't expect you to be wearing a covering on your head next time I see you. I'm not looking to show anyone up, or guilt anyone into this practice; I'm just hoping to share a little of what God is doing in my heart today and to share the ongoing hope that I have in Christ that He can change even a wicked heart like mine to be more like His!

I echo John MacArthur's sentiment:
"As with meat that had been offered to idols, there was nothing in the wearing or not wearing of the head covering itself that was right or wrong. It is the rebellion against God–ordained roles that is wrong, and in Corinth that rebellion was demonstrated by women praying and prophesying with their heads uncovered."
Read some of his thoughts on 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 here:
Head Coverings for Women

Covered by His mercy & grace,
for His glory!
~Lisha

I may be sharing this post with these Link-up parties!

Let me encourage you on Facebook and Pinterest, too!

PS If you have questions, or thoughts, let's talk! I am not an authority on this issue, and I'd love to talk it over. I'm not going to be insulted, or offended, or upset, by anyone who is also wanting truth - or by people who disagree with me! :)

24 comments:

  1. Hi Lisha! This is a great post and I love your heart! I want to invite you to our Facebook group. It's full of women who are new to covering---and a few who are old hat (ha! get it?!). We'd love to have you!

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/603255093021693/

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    1. Thank you! I've been so encouraged by the ladies in the FB group - you were so sweet to extend the invitation :)

      ~Lisha

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  2. I have actually been feeling led this same way myself recently! Such a wonderful blessing to find your site from the Proverbs 31 link party. I'm bookmarking now so I can come back to those references when I have a little more time to really study them.

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    1. Elisabeth, I'm excited for you as you search the Scriptures. I am praying for you! I hope that you found the links helpful. :)

      ~Lisha

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  3. I also am new to this. After I got married (a few months ago) the Lord stirred this up in my heart. My husband thinks it's odd, and I don't cover all the time consequently, but I'm prayerful about it, and I cover up most of the time.

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    1. I will be praying with you as you wait on His answer as to how and when to cover, as you seek to honor your new husband in it all. Congratulations on your marriage! :)

      ~Lisha

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  4. I'm so glad I found your post on this. I have been thinking about covering - at least in church. I like how you describe it as your constant reminder that you live for Christ. Looking forward to reading the websites and books you mentioned in your post.

    visiting from Proverbs 31 link party - I will be your newest follower!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words! I hope you find the links helpful. The Head Covering Movement links address pretty directly the need for covering in corporate worship :)

      ~Lisha

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  5. Hi Lisha,
    I'm glad you shared this at Living Proverbs 31 this week. I'm just letting you know that I am featuring you tomorrow. :)

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    1. This is a sweet blessing - wow, thank you so much for the encouragement! :)

      ~Lisha

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  6. Hello Lisha,
    I am visiting from the Proverbs 31 link party also.
    I appreciate your post on this subject so much. You put my feelings into words. I cover to remind me of my role, my duty, my privilege to try to honor God and my husband. I touch my head-covering and it can change my attitude immediately.
    Linda

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    1. Thank you for such encouraging words! I know what you mean about it helping to keep one's heart & attitude in check. I've been so thankful for that these last couple of months since I began wearing a cover.

      ~Lisha :)

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  7. Hi! I also found you from the Proverbs 31 linkup! My mom grew up Mennonite and I have many Amish and mennonite extended family, so covering is something I have always thought about doing (although I have never received any pressure from family members). My husband thinks its a little odd, but I have been feeling an extra stirring in my heart over it lately. Thank you for this post with so many great resources!

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    1. You are so welcome! I hope that they will be helpful for you - both in seeking the Lord concerning wearing a cover and in encouraging you in your calling as a wife :)

      Thank you :)
      ~Lisha

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  8. Hello!
    I found you on the Proverbs 31 Link-Up! It is interesting because I have been thinking and praying and avoiding the stirrings I have been feeling in my heart about head covering. In fact, I have been truly putting it on the back burner for quite some time because my hubby thinks it a bit weird and unnecessary and I know there would be some backlash from family. I am feeling all the more that I need to address this with a good sound and thorough searching for information and more receptive listening on my behalf. Thank you for this push. I do not believe it is by chance that I came across the email from Proverbs 31 featuring your post! I am currently 1000 emails behind and that one stood out. Not by chance. :) Thank you for this post. I pinned it for future reference. :)!

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    1. Gretchen, I'm just wondering how things are going in regards to your headcovering journey! It is a blessing to know that you were encouraged through what God laid on my heart to share. Praying for you!

      ~Lisha :)

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  9. Thank you I like that you gave us thing to read and look into, this is so helpful for someone seeking and surching for what God puts on our hearts. Thanks for the post. Where do you find you're head covers and what do you were to church?

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    1. Hello :) You are welcome, I'm glad this is a blessing to you! I actually make my own covers - usually out of scraps of fabric or from scarves that I have on hand. I wear a white lace scarf to church usually. (Actually, the photo at the top of the blog has the same covering I wear to church!). There are a couple of great websites for headcovers, though: Garlands of Grace, Liturgical Time Veils, and Sowers of Hope are all shops that I've looked at before for inspiration!

      Praying that whatever the Lord stirs up in your heart, that you will trust & obey! Blessings!
      ~Lisha

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  10. Thank you for your post. I was wearing a head covering off and on until about 2 months ago. I received a couple of comments that made me even more self conscious about wearing one. Just yesterday I was thinking about it and had the thought that I am being rebellious towards my Father. I do not want to be rebellious. I want to be obedient. Thank you for the articles. I will be reading them and praying about covering once more.

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    1. Ruth, you are welcome and I hope the articles & sermons will be an answer to prayer for you. I thought about covering for months and months and tried to excuse not covering, before I finally realized I needed to obey Him! And it's been a blessing since. Not easy, but worth it.

      Blessings to you!
      ~Lisha

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  11. Found you through a linkup.... It's wonderful to have the Lord teach us things from the Scriptures! In many cases of study the Bible tends to explain itself sooner or later. In this chapter if you read on the Bible says the woman's long hair is giving for her covering so why would we have to add a hat or scarf?

    In most cases women that enjoy long hair are happy in their role as a woman. Watch women that are in leadership position or that don't have a submissive attitude....their hair get's shorter and shorter......long hair is given to a woman for her glory.

    Just a food for thought. :)

    Iris @ Feminine Modesty

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    1. Thanks, Iris, for sharing what you've seen in the Word! I get the impression that many women are satisfied that their hair meets the fulfillment of a covering; and some don't give it too much thought; some wear their hair short but their hearts are still tender and submissive to the Lord. Ultimately, whether or not a woman wears a covering and whether her hair is long or short, it is less important to the Lord than her desire to follow Him and obey Him as she feels He's leading.

      The links I shared give good expositions to why a woman in worship would wear a covering instead of only her hair, if you've any interest. Regardless, I praise God for the freedom we have in Christ to ask Him what we should each do, andd His grace when our conclusions are totally different. He is faithful to answer each honest question!

      I am thankful you've stopped by and shared! Blessings!
      ~Lisha :)

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  12. Hello Again! Perhaps we shall meet like this by chance every few months? :) I wanted you to know I am covering off and on. I have felt it difficult to be consistent. I am in that wishing I could just jump in fully but still feel awkward about it. The hubs isn't against it but he isn't really for it either. We are praying. I do feel a sense of peace when I cover and I do wear my hair up in public now all the time as a respect to my husband and my God. Thank you fro the prayers! May I ask that you continue? Blessings!

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    1. Thank you for letting me know, Gretchen! Of course I will continue praying!

      Be encouraged - the Lord knows the desire of your heart to cover - and He will bless that as you continue to seek Him. <3

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