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The Gifts of SONG and PRAYER
“When you assemble [i.e. church], each one has a psalm, has a teaching...” (1 Cor 14:26)“we will devote ourselves to prayer” (Ac 6:4)Note: I grouped song and prayer into one section because they both are forms of clear speaking gifts that edify the Christian church body, yet they are not the greater speaking gifts.Devoted to Song or Prayer Obviously singing is a gift because it is listed along with several other gifts that were to be used in the very first Christian assemblies. For example, in his greater context about spiritual gifts, which starts in 1 Corinthians 12:1, Paul concluded, saying, “What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble [i.e. church], each one has a psalm, has a teaching [a gift], has a revelation [a gift, specifically prophecy], has a tongue [a language gift], has an interpretation [a gift]. Let all things be done for edification” (1 Cor 14:26). Therefore, singing psalms in church is a gift. David had this gift. For example, “Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse declares, The man who was raised on high declares, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel, The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me” (2 Sam 23:1).Evidently prayer is also a form of service or edification to the body of Christ. For example, when the apostles were faced with either serving food to neglected widows or serving the word of God to the church, they desired that other reliable members serve the widows so that they themselves could focus on the word of God and prayer. “Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, ‘It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word’ ” (Ac 6:1-5). Anna also was devoted to prayer with fasting. “She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers” (Lk 2:37). At any time of the day or night, prayer is way to serve the Lord and His people, especially with fasting, for some things should be done with prayer and fasting (Mt 17:21; Ac 13:2; Ac 14:23).Consider Gospel Commandments to Sing Passage: Eph 5:18, 19; Subject: Singing (“singing”); Points: 1. Variously vs. One Kind (“psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs”) 2. Spiritually vs. Sensually (“spiritual songs”) 3. Melodiously vs. Monotonously (“making melody”) 4. Heartily vs. Rotely (“with your heart”) 5. To God vs. Man (“to the Lord”) “be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord” (Eph 5:18, 19). Passage: Col 3:16; Subject: Singing (“singing”); Points: 1. Richly vs. Impoverishedly (“let the word of Christ richly dwell within you”) 2. Wisely vs. Foolishly (“with all wisdom”) 3. Instructively vs. Unedifyingly (“teaching and admonishing one another”) 4. Variously vs. One Kind 5. Gratefully vs. Unappreciative (“with thankfulness”) “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col 3:16). Understand The Difference Between Spiritual and Sensual Songs 1. What Is a Spiritual Song? A spiritual song appeals to the spirit of a person, but a sensual song appeals to the flesh, the body. So a spiritual song is the opposite of a sensual song. Of course, some songs are riding the fence, they are not purely spiritual and not purely sensual, they are both. They are double-minded, double-tongued, tainted and impure and unfit to be called a spiritual song. However, Paul said that we should be “speaking to one another in... spiritual songs” (Eph 5:19).2. Sensuality Is a Sin that Leads to Death [a log not a speck]You must understand something here. Jesus said that “sensuality” (fleshliness) is “evil” (Mk 7:21-23). Paul said that it is “evident” (obvious) that “sensuality” is a work “of the flesh” (Gal 5:19) and he concluded that those who practice it “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal 5:21). It is obvious, especially with the advent of rock and roll, that many worshipers practice a form of sensuality with the music that they use in their day to day life and in their church [sensuality is not only loving, touchin, squeezin as a popular song expressed, it is not only revealing dress, like at today’s beaches, etc., but is also a way of singing].3. Can You Dance to It or Do Aerobics to It? What makes up a song, both the words and what accompanies it (how it is performed or sung) can mark it as serving the spirit vs. the flesh. For example, can you dance to it? If you feel like you can dance to it (fast or slow dance) or if you can do aerobics to it, then this song is probably not a spiritual song because of the fleshly beat. The beat appeals to your flesh, your arms, legs, thighs, hips, and feet, etc. The words of a song might be holy, but in combination with the sensual beat, it makes the song “sensual” not “spiritual”. With any song that you listen to or sing, you must evaluate the words of it and also the behavior it provokes or leads the listeners into through the beat. Does the song make you want to dance fast or slow like the world or do aerobics? Can you dance to it? 4. Dancing Is a Form of Sensuality & Carousing for Sinners Dancing (fast or slow) is a form of sensuality and carousing for sinners to move and interact like they are in bed together, even though they are not married. It’s the closest thing you can get to sexual relations without actually engaging in it. It is designed to cause sexual/sensual movements between two people in the presence of all. It’s a form of immoral festivities, partying, and group revelry. Obviously the music or songs that have been designed to provoke and encourage this type of evil are “in flesh”, unholy, and sensual. These songs require a sensual beat so that the body can move back and forth to it, that is to “rock and roll”. It focuses you in on the flesh. For example, an elder, that is a pastor, of a Christian church once asked his son, “What are you thinking about when you are dancing with a girl?” The son said, “Her body.” The son quit dancing after his father asked him that question. The son understood what behavior or spirit that dancing was causing in him. He would be “in flesh” not “in spirit”. It was a sensual experience, not spiritual. 5. The ‘Backbeat’ Causes You to Strut Your Stuff A backbeat is a sharp rhythmic accent on the second and fourth beats of a measure in 4/4 time or 12/8 time, characteristic of rock music. It can be a soft beat, like the ones used in up close “slow dancing”. Or it can be a loud steady beat like in “fast dancing”. The term ‘back beat’ comes from the fact that the beat that makes one want to dance in popular music is beat 2 and 4, where the snare drum often plays. Hence, back beat, one that makes dancers want to get their ‘backs into it’. The style emerged in the late 1940s in rhythm and blues recordings (Jazz), and is one of the defining characteristics of Rock and Roll and is used in virtually all contemporary popular music. Most popular Christian singers use the same technique, the sensual back beat. Obviously, the backbeat has been designed to encourage sensual, unholy movements among its listeners. Those back beats, those taps on the drum or rim of the drum cause a person to strut, or change the direction of their hips, legs, or feet, or thrust their bodies in a different direction. Strutting means to walk with a vain, pompous bearing, as with head erect and chest or backside thrown out, as if expecting to impress observers or arouse their physical senses. Some call a person who dances, one who is “strutting his stuff” or “shakin his thing” or “shakin it”. Why in Philadelphia, PA there is even the traditional Strutters Parade (Mummers), where they dress up flamboyantly and strut their stuff down the streets of the city. But there are even more forms of sensuality in music that we do not have time to cover, like head or chest butting. Christian bands have done this as well right in church or right after church in the church building, chest butting songs!!! 6. The World’s Bandstand / Dance Club Movement Today, it is so very difficult to keep worldly music out of the church. “Rock and roll” from the 1960’s and 70’s and other forms of sensual music, like the ‘American Bandstand’ mentality and “Soul Train” and Jazz have taken over worshipers by storm, and now Hip Hop clubs. So much so that the leader of a so called Christian ‘band’, is now called the ‘worship leader’ of a church. It is true that music is a form of worship, but not the only element of it. Besides, those who are called to be so called ‘worship leaders’, truly pastors, must meet certain Biblical qualifications to actually be in charge of worship. And musical ability is not even listed as one of the qualifications. So called “music leaders” are not pastors, therefore they are not worship leaders. That “soul” responsibility belongs to the pastors. Here is the conclusion: Like Paul, you must say, “I will sing with the spirit” (1 Cor 14:15). Avoid any song that appeals to the flesh. But someone will say, “David danced”. Well yes he did. But he leapt for joy, just like baby John who leapt for joy in his mother’s womb. There is quite a difference between leaping for joy and the sensual backbeat strutting of today’s rock and roll, jazzy music. As paul said, those who practice forms of sensuality will not inherit the kingdom of God. Wean yourself from it! Be spiritual.What Do You Mean? There is a right and a wrong way to pray. For example, Jesus spoke against the way certain people prayed in His day. Jesus said, “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition, as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them” (Mt 6:7, 8). It is in this passage and its greater context that Jesus pointed out the difference between useless [i.e. vain] and meaningful prayers. How can Christians pray with meaning?1. Do Not Use Repetition Prayers “do not use meaningless repetition, as the Gentiles do [i.e. the pagans]” (Mt 6:7)It is obvious that some churches practice paganistic forms of prayers. For example, the Catholics tell their members to say five Hail Marys, full of grace, etc., as a form of praying and repentance. Their Nuns practice these things day after day after day after day. Most hideous! This is meaningless repetition. It is also a blatant form of idolatry because it worships Mary in the form of prayer, but Mary is a created being not the Creator. “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever” (Ro 1:25).God is interested in hearing what you want because He said, among other things, to “Cast all your cares upon Him [in prayer] because He cares for you” (1 Pet 5:7). God has given us great encouragement to tell Him what we are worried or concerned about. Are you anxious? Are you discouraged? Are you sick? Give your prayer requests to God for all of those kinds of things. It makes your prayer a meaningful prayer. Would you find it interesting and full of meaning to hear another Christian pray about their worries, their anxieties, their concerns, their desires, their health problems, and all their hopes that they have? A heart poured prayer like that is meaningful. It is real prayer. God wants your heart felt concerns directed at Him. Christians pray with meaning when they avoid repeating their words and instead pray specifically about their own concerns and the concerns of others.Note: When I was in Africa, I saw a whole congregation, not a Catholic church, practice meaningless repetition prayers. During their prayer time, all the members would loudly repeat their prayers, over and over again, some even loudly calling on God’s name, over and over again. Can you imagine if your name was Betty, and someone came up to you and said, “Betty, Betty, Betty, Betty, Betty, Betty, etc.”? Soon you would be awfully tired of that person. Why? Because what they said has no meaning to it. You have no idea what they want. In fact, you might ask that person, “What do you want?”. If you said to me, in a loud voice, “Pat, Pat, Pat, Pat, Pat, Pat, Pat, etc.”, you would drive me crazy! If one of my children came up to me and said, “O dad, O dad, O dad, O dad, O dad, etc.,” and that’s all she kept on saying, it has no meaning to it. It has no obvious request in it. Therefore, it is not a meaningful supplication, but rather meaningless talk, full of nothing.2. Pray Directly to the Father “Pray then in this way: Our Father who art in heaven” (Mt 6:9) Are you praying directly to the Father? Jesus never told His followers to pray to anyone else except His Father in heaven. So honor God as a Father. And this is to be done in Jesus’ name (Eph 5:20; Col 3:17). Yet those who want a genderless God would have you do otherwise. They want no father, they want no son. For these are masculine [I fully informed you about this in the Bible Study on True vs. False Worshipers, for Christians Who Want Recognized by the Father, Not Ignored]. Now the Catholics are famous for praying to or through someone else than directly to God. For example, they pray to Mary [a created being] so that she would somehow talk to Jesus to talk to the Father. They also pray to so called “saints”, who indeed are dead Catholics who have gone on to hell before them. But we have commandment to approach the throne of grace with confidence through the man we call Christ Jesus (He 4:16). God the Father is the only one who can ultimately answer our prayers. He is the authority over all of the earth, over all of heaven, over all of mankind, even over the Son (1 Cor 11:3). There is none greater. Therefore, it is a comfort to know that God’s Son directs His disciples to pray to the person who has the ultimate power to answer their prayers, the Father. Even Jesus prayed thus: “And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me’ ” (Mt 26:39). Likewise, we should begin our prayers with “our Father” or “my Father”.3. Honor Your Father “Hallowed be Thy name” (Mt 6:9) When you pray, do you honor the name of God? Daniel honored the name of God when he prayed. For example, after he received a revelation of the meaning of the king’s dream, he prayed, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him” (Da 2:20). Later, when Daniel was praying for the sins of the Jews, he began his prayer with some of the wonderful and perfect character attributes of God. “And I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed and said, ‘Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned” (Da 9:4, 5). King David hallowed God’s name in one of his prayers, saying, “O Lord, our Lord how majestic is Thy name in all the earth” (Ps 8:1). And like Daniel, David also expressed the character attributes of God in prayer, saying, “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised” (Ps 48:1). When you speak to god, honor his name in some fitting way.Note: “Father” is one of the names of God (Mt 28:19; Is 63:16)4. Show Deference to God’s Will “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt 6:10) Imagine a church where Christians were evidently more interested in their own will being done than God’s will. It would be man-made in some way. Isn’t that the way the world has become, man-made? It is so far from God’s will. But God’s will is for heaven and earth to be one in some significant ways in Christ. As long as earth remains, this is His overriding, overarching plan for mankind. So when we pray for God’s will to be done this helps us stay focused on the interests of God above our own. At times, our own desires are in conflict with God’s will. For example, at one time Peter aggressively wanted to do something that was different than what God wanted. Therefore, Jesus said that Peter did not have his mind set on the interests of God, but rather on the interests of man (Mt 16:23). Men are very prone at aggressively overriding the will of God with their own earnest wishes and desires. Therefore, Christians must pray with deference to the overriding will of God. In this way, God will have His rightful place as the Lord and Master of our lives, even our prayer lives. In one of His most needy, distressing, sickening situations, Jesus fell to His face in prayer, yet ended it with deference to the overriding will of His Father. He said, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt” (Mt 26:39). Even in your most troublesome trials, is this how you submissively end your prayers? Let God have the final say in everything. The child of God ought to understand that whatever he prays for may have to go unanswered for one very good reason; that the Father has differing interests, or some better purpose or ending in mind for His child. Knowing this, you can end your prayers with meaning by saying, “your will be done, not mine.”5. Pray for Our Basic Physical Needs “Give us this day our daily bread” (Mt 6:11) Below are prayers that were submitted on our website. Each prayer expresses some form of basic physical need. Janet, Kenya - My prayer is for my firstborn son to get a job. Jennifer, Texas - My prayer request is for the WTC and the Pentagon tragedy. Heather and Amanda, Arizona - We pray for all the people who gave life for others and for all the children that lost their mommies and daddies. And now we pray that only good will come of this. Maria, Cyprus - Please I want to ask for prayer about my cousin. He has been judged for something he did not do. There is no evidence. The lawyer has not been successful. But we hope the Lord will be the lawyer and help him. Margaret, Illinois - I come to you today to ask for prayer. My heart is burdened heavily with grief and pain that prevents me from moving forward in my life. Daniel, Korea - I ask for God’s blessing upon the people in the USA who are suffering bereavement after Tuesday’s horrific incident. Joanne, Glasgow Scotland - I ask for God’s blessing upon the people in the USA who are suffering bereavement after Tuesday’s horrific incident. I ask that God may heal the people’s broken hearts and that they will be drawn close to their Savior in Heaven. I ask that the Lord Jesus will guide, protect and strengthen them at this time of sorrow, and pray that the Lord will soon bind up the broken hearted and heal this torn land, and bring in everlasting love and joy to His people. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen Sonya, New York - Please pray for the Urich family because they have just lost a newborn. Pray for me also. Troy, Maryland - I pray that my marriage can be healed. Flora, Louisiana - Please pray with me that our financial problems are solved and that my son accepts responsibility for his daughter. Cynthia, New Jersey - Please pray for me because I am in the midst of troubles and trials. I am somewhat lost for words. Just when I thought that I was making it right for my children’s future, things began to scatter. Pray that I will survive through this. Robert, Ghana - Prayer request to be blessed with children (2 or 3). Celia, Nottingham - Please pray for me during my illness. Jessie, North Carolina - Prayer request - I need a day shift Job. I have not had a job in four months. Bukky, Nigeria - I have been unsuccessful with 2 pregnancies. I want to be able to be pregnant and carry the pregnancy to term. As you can see, those were meaningful prayers directed towards the basic physical needs of people. Before you begin to pray, consider what basic needs you should pray for. Christians pray with meaning when they make requests of the Father for their own basic physical needs. 6. Forgive and Seek Forgiveness of Our Sins “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Mt 6:12). “For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions” (vs. 14, 15). The subject here is forgiveness, and there are two clear points being made. First, we need to pray for our own forgiveness from our own sins. Second, we need to forgive, in prayer to God, the sins that others commit against us. Are you like Stephen and Jesus? They cried out to God to forgive their murderers. How much more should we be able to forgive the sins of others against us, even sins that are not as evil. But your forgiveness does not absolve a man from repentance, especially in the eyes of God. Men still must properly repent of their sins against you. Otherwise, this would be an example of turning the forgiving grace of God into a license/permit to sin (Jude 4). Now King David was known to pray in a meaningful way about his own sins. For example, when he was sorry for his sins of adultery and murder, he prayed meaningfully to God for forgiveness. Listen to parts of his prayer: “According to the greatness of Thy compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned, and done what is evil in Thy sight” (Ps 51:1-4). “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me” (Ps 51:5). “Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities” (Ps 51:9). “Deliver me from bloodguiltness, O God” (Ps 51:14). Like David, have you ever prayed, telling God that what you did was evil in His sight?Below are more examples from our website of prayers of forgiveness. Pat, Alabama - I want to ask forgiveness for all my sins. I have made so many mistakes and done things over and over again, mainly by habit. Lynn, Montana - I’m requesting prayer of forgiveness for the feelings I have toward the terrorists. I know God does not want us to feel these feelings. Please also pray for my family my mother and my children, just for strength to come closer to the Lord. In conclusion, when you pray, confess your sins and forgive others who sinned against you. Whom do you need to forgive? What sins do you need to confess? This is an excellent way to make your prayers meaningful. By praying in this way, you will find forgiveness. Have you forgiven those who sinned against you? 7. Pray for Help with Our Temptations “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Mt 6:13) Likewise, Jesus said, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Lk 22:40). Later, Jesus said it again: “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Lk 22:46).Are you being tempted in any way to sin? If so, do you pray a prayer of prevention that you will not enter into those temptations that plague you? When you think of the word “temptation” you should think of two reasons/causes for it. First, the Devil, who is called the tempter. He tried to tempt Jesus to sin (Lk 4:1-13). He will try to tempt you to sin. Therefore, a Christian prays with meaning when he asks to be kept from the Devil’s temptations in his life. The second cause of temptation is our very own heart. For example, the Bible says, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust” (Ja 1:13, 14). According to that verse, our very own evil desires, that spring from our own heart, can cause us to enter into sin, if they are uncontrolled by the Spirit of God. These verses also help us to see that temptation can not only come from the outside through the Devil, it can also come from within ourselves. In short, temptation can come from within or without. Therefore, it’s certainly meaningful for the Christian to pray to be kept from any of his very own potential wrong desires, which can lead to doing evil. Do your prayers include your own needs to be delivered from doing evil? Do you pray to be delivered from certain temptations that can come from within your own heart as well as the ones encouraged externally by the Devil and his workers of iniquity? David prayed that he would not sin in certain ways. For example, he said, “keep back Thy servant from presumptuous sins; let them not rule over me; then I shall be blameless, and I shall be acquitted of great transgression” (Ps 19:12).Below is a list of prayers for deliverance from sin and temptations that plague people. Janet, Kenya - My prayer request is that I have a problem praying. Julie, Switzerland - My prayer request is that I would not be lazy to pray. Trish, Illinois - My prayer request is that I would like to stop shoplifting and stealing. Kiku, Hawaii - My prayer request is for all the married men that God will equip them to seek God more and more each day, and that they will be godly husbands that the women and children of this world need. Wendy, California - My prayer request is that I would come to a deeper undisturbed relationship with Christ. That I wouldn’t let things distract me from Him, that I would look to Him first and not be ashamed to come back to Him when I have strayed, that I would be a fruitful follower of Christ. I would also like prayer for my prayer life and my “quiet times” with God, that they would be blessed and that I would be focused on Him. Mark, South Africa - Pray that God will give my wife and me wisdom and guidance in our time of need. Daniel, Korea - I ask that God may help and support your teaching and evangelical works. I ask that the Lord Jesus will guide to works for the needy people. Julie, Massachusetts - I have just come back to the Lord after being away for over a year. I ask for prayer for my children whom I lost last year due to my own selfishness. I pray the Lord to build me up so I may become a vessel for Him to use. Monty, Ohio - I request prayer for my church to accept the word of God and not be concerned with traditions [of men]. Chris, Texas - I myself have always believed in God but I have always been so preoccupied. I now feel that [in light of the events of our nation’s brutal attacks] I need to strongly get in touch. I need to change my life and I ask for you to pray for me to be strong and turn my life around and many others like myself. William, Texas - Request prayer that I’d be able to overcome the sin of homosexuality. I have tried many times but seem to always fall back into the same old habits and routines of this devastating practice. I am not truly happy as I put on a front to others and know that I truly can be with this out of my life. I know Christ is the true and only way to Eternal Life and that is my true heart’s desire to serve Him in all honesty. Darrel, Illinois - Prayer request - For total freedom from pornography and homosexuality. Greg, Michigan - I would like you to pray for my brother Shawn. He tried to kill himself. John, California - I would like prayer for my ex wife to soften her heart. We were married for 31 years and got a divorce 8 months ago. I still love her and want to be a family again. She said her heart is hardened. Stacy, Louisiana - Please pray for my mom and me. She ignores me too much due to the guys she wants. My needs are never met. Pray for my dad. He disowned my brother cause he felt like it and never talks to me. These are hard times and at times I want to give up. Wanda, North Carolina - Prayer request - For my son who is in jail charged with murder. He swears that he has not done such a horrible thing. I pray he has not. Please remember me a mother in pain for her child and tormented by the idea that he was involved in such a horrible act. Liz, Arkansas - Prayer request - I feel so far from God. I never knew how bad things could be. I need God back in my life so bad. Tim, USA - Please pray for me and my daily walk with God. I have some bad habits that I need to quit. Pray that I will devote more time to God in prayer and Bible study, and that God will give me the strength to fight when I am tempted. As you can see, those were meaningful prayers directed towards the sinful temptations that men face. When you pray, ask not to enter into the temptations that you have been or will be facing. Christian Headship and How to Honor It During Prayer Passage: 1 Cor 11:1-16 1. Understand Christian Headship “I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ” (1 Cor 11:3). What does it mean to be “the head of” someone? In the Greek, the phrase “head of” here means anything supreme, chief, or prominent. Therefore in the context of the relationship between God, Christ, man, and woman, it means the “authority of” or one who is “chief of” another. For example,(a) Governmental Authority It is used to describe which government/governor has authority over another. For example: “For the head of Aram is Damascus and the head of Damascus is Rezin (now within another 65 years Ephraim will be shattered, so that it is no longer a people), and the head of Ephraim is Samaria and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you will not believe, you surely shall not last” (Is 7:8, 9).(b) Army Authority It’s used to describe which commanders have authority over the armies. For example: “And it shall come about that when the officers have finished speaking to the people, they shall appoint commanders of armies at the head of the people” (De 20:9).(c) Household/Tribal Authority It’s used to describe which men have authority over the household/tribe. For example: “Then the sons of Israel sent to the sons of Reuben and to the sons of Gad and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and with him ten chiefs, one chief for each father’s household from each of the tribes of Israel; and each one of them was the head of his father’s household among the thousands of Israel” (Josh 22:13, 14).CONCLUSION Therefore, when Paul said that Christ is the head of man, it means that God gave Christ, His Son, authority over man. When Paul said that the man is head of a woman, it means that God has given the man authority over a woman. Finally when Paul said that God is the head of Christ, it means that God the Father is in authority over His Son Jesus Christ. We can see from this verse that everybody has an authority in the kingdom of God, except the Father [which once again reveals a plurality in the God-head-- God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit]. 2. Man, Do Not Cover Your Head During Prayer “Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head” (1 Cor 11:4). Consider the Meaning of this Verse (a) “Every man”, meaning all Christian men vs. just those who lead (b) “something on his head”, meaning a headdress, hat, etc. vs. his head of hair (c) “while [1] praying or [2] prophesying”, meaning during only two instances vs. at all times (d) “disgraces his head”, meaning his authority, Christ (dishonors, irreverent, disrespects) Why Must a Man Not Cover His Head? (a) Because of His Creator “For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God” (1 Cor 11:7). Note: In the Greek, “covered “ here means to cover up [i.e. the “head”, not necessarily the face], to veil or cover oneself.CONCLUSION It is God’s will for a man to remove his head covering during prayer for this simple and profound reason; he is made in the image and glory of his Creator. This is one of the ways in which he is to show respect and reverence to his maker. Notes: 1. The gift of prophecy was studied previously and therefore will not be considered here in this study on prayer. 2. When I grew up, we, men and boys, out of deep respect and reverence, used to take off our hats, for example, when the national anthem was played with our flag raised high. We did this in school, at public sporting events, and at other events. It is not uncommon, therefore, for a man to take off his covering during certain events to show respect. How much more acceptable and imitatable than during Christian prayer because it honors Christ? 3. Woman, Cover Your Head During Prayer “But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head” (1 Cor 11:5). Note: In the Greek, “uncovered “ here means not covered [i.e. the head, not necessarily the face], unveiled.Why Must a Woman Cover Her Head? (a) Because It Is Utterly Disgraceful for Her Not to Do So “for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head” (1 Cor 11:5, 6). Note: In the Greek, “cover “ here means to cover up [i.e. the “head”, not necessarily the face], to veil or cover oneself.(b) Because She Is the Glory of Man “For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man” (1 Cor 11:7). (c) Because She Originated from Man “For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man” (1 Cor 11:8). (d) She Was Made for Man’s Sake “for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake (1 Cor 11:9). (e) Because of the Angels “Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels” (1 Cor 11:10). How much more proof does a woman need? God gave her five reasons for wearing the covering. CONCLUSION It is God’s will for a woman to wear a head covering during prayer for several reasons. First, it is the honorable thing for her to do. Second, it respects man’s headship over her. Third, the angels had something to do with requiring it of her, just like they had something to do with instituting the Law of Moses for the Jews (He 2:2). Notes: 1. In the early days of my mother’s life, she used to wear the covering, a head scarf, when she visited a church (she was not religious nor did she attend church, she was not Catholic). The American women in the early part of my mother’s generation (the 1940-60’s) used to wear a scarf in church. 2. Many churches used to require men to take off their hats in the foyer before going in to the assembly. Likewise, many churches used to ask women to wear a head covering before entering the assembly. Some churches and individuals still practice this today. 3. One time, when traveling in upper New York, I taught at a Christian church on a subject that had nothing to do with the head covering. Yet, several of the older sisters started to discuss the covering among themselves because they noticed that my wife wore a head covering (a head scarf). They said that they used to cover their heads when they went to church and were considering restarting the tradition. But, one of the deacons put an end to it. So much for the headship and how we are directed by the apostle to honor it. Questions & Answers It is obvious that many Christians are confused about this passage and its main purpose or subject. My goal is to clear up the confusion. For example, what is the main subject of this passage? Is it... . hair? . a covering? . prayer? . woman? . man? . how to conduct yourself in a church service? . something(s) else? The main subject of this passage is Christian headship and how to properly honor it according to God’s word (1 Cor 11:3). It is not [mainly] about the hair. It is not [mainly] about a covering. It is not mainly about anything else.But one could easily turn this passage (as well as any other contextual passage on any subject) upside down, or inside out, by using the subject to support a point instead of the point to support the greater subject and purpose of the passage [points are there to support the subject]. For example, if we make the main subject the hair, whether it should be long or short, then we have not only shifted the focus or bulls-eye of this passage, we have also shifted the larger weight on to a point, or an illustration from nature that supports a point, as in this case (vs. 14). Note: Or worse yet, one could take a point or sub-point out of context (away from its subject and setting) and use it to build a strange application or doctrine. For example, the Mormons have taken a verse out of its context from 1 Corinthians 15:12-49, verse 29, and created a strange doctrine from it that is foreign to the commandments of Jesus Christ. Mormons baptize for the dead (actually they baptize a Mormon who is living for a dead person who was not a Mormon, a “proxy baptism”, thinking they are doing a good deed and that the dead person will somehow, at some point, get some benefit from this in the afterlife). Now the subject of this passage is the idea that some badly mistaken Christians were saying that Jesus did not rise from the dead; it is about the resurrection (vs. 12), the R in the DBR (the gospel is the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead / 1 Cor 15:1-5). And the points that follow are rhetorical questions that point out how strange it would be if Christ never rose from the dead. And one of the rhetorical ideas that the Mormon’s turn upside down, or twist and take completely out of context, is the idea that if we preach a Jesus who never rose from the dead, then we are baptized for a dead person. What will that get us if we do such a thing, asks the apostle? But in reality, Jesus rose from the dead. So we are baptized for the Living One. Amen. You cannot obey the gospel for a dead person. How absurd!In conclusion , we would do well to determine the proper and complete subject of a passage, even our passage on Christian headship, and then consider its points (and sub-points and illustrations that support the points) in their proper perspective or else we could easily turn the main purpose of the passage upside down, placing more weight or all the weight and focus on a point or sub-point. We could even create a strange teaching that has not been commanded.Below are some of the common questions or objections about our passage on Christian headship. These questions routinely fall into three categories: hair, equality, and misc. (A) The Hair Question #1 - Isn’t This Talking about the Hair as a Covering? First of all, I want you to remind you that God forbids a man to have “something on his head (vs. 4)” while he prays out of respect for Christ. Obviously, therefore, he ought to remove whatever is on his head during prayer. Second, God requires man to do this only during prayer. Therefore he can have “something on his head” during other activities. He cannot remove his hair and put it back on again, can he? Likewise, God forbids a woman to uncover her head during prayer, but not during other activities. Even more, the Greek word “cover” that is used in this passage means to cover up [i.e. in its context the “head”], to veil or cover oneself.Question #2 - But My Translation Specifically Says that a Man Ought to Pray with Short Hair and a Woman with Long Hair. (Some put this so called “alternate translation” in a footnote, not the passage.)First of all, this would be an interpretation, not a translation, because those words do not exist in the Greek [Remember, the subject is not the hair. It is the headship]. Therefore, these translations are incorrect and inaccurate because they are the words of man, not God. When the NIV translation first came out with this so called “alternate translation” in a footnote, my father-in-law wrote to the committee who translated this passage to object to it since those words were not in the original Greek. It was misleading. A man on the committee replied and said that he did not want to insert that alternate translation into the footnotes, but he was overruled by the head of the committee. Question #3 - But at the End of the Passage Paul Literally Talked about Long Hair as a Covering for Woman. [It is true that Paul talked about the natural covering of long hair that God gave to a woman, and how it graces and distinguishes her as a woman but disgraces a man. There is no doubt that long hair is a natural covering for the woman. Men tend to lose their hair.] First of all, the verse to which you are referring, verse 14, is not the point being made, but an imperfect illustration that relates to, supports, or lends weight or credence to the point which Paul made in verse 13. For example, this is the point: “Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? (vs. 13). And this is the illustration which follows it: “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” (vs. 14). Here Paul answered his own question/point by using nature as a comparative example/illustration of what is proper and improper, from the natural perspective, in order to teach us that a woman ought to cover her head during prayer. He appealed to nature to support the tradition, that is the Christian headship tradition and how to respect it. So, again, the overall subject is not about the hair, and even this point is not about the hair. The point is that a woman ought to cover her head during prayer. So you must keep in mind the main reason why he brought up long and short hair in the first place. He used it to answer and illustrate the need for a covering. It is an illustration that supports one of the points which supports the main subject.(B) Equality Question #1 - If We Are All One in Christ, Where There Is No Male or Female (Gal 3:28), Then How Could the Headship and Covering Custom Apply Today? It is true that we are all one in Christ in the sense of salvation through faith in Christ (Gal vs. 26), which is obviously part of the main subject of that passage, not the destruction or blurring of gender. The point being made here is that we are all the same when it comes to the subject of salvation, but obviously not in every other way or direction or on every subject, like callings/giftings. For example, in another place God said, “I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over man” (1 Tim 2:12). This is not talking about the marriage relationship, but about a woman’s conduct in the kingdom of God, the churches. For it was Adam [man] who was first created, and second Eve (1 Tim 2:13). This verse also teaches the headship concept as a reason for her being under authority. And it was not Adam that was deceived, but the woman was quite deceived and fell into transgression (1 Tim 2:14). Additionally, it is evident that gender is a “situational” type gift, where male has been created distinctly different than female in several ways.Note: Evidently feminism, in the cloak of equal rights, has been a bold opponent of the Christian headship and propriety for the woman. Feminism cannot and will not understand or accept the commandments that Christ gave for the woman, especially the commandments that give man the preeminence in the kingdom of God.(C) Misc. Question #1 - What Does It Mean When It Says that a Woman Ought to Have Authority on Her Head? In the Greek, authority, sometimes translated “power” means jurisdiction, liberty, right, strength; a right or privilege; leave or permission. Therefore, in order for a woman to have the power to pray, the liberty to pray, the right to pray, or privilege to pray, she ought to cover her head. Question #2 - What Does “Because of the Angels” Mean? The angels had something to do with instituting it or requiring it, just like they had something to do with instituting Moses’ Law (He 2:2). Question #3 - Are These Verses Talking Only About Marital Authority Between a Man or a Woman? The words “marriage,” “husband,” or “wife” are not used anywhere in the context. Therefore we cannot conclude that this is mainly talking about the marriage arrangement between a husband and a wife. Instead, we do find in the context the words “man,” “woman,” “Christ,” and “God.” Therefore, we can obviously conclude that it is talking about the headship/authority relationship between God, Christ, man, and woman in the kingdom of God. Question #4 - What Kind of Covering Should a Woman Wear? The Greek word for “cover” here means to cover up [i.e. the “head” as the context specifically states], to veil, to have something literally down the head, but not necessarily something covering the face. Evidently, a long head scarf would fit this definition.Question #5 - Is Her Long Hair Only for Her Husband to See? Is This One of the Reasons Why She Needs to Cover It? Nowhere in the Bible does it suggest that a woman’s hair needs to be hidden under a coverong, or piled up on the top of her head underneath a scarf, so that no one can see it, but only her husband at home. The covering has nothing to do with hiding hair. It has everything to do with acting properly before God during prayer. It is a headship issue, not a hairship issue. Question #6 - Should Women Have Long Hair and Men Have Short Hair? “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?” (1 Cor 11:14) Evidently, we have been created to be this way, if we are able. But some women are acting hypocritical in this. For example, I know of a woman who speaks against women who cut their hair, short, but she herself habitually hides all of her hair under a thin scarf on the very top of her head. She looks nearly bald! In one sense, her hair is way, way shorter than the women that she speaks against. Has anyone actually seen her long hair? Is this the way it is supposed to be? Question #7 - Should a Head Covering Be Worn in Every Culture or Nation? I know of an American woman who went to a foreign country to help the disciples there. Some of the women there were eager to learn the Bible and the truth. So they asked her, “What about the headcovering? Do I have to wear a headcovering?” She said, “No.” “Do whatever is acceptable in your culture to show respect to your husband” [she herself did not cover her head; she did not wear a head covering]. But she was wrong in several ways. First, evidently she did not teach the headship and how to honor it properly before God. Second, she applied it only to marriage, which is not at all revealed in the applicable context. Third, she taught a kind of “replacement theology” that permits a woman to change the grace of God into a permit to deviate from what is stated in that grace. [By the way I admonished her once on this to no avail, even with her husband present]. Question #8 - You Cannot Bind This on Me. It Is Just Your Opinion. First of all, I did not bind it on you, an apostle did. May I remind you that the headship and how to respect it is an apostolic commandment. Additionally, there are two verses, verse 2 and 16, which clearly reveal that this is a Christian tradition that Paul passed down to us, not a “cultural” tradition. Question #9 - The Headcovering Was Just for Their Culture. Besides being an apostolic commandment, there are two verses, verse 2 and 16, which clearly reveal that this is a Christian tradition/custom/practice that Paul passed down to us, not a “cultural” tradition. Has God changed the headship? Did the angels change their minds? Etc. Question #10 - Paul Said that You Are Not to Be Contentious about This (vs. 16). Imagine if you were taught in detail how to practice something, and then after being taught the teacher said, “You do not have to contend for practicing what was just taught.” “In fact, you should not make an issue of it at all.” Now, is that sound Bible teaching? Not at all. Why teach something if it is not to be adhered to? If Paul taught on the headship in the kingdom of God, and how to honor it respectively, why would he conclude his lesson by saying that this tradition is not worth contending over? Or why would he say that no such practice exists? On the contrary, he ends his lesson with a short sentence aimed at those who would try to destroy, diminish, or contend against this honorable practice. He tells them that there is no variation, no different, no other practice to be followed to honor your authority while praying. Are you being contentious about how to honor those in authority over you in the kingdom of God? Christians are to be a people who give honor to whom it is due: “Render to all what is due them...honor to whom honor” (Ro 13:7). When you pray, are you giving honor to whom it is due or are you disgracing your head?
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