by Maina Kiwiri
I echo the words of one Amos Karanja
on spiritual life and dressing and modesty. The measure of what is in your
heart has been made to be your appearance. Men with locks, long hair, and use
of studs among others are deemed unspiritual and are not allowed to represent
the church or hold office in the church in most part of Kenya. Since when did
the measure of one’s spirituality be his outward appearance. Haven’t we seen
men in locks lead worship in other countries and the spirit comes down? Haven’t
we seen others in studs praying for the sick and they get healed? Haven’t we
seen good music coming from Gods people not necessarily clad in suits and a
tie? Since when did the Bible add a clause that decency and Modesty is in short
hair, suits and ties and no studs?
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| Preacher Todd White in long dreadlocks preaches the Gospel of Christ at a crusade in Cameroon |
Just because the African culture said
that earrings are for women, it doesn’t mean that it’s so in the Bible. Haven’t
we seen churches banish women from their fellowships attributing it to wearing
trousers with an emphasis on women should not wear men’s clothing. * Deut 22 vs
5* while the same men banishing her cannot buy the same clothing in the market
saying it is a woman’s clothing.
Long hair, studs, jeans, are just a
manifestation of my sense of fashion which you long lost to the norm you were
introduced to by your conservative spiritual leader. Your eye for new fashion
is clogged with the belief that such clothing should not be taken to church as
it is deemed ‘unspiritual’, ‘unholy’ and all manners of names that makes you
not want to attach yourself with it. Tell me, where in the bible is it written
that that clothing is unholy? Quote me one verse that holds to it that that
piece of regalia is not to be worn by believers and I will banish it from my
list. None. But your spiritual leader commanded you in a polite way of course
never to wear such and you thought God had spoken. Read your bible. Understand
it. Meditate on it. Then you also need to differentiate between what is culture
and what the word is saying. Don’t mix the culture of a people and think it’s
what the word of God is saying.
“The fact that i don’t dress like you walk like you, talk
,smile, cook, socialize or even have a hairstyle like yours, does not mean i am
ungodly. I am me. I am born again and Christ
is lord over my life as me. I won’t become you.”
(Amos Karanja 2015)
It’s my hair. It grows from the scalp
of my head. Why does it bother you? You have yours too which you chose to shave
and keep it short. I chose not to shave mine and display God’s blessing in me
in form of appearance.
Every head has its best hair style. Just because you
look good in short hair, it does not mean my head fits the same hairstyle. Just
because your pastor shaves as you, does not mean I am doomed to perish in hell.
I live by Gods word. That’s all that matters. Pleasing God and doing his will.
I have never come across a verse that tells of how Peter at heaven’s gate will
not allow men in long hair and locks to enter into the kingdom.
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| a section of the all time gospel reggae band Christafari perform at Big Church Day Out 2015 |
Men have fallen on the side Pharisees
whose addiction to their own self-righteousness drove nails through the hands
of the Son of God. Steeped in self-righteousness and dripping judgment, men
have fallen into the sin of judging those with locks, long hair, studs and
other normal regalia that seems abnormal thanks to their cultures. These are no
longer godly and belong to the devil himself. Short hair, suits and ties have
become a compulsory requirement for a people to be called Gods people and be
candidates for heaven. Men have written their own bibles forgetting about the
original Holy Bible they once followed. May Truth flood your hearts and wash
the self-righteousness away. May you be
humbled at the thought of your own hypocrisy.
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| Reknown Vocalist and Gospel musician Jeremiah Woods. |
Once you look deep inside, therein you will find men passionate for the
Gospel. So passionate, in fact, that they
surpass most of you in faith, dreadlocks definitely making the approach towards
others in sin simpler than if they were a clean-cut do-gooder in a suit
coat.
Indeed, Scripture does not focus on the
physical appearance of Jesus but on His teachings. He came to seek and
to save the lost, coming to live among humanity to provide salvation to
all who will believe in His name (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9).
This is not either a defense or
condemnation of locks, long hair or wearing of studs in church and other
regalia deemed by men indecent. This blog is not the place for
that. However, it is a condemnation of people’s reaction to those
things. It is a challenge to understand
that you never know how or by whom the Holy Spirit is going to work, and for
you to get in the way of that with your own self-righteousness-steeped,
judgment-dripping self is a move too dangerous to risk. In short, the issue of clothing must always
be carefully, thoughtfully and honestly studied from a scriptural perspective
while allowing the scriptures to be the ultimate authority on such issues. Making
a thorough study into the clothing norms of the Bible.
"Do not judge
according to appearance, but judge with righteous
judgment." ~John 7:24
