Does God Want Men to Have Short Hair?
The Struggle is Real
You've probably wondered about this. Maybe you've been criticized for your hair length, or maybe you've questioned other men's choices. The confusion is understandable - especially when some people claim Jesus had long hair, so it must be okay.
But what does God's Word actually say?
God's Clear Standard
"Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?" - 1 Corinthians 11:14
Paul isn't making this up. He's pointing to something built into the natural order that God established. There's something that just doesn't seem natural about a man having long hair.
But here's what's crucial: this passage is primarily about headship and authority, not just hair. It's about recognizing God's order and being willing to look different from the world.
The Jesus Question Settled
"Jesus had long hair!" - This is the most common argument, but it's completely wrong.
Jesus was a Nazarene (from Nazareth), NOT a Nazarite. The Nazarite vow required three things:
- No wine or strong drink
- No cutting hair
- No contact with dead bodies
If Jesus was a Nazarite, then He broke every part of this vow:
"And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves" - Luke 22:17
Jesus handled "the fruit of the vine" at the Last Supper. He also touched dead bodies when He raised people from the dead. Jesus was NOT under a Nazarite vow - He couldn't have been without sinning. Jesus was simply called the Nazarene because He was from Nazareth.
When Pride Becomes Your Downfall
Remember Absalom? His beautiful hair was his pride:
"But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him." - 2 Samuel 14:25
That same hair killed him:
"And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth" - 2 Samuel 18:9
Don't let your pride - about hair or anything else - become the thing that destroys you.
What Really Matters
Listen carefully: Getting the right haircut won't save you. Dressing right won't save you. These are external things that reflect internal realities, but salvation only comes through Jesus Christ.
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" - Galatians 3:13
Jesus became the shame for us. He hung on a tree for us. That's what saves you - not your appearance.
The Bottom Line
Yes, the Bible teaches it's a shame for a man to have long hair. This isn't about legalism or measuring with rulers at the church door. It's about:
- Recognizing God's natural order
- Being willing to look different for God
- Not letting pride rule your decisions
- Understanding that salvation comes through Christ alone
God doesn't give inches and measurements - He simply says "long versus short" and expects you to have enough sense to know the difference.
Your Heart Matters Most
If you haven't trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you're missing the most important truth of all. Don't let pride in your good works or appearance keep you from the cross. Come to Christ - that's what really matters.
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" - Hebrews 12:2
🎧 Ready for the Full Truth? This condensed post barely scratches the surface of this powerful expository preaching! Want to hear the complete verse-by-verse Bible teaching that dives deeper into the Nazarite vow, Samson's failures, and the real meaning behind biblical separation? Don't miss the full sermon - it's packed with practical applications that will challenge and encourage your walk with God! 📖