Are wedding (engagement or promise) rings biblical?
There seems to be much controversy among
professed Christians both for and against the wearing of rings and because man’s
opinions don’t matter, let’s see what God’s Word tells us about wearing such things.
First of all, God uses 6 verses to
admonish us about not externally adorning ourselves.
Whose adorning let it not be that
outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on
of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible,
even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of
great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy
women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto
their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose
daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
(1 Peter 3:3-6)
In like manner also, that women
adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with
broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women
professing godliness) with good works. (1 Timothy 2:9-10)
Are rings considered adornment?
The dictionary defines a ring as:
typically circular band of metal or
other durable material, especially one of gold or other precious metal, often
set with gems, for wearing on the finger as an ornament
Ornament
means:
an accessory,
article, or detail used to beautify the appearance of something to which it is added or of which it is a part: any adornment or means of adornment, the act of adorning,
the state of being adorned.
Adornment means: something
that adds attractiveness; ornament;
accessory, ornamentation; embellishment
Embellish means: to beautify by or as if by
ornamentation; ornament; adorn, to enhance (a statement or narrative) with
fictitious additions.
We clearly see that rings are adornment and external adornment
is not biblical, therefore to wear rings would be disobedience to God and disobedience
is sin. If that is not enough of God’s
Word to encourage a believer to follow in obedience in ridding themselves of
such adornment, we will see what else our Father has to say about such matters.
After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the Lord. (Leviticus 18:3-5).
The prophet
Jeremiah cried out:
Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus
saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the
heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are
dismayed at them. For
the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest,
the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
(Jeremiah 10:1-3).
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
(1 John 2:15)
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2).
The wedding ring is a practice of the of the pagan world and we have been instructed in God’s Word not to practice such things. In fact:
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. (2 Corinthians 6)
We are to be a called out, separate from the world; people.
Many will claim ‘But it’s just a wedding ring and it’s a symbol that I’m married. What’s the harm in that?”
Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22)
Pagan rituals, idols, symbols etc are evil. Wedding rings are pagan and external adornment is forbidden as we’ve been shown in God’s Word. Think about it…if we go that route in denying obedience to scripture just because we want to ease our fleshly desire for an externally adorning symbol, what of the culture that uses bull rings on their partners noses as a symbol to signify marriage? Could a Christian get a tattoo on themselves that says “I’m married” on their forehead or elsewhere as their symbol of their marriage? Where does it end? God's Word has already answered those questions.
Also, keep in mind that marriage is of God and not only is a wedding ring a forbidden adornment along with it's pagan origins it is being used as a spiritual symbol. Yes, Christians use pagan articles on a daily basis as for instance a vehicle could have been made by an unbeliever but a Christian can use it because there is no spiritual connotation attached to it, but marriage on the other hand is of God and therefore to attach a pagan article to it is sinful.
“But Jesus put a ring on the prodigal son’s hand, so why can’t I wear a ring?”
Looking in context to the parable, Jesus is speaking to the Jews who in many cases of royalty, a signet ring was used to mark their name and we see instances where royalty had given a ring to someone as a sign of their approval/authority or to signify social stature. We have to be very careful when taking one verse out of context and using it in contradiction of the rest of God’s Word. Paul speaks of boxing the air, does that mean Paul approves of violent games? No, we see metaphors and spiritual examples being used all throughout scripture.
"But there the people in Israel wore external adornments, why can’t we today?"
Just because people acted a certain way in the Old Testament does not mean it is approved by God. David also committed murder and adultery. Lot got drunk and impregnated his daughters, Lot’s wife disobeyed and looked back, the harlots painted their faces etc.
God has declared in His Word that He wants His people called out and separate from the world (2 Corinthians 6); to remain unspotted from the world (James 1:27), to not do as the world/pagans/heathens (Jeremiah 10, Leviticus 18), not love the world or things in it (1 John 2:15) and to remain unadorned so that He may adorn us from the inside. (1 Peter 3 and 1 Timothy 2).
We are instructed to pick up our cross and follow our Savior, Jesus Christ (Matthew 16) and if we hesitate to toss away a piece of metal or strip the adornment from the outside…we will not give our life for Him.
“I will wait until God convicts me of it.”
God has already spoken. It’s in His Word. In John 14:15 Jesus says if we love Him we keep His commands. James 4 tells us if we know to do good and don’t do it, it is sin. Scripture clearly shows us the truth and do we truly love God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind and all our strength? Or are we saving a little bit of God’s love for that adornment on our finger? That’s idolatry.
“But it’s just a little thing, does it really matter in the big picture?”
Yes it does…
Let us keep in mind
the warnings Paul brings to those who will not obey even in the 'so called'
little sins...
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
(2 Thessalonians 3:6)
He then goes on to say: And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 2 Thessalonians 3:14
But it's just a little thing? Paul doesn't think what we call little things are little because he referred to a lazy man.
Why would Paul say that? Because: A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9)
By harboring (which is approval) a brother or sister who insists in sinning in the way of adornment after clearly being shown in the Word, they are a danger to the body.
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (1 Corinthians 15:33)
Be very careful to not be listing sins as small and therefore not put them as a priority to be taken care of because we have clearly been shown that nothing is small and in fact let's ponder this verse:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty
He then goes on to say: And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 2 Thessalonians 3:14
But it's just a little thing? Paul doesn't think what we call little things are little because he referred to a lazy man.
Why would Paul say that? Because: A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9)
By harboring (which is approval) a brother or sister who insists in sinning in the way of adornment after clearly being shown in the Word, they are a danger to the body.
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (1 Corinthians 15:33)
Be very careful to not be listing sins as small and therefore not put them as a priority to be taken care of because we have clearly been shown that nothing is small and in fact let's ponder this verse:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty
(1 Corinthians 1:27)
What we see are the 'so called' smallest issues turn out to be huge issues because they can cause you to be rebuked and shunned so that you may be ashamed and it is also protection for the rest of the body not to be corrupt by such sin. By leaving these so called little leavens, there is the risk of ruining the whole body.
What we see are the 'so called' smallest issues turn out to be huge issues because they can cause you to be rebuked and shunned so that you may be ashamed and it is also protection for the rest of the body not to be corrupt by such sin. By leaving these so called little leavens, there is the risk of ruining the whole body.
Another encouragement from God’s Word:
And he said unto
them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your
hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight
of God.
(Luke 16:15)
God abhors these
little highly esteemed trinkets of pagans that come from man-made traditions.
Beware lest any man spoil you through
philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of
the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:8)
It is hard to kill
the flesh of such practices but:
I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)
We exhort,
admonish and encourage you to be obedient to God’s Word and put off the old man
and put on the new, who is Christ.
(Ephesians 4)
These instructions are for those who have been
repented and been born from above (John 3:3) so if you have not been born from above please click HERE
to learn the gospel good news and how to be redeemed.
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