In A Continuing Series on Modesty

Modesty defined by Webster’s Dictionary is simply the quality or state of being modest, unassuming or humble behavior, lack of excesses or pretensions; moderation, decency. It is rare to be around someone today that exemplifies a spirit of modesty, which is humble and is decent. It seems that the more emphasis is placed on being seen and exuding something to bring attention to ones self.

This lends to another subject questioned in the church world today or should it be said very little is spoken of this area of modesty. In fact today some may not associate this area of discussion with modesty and that is….beards.

History has much to bear on this subject, pertaining to times and periods of its existence to almost non-existence. By looking at history it yields much in understanding in that the facts seems very clear that beards had a purpose, made a statement and spoke of ones place in society even looking at our current time in history shall it be recorded that a beard is worn for pure vanity.

The highest ranking Egyptians grew hair on their chins which was often dyed and plaited with interwoven gold thread. Mesopotamian civilizations devoted great care to oiling and dressing their beards. In ancient India the beard was allowed to grow long as a sign of dignity and wisdom. The Persians were fond of long beards in ancient Greece the Greeks regarded the beard as a badge of virility which was often a disgrace to be without.

In the time of Alexander the Great the custom of smooth shaving was introduced, ordering his soldiers to be clean shaven, fearing that their beards would serve as handles for their enemies to grab and to hold as he was killed. In Rome around the year 299BC Scipio Africanus was apparently the first among the Romans who shaved his beard. It caught on and almost all Romans men were clean shaven.

In the 15^th century, most European men were clean shaven. In urban circles of Western Europe and the Americas, with the spread of Christianity beards were out of fashion in the early 17^th century; to such an extent that, in 1698, Peter the Great of Russia ordered men to shave off their beards. Throughout the 18^th century beards were unknown among most parts of Western society, especially the nobility and upper classes.

Beards returned strongly to fashion after the Napoleonic Era. Throughout the 19^th century facial hair, beards along with long sideburns and moustaches were more common than not. However, in the early 20^th century beards started a slow decline in popularity. In the 1960’s beards along with long hair were reintroduced in Western Europe and the Americas by the hippie movement and by the end of the 20^th century the closely clipped Verdi beard, often with a matching integrated moustache, had become relatively common.

What about beards in association with religion? Sikhism considers the beard to be part of the nobility and dignity of their manhood. Hindu priests are unshaven as a sign of purity. Muslims believe they should groom their beards and trim their moustaches. The Bible states in Leviticus 19:27, “Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard” Talmudaic rabbis understood this to mean that a man may not shave his beard with a razor with a single blade.

We find throughout history and most of the mentioned religions, and there are more, the common denominator is that beards were a common thing and especially in religious circles most all had beards of some sort or fashion. If history shows religions having beards why would some religions of our modern world choose to take a stand against beards altogether? Why then would there be a debate of whether a beard is right or wrong? Why would we tend to as a Christian prefer that men be clean shaven? The short answer is a simple question, what does your beard associate you with? It cannot be said with absolute clarity from the threshold of modesty that a beard is wrong but what is the intent and reason for wearing one?

Study of the scriptures show that there is a Biblical principal that can be seen concerning the purpose of beards. We can ascertain through reading Leviticus 27:9 and I Kings 18:28 that there was a manner of idol worship that lent itself to the cutting and marring of the face, body and use of markings and the hair which was cut from the face and head. Blood and hair were used in the idol worship and ceremonies. History both Biblically and naturally bears out this practice. The Biblical principal shown in these scriptures clearly sets a standard to not take a razor and round the corners of the head or beards but to let it grow. It shows an apparent denoting of separation of Gods chosen people from idolatress nations around them.

This being established that God has always desired for his people to be different from the people in the world it would seem reasonable then in our day and age that we live where so much emphasis is placed on beards, goatees, stylish facial hair that we the called of God should differentiate ourselves by being clean shaven.

There is much debate that can take place concerning this standard that old time Pentecostals hold to concerning beards. Is a beard right or is it wrong? Can it be proved by scripture that it is wrong to grow a beard? Does it mean that you are not holy? It is not necessarily whether it is right or wrong but what does it associate you with? What are you identifying yourself with by growing one. It cannot be proven one way or the other but this much can be established; the beard always was worn with a purpose, identity and association. Seeing that there is so much emphasis today on the grooming of beards and goatees as a statement it would seem prudent for the called of God today to not grow a beard. By not growing one you make a statement to the world that you are different. It is not done in a haughty way but done in the spirit of humility and sincere desire to please God it will allow the Spirit of Christ to be given the glory.

In closing we find that the Apostle Paul exhorted the church in Corinth (II Co 6:17) to “come out from among them and be ye separate.  Paul also stated in I Corinthians 6:19 and 20 that “we are not our own but bought with a price” that “we should glorify God in our body and our spirit, which are his”. It really is not so much of right or wrong but more of a principal. The question should be; why do you want to grow a beard? Is it fashion or for the glory of God in your body and spirit? In the day that we live where the beard states so much we stand on the principal and standard that it is better not to have one.