From a Biblical standpoint, Is it wrong for older Christians to dye their hair?

Question

No reactive answers here, I'm serious: should older Christians with graying hair color their hair, or is this going against what the Bible says in Proverbs 16, "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life." The Bible shows that graying hair is something to be glad to obtain in life, not something to mask.

Further, is the believer exercising true humility in altering or covering over something that is a natural part of life? Generally an older person with dyed hair is very obvious, so is this setting a proper example for younger people of the virtue of humility? (in accordance with numerous Biblical examples, such as Paul's letter to Timothy, in which he instructs older men to set Godly examples for the young men)

If gray hair is a sign of a righteous life, why would this be covered with dyes?

I'd love some serious answers here.

Answer 1

In that case, should women wear make up, or should humans wear clothes?

I'm not trying to be facecious (sp?), but my point is just that the human appearance as a whole, though it must remain modest, is not the issue of life. I believe what Solomon is getting at in his proverb is just the simple fact that the age of an old person is what is the crown of slendor. It's not the appearance, but rather, it's the fact they have aged and grown wise in life. But the only way to grow wise, is to live righteously. Another point could just be reiterating the fact of the command to "Honor thy father and thy mother...for thy days shall be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." The verse says gray hair is obtained by a righteous life...thus saying that when one reaches the age when their hair begins to change color, it shows they have lived a righteous life as they have aged enough to have their hair change.

All my thoughts:)

Answer 2

I think the simple answer is that the world has moved on.

We (in the west at least) live in a consumer society meaning people are encouraged to buy stuff even though they might not need it (such as hair dye). So people must be made to 'need' that product in order to spend the money on it. Our society/culture encourages people to stay young looking as long as possible and provides all these 'products' to allow people to do so.
It's the same with looking good (beauty products, cosmetic surgery, tanning salons etc) or being healthy (food supplements, diet drinks). More and more I feel that the benefit to the consumer is just a 'front' for the companies to make money - make people feel inadequate, then provide them with a consumable that they they can purchase to make them feel better.

Going back to your Biblical viewpoint I suppose that's up to each individual Christian. I mean most Christians seem to pick and choose what parts of the Bible they stick to and what parts they ignore.

Seems to me that our consumerist society is winning.
Shopping - the new religion!

Answer 3

That's a tricky one. Does that passage mean that if I don't live a righteous life, I won't go gray?

And what about those like myself that started going gray at 16? Does that mean I can dye my hair until I get old then I shouldn't? Who determines what is old, I'm 40 now.
Altering what comes naturally is just too broad of a statement. Men and woman should never shave or cut their hair then because that's something that happens naturally. I believe that proverbs is not a book of rules and laws but advice/opinion. Just like when he says a virtuous woman who will find her? He means that every one has so many opinions on what a virtuous woman is that you won't find just one. He describes a woman who works out of the home as well as the woman who stays home and cares for her children and husband.
New testament teaches us that the woman should not depend on the outward beauty by adorning herself w/gold, and fancy hairdo etc but with the inner beauty. Does that mean Thou shall not wear jewelry. Thou shall not comb your hair? NO.

I've known some woman who dye their hair silver/grayish...what of them.

Good question

Answer 4

Exactly, why should we cover our crown of splendor with a sign of vanity or shame..after all isn't that why some of us dye our hair?Are we ashamed of getting old or is it that we are too vain to admit it and so we want to hide the fact?Are we willing to hide a sign that shows others that we have lived a 'righteous life just so that we can look good?
When we die our bodies will return to the dust, along with our hair....but for now our bodies are a temple where the Holy Spirit lives..you decide what roof you wish your temple to have.
I hope I have been helpfull, my answer comes from the heart.God bless you!

Answer 5

Bless your heart, Rob. I respect your perspective and this is what I think - I'm biting my tongue concerning the authentic authorship of "some" of the "stories" in the bible and some of which does not 'ring true' today. That's one of the wonderful things about truth - it withstands the test of time.

When all is said and done, Rob, your relationship with your Creator is an intimate part of who you are and is private. Regardless of gender, if one chooses to color their hair, wear a hat or scarf, or anything else one decides to adorn their crown with is of no concern to anyone. Are you showing humility by judging someone else's choice? All I'm saying is look inside yourself to see if it's warranted. Is using your energy on this worth your time? Is it? Ask yourself a lot of questions, Rob. Find someone you trust who will give your thoughts a voice and hear you.

Look, I've been there and I understand about the search for answers to puzzling contradictions in life. This is what I've found so far, with respect to your question, and which works for me. Breathe. Practice compassion. Treat people decently. It's really all right not to agree. Challenging - Yes. Joyful - Yes. My truth is this: Love lives in us all and we are all here to love and to learn the many lessons that this brings. We need each other.

Good luck, Rob. Peace be with you.

Answer 6

Take a look at my picture,does it look dyed?
I grayed early in life before I became a child of God and started dyeing it after I became a child of God around 48 after looking older than I was for a long time.God looks into the heart of man and it is going to be the pure in heart that see God.I have not been condemned by God for coloring my hair but there are always going to be people that will.I don't want to please people though and the word of God says delight yourself in the Lord and he shall give you the desire of your heart.
My natural color when I was young was dark brown.I will be 54 this friday and thank the Lord for it.

Answer 7

i happen to think this is a matter of taste. i am 56 and dye my hair and am a strong believer in God.I think I will stop dying my hair at some point.probably when i feel i have earned the splendor of the grey hair,right now i am not quite ready to wear that crown. i don't think things like that really matter to God it's whats under the hair that counts. stop worrying over small things and work on the commandments and loving your neighbor as your self that's hard enough.

Answer 8

The Torah, meaning "teachings", no longer "regulation", is created from the 5 books of Moshe. the completed Jewish Bible is named Tanach and contains the Torah, Nevi'im (Prophets), and ok'tuvim (Writings). The Christian old testomony became into based on the Tanach however the OT became into thoroughly changed to help the training of Christianity. The OT isn't seen a valid non secular text textile interior Judaism because of the great differences. as an occasion, Daniel has by no skill been seen a prophet in Judaism, consequently, the e book of Daniel isn't prophetic and this is placed in the ok'tuvim component of the Tanach. The Christian Church, in the different hand, became Daniel right into a prophet and moved his e book into the prophets component of the OT. notice: The be conscious Torah shares an identical root because of the fact the be conscious 'morah' meaning 'instructor'.

Answer 9

I don't believe it is a sin to dye your hair, however I do think it is not letting go of that ego we are supposed to bury with Christ in baptism. God looks on the heart but other people judge you by your outside appearance. They can't wait for a Christian to stumble because it makes them feel less guilty about ignoring Godly principals. So I would say, as a Christian woman, think about how your actions look to others and less about how your physical looks. You gonna lose it anyway, Dear Heart,, trust me...beauty is fleeting...

Answer 10

New Testament doesnt say anything that its WRONG for older christian to dye their grey hair to black..
however there are rules about hair in the new testament..

1 Corinthians 11:13-15 (New Living Translation)

13What do you think about this? Is it right for a woman to pray to God in public without covering her head?
14Isn't it obvious that it's disgraceful for a man to have long hair?
15And isn't it obvious that long hair is a woman's pride and joy? For it has been given to her as a covering.



clear? :)