By Carllister Ejinkeonye
Rings (including wedding rings) fall in the same category as jewelries and other forms of ornaments which heaven-conscious Christians try to avoid because of the Bible’s stand on them. In order words, it would be ironical to avoid earrings and use wedding rings.
Apart from that, the origin and foundation of any thing or practice greatly matters and speaks volumes about its wholesomeness or otherwise. As youths who are easily drawn to things that are expedient (things that are convenient but might not be proper or morally healthy) there is need to not be ignorant on this matter since youths are also known to be always seeking knowledge in various areas of life (1 Corinthians 6:12).
Wedding Rings
Wedding rings are historically known to have pagan and idolatrous origins. Much later, the practice began to find its way into some churches (like some other hitherto ungodly practices) as depreciation in Christian values began to creep into the Church. But we must not forget that God has clearly commanded us not to follow these practices but rather to strip ourselves of them (Deuteronomy 12:29-32; Leviticus 18:3, 4; Exodus 33:5, 6). The use of wedding rings was not mentioned anywhere in the whole Old Testament neither can it be found in the New Testament. Early secular marriages and the ones conducted by Christian organisations rejected the use of wedding rings, but unfortunately today, many of such organisations have embraced it like they have done other practices that help them in their bid to be like and acceptable to the world. One can even see the kind of very exposing wedding gowns brides now wear even in so-called Pentecostal assemblies. These were not there before. This is a leaven that is fast eating up the Church.
Marriage is a thing of the heart and should be a relationship cemented in the heart and sealed by the Spirit of God and not by rings that are easily disposable. It should be respected as an institution of God and respected in the heart. Spouses should allow themselves to be guided by true love and purity as the Scriptures stipulate. They should hallow the sacredness and sanctity of their union and not the exchange of rings. How many marriages have been saved from divorce or broken homes recovered by couples remembering the rings they had exchanged on their wedding day?
The fact that many are into this does not change the principles of the Bible neither does the number of years an error has lasted make it now to become truth. We are not of the world (1 John 2:15-17; Romans 12:2). If we have given up many other things, then we should give up whatever is remaining for this is one of the reasons for which our Master came, to deliver us from this evil world (Galatians 1:3-4). Remember, a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump (Galatians 5:9; 1 Corinthians 5:6). An acceptance of this leaven opens the door to others
Take Note Of This Also:
Earrings have their origin among many nations associated with animistic and idolatrous practices and like every other thing of such origin, it spreads quickly and many begin to follow it. Earnings were once used as mark of slavery and proof of being owned by somebody (Exodus 21:2-6; Deuteronomy 15:16-17). They were associated with strange gods which Jacob had to take away from his children in order to prepare them for a new encounter with the true God (Genesis 35:1-5).
Moses destroyed the golden calf which was made from golden earrings and which Aaron referred to as the gods that brought them (the children of Israel) out of the land of Egypt in order to remove the remembrance of this evil learnt in Egypt (Exodus 32:1-3,19-20; consider Judges 8:22-27).
Today many people argue that earrings and other ornament of jewelry and cosmetics have ceased to be part of idolatrous practices but for beautification and decoration citing such scriptures as Ezekiel 16:12; Proverbs 25:12). This is a leaven that is quickly spreading among many Christian youths. The origin of a thing should be a concern to you.
Thank you and God bless.
