1 Corinthians 11:3-16 can be easily misunderstood and maliciously applied! It all comes down to having a poor spirit (humility) or a rich spirit (pride). To properly benefit both sexes, spouses, and the church as a whole, humility is key. I am not a man or husband, but I am also Christ’s bride, the church so I am writing to girls specifically to cover your head.

My mentors are teaching me not to focus on what I don’t know.

But focus on what you do know!

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. – Rev 21:2 KJV

Make Love Great

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. – Gal 3:28 KJV

Brothers and sisters in Christ can apply all of God’s commandments to themselves. We are all brethren, brides, kings, and priests in Christ Jesus.

Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. – Mat 13:43 KJV (Also: Mark 4:23, 7:16, Matthew 11:15, 13:9).

Jesus said, “Who has ears to hear, let him hear” many times.

See more verses about this at Blue Letter Bible.

In Christ, we are free to agree or agree that we don’t agree and still fellowship together. We do not have to agree about every issue to love and submit to one another.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. – 1Jo 4:7 KJV

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. – Eph 5:21 KJV

The Head of the Woman is the Man

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman [is] the man; and the head of Christ [is] God. – 1Co 11:3 KJV

Again, this should be humbling for men and women, husbands and wives, or the church as a whole. I do think that to be compared to Christ as the head of the church, a man/husband should be humbled by this not exalted or puffed up. Unfortunately, this will not be the case for all.

But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. – 1Co 14:38 KJV

Submission

All of the verses in the New Testament do NOT say, “Force them to submit to you.” Submission to God is a choice that God has given us the freedom to make with our own God-given SELF-control. Forcing another human being to submit to you or your god is dominance (2 Corinthians 4:4)! That is witchcraft and demonic.

Girls, Cover Your Head

First of all, most of my mentors teach that this is specifically talking about a husband and wife. I agree, but a woman could safely apply this to every person in her life.

Girls, we really need to cover our heads in prayer and prophesying. There are a lot of strange women out there who are ready, and willing, but not able to destroy your people! They are not able unless you are allowing the devil to steal, kill, and destroy you and your own family and friends (John 10:10, James 4:7, Ephesians 6:10-17).

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; – Eph 6:18 KJV

I am determined to do this. Why? Because my husband is my protection! He loves me as Christ loves the church. He adores me and cherishes me. Wesley Bice would fight for me and our kiddos to the death! I know this without a doubt. Like Christ, he does all of this even if/when we are in the wrong (Romans 5:8)!

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men [to] edification, and exhortation, and comfort. – 1Co 14:3 KJV

I didn’t always pray or prophesy over my husband this way. But, God taught me the blessings and protections of covering my head! My attitude, thoughts, and whole life did improve and still continue to get even better every day!

The Deep Things God

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. – 1Co 2:9 KJV
But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. – 1Co 2:10 KJV
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. – 1Co 2:12 KJV
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. – 1Co 2:14 KJV
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. – 1Co 2:16 KJV

Girls, Cover Your Head!

In 1 Timothy 2:9-15, Paul also talks about women specifically. I believe Paul is teaching here that women in general should never use their beauty or other strengths over a man to dominate him.

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; – 1Ti 2:9 KJV
But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. – 1Ti 2:10 KJV
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. – 1Ti 2:11 KJV
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. – 1Ti 2:12 KJV
For Adam was first formed, then Eve. – 1Ti 2:13 KJV
And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. – 1Ti 2:14 KJV
Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. – 1Ti 2:15 KJV

Most men are physically stronger than most women. But, women have strengths over other people that should never be used against them.

These verses are not teaching men to dominate their wives or any women. These verses are teaching women not to dominate, manipulate, or control people!

Christ is Man’s Head

Every man praying or prophesying, having [his] head covered, dishonoureth his head. – 1Co 11:4 KJV

And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? – Mar 4:21 KJV

But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with [her] head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. – 1Co 11:5 KJV

Girls, if you are married, cover your husband with prayer and prophesy knowing that you are his glory just as the church is Christ’s glory. Don’t allow the enemy to pick your spouse apart in your mind while you “go into all the world” loving on and submitting to strangers!

For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. – 1Co 11:6 KJV
For a man indeed ought not to cover [his] head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. – 1Co 11:7 KJV
For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. – 1Co 11:8 KJV
Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. – 1Co 11:9 KJV
For this cause ought the woman to have power on [her] head because of the angels. – 1Co 11:10 KJV
Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. – 1Co 11:11 KJV
For as the woman [is] of the man, even so [is] the man also by the woman; but all things of God. – 1Co 11:12 KJV
Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? – 1Co 11:13 KJV
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? – 1Co 11:14 KJV
But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for [her] hair is given her for a covering. – 1Co 11:15 KJV
But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. – 1Co 11:16 KJV
Now in this that I declare [unto you] I praise [you] not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. – 1Co 11:17 KJV

Study in Context

The Word is never meant to force others to serve you and the lust of your flesh! As we see in this last verse, again, Paul is correcting these “brethren.” Study God’s Word by His Word! Ask Holy Spirit to teach, lead, and guide you. He is faithful!

Born Again

And continue to grow as a child of the King!

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them]; – 2Ti 3:14 KJV
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. – 2Ti 3:15 KJV
All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: – 2Ti 3:16 KJV
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. – 2Ti 3:17 KJV

Be perfect as He is perfect (Matthew 5:48)!

But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. – Mat 19:26 KJV
And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. – Mar 10:27 KJV
And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. – Luk 18:27 KJV