Whether across the street or in the grocery store, you’ll see at least one person wearing a cross necklace—what does the holy Bible say about this practice? Is it appropriate to wear a cross as Christians?
The short answer is, the Bible doesn’t specifically support or prohibit the act of wearing a cross. Although the Bible portrays the cross as a symbol of faith as it relates to Jesus’ sacrifice, it doesn’t mention the use of cross jewelry.
Therefore, the use of the cross is considered an individual’s expression of the Christian faith. Moreover, it is also a reminder of Christ’s suffering to redeem the whole world from the curse of sin and death.
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Since the scriptures didn’t speak of wearing religious crosses, it can be difficult to know if the practice is a sin or not. Nevertheless, some Bible verses give insight into believers’ approach to the things they wear.
In this guide, we will address the practice of wearing the cross with references from the scripture.
No, wearing cross jewelry is not a sin in the Bible. However, the only reason scripture would condemn this religious symbol is when it becomes an object of worship.
The second commandment in the book of Exodus 20:4 warns believers against idolatry. It reads, “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.”
Likewise, in 1 Corinthians 10:14, Apostle Paul urges all followers of Christ Jesus to flee from the worship of idols.”
The Bible makes it clear that our God is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14). If someone claims to be a Christian, and they worship the cross or other physical objects, they’re committing a sin.
Another possible reason a person can commit a sin by wearing cross jewelry is if it serves as a stumbling block for others. Some people wear the cross to attract the attention of others and to show off. But the word of God in 1 Peter 3:4 admonish us that,
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
So as Christians, your reason for wearing a cross should be because you want to honor the Lord. Additionally, it should express your love and devotion to Jesus Christ, the son of God who came to die for the sins of the world.
Always remember the word of God in 1 Corinthians 10:31, which says whatever you do must be to the glory of God. Anything you wear, whether the cross, a piece of jewelry or other physical adornments, should always glorify the Lord.
Brief History of the Cross
History records that the cross symbol has been in use before the Christian era. It was considered a religious symbol by the Babylonians and is one of their oldest monuments.
Historians believe the symbol of the cross is associated with the Babylonian Mystery Religion, known as Tammuz. There’s also a belief that the use of the cross had pagan origins several centuries before Jesus’ crucifixion.
Before the time of Constantine, in the 4th century, Christians were careful not to show the cross, as it might expose them to shame or danger.
After Constantine embraced Christianity, he put an end to crucifixion as a death penalty. He also influenced the use of the cross as a Christian symbol. Constantine the Great was the ruler of the Roman Empire several years after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Nowadays, wearing the cross has become a widespread practice in the Christian communities. Many Christians now wear it as a symbol of their faith and devotion to Christ.
While the cross has a deep history in the Christian tradition, the Bible didn’t mention it as an item of worship. Instead, it was an instrument of death that reminds believers of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and His complete surrender to the will of God.
Jesus had told his disciples that he would be killed and raised to life on the third day (Matthew 16:21). Though some Jews believed that Jesus was the Messiah, their leaders became threatened by Him.
So they conspired against Jesus, and with the help of Judas Iscariot, the Roman soldiers arrested Him. They accused Jesus of blasphemy and treason, and the punishment for these offenses in Roman law is death by crucifixion.
Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor at that time, didn’t want to punish Jesus for the crimes because he knew the Lord wasn’t guilty. Nevertheless, he decided to grant the people’s request, which was the death of Jesus.
Pilate released Jesus to the soldiers who beat and mocked Him. They made him carry his cross and put a crown of thorns on His head. The Roman soldiers led Jesus to calvary also known as Golgotha (translated as place of the skull), the site where he was crucified.
On the third day, Jesus rose from death, just as He prophesied to His disciples. The Bible says in Matthew 20:28,
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Whether a christian should wear a cross or not depends mainly on personal preference. In the Christian faith, believers in Christ can express themselves the way they feel without judgment or fear.
God is not interested in the religious items we wear or carry everywhere we go, such as crosses and crucifixes. He is more concerned about the state of our heart, which influences the way we live and interact with others.
If a Christian wears the cross regularly but doesn’t exhibit the attributes of Christ, their religion is vain. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus says,
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Therefore, what we wear is not as important as our thoughts, speech, and deeds in the sight of God.
As followers of Christ, your motive for wearing a cross is important. Your aim shouldn’t be to copy the looks of unbelievers or to announce your presence. Instead, you should appear in a modest and decent manner to honor the Christian faith.
In 1 Timothy 2:9, Apostle Paul writes,
“And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes.”
Remember the cross is not just a fashion piece but a reminder of the suffering and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. Embrace humility, modesty, and decency in whatever you wear to reflect your faith as a believer.
Can Wearing a Cross Protect You?
There’s no mention of the cross being a source of protection in the Bible, though some Christians believe it does. Many also use the cross during prayers, a practice that doesn’t have any biblical basis.
The scripture makes us understand that it is the name of Jesus that protects and nothing else (Proverbs 18:10). Those who believe the cross offers protection likely don’t have a good knowledge of the word of God.
Many verses of the scripture speak against the use of physical items to represent God, as it is considered idolatry. John 4:24 teaches us that “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
God doesn’t want His children to replace Him with anything, including crosses and crucifixes. If you need divine protection, pray to God in the name of Jesus Christ, and He will protect you.
Final Thoughts
Even though the Holy Bible didn’t specify whether wearing the cross is a sin or not, we must be careful about our approach towards it. While some people wear the cross to have a sense of spiritual connection to their faith, others wear it to feel safe and secure.
Whatever the reason may be for wearing a cross, it shouldn’t go against the word of God. Most importantly, you should aim to please God with the things you wear, the words you say and your way of life.
Kennie Oguntoyinbo is a freelance content writer, editor and proofreader with over 4 years of experience. She is highly skilled in creating captivating and informative content across the Christian, relationship, and parenting niches. With a deep love for Christian-related articles, she writes content that inspires the readers, combining biblical lessons with practical knowledge. Whether writing devotional blogs, relationship advice, or family-focused articles, she aims to glorify God while connecting with readers through relatable, encouraging, faith-driven articles.
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