The practice of wearing necklaces was once generally confined to women. But during the past couple of decades, increasing numbers of men have begun to take part in this practice. What does God have to say about this? Let’s consider a few points.

If you read the entire Bible, you will not find a verse that states, “Thou shalt not wear a necklace if thou art a man.” However, you will not find a verse that specifically forbids smoking either. Nevertheless, by extracting principles from God’s Word, one can easily conclude that smoking is wrong. The same can be done with the subject of necklaces.

In Deuteronomy 22:5, God states, “The woman shall not wear that which pertains unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord your God.”

While this verse does not specifically state that a man should not wear a necklace, it is most obvious that God is against blurring male and female appearance. He created each for a distinct role and purpose, and commands that men dress as men and women dress as women; this helps distinguish each gender.

Now ask yourself, “Are necklaces male or female garments?” Of course, it has become normal—mainstream—for both sexes to wear necklaces. But it has also become normal for people to smoke and wear make-up. Nevertheless, both are wrong in God’s eyes.

Understand that the entire world is deceived by the devil, and is out of step with God’s laws (Rev. 12:9; I John 5:19). God’s youth must never look to the world as a reliable source of what is acceptable. In Revelation 18:4, God says to “come out of her [the ways of this world], My people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues.”

Though a man wearing a necklace is acceptable to the world and may not seem like a big deal, it is a subtle gateway into other wrong trends. In principle, God’s Word warns against it. Therefore, youth within His Church will avoid it.