Why I Don’t Put Ashes on My Head — and Why I Don’t Judge Those Who Do

 A Theological Response to Ash Wednesday

Every year on or around Ash Wednesday, I’m asked the same question: “Pastor, why don’t you put ashes on your head?” Or some ask, “Why don’t we practice Ash Wednesday at Cowboy Fellowship?” It’s a fair question. But before we answer it, we should start with a basic understanding of what Ash Wednesday is.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent in many Christian faith traditions and has been observed in various forms for centuries within the broader church. The ashes are placed on the forehead in the shape of a cross. For many believers, it is a meaningful, humbling moment. Many traditions recite or otherwise remind the faithful of the biblical truth contained in Genesis 3:19 “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” while the ashes are being smeared. Others will say things like “Repent and believe in the gospel.” These are powerful reminders and meaningful moments when incorporated with the symbolism of ash.

So why don’t I personally practice what is known as Ash Wednesday? There are three main reasons.

1. I Don’t See It Prescribed in the New Testament

Ashes in Scripture are associated primarily with mourning, repentance, and humility (Job 42:6; Daniel 9:3; Jonah 3:6). In short, they were normally outward expressions of inward grief over sin. But in the New Testament, we are never commanded to observe Ash Wednesday or apply ashes as a Christian ordinance.

We are commanded to do other things such as:

• Repent (Acts 3:19)
• Believe (Mark 1:15)
• Be Baptized (Acts 2:38)
• Take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23)
• Remember Christ through the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23–26)

Ashes may symbolize repentance, but they are not prescribed as a practice for the church. Therfore as a pastor committed to being biblically centered, I try to reserve required spiritual practices for what Scripture clearly commands.

2. I Am Careful About External Displays of Spirituality

I am careful about external displays of spirituality because Jesus said we should be. For example, Jesus said in Matthew 6:16–18: “Whenever you fast, don’t be gloomy like the hypocrites… they disfigure their faces so that their fasting is obvious to people.” Similar statements are made regarding prayer and giving earlier in the same chapter (Matthew 6:1–8). In each case, the issue was not the act of devotion itself. Jesus assumes His followers will do things such as give, pray, and fast. The temptation comes when we put the wrong motive behind any act of devotion.

Jesus warns us against practicing righteousness “to be seen by others.” The danger is not the act of devotion; the danger for humanity is always in the external display of it. It is possible to do the right spiritual activity for the wrong spiritual reason. That sober warning makes me cautious about things such as Ash Wednesday. I never want an outward expression to substitute for inward transformation, nor do I want something meant for humility to subtly drift toward visibility. Jesus consistently points us toward secret faithfulness over public performance, toward sincerity over symbolism, and toward a heart that seeks the Father rather than the attention of people.

Now, I am not suggesting that everyone who receives ashes is being hypocritical. I am also not suggesting that they are doing it for personal attention. In fact, I am certain that many are deeply sincere. But there is an undeniable true and present danger that exists here.

Therefore, I am personally cautious about visible religious symbols that can unintentionally communicate spirituality without necessarily cultivating it. I believe the gospel transforms from the inside out. Repentance is not something I want to wear one day each year; it’s something I want to live every day of my life.

3. I Believe the Cross Is My Only Mark

Ash Wednesday emphasizes mortality: “You are dust.” The gospel emphasizes resurrection: “You are redeemed.” Yes, I am dust. But in Christ, I am also:

• Forgiven (Ephesians 1:7)
• Justified (Romans 5:1)
• Sealed with the Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)
• Raised to new life (Romans 6:4)

The mark that defines me best is not ash; it is the finished work of Christ. If I bear any mark publicly, I want it to be love, holiness, humility, and bold witness, not a seasonal symbol.

Why I Don’t Judge Those Who Do

Now let me say this clearly: passages like Romans 14 matter here. Paul teaches that believers will differ on disputable matters. Some observe certain days; others do not. And he writes, “Let each one be fully convinced in his own mind… Whoever observes the day, observes it for the honor of the Lord” (Romans 14:5–6). In other words, faithfulness is not measured by uniformity in non-essential practices, but by our sincerity before the Lord.

Ash Wednesday is not a salvation issue. It is not a gospel issue. It is not a heresy issue. For many believers, the ashes serve as a meaningful reminder of repentance, humility, and mortality. If they receive them sincerely, as an act of devotion unto Christ, I respect that. I can disagree with the practice personally while still honoring the conviction behind it.

What Scripture forbids is not ash, but pride. Not tradition, but division. Not symbolism, but judgmentalism. If I condemn a brother or sister for participating in a practice that is not sinful, I undermine the very gospel of grace I claim to defend. The same grace that frees my conscience also frees theirs.

So, for me, I choose to affirm and cheer on my brothers and sisters who have a deep conviction regarding Ash Wednesday. Where Christ has granted liberty, I want to show charity. As the famous saying goes. Unity in the essentials. Liberty in the non-essentials. And love in all things.

The Deeper Issue: Repentance, Not Ritual

The real question is not, “Do you wear ashes?” The real question is, “Have you repented?”

Joel 2:13 says, “Tear your hearts, not just your clothes.” From Genesis to Revelation, God has always been after the heart. He is not impressed by external signs if the inner life remains untouched. He desires brokenness over performance, humility over appearance, and surrender over symbolism.

If ashes lead someone to genuine repentance…praise God! If that moment causes a believer to slow down, confess sin, and remember their need for mercy, then it has served a beautiful purpose. But if someone wears ashes without repentance, without confession, without a softened heart toward God, then the ashes mean absolutely nothing. They become only dust on the skin.

And if someone skips the ashes but walks daily in humility, confession, and dependence on Christ, that kind of living also deeply honors the Lord.

As a pastor, my burden is not what is on your forehead. My burden is what is happening in your heart. Are you tender toward the Spirit? Are you quick to confess? Are you walking in the light? Are you clinging to the cross? The issue is not the symbol on your forehead. The issue is the substance within your soul. I am fully convinced that God is not after marks of ash on our heads; He is after total surrender in our lives.

Final Thoughts

So, why don’t I put ashes on my head? Because I do not see it prescribed in Scripture, because I am cautious about visible expressions of devotion, and because I want the finished work of Christ to be the defining mark of my life.

And why don’t I judge those who do? Because Christ is Lord of the conscience. Because Romans 14 calls us to charity in disputable matters. And because unity in the body of Christ is too precious to fracture over non-essentials.

If you choose to observe Ash Wednesday, do it unto the Lord. If you choose not to, do that unto the Lord. But let us all do this: repent sincerely, walk humbly, cling tightly to the cross, and live in light of the resurrection.

Ashes fade by the end of the day. But the grace of Jesus does not. And that is something worth remembering every day of the year.