Why must Christians be careful how they do certain things?
Christians must be careful how they do certain things so the unbelieving world does not misinterpret their actions and wrongly accuse them. Since the surrounding culture views practices like head coverings in specific ways, believers should handle such matters with care to avoid misunderstanding and offense.
Les explains that Paul addresses the Corinthian believers with their culture in view. In the Middle East, an unveiled woman is open to verbal abuse, snide remarks, or even attack, while a veiled woman retreats into a world of her own and is not to be touched. So Paul tells them to be careful how they handle this situation lest the world misinterpret. Les applies the same principle today: Christians must be careful how they do certain things lest the unbelieving world totally misinterpret their actions and accuse them wrongly. He then notes that a man praying or prophesying with his head covered dishonors his head, and a woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonors her head. But Les clarifies this does not mean women today must wear a veil or hat in church; it was a matter of custom.