Should a Christian Dance?

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Should a Christian Dance?

Living a Life Free in Christ Series

I) Introduction

A) Series: Living a life of Freedom in Christ

1) Purpose: Determine if we are living free in Christ or Free from Christ?

2) My Job: Present information to make informed decisions about our actions and scripture.

B) I did a search on the internet regarding the question: “Why do you dance?”.

1) Brought up a number of dance school pages, but also many “blogs” asking this question.

2) The most eye opening find: majority of respondents were women.

(a) Very, very few men answered this question.

3) Woman’s response: fun, made them feel free, and allowed them to expression of inner feelings.

C) Most guys do not see dancing in the same rose tinted glasses as girls.

1) They don’t answer questions about dancing because they really don’t care about dancing

2) Men engage in dancing because of the influence of women.

(a) If a man is not dancing with her, a girl will dance with her girlfriends.

� Normal men would never do this.

� A girl will dance even if it is by herself.

� Most guys would never do this.

(b) Women dance for fun, guys try not to look ridiculous.

� Typically, these dances were for war, worship, the telling of tribal history, or to impress girls.

D) I am a Guy, I Have Direct Insight on the Reasons that Guys Dance.

1) First, they are attracted to a girl and the girl wants to dance.

2) Second, they are compelled to dance out of Jealousy.

3) Third, Dancing is arousing and allows them to get close to the girl.

4) Fourth, Dancing increases the chance of intimate activity after dancing.

(a) A. G. Hobb's tract “IS IT RIGHT TO DANCE?”

� Audience of 1500 men asked, "How many can dance and not have evil thoughts?"

� No one raised their hand – DUH

� The things men say and think cannot be expressed to ladies.

5) Fact: If it weren’t for the role of alcohol in dancing atmosphere, many men would not do it.

(a) The same goes with Karaoke.

E) With these differences in the open, let’s turn and see what the Bible says about dancing.

II) Does the Bible say, “Thou Shalt Not Dance”?

A) No! But what do we know about our studies in Biblical Authority?

1) Silence is not permissive, it is prohibitive.

2) The Bible is never really silent on any issue.

III) What Does the Bible Say that Would Prohibit a Christian from Dancing?

A) Desired State: A Christian Should Be Seeking to be Pure:

1) Rom 12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

2) Col 3:2 - Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.

3) Titus 2:6-8 - the younger men likewise exhort to be sober-minded: in all things showing thyself an ensample of good works; in thy doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us.

4) James 1:27- Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

5) 1 Jn 3:3 - And every one that hath this hope set on Him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

6) Question: Will Dancing Take A Christian Out of a State of Purity?

B) There are Many Purity Pitfalls Surrounding Dance.

1) Three we will focus on are seen in: 1 Peter 4:1-4 – "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you."

(a) Lasciviousness – Random House Dictionary: arousing sexual desire.

� Nearly all men, Modern dance Historians, Dance Instructors agree that Dance is alluring.

� It is meant to create desire.

� Creating sexual desire is acceptable only if it has authority; if it is directed at your spouse.

� Having someone attracted to you and purposely arousing their sexual appetites are two different things.

� Gal. 5:19-21 - Consequence no heavenly kingdom.

(b) Lust - 1 Thess 4:3-6 - For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication; that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who know not God; that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in the matter: because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified.

� Lasciviousness aims to create lust in its objects.

� Lust can be a reaction to Lasciviousness.

� 2 Tim. 2:22 - But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

� Dancing not only incites the lust of the dancing partner…

� but for those watching the dancing.

� This occurs often for what individuals wear to dance in and how they move.

(c) Reveling – Thayer - “used generally of feasts and drinking parties that are protracted till late at night”

� When and where do most dances take place?

� They take place in an atmosphere influenced by Alcohol. Frequently in Bars.

� When does this occur, typically later in the evening.

� We have discussed alcohol in the past, alcohol drops inhibitions God gave us.

� This atmosphere is condemned by scripture.

� 1Co 15:33 - Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.

2) Incites Jealousy

(a) Rom 13:13 - Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy.

(b) How many movies have a woman dancing with another guy to promote Jealousy?

� If he is hesitant to dance, it may make him dance.

� It works! However, such actions can be reacted to in varying ways.

� Anger – Many fights happen at dances.

� Rejection – Plan backfired as it was seen as unfaithfulness.

� Thus, one sin may breed other sins and undesired consequences.

3) Creates Stumbling Block – “I don’t lust on the dance floor”

(a) 1 Co 8:13 - Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.

� The reason dancing is such a big topic among Christians is it does cause stumbling.

� It creates lust and lust can turn to fornication.

(b) 1 Thess. 5:22 - abstain from every form of evil.

4) Lost Influence

(a) Mat 5:16 - Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

(b) I Pet. 2:9 - But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

� Dancing, its atmosphere, the temptation, the frequent immodesty, the lack of shame…

� When you engage in this you lose your ability to convict others.

(c) Eph 5:3 - But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints;

� The word uncleanness here means impurity.

� We do not want any cause for one to say we are impure.

C) Does Dancing Have Sinful Pitfalls which destroy the Christian’s Pure State? Yes!

IV) Is all Dancing wrong?

A) Rather than Try to Run through a Long List of Dances Ask these Questions:

1) Will the dance be with someone other than my spouse?

2) Will the dance involve the bodies coming in physical contact?

3) Will there be others observing the dance?

4) Will your behavior reflect poorly on the Church?

5) Will your behavior fail to Glorify God?

6) Will there be movements which will cause your partner or others to lust?

7) Will the atmosphere suggest intimacy? I.E dark lighting suggestive music?

8) Will you be wearing immodest apparel?

9) Will the atmosphere have alcohol or other substances?

10) In most cases, if your answer is Yes to any of the above, I would suggest not dancing.

(a) Is your approach to life to pure and holy without any appearance of sin?

(b) Or do you desire to get away with as much as you possibly can?

V) Closing

A) Woman’s response to why she dances:

1) Fun – Sin is fun – Heb. 11:25

2) Freedom was felt – Free in Christ? Or Free From Christ?

(a) Romans 6:20-22 - For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

3) Feelings can be Expressed – Pro 16:25 - There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.

B) The decision to Dance or not dance needs to be on Truth, not Fun, Freedom, and Feelings.

C) I Suggest to You, Most Dancing Folks Engage in Today… will make them:

1) Free From Christ.