It Is Difficult To Be A Christian?

What Do We Do? Live like a hermit of monk? Withdraw from all contact with others? Take a “If you can’t beat them, join them?” 1 Corinthians 5:9,10 – can’t go out of the world James 1:27 – Keep unspotted from the world Romans 12:1,2 - Be transformed by renewing our minds 2 Timothy 2:4 - We are at war!

Determining Right From Wrong Is it specifically forbidden? Galatians 5:19-21 - works of the flesh 1 Corinthians 6:9,10 – will not inherit the kingdom Colossians 3:5-9 - pit off the old man

Bible Doesn’t List All Sins Will it offend your conscience? Romans 14:23 Conscience isn’t reliable to tell you what is right Will it cause you to lust? 1 John 2:16,17; 1 Peter 2:11

Bible Doesn’t List All Sins Is it associated with things that are wrong? 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Will it place you in the wrong company? 1 Corinthians 15:33; Ephesians 5:11 Will it harm your body? We belong to God – 1 Corinthians 6:19,20; Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 3:16,17

Bible Doesn’t List All Sins Will it hinder your influence on others for doing good? We are examples to the world – Matthew 5:13-16; Titus 2:6-8 We should not engage in things that the world thinks it is wrong for a Christian to do Watch that we don’t cause another Christian to stumble.

Application: DANCING What does the Bible say? Favorable Mentions: An act of celebration – Exodus 15:20,21 Judges 11:34 – Jephthah’s daughter 1 Samuel 18:6,7 – victory celebration Luke 15:25 – prodigal son

Application: DANCING What does the Bible say? Favorable Mentions: An expression of happiness No dancing when sad – Lamentations 5:15 Psalms 30:11; Jeremiah 31:4,13

Application: DANCING What does the Bible say? Favorable Mentions: Praising God David’s dance before the ark – 2Samuel 6:14-23; 1 Chronicles 15:29 Suggested by psalmist – Psalm 149:3

NOTICE: People danced alone or with members of their own sex It was an expression of the dancer’s feelings It was not done for exercise or for entertainment

Application: DANCING What does the Bible say? Unfavorable Mentions: A sign of idle wealth was to teach children to dance – Job 21:11,12 A part of drunken celebration – 1 Samuel 30:16; Galatians 5:19-21 A part of idol worship- Exodus 32:6,19 Led to John’s beheading – Matthew 14:6-8; Mark 6:22

Was a form of entertainment Celebrated man’s work instead of God’s NOTICE: Was a form of entertainment Celebrated man’s work instead of God’s Associated with wild parties

Where Would You Put Modern day Dances? They are usually a form of entertainment, rarely do they celebrate anything Sexual arousal is the main reason it is so popular Would you think it normal for a man to dance with a man or a woman with a woman? Why do you reject the idea? Would you like to see a loved one slow dancing with someone else?

Where Would You Put Modern day Dances? What type of movements are use in modern dances? Slow dance involves close contact A fast dance involves hip thrusts and other suggestive movements Popular places to dance? Bars Parties where alcohol is served

What About TV Shows That Feature Dancing? Wearing scanty clothing Skin tight clothing that leaves nothing to the imagination Do you think the producers know what will draw an audience? Is this what Christians ought to be seeing?

What About TV Shows That Feature Dancing? Lewdness – “wanton acts or manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling” Galatians 5:10-21 “will not inherit the kingdom of God.” How can we say lewdness is sinful and sit and watch it in action? Romans 2:1

“…keep yourself pure.” 1 Timothy 5:22