Overcoming Worldliness Shall we dance?

2 Shall we dance? A Moral Challenge Will I participate in dancing (pre-teens, teenagers, adults)? Will I attend dances? Will I allow (give my approval) my child to go to dances? Will I perform music or otherwise provide the occasion for dancing to occur? Will I participate in dancing (pre-teens, teenagers, adults)? Will I attend dances? Will I allow (give my approval) my child to go to dances? Will I perform music or otherwise provide the occasion for dancing to occur?

3 Shall we dance? A Moral Challenge Will I refuse to admit the sin that is associated with dancing? Will I continue to dance and/or support dancing regardless of what Bible says? Will I object to the preaching of Bible lessons like this one? Will I refuse to admit the sin that is associated with dancing? Will I continue to dance and/or support dancing regardless of what Bible says? Will I object to the preaching of Bible lessons like this one?

4 Dancing in the Bible “About the methods of dancing practiced by the ancient Hebrews but little is known. Probably the dancers in some cases joined hands and formed a ring, or part of a ring, as in some heathen representations. The description of David’s dance: he “danced before Yahweh with all his Expressions of worship and joy (praise, gratitude, rejoicing), Psa. 149:1-4; 150:4

5 Dancing in the Bible “might…leaping and dancing before Yahweh” (2 Sam 6:14-16) suggests three features of that particular display and the mode of dancing which it represented: violent exertion, leaping, and whirling round.” (ISBE, II:1170) Expressions of worship and joy (praise, gratitude, rejoicing), Psa. 149:1-4; 150:4

6 Dancing in the Bible “Women seem generally to have danced by themselves, one often leading the rest, both in dancing and antiphonal song; so Miriam and the women of Israel, Jephthah’s daughter and her comrades, the women who greeted Saul and David…” (Ibid.) Expressions of worship and joy (praise, gratitude, rejoicing), Psa. 149:1-4; 150:4

7 Dancing in the Bible Miriam & the women of Israel, Exo. 15:20-21 Jephthah’s daughter, Jug. 11:34 Maidens of Shiloh, Jug. 21:19-23 Women of Israel when the Philistines were defeated, 1 Sam. 18:6-7 Miriam & the women of Israel, Exo. 15:20-21 Jephthah’s daughter, Jug. 11:34 Maidens of Shiloh, Jug. 21:19-23 Women of Israel when the Philistines were defeated, 1 Sam. 18:6-7 Expressions of worship and joy (praise, gratitude, rejoicing), Psa. 149:1-4; 150:4

8 Dancing in the Bible King David before the ark, 2 Sam. 6:12-16 Expression of gladness in contrast to mourning, Psa. 30:11 (Eccl. 3:4; Lam. 5:15) Figure of joy of God’s people in the Messianic age, Jer. 31:4, 13 Feast when prodigal son returned, Lk. 15:25 King David before the ark, 2 Sam. 6:12-16 Expression of gladness in contrast to mourning, Psa. 30:11 (Eccl. 3:4; Lam. 5:15) Figure of joy of God’s people in the Messianic age, Jer. 31:4, 13 Feast when prodigal son returned, Lk. 15:25 Expressions of worship and joy (praise, gratitude, rejoicing), Psa. 149:1-4; 150:4

9 Dancing in the Bible This dance was occasions of public rejoicing (for victories and other divine blessings) Expression of worship (thanksgiving) Typically segregated by gender Any attempt to associate today’s social dance with this dance utterly fails! This dance was occasions of public rejoicing (for victories and other divine blessings) Expression of worship (thanksgiving) Typically segregated by gender Any attempt to associate today’s social dance with this dance utterly fails! Expressions of worship and joy (praise, gratitude, rejoicing), Psa. 149:1-4; 150:4

10 Dancing in the Bible Israel before golden calf, Exo. 32:6, 19, 25 (1 Cor. 10:6-7) Idolatry and moral nakedness, 32:25 Daughter of Herodias, Mark 6:21-22 Sensual, enticing to eyes, pleasure derived Seductive and suggestive, void of spiritual content Israel before golden calf, Exo. 32:6, 19, 25 (1 Cor. 10:6-7) Idolatry and moral nakedness, 32:25 Daughter of Herodias, Mark 6:21-22 Sensual, enticing to eyes, pleasure derived Seductive and suggestive, void of spiritual content Lustful, unrestrained conduct

11 Dancing in the Bible This dance was associated with lust, self- indulgence, sinful motives and results Lustful, unrestrained conduct Which of these two dances more closely defines, describes and depicts the modern, social dance?

12 Dancing is Worldly 1 John 2:15-17 Walk properly (decently), honorably (1 Pet. 2:11-12) Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, Rom. 13:14 Make no provision for the flesh and its lusts Not possible in the modern dance! Walk properly (decently), honorably (1 Pet. 2:11-12) Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, Rom. 13:14 Make no provision for the flesh and its lusts Not possible in the modern dance! Absence of Moral Decency Romans 13:13

Dancing is Worldly 1 John 2:15-17 Lasciviousness, Gal. 5:19; 1 Pet. 4:3 Unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence…wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females, etc.” (Thayer, 79-80) Fundamentally: No restraints Lasciviousness, Gal. 5:19; 1 Pet. 4:3 Unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence…wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females, etc.” (Thayer, 79-80) Fundamentally: No restraints Absence of Moral Restraint Romans 13:13

14 Dancing is Lascivious 1 John 2:15-17 “There can scarcely be any doubt that dancing came about as an adjunct of sexual stimulation.” (Medical Review of America) “There can scarcely be any doubt that dancing came about as an adjunct of sexual stimulation.” (Medical Review of America) Testimony from the World

15 Dancing is Lascivious 1 John 2:15-17 “…the secret of the popularity of dancing (or is it a secret?) is the exciting sexual stimulation resulting from the close embrace of male and female, whether it be in dancing or without music in petting and necking.” ( Dr. J.P. Gibson, M.D) Testimony from the World

16 Dancing is Lascivious 1 John 2:15-17 Disco Dancing (1970’s): The drawing power of the discos attributed to its “progressive sexuality” and the promoters pin-pointing “sex- appeal” as the life-blood of the fad (The New York Times Magazine) Disco Dancing (1970’s): The drawing power of the discos attributed to its “progressive sexuality” and the promoters pin-pointing “sex- appeal” as the life-blood of the fad (The New York Times Magazine) Testimony from the World

17 Dancing is Lascivious 1 John 2:15-17 “As a medical man I flatly charge that modern dancing in fundamentally sinful and evil. I charge that dancing is the most advanced and the most insidious maneuvering preliminary to sex betrayal.” Dr. E. S. Sonners The Carnival of Death, “As a medical man I flatly charge that modern dancing in fundamentally sinful and evil. I charge that dancing is the most advanced and the most insidious maneuvering preliminary to sex betrayal.” Dr. E. S. Sonners The Carnival of Death, Testimony from the World

18 Dancing is Lascivious 1 John 2:15-17 “These things do take place during the dance movements. The girl must yield her body completely to the guidance of her partner. Can’t this closeness produce desires which would be indecent when brought to the surface? Testimony from a Teenage Christian

19 Dancing is Lascivious 1 John 2:15-17 “Here is your answer: In a survey a group of men were asked to raise their hands if they could dance and not have evil thoughts and desires. Not one person’s hand was raised.” Gloria Jean Davis, 17 yr. old Cited by Truman Smith “Is It A Sin To Dance”, The Voice, May 2000 “Here is your answer: In a survey a group of men were asked to raise their hands if they could dance and not have evil thoughts and desires. Not one person’s hand was raised.” Gloria Jean Davis, 17 yr. old Cited by Truman Smith “Is It A Sin To Dance”, The Voice, May 2000 Testimony from a Teenage Christian

20 Dancing is Worldly 1 John 2:15-17 Revelries: Riotous partying and lustful excesses, Gal. 5:21; 1 Pet. 4:3 Originally merely a merry-making Entertainment that grew into carousing Nocturnal, riotous procession of half- drunken fellows Revelries: Riotous partying and lustful excesses, Gal. 5:21; 1 Pet. 4:3 Originally merely a merry-making Entertainment that grew into carousing Nocturnal, riotous procession of half- drunken fellows Absence of Moral Boundaries Romans 13:13

21 Dancing is Worldly 1 John 2:15-17 “And the like” (Gal. 5:21) Dancing often includes dark setting, alcohol, sexual indulgences and excesses Any activity that provides a setting for lustful thoughts and lewd actions is against God’s principles of moral purity, Gal. 5:16-17 “And the like” (Gal. 5:21) Dancing often includes dark setting, alcohol, sexual indulgences and excesses Any activity that provides a setting for lustful thoughts and lewd actions is against God’s principles of moral purity, Gal. 5:16-17 Absence of Moral Boundaries Romans 13:13

22 Dancing is Contrary to Moral Purity Herod’s pleasure (Mk. 6:21-22) Lust of the eye (1 Jno. 2:16) Causes impure thoughts and lusts, cf. 1 Ths. 4:4-5 Flee youthful lusts, 2 Tim. 2:22 Herod’s pleasure (Mk. 6:21-22) Lust of the eye (1 Jno. 2:16) Causes impure thoughts and lusts, cf. 1 Ths. 4:4-5 Flee youthful lusts, 2 Tim. 2:22 Comes from a Corrupt Heart Mark 7:21-23

23 Dancing Destroys Your Godly Influence Cannot be a living sacrifice, Rom. 12:1-2 Cannot help save someone, Matt. 18:6 Does not produce righteous influences (Titus 2:11-12) Cannot be a living sacrifice, Rom. 12:1-2 Cannot help save someone, Matt. 18:6 Does not produce righteous influences (Titus 2:11-12) Do not be deceived! 1 Cor. 15:33-34; Eph. 5:6-7, 11

24 Dancing Associates with other Sinful Fruit Immodesty (1 Tim. 2:9-10) Drinking and carousing (1 Pet. 4:3) Sexual promiscuity (1 Cor. 6:18) Keep yourself unspotted from the world! (James 1:27) Immodesty (1 Tim. 2:9-10) Drinking and carousing (1 Pet. 4:3) Sexual promiscuity (1 Cor. 6:18) Keep yourself unspotted from the world! (James 1:27) Evil company corrupts good morals 1 Corinthians 15:33

25 Dancing Defenses If dancing is innocent, pure and good, why do dances need supervision? Problems come along with it: Promiscuity, drinking, vulgarities, etc. If dancing is innocent, pure and good, why do dances need supervision? Problems come along with it: Promiscuity, drinking, vulgarities, etc. “The dance will be chaperoned.”

26 Dancing Defenses No doubt, some are physically demanding If that is the reason for going to dances, have “boy only” and “girl only” dances! Not the real purpose for dances Not why people go to dances No doubt, some are physically demanding If that is the reason for going to dances, have “boy only” and “girl only” dances! Not the real purpose for dances Not why people go to dances “Dancing is good exercise.”

27 Dancing Defenses Then, why not dance in the privacy of your home to enjoy the rhythm of the music? This is not the real reason behind the modern, social dance Then, why not dance in the privacy of your home to enjoy the rhythm of the music? This is not the real reason behind the modern, social dance “I just enjoy the rhythm of the music.”

28 Dancing Defenses Or, “I allow my child to go because all his/her friends are going.” Do you use this rationale for smoking? Alcohol? Drugs? Pre-marital sex? Christian must take moral stands that are against the norms of society, Rom. 12:2; 1 Peter 4:4 Or, “I allow my child to go because all his/her friends are going.” Do you use this rationale for smoking? Alcohol? Drugs? Pre-marital sex? Christian must take moral stands that are against the norms of society, Rom. 12:2; 1 Peter 4:4 “I go to be socially popular.”

29 Dancing Defenses “I can control myself and my thoughts.” Self-control includes avoiding places where you can be tempted, 1 Cor. 9:27 What about your partner? Can you control his/her lustful thoughts toward you? Tempting another person to sin (Matt. 18:6-7) “I can control myself and my thoughts.” Self-control includes avoiding places where you can be tempted, 1 Cor. 9:27 What about your partner? Can you control his/her lustful thoughts toward you? Tempting another person to sin (Matt. 18:6-7) “I do not lust when I dance.”

30 Dancing Defenses Spirit of rebellion against God’s word Such a defiant attitude is sinful and unworthy of a Christian, 1 Ths. 4:7-8 Spirit of rebellion against God’s word Such a defiant attitude is sinful and unworthy of a Christian, 1 Ths. 4:7-8 “No one is going to tell me what to do!”

31 Shall we dance? The evidence is overwhelming Those who crucify self and live by faith will not participate, Galatians 2:20 Dancing is not a “gray”/ “borderline” issue A choice between right and wrong, good and evil, the Spirit and the flesh The evidence is overwhelming Those who crucify self and live by faith will not participate, Galatians 2:20 Dancing is not a “gray”/ “borderline” issue A choice between right and wrong, good and evil, the Spirit and the flesh NO!