To Dance or Not to Dance

(sermon version)

by:  Matt Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION:

96030

05/12/96 - Cyclone, Kentucky

 

I.  Introduction.

A.  This is a subject that bears some worth to pay attention to.  It is certainly a subject that not only young people need to pay attention to, but our more mature Christians need to aware if it too.  The effects of Modern dance have effects on every Christian.

B.  Perhaps there aren’t too many other subject that can get people stirred up like this one can.  This subject should go right along with modesty, gambling, and other social sins.

C.  In our lesson today, we want to discuss several things.  They are:

1.  Is it a sin to dance?

2.  Modern Dancing and the New Testament.

3.  Modern Dance violates Christian Principles.

4.  What is associated with modern dancing?

D.  All Christians are called up upon to make decisions concerning the practices in which they will engage.

1.  God expects us to make our decisions based upon His word.  We are to keep Him & His word first in our lives.

2.  We need to accept & practice what the Bible approves and reject what it condemns.

3.  Christians have to be careful because public opinion can influence us to compromise our beliefs in God’s word.

a.  We must break with the popularity of the world and do what the Lord tells us.

E.  Purpose of the lesson is to take an honest look at dancing and base it to the way the Bible specifies how we live.

1.  We understand that we are to live in an acceptable manner in the sight of God.  To live in any other way would cause us to become lost.

 

II.  Is It A Sin to Dance?

A.  This is a question that probably everyone has heard before, Is It a sin to dance?  If it is, where do the Scriptures actually say it is a sin to dance?”

1.  The Bible has much to say about dancing.  The words dance, danced, dances, & dancing appear 24 times in the NASV and 27 times in the NIV.

B.  In the Old Testament, dancing was used in celebration of something, to whirl around about in praise to God or to an idol.

1.  Other passages mean to leap, to skip (and in certain instances,) to spring, or to dance.

2.  Example found in Ex. 15:20-21 - after the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea.

a.  Other OT examples found in Psa. 149:3; 150:4

b.  done in celebrating a victory or just good fortune.

1.  Judges 11:34; 1 Sam. 18:6; 21:11

C.  In the New Testament:

1.  Two words are translated dance. One word is from Gk. wd. orcheo.  Which means:  “to leap with regularity in motion.”  Scriptures where orcheo is used:

a.  Mt. 11:17 - denoting children playing

b.  Mt. 14:6 - used to describe the dancing of the daughter of Herodias before Herod & guest on his birthday.

1.  Most scholars say - sensuous display before a king that lived immorally.

2.  Other word:  choros.  Refers to Choral dance, with gestures, clapping of hands, etc.

a.  Example in Luke 15:25 - at the return of the prodigal son.

D.  From the evidence presented above, it is evident that some dances are not sinful.  But does this give support to those who wish to go to a nightclub, the school prom, or engage in what is commonly referred to as the modern dance?

1.  Certainly not.

2.  Those who are quick to point out that dancing occurred in the Bible, need to realize that scholars agree that dancing found in OT,NT has nothing to do with that we find today.

3.  Wolfe in the Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia says:  While the mode of dancing is not known in detail, it is clear that men and women did not generally dance together, and there is no real evidence that they ever did.  Social amusement was hardly a major purpose of dancing, and the modern method of dancing by couples is unknown.”

E.  Does this fully answer the question whether couple dancing is sinful?  Probably not.  But is does prove that we cannot defend modern dancing from the Scriptures.

1.  Dancing with couples is believed to have originated in the 12th century.

2.  In all the Bible, there is not one example of couple dancing.

 

III.  Modern Dance & the New Testament.

A.  Is Modern dance designated as a sin by passages in the New Testament?

1.  Dancing falls into a bad category called the “lust of the flesh.: - Gal. 5:19-21

a.  note the end of v. 19 - lewdness - translated lasciviousness in the KJV.  Refers to sensuality & sexual excesses.

b.  Thayer defines it as having reference to:  filthy words, indecent bodily movements and unchaste handling of males and females.”

1.  Certainly modern dance would fall under the definition.

c.  Note in v. 21 - Paul, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit declares that those who practice “revelries & the like” will NOT inherit the kingdom of God.

1.  “Revelries” translated from gk wd komos is defined:  “excessive feasting, and carousing - often related to music & dancing.”

2.  What does Paul mean by the phrase, “And such like...”?

a.  From homoios - means “the sins that some practice that are of the same nature as specifically mentioned before.”

b.  He used this phrase to include things that pertained to lewdness or revelries.

B.  When we take an honest evaluation of modern dancing, we find that it falls into the category of these condemned practices in Gal. 5:19-21.  It is indeed a work of the flesh.

C.  Just a few short years ago, the craze was “dirty dancing”  It involved movements & activities that a Christian should not engage in.

1.  The body contact between male & female & the body movements associated with dances often lead to sexual arousal.

2.  The following is a paragraph taken from a popular magazine bought from a check-out stand:

a.  “Sway together to music, and you and your spouse may soon sway together to other rhythms.  Susan and her husband, David have always found dancing to be a delicious prelude to sex....Dancing together to any rhythm or beat also puts spouses in harmony with their own and each other’s bodies in a way that other forms of exercise, intended to promote physical fitness, do not.  And it is this connection that makes dancing so beneficial to couples who want to remain life long lovers.”

D.  Most dancing does not take place between married couples and according to Gal. 5:19-21 - IMPROPER SEXUAL AROUSAL IS CONDEMNED AS BEING SINFUL.

1.  The end of v. 21 says those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

IV.  Modern Dance Violates Christian Principles.

A.  If the above reasons still have not persuaded you to believe that dancing should not be engaged in by Christians, then let’s look at some principles that we need not violate.

B.  As Christians, we are to be governed by the principles of the Bible.

1.  Rom. 12:2; 9; 21 - Paul gives the Romans a standard in which to live by.

2.  Christians are to be transformed from the carnal acts of the world - to a life of godliness and purity.

a.  Rom. 8:5-8

C.  Modern dance violates 4 basic principles of being a Christian.

1.  A Christian should try to avoid any temptation which brings forth an unnecessary risk to His spiritual life.

a.  to engage in modern dance is just asking for trouble.

b.  NT clear & precise - should not tempt oneself with sin.

1.  Like 9:61-62

c.  Paul told the Corinthians in 1 Cor. 10:12 - “take heed lest ye fall.”

1.  It cannot be denied that modern dance brings forth temptation.

d.  Why Should I put Myself in danger of being tempted?

1.  Not willing to put physical lives in danger.

a.  lock doors at night.

b.  wear seat belts in cars

c.  some people carry guns to protect themselves.

2.  Why so easy then to put spiritual life in danger?

2.  Dancing tends to reduce spirituality & awareness of God’s presence in our lives.

a.  Can anyone prove where dancing is conductive to spirituality?

1.  Certain these activities are detrimental to spiritual development.

b.  Paul said in 1 Thess. 5:22

3.  Christians should not arouse emotions which cannot be honorable fulfilled.

a.  We have already established the fact that dancing often leads to sexual arousal.

b.  Human sexual desire are God-given.  The place of their fulfillment is God ordained.

1.  When we place ourselves in an atmosphere & environment that surround modern dance, desire erupt in some in which can only be fulfilled in a marriage relationship.

c.  Back to Gal. 5:19-21 - Christians should not arouse emotions which cannot be honorably fulfilled.

4.  To engage in the modern dance compromises our influence as a Christian.

a.  When we dance - our influence is compromised.  We have a responsibility to lead others to Christ.

1.  Mt. 5:13-16

b.  How can one be lead to Christ if they are still following in the wake of someone who does not have Christ first in their life?

c.  Quote boy & girl story in article....

d.  Jesus made clear that we are to act in such a manner as to keep others from stumbling over us.

 

 

V.  Conclusion.

A.  From our lesson today, I hope that we can see:

1.  participation in dancing places one in areas of questionable activities.

2.  Calls upon one to violate 4 basic principles of being a Christian.

3.  The modern dance places oneself in an environment that is not helpful to the development of a Christian.

4.  Dancing could lead us into other sinful practices.

B.  Christians have to be committed to the acceptance of authority of the Bible and acknowledge it as being true.

1.  We must recognize it for what it is and what it can do to our lives.

C.  Although this lesson has dealt with Christian living, we want to extend an invitation to those who have never come to Christ.

1.  Gal. 5;19-21 - those who practice the wks of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God.

2.  Rom 6:3-9 - Paul talks about putting away the old man of sin and walking in newness of life.

a.  have you done this?

b.  why not today?  All things are ready.

D.  For those of you who have already become a Christian. have you been compromising your influence for Christ?

1.  You have the opportunity to make things right before it is too late.  Why not do so today?