overcoming worldliness

Overcoming Overcoming WorldlinessWorldliness

Shall we dance?Shall we dance?

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Shall we dance?A Moral ChallengeShall 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?

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Shall we dance?A Moral ChallengeShall 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?

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Dancing in the BibleDancing 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

“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 Expressions of worship and joy (praise, gratitude, joy (praise, gratitude,

rejoicing), rejoicing), Psa. 149:1-4; 150:4Psa. 149:1-4; 150:4



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“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)

“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)





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“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.)

“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.)





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•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





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•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





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•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!





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•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 Lustful, unrestrained conductconduct


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•This dance was associated with lust, self- indulgence, sinful motives and results

•This dance was associated with lust, self- indulgence, sinful motives and results



Which of these two dances Which of these two dances more closely defines, more closely defines,

describes and depicts the describes and depicts the modern, social dance?modern, social dance?

Which of these two dances Which of these two dances more closely defines, more closely defines,

describes and depicts the describes and depicts the modern, social dance?modern, social dance?

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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 Absence of Moral DecencyDecency Romans Romans

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Absence of Moral Absence of Moral DecencyDecency Romans Romans

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•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 Absence of Moral RestraintRestraint Romans Romans

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Absence of Moral Absence of Moral RestraintRestraint Romans Romans

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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 Testimony from the WorldWorld


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“…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)

“…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)



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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)



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“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. SonnersThe Carnival of Death, 68-69

“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. SonnersThe Carnival of Death, 68-69



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“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?

“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 Testimony from a Teenage ChristianTeenage ChristianTestimony from a Testimony from a Teenage ChristianTeenage Christian

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“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 Testimony from a Teenage ChristianTeenage ChristianTestimony from a Testimony from a Teenage ChristianTeenage Christian

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•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 Absence of Moral Boundaries Boundaries Romans Romans

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•“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


13:1313:13


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Dancing is Contrary to Moral Purity

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 Comes from a Corrupt Heart Heart Mark 7:21-23Mark 7:21-23

Comes from a Corrupt Comes from a Corrupt Heart Heart Mark 7:21-23Mark 7:21-23

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Dancing Destroys Your Godly Influence

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! Do not be deceived! 1 Cor. 15:33-1 Cor. 15:33-

34; Eph. 5:6-7, 1134; Eph. 5:6-7, 11

Do not be deceived! Do not be deceived! 1 Cor. 15:33-1 Cor. 15:33-

34; Eph. 5:6-7, 1134; Eph. 5:6-7, 11

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Dancing Associates with other Sinful Fruit

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 Evil company corrupts good morals morals 1 1

Corinthians 15:33Corinthians 15:33

Evil company corrupts good Evil company corrupts good morals morals 1 1

Corinthians 15:33Corinthians 15:33

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Dancing DefensesDancing 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 The dance will be chaperoned.” chaperoned.”

““The dance will be The dance will be chaperoned.” chaperoned.”

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•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 Dancing is good exercise.” exercise.”

““Dancing is good Dancing is good exercise.” exercise.”

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•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 I just enjoy the rhythm of the music.” the music.”

““I just enjoy the rhythm of I just enjoy the rhythm of the music.” the music.”

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•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 I go to be socially popular.” popular.”

““I go to be socially I go to be socially popular.” popular.”

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•“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 I do not lust when I dance.” dance.” ““I do not lust when I I do not lust when I dance.” dance.”

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•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 No one is going to tell me what to do!”what to do!”

““No one is going to tell me No one is going to tell me what to do!”what to do!”

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Shall we dance? 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

NONO!!

overcoming worldliness

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