SHALL WE DANCE?

What Does God Say About Dancing?

• Dancing is a neutral subject (like many others) Ecclesiastes 3:4 a time to dance

• Implies at time not to dance• Dancing is a natural instinct Job 21:11, Lk 7:32• Dancing in a positive light:• Miriam and the women Ex. 15:20-21• Celebrations 1 Sam. 18:6• Commanded in the Psalms Ps. 150:4• Praise to the Lord’s name Ps. 149:3• Always separate genders Jer. 31:13

What Does God Say About Dancing?

• Dancing in a negative light:• Ex. 32:6,19,25 connected with idolatry, play,

shameful, unrestrained behavior• Mark 6:22 Herodias’ daughter pleased the men• Other determining factors: 2 Sam. 6:14-20• Attire must be modest 2 Tim. 2:9, Is. 3:16• Movements must be modest Isaiah 3:16• Associations Prov. 7:5-13 (location)• Purpose glorify God or the flesh?• Men + alcohol + women = trouble Gen. 19:30-35

Advice for Young People• Modern dancing in its typical context is wrong• Even if dressed modestly, others will not be• Even if not dancing, others will be• Surrounded by the wrong people puts strong

pressure on to join in sinful activities Matt. 26:33-35, 69-75 Are you stronger than Peter?

• Messages of the music• Expenses for prom creates an expectation of a

payoff at the hotel room later that evening• Spiking the punch bowl or cups

Answering Objections• Good for exercise• 1 Tim. 4:8 many godly options• Must fit in with others• Gal. 1:10 can’t serve Christ and please men• James 4:4 whoever wants to be friend with the

world makes himself an enemy of God• It’s harmless fun• Not harmless Mark 6:22, Ex. 32, Gen. 3:4; 2:17• Leads to lasciviousness and fornication

Ephesians 5:3-7,11