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| My Source:
| Photocopy from Jim Faughn
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| Author: Allen Webster
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| File Under: Dancing
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IS IT WRONG TO GO TO THE PROM AND NOT DANCE?
by Allen Webster

Sincere, honest, dedicated Christian young people ask this question each year. An ungodly world puts tremendous pressure on God's teenagers to join with them in worldly recreation. While not wanting to sin, teenagers do want to enjoy these years. It is for this reason that sin needs to be defined and lines drawn so that they can know what is right and what is wrong.

God wants the best for His children, young or old (James 1:17) and promises the "abundant life" to those who forsake the world and follow Him (John 10:10). He expects us to be happy (Phil 4:4) and does not restrict us from any good, wholesome entertainment. He withholds only the things from us which would hurt us, as any good parent would for his child.

God has taught that dancing is sinful. It is condemned three times in Galatians 5:19-21 by the words "lasciviousness," "revellings," and "such like." Lasciviousness means "filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste (not pure) handling of males and females" and "conduct which excites lust." He added, "Flee also youthful lusts..." (2 Tim 2:22), which cannot be done while dancing.

Yes, many people want to compromise with the world and go to the dance. Mothers and fathers will sometimes offer excuses and criticize any objection to the dance as prudish, old fashioned, and contain evidence of a filthy mind. But, what does the Bible say?

The Bible condemns "revellings" (Gal 5:21). This word means an occasion of merrymaking or noisy festivity with dancing..." This description aptly portrays the high school dances and proms of our day. The very atmosphere of dancing is sinful and is not appropriate for someone seeking to walk the "straight and narrow way" (Mat 7:13-14).

THE BIBLE SAYS "NEITHER GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL" (Eph 4:27). As children of God, our ancient and constant foe is the Devil. We must "be sober" (watchful) lest he devour us (1 Pet 5:8). It is hard enough to avoid his pitfalls without purposely placing ourselves in a place of known temptation! The Bible says "resist (not assist!, AW) the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). We can, and no doubt will, be tempted when seeing others engaged in indecent and vulgar acts on the dance floor. Can we pray "lead us not into temptation" (Mat 6:13) and yet lead ourselves into it?

THE BIBLE SAYS "NEITHER BE PARTAKER OF OTHER MEN'S SINS" (1 Tim 5:22). Lovers of God must "eschew (shun, AW) evil" (1 Pet 3:11). They do not want to be a part of it! Could it be right to help raise money or purchase tickets to encourage teens to dance?! God's Word still says, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Eph 5:11) and "neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds" (2 John 10-11). This is specifically speaking of false teachers, but would apply to any not abiding in or practicing the teachings of Christ.

Young people, search your hearts, search the Bible and "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12). There is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun--ACT ACCORDINGLY!