Text: Galatians 5:19-21
SUBJECT: Christian Living
TITLE: Why My Children Don't Dance
PROPOSITION: To study good reasons for parents not to allow their children to attend the Prom and be involved in dancing.
OBJECTIVE: So that we might be able to understand and appreciate the serious problems involved with the modern dance and avoid them.
| Why My Children Don't Dance |
Introduction:
1. For many years dancing has been a very popular amusement.
1) In fact, anyone today who speaks out against the modern dance and its many evils is definitely not pursuing the pathway of popularity with young people who dance or parents who condone such.
2) The person who opposes the modern dance is considered to be an old fogy or an ancient fossil.
2. There is a growing laxity in society.
1) Standards of conduct have been lowered.
2) Many things that were formerly considered wrong by almost everyone are being engaged in freely today.
3) One of these things is dancing.
4) Many schools that used to oppose dancing are now sponsoring it.
5) The majority of parents, teachers, and preachers used to oppose dancing.
1- The evils, dangers, and SIN of dancing were fully recognized and exposed both at home and in the pulpit.
2- It is sad to say that such is no longer true.
3. My wife and I have made the decision that our children will not be allowed to attend any modern dances.
1) I am sure that this has caused some difficulty for my oldest daughter as she has had to deal with peers who see nothing wrong with the activity.
1- Surely the same will also be true for our two younger children as they mature and grow older.
2- I am very thankful to say that I have not had any real battles to fight with my daughter because I believe she recognizes the dangers and would refuse to attend the dances even if she had so-called "more enlightened" parents who allowed her to make whatever decision she desired in this regard.
2) We do not make the decision to prohibit dancing to our children for the purpose of bringing grief to them or keeping them from having fun.
1- We are in favor of our children enjoying their "growing up years" and I believe that they are doing so.
2- We believe that we have VERY GOOD REASONS for not allowing our children to participate in modern dances!
4. The purpose of this study is to examine dancing in the light of the Scriptures.
1) I would like to let you know why our children are not allowed to dance.
2) It may be that you have never thought dancing to be wrong and you may not be fully convinced when we complete our study together.
3) I only ask you to BE HONEST and consider the things that we have to say.
5. Refer to STPO.
DISCUSSION:
I. WHAT THE ISSUE IS/IS NOT.
1. What the issue is NOT...
1) I do not question the need for and value of recreation.
2) I am not speaking of the dancing that might take place between a husband and wife in the privacy of their own home.
3) I am not speaking of "dancing" that takes place among members of the same sex.
1- For example, women doing aerobics together would not NECESSARILY be sinful.
2- It could be, but not necessarily so.
4) Dancing, in and of itself, is not a sin.
5) Not all dancing in all forms is unacceptable.
1- Not all dancing involves indecent dress, unchaste conduct, or illicit movement.
2- In fact, the Bible records instances when righteous men danced as an expression of joy (1 Chr 15:25-26; Luke 15:25-29).
2. What the issue IS...
1) THE MODERN DANCING OF MIXED SEXES WHICH IS COMMON TODAY.
2) Let it be clear that the cheek to cheek waltz between unmarried partners would also be wrong according to the teaching of the Bible.
3) The questions is this: Is lustful dancing between mixed sexes an acceptable form of recreation in God's sight.
4) Does the Bible condemn mixed dancing?
II. DANCING AND THE BIBLE.
1. Gala 5:19 (KJS) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Gala 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Gala 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
2. Consider the word LASCIVIOUSNESS--one of the things which Paul, by inspiration, tells us is that doing such will prevent us from inheriting the kingdom of God.
1) Having wanton desires; lustful; lewd.
2) Tending to produce sensual desires (Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary ).
3) Characterized by or expressing lust or lewdness; wanton; tending to excite lustful desires (Webster's New World Dictionary ).
4) Wanton (acts or manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females, etc. (Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament ).
5) From these definitions, it is obvious that anything which tends to produce lewd emotions, create evil thoughts, or excite unlawful sexual emotions, is lasciviousness.
1- 44 young men were once asked what were their thoughts as they danced with beautiful girls.
2- 41 said their thoughts were impure.
3- The other three doubtless had the same thoughts but probably did not consider such thinking as impure, but rather normal.
4- Is anyone so naive as not to know what such young men will attempt to do subsequent to the dance and prior to getting their already inflamed dates home in he wee hours of the night?
6) This word, LASCIVIOUSNESS, strikes at the very root of the dance, because dancing does create lustful desire.
3. Consider the word REVELLINGS, from the lexicographers...
1) "A revel, carousel of guests (after banquets), music and frolic , dimmed light, dance" (Robinson).
2) "Festivities with music and dancing" (Liddell & Scott).
3) "Festive entertainment with carousing and dancing" (Vincent).
4) "Entertainment and celebrations in honor of victors with dances at national games" (Schoff).
NOTE: Notice that DANCING is included in ALL of the above definitions of revelling.
4. Consider also AND SUCH LIKE...
1) This category covers a list of sins that are of the same nature as those specifically mentioned.
2) In other words, practices that are similar to or of the same nature as lasciviousness and revelling are also sins.
5. Consider OTHER BIBLE PRINCIPLES...
1) 1The 5:22 (KJS) Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1- Does dancing have the appearance of evil?
2- Does dancing promote pure godly thoughts within the individual?
3- We are to "flee youthful lusts" (2 Tm 2:22).
4- We are to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul (1 Pt 2:11).
5- Roma 1:24 (KJS) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
2) Jame 1:27 (KJS) Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.
1- The smallest boat can sail around the world as long as the water stays on the outside, but when the water gets inside, even the largest ship will sink!
2- Dancing promotes friendship with the world.
3- Jame 4:4 (KJS) Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
3) Dancing is bad fruit from a bad tree----Matt 7:17 (KJS) Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Matt 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Matt 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Matt 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
1- Good fruit cannot come from a corrupt tree.
2- Dancing has never produced more love for God, more devotion for the church, more respect for the opposite sex, more Bible reading, more prayer, more interest in heaven!
3- Dancing has never led to any good thing.
4- Instead, it has caused people to loose interest in the church, Bible study, holiness, teaching the lost, heaven.
4) Bible examples show the Fruits of Dancing...
1- In Exodus 23 the children of Israel were waiting for Moses at the foot of Mt. Sinai.
1] God said they had corrupted themselves with the golden calf and by dancing...Exod 32:6 (KJS) And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. Exod 32:7 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted [themselves]:...Exod 32:19 (KJS) And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.
2] Part of their PLAYING was DANCING.
3] Theirs was a sensual, lustful, playing with each other.
4] God called it CORRUPTING THEMSELVES!, and He still does!
2- In Daniel 5 we read of the city of Babylon being taken by Cyrus the Persian and his armies.
1] Dani 5:1 (KJS) Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
2] Secular history records they were entertained by a thousand slave girls dancing on the tables before them.
3] The pagans often entertained themselves by having beautiful seductive women dance to music so as to excite lustful emotions and desires.
4] While in their sensual lustful indulgence, Cyrus marches his army down the dry river bed under the great wall of Babylon and took the city!
3- In Matthew 14:1-12 and Mark 6:17-29 we read of the execution of John the Baptist.
1] It was dancing that led to his this hideous crime.
2] On Herod's birthday, his step-daughter Salome, the daughter of Herodias, danced before him so as to excite lustful emotions and desires within him.
3] He promised her whatsoever she asked up to the half of his kingdom.
4] Being instructed by her mother, she asked for John's head.
5] What caused Herod to make such a careless vow?
6] What emotions did she stir in him?
III. DANCING IS VIEWED AS QUESTIONABLE EVEN BY THE WORLD...
1. "The difference between dancing and wrestling is that some holds in wrestling are barred," this statement was not made by a preacher, but by Arthur Murray, a popular dance teacher.
2. Some years back, the FBI put out a tract in which they listed six ways young people get hurt.
1) Dancing was among the six.
2) The others were: drinking, gambling, reckless driving, parking & petting, and mixed swimming.
3. Famed designer of women's clothes in Paris, France, Christian Dior, is on newspaper record in his home city as saying...
"For the first time I have done away with corsets even for dance dresses. I have often heard men complaining that in dancing they couldn't feel a living form under women's corsets."
4. Kathryn Murray, wife of Arthur Murray, has said for years that the female partner has to yield her body completely to her male partner in order to dance properly. This is but frequently a prelude to a fuller surrender she makes to him when the dance is over and they are alone.
5. Some people once planned a dance for some military men.
1) They forgot the FLESHLY IMPERATIVE.
2) They failed to invite any girls.
3) The military men were not interested in the exercise of dancing or the improving of their social graces by dancing with each other.
4) That dance ended before it even got started!
5) Why? No sexually attractive dancing partners were present! That is why the men came!
6. One Christian mother adamantly defended her daughter's right to attend all of the dances.
1) She claimed that there was nothing sexual about dancing.
2) Several years later, her husband began to attend some of those "harmless dances that are not sexual."
3) When this occurred, she approached a gospel preacher for help.
4) It seems she came to realize the sexual nature of dancing after all.
7. A dance sponsored by a Memphis denomination several years ago offered half price to all girls who came dressed in "hot pants."
1) Boys had to pay full price, but were told to "come and enjoy the scenery."
2) Are you shocked at such?
3) You shouldn't be, because all they did was to remove the masquerade and advertise dancing for what it really is; an exploitation of sexuality.
8. Consider the ads on TV and other media around this time of the year, advertising PROM DRESSES.
IV. SOME OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED...
1. Well, people danced in Bible times with God's approval.
1) Exod 15:20 (KJS) And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
1- This wasn't mixed dancing--it was done by women.
2- Furthermore, it wasn't modern dancing.
3- It was whirling and jumping with joy--an expression of religious rejoicing.
2) The dancing of 2 Samuel 6:12-16 was done by David alone.
1- There is no mention of mixed dancing in this Bible account.
2- 2Sam 6:12 (KJS) And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that [pertaineth] unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness. 2Sam 6:13 And it was [so], that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. 2Sam 6:14 And David danced before the LORD with all [his] might; and David [was] girded with a linen ephod. 2Sam 6:15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. 2Sam 6:16 And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
2. But I don't think evil thoughts when I watch others dance--Some people just have dirty minds.
1) Even if this were true, which is highly questionable, what about others who ARE WATCHING YOU or are SNUGGLING UP CLOSE TO YOU?
2) 1Cor 10:32 (KJS) Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
3) Don't YOU be a stumblingblock for someone else.
4) Luke 17:1 (KJS) Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe [unto him], through whom they come! Luke 17:2 (KJS) It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
3. Well, I won't dance, I'll just go to the prom and watch others dance.
1) 2Cor 6:17 (KJS) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,
2) 2Tim 2:22 (KJS) Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
3) Phil 4:8 (KJS) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.
4. "But I won't be popular if I don't go to the Prom"
1) It is better to be tall in the Eyes of God and small in the eyes of man.
2) Besides the statement is simply not true.
3) Many young people, and sadly, some parents, think dancing and attending the Prom is essential to popularity.
4) BUT, many of the most outstanding, respected, and popular young people do not dance.
V. Some CONCLUDING QUESTIONS...
1. Does the dance incite me to unlawful thoughts and desires?
2. Does it provoke such thoughts in the mind of my partner?
3. Does the dance serve to arouse emotions that were intended by God to be aroused only in the marriage relationship?
4. Does the dance serve as a stepping-stone to baser things?
5. Does the dance increase the respect which good people have for me?
6. Does the dance make me delight more in reading the Bible?
7. Does participating in the dance increase my love for God?
8. Does the dance lead me to want to pray more to God?
9. Does the dance increase my zeal for the spread of the Lord's church?
10. Does the dance help or harm my working toward becoming a better Christian?
Conclusion:
1. The modern dance as generally practiced by young people today is sinful in itself and leads to numerous other sins as well.
2. As such, Christians should have no desire to participate in nor to view these activities.
3. Furthermore, parents owe their children the right to protection from these evil influences, even if the young people don't want such protection.
4. There are plenty of things which our young people can do that are not sinful--E.G., THE BANQUET on the same night as the Prom.
5. What will dancing do for you?...
1) It will put you in with the wrong crowd.
2) It will put you with folks who like to party.
3) It will put you with an element that likes to drink.
4) It will put you with an element that has impure thoughts.
5. For the reasons listed in this study, my children are not allowed to attend modern dances!
SOURCES:
B.J. Clarke article from The Green Plain Proclaimer, April 26, 1995.
"Dancing is Sin," by Garland Robinson in Spirit of Truth, file 130.67
"Shall We Dance," Steve Higginbotham, Therefore Stand, 9/91
"Lethal Perils of Dancing," Robert R. Taylor, Jr., in Spirit of Truth, 8/91.
Words: 3115
This sermon was preached at the North Marshall church of Christ meetinghouse on April 20, 1997.