Simple
Answers
?
Is Dancing Sinful?
?
Troubling
Questions
The Simple Answer
Yes…
No…
It Depends!
Is Dancing Sinful? No!
Definition – Dancing
To move rhythmically usually to music, using
prescribed or improvised steps and gestures.
(freedictionary.com)
There is nothing inherently sinful about
moving rhythmically to music. Therefore it is
an accurate statement to say that dancing is
not sinful.
But…
Is Dancing Sinful? Yes!
• Some dancing is lewd.
• Some dancing is done in places and
situations, and with people that are
worldly.
• Some dancing is accompanied by
immodest dress.
• Some dancing can cause others to sin.
• Some dancing can harm a Christian’s
influence.
Defining Lewdness
Lewdness (Lasciviousness)
aselgia - excess, licentiousness, absence of
restraint, indecency, wantonness… The
prominent idea is shameless conduct. (Vines)
(Romans 13:13-14, READ) lewdness (koite)
and lust (aselgia) (combined!) (NKJV)
koite – a couch (in context, unlawful sexual
intercourse)
“chambering and wantonness” (KJV)
“debauchery and liscentiousness” (RSV)
1 Peter 4:1-3
Therefore, since Christ suffered for
us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the
same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh
has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should
live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of
men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent
enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of
the Gentiles--when we walked in lewdness
[aselgia], lusts [epithumia – a longing for what
is unlawful], drunkenness, revelries, drinking
parties, and abominable idolatries.
Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are
evident, which are: adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery,
hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of
wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions,
heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness,
revelries, and the like; of which I tell you
beforehand, just as I also told you in time
past, that those who practice such things will
not inherit the kingdom of God.
Companions and Places
• Bars and clubs
• Social situations with people who want to
“hook up” (have sexual trysts)
• Often associated with alcohol use
• Prom night promiscuity is so prevalent as
to have become a cliché both in our culture
and in our entertainment
• 1 Peter 4:4; 2 Timothy 2:22;
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
1 Peter 4:4
In regard to these, they
[the Gentiles] think it strange that you
do not run with them in the same flood of
dissipation, speaking evil of you.
(i.e. – engaging in the same lustful actions)
dissipation – profligacy, excess, riot
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue
righteousness, faith, love, peace with those
who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Corinthians 6:14-16
Do not be unequally yoked together with
unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has
light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ
with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an
unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple
of God with idols? For you are the temple of the
living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them
And walk among them. I will be their God, And
they shall be My people.” 17 Therefore “Come out
from among them And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive
you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be
My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty.”
Immodest Dress
• Immodest dress often accompanies
dancing
• Example: Prom dresses … Ballet. It is
often intended that dance accentuate and
emphasize the human form.
• Cleavage, bare legs, form fitting dresses or
pants, gauzy and revealing materials.
• 1 Timothy 2:8-10; Jeremiah 8:12;
Proverbs 5:16-20
1 Timothy 2:8-10
I desire therefore that the men pray
everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without
wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also,
that the women adorn themselves in modest
apparel, with propriety and moderation, not
with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly
clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women
professing godliness, with good works.
Jeremiah 8:12
Were they ashamed when they had
committed abomination? No! They were not
at all ashamed, Nor did they know how to
blush. Therefore they shall fall among those
who fall; In the time of their punishment
They shall be cast down," says the LORD.
Be careful if such dress and movements
“don’t bother you.” They should!
Proverbs 5:16-20
Should your fountains be dispersed
abroad, Streams of water in the streets? 17 Let
them be only your own, And not for strangers
with you. 18 Let your fountain be blessed, And
rejoice with the wife of your youth. 19 As a
loving deer and a graceful doe, Let her breasts
satisfy you at all times; And always be
enraptured with her love. 20 For why should
you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral
woman, And be embraced in the arms of a
seductress?
Causing Others to Sin
• Young ladies and mothers need to realize
the lust they can excite through dress and
action in men and boys.
• Fathers need to protect their daughters!
• Accusations – “You are just a dirty old
man” Wrong! Again, it is a cliché of our
culture. Women seducing men.
• Proverbs 5:16-20; Matthew 14:6-10;
Matthew 18:6-7
Proverbs 5:16-20
Should your fountains be dispersed
abroad, Streams of water in the streets? 17 Let
them be only your own, And not for strangers
with you. 18 Let your fountain be blessed, And
rejoice with the wife of your youth. 19 As a
loving deer and a graceful doe, Let her breasts
satisfy you at all times; And always be
enraptured with her love. 20 For why should
you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral
woman, And be embraced in the arms of a
seductress?
Matthew 14:6-10
But when Herod's birthday was
celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced
before them and pleased Herod. 7 Therefore he
promised with an oath to give her whatever she
might ask. 8 So she, having been prompted by
her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist's
head here on a platter.” 9 And the king was
sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and
because of those who sat with him, he
commanded it to be given to her. 10 So he sent
and had John beheaded in prison.
Matthew 18:6-7
But whoever causes one of these
little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would
be better for him if a millstone were hung
around his neck, and he were drowned in
the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world
because of offenses! For offenses must come,
but woe to that man by whom the offense
comes!
Harming Your Influence
• The world recognizes the lascivious nature
of dancing and glories in it. (Movie: Dirty
Dancing).
• Being in ungodly places, around ungodly
people doing ungodly things presents you
in an ungodly light, not the light you are to
reflect as a child of God. To desire it is to
show spiritual immaturity!
• Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11;
Romans 12:1-2
Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city
that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor
do they light a lamp and put it under a
basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light
to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light
so shine before men, that they may see your
good works and glorify your Father in
heaven.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Do you not know that the unrighteous
will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be
deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10
nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor
revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the
kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you.
But you were washed, but you were sanctified,
but you were justified in the name of the Lord
Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of God, that you present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to
God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And
do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove what is that good and
acceptable and perfect will of God.
Conclusion
While it is technically true that the concept
of dancing is not inherently sinful, the
modern dance in almost all of its forms
certainly is.
Worldly people in worldly places
participating in worldly activities engage in
dancing to satisfy their worldly lusts. A
Christian has no business being a part of
such ungodliness.