Volume 41      Number 2                                                                                  October 1998

Does the Bible condemn dancing? This is a question that used to get a simple "yes" for an answer from most members of the church. In this "enlightened" age, however, the answer is not as common or as simple. What was once considered wrong is now considered "okay". Who do you think changed: the Bible or man?

First, we understand that there are indeed different forms of dance; both in the world, and in the Bible. King David, for example, "danced before the Lord with all his might" (II Sam. 6:14) and though his dance displeased his wife, it apparently did not displease the Lord.

But the dancing most often in question is not a dance like David's, but rather a situation which involves bodily movements in time with music and physical contact between a male and a female. Of course, we know that "thou shalt not dance" is not written in the Bible. Do we therefore conclude that dancing is acceptable to God? No, we must make a correct conclusion based on the teachings of our Lord.

Jesus said, "Whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Matthew. 5:28). From this plain teaching of Jesus we learn that the inward thoughts of the Christian must be pure. It is not only wrong to commit sins by our actions, it is wrong to even think about committing sin. Jesus also said it is a sin to cause someone else to sin (Luke 17:1,2).

Ask yourself if you want to commit sin in your heart by lusting after someone. Then ask yourself if you want to act in a way that would encourage someone else to lust after you in their heart, thereby causing them to sin. Do you realize the nature of dancing encourages these very things?

The Bible says that there is a sin called "lasciviousness" which will keep those who practice it from inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven (Mark 7:22, Galatians 5:19, I Peter 4:3 ). What is lasciviousness? It is a work of the flesh, not a fruit of the Spirit, and it is translated from the Greek word aselgeia {as-elg'-i-a}, which basically means "without control". It is also translated as "wantonness" and "filthy". Strong also defines the word thus: "unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence". Thayer's Lexicon contains the definitions, "indecent and provocative bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females." Doesn't this fit dancing?

The world loves to provoke & incite us to "lose control", "turn it loose", and "let it all hang out", and dancing by its very nature encourages the lustful thoughts that Jesus condemned.

The Lord, on the other hand, shows us "the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore." (Psalms 16:11) The path of life is one of self-denial, not self-indulgence (Titus 2:11-14).

What would Jesus do on a dance floor? Let us always strive to follow Jesus, not the world.