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Hello folks. To dance, or not to dance, that is the question. Let's delve in to the Bible, to find out if we are allowed to dance all the time, never at all, or dance with discernment.
Date | May 22, 2024 | Faith on the Dance Floor |
Verse | Psalm 149:3 (NIV): "Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp." Mark 7:21-23 (NIV): "For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person." Exodus 15:20-21 (NIV): "Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. Miriam sang to them: ‘Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.’" 1 Samuel 30:16-17 (NIV): "He [the Egyptian] led David down, and there they were, scattered over the countryside, eating, drinking and reveling because of the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from Judah. David fought them from dusk until the evening of the next day, and none of them got away, except four hundred young men who rode off on camels and fled." |
Explanation | The first passage, Psalm 149:3, is calling for people to praise God through dancing and making music with instruments such as the cymbal and strings. This is an expression of joy and worship towards God. The second passage, Mark 7:21-23, is speaking about the source of evil thoughts and actions that come from within a person's heart. This passage is not directly related to dancing or music, but rather an emphasis on the importance of having a pure heart and avoiding evil thoughts and actions.The third passage, Exodus 15:20-21, describes Miriam leading the women in dancing and singing to praise God after the Israelites had safely crossed the Red Sea. This passage shows that dancing and singing are appropriate forms of worship and praise to God. The fourth passage, 1 Samuel 30:16-17, is about David and his soldiers fighting against the Amalekites who had stolen their property. The passage mentions that the Amalekites were "reveling" and "eating, drinking and making music" before being attacked by David. This passage does not condemn dancing or music, but rather shows that they can be associated with sinful behavior and should not be engaged in during times of disobedience to God. As Christians, we are called to conduct ourselves with wisdom and discernment when it comes to dancing or watching others dance. We should consider the context and intent behind the dancing, and whether it aligns with God's moral standards. If we are unsure, it is best to avoid participating or watching. For instance, twerking is considered unholy, as it objectifies women in a lewd manner. |
Societal Relevance | In the modern world, it can be a challenge to avoid offensive dances or music, especially in popular culture. One way to respect morality and avoid hurtful or offensive material is to carefully consider the content and message of the music or dance, and to choose to engage in or support those that uplift and edify rather than those that degrade or objectify. Beyoncé is one example of a musician we must avoid, as some of her songs depict women and men dancing in suggestive manners. In simple terms, we must use discernment to choose how we dance, in a manner that is conducive to spiritual maturity. For public dances, in order to respect partners who are already married or boyfriend-girlfriend, we must not take an already partnered couple for a dance, without their consent. In a similar fashion, it is best to ask a single person for consent before taking him/her onto the dance floor. Regarding the use of music and instruments in worship, some Christians believe that only vocal music should be used, while others believe that instruments are permissible. The Bible does not give a definitive answer on this matter, but it does show examples of both types of worship. Ultimately, it is up to each individual and community of believers to prayerfully seek God's guidance and make a decision based on their understanding of Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Dancing has been a good activity for me, as it gives me exercise. For myself, it is fun to dance to music in my room, even though dancing is not my forte. When it comes to the music which I dance to, clean lyrics and wholesome vocals are what make a good song, typically house music, classic rock, indie music or even Christian tunes. For myself, avoiding songs with inappropriate, or sensual lyrics (ex. Drug abuse, sex acts, fame) has benefits. Heavy metal is also something that does not appeal to me, as it is just noise, and has demonic vibes with the screaming and discordant sounds. |
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