Is Dancing for Christians?

Narrator: Chris Genthree
 •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 8
Young believers sometimes ask, "What is wrong with dancing?" We could vary that question by asking, "What is wrong with alcohol? or drugs? or gambling? or card playing?' etc.
If you are surprised to see such things listed on an equality with things you want to do, remember that they are all the desires of the old nature which is fallen in sin. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh," John 3:66That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:6). "They that are in the flesh cannot please God," Rom. 8:88So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:8).
Christians are not under law as the Jews were, or else we might have a verse that says, "Thou shalt not dance." But though we are not under law and have liberty, we are told not to use our liberty as a cloak of maliciousness, 1 Peter 2:1616As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. (1 Peter 2:16), "and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof," Rom. 13:1414But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (Romans 13:14). "And he died for all that they who live should no longer live unto themselves, but to him who has died for them and has been raised," 2 Cor. 5:1515And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (2 Corinthians 5:15). This is Christian liberty.
However, we are not left without divine guidance, for in 2 Tim. 2:2222Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22) we are taught to "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Would you be likely to find "them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" in a dance hall? It has been said that a dancing foot and a praying knee do not grow on the same limb. Dancing arouses lust (evil desire). How could a dancer obey 1 Cor. 7:11Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. (1 Corinthians 7:1), "It is good for a man not to touch a woman"?
The music and atmosphere at a dance hall is not of the Father but of the world. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world... is not of the Father, but is of the world," 1 John 2:15, 1615Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:15‑16).
Further, we are warned, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers," 2 Cor. 6:1414Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14). "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," James 4:44Ye 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. (James 4:4). Whose company do we Christians want? In Acts 4:2323And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. (Acts 4:23) the apostles "being let go... went to their own company." Who is your "own company when you are free from school or work? If you, a Christian, never go around with unbelievers, you will never be joined together in marriage with an unbeliever.
A dance brings together many undesirable and wicked elements. There many young people are introduced to liquor, tobacco, drugs and fornication. Again the Scriptures warn, “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some to fall'' (Prov. 4:14-1614Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. 16For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. (Proverbs 4:14‑16)).
If you don't want to fall, stay away from places, people, and things that could cause you to fall. Every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ should want to please Him. He is "able to keep you from falling", Jude 2424Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (Jude 24). "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed", James 1:13, 1413Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (James 1:13‑14).
Maybe you are thinking that by going to the dance you could influence others for good or that you could speak to someone of Christ. This is a clever trick of Satan, the master deceiver. How could you help someone get out of quicksand by getting into the quicksand with him? Since the Bible is the guide of the Christian, let's turn to 2 Tim. 2:19-2119Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. (2 Timothy 2:19‑21). Here we are told that the one who will be useful to the Master (the Lord Jesus) is the one who has separated from the mixture of good and evil. See also 2 Cor. 6:1717Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (2 Corinthians 6:17).
Finally, Col. 3:1717And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:17) is a verse by which we can test anything and everything we do, "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.