By Bobby R. Holmes
I call your attention to the introductory remarks that are noted in part 1 of this series and to the verses of Scripture used thus far (Exod. 32:1-6,15-28; Mk. 6:14-28). The charges against dancing continues:
E. Dancing and divorce go hand in hand. On the dance floor, men and women are attracted together and time and time again, an affair is begun that ends not only in adultery, but in divorce as well. Again, there is ample evidence that could be used from the divorce courts to prove this.
F. Dancing and lust go hand in hand (Mk. 6:22-23). The same is true today!
G. Galatians 5:19-21 pronounces the condemnation of God on those who become involved in the works of the flesh. One of these “works” is described as “lasciviousness” (v. 19). W.E. Vines says of it (p. 310 of Dictionary of Greek N. T. Words), “A work of the flesh. The prominent idea is shameless conduct.” Henry Thayer says of the word “lasciviousness” in his Greek Lexicon (pp. 79-80), “unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence . . . wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling (emp. mine, bh) of males and females.
On the word “revelling” that is found in verse 21 of Galatians 5, Thayer says, “. . hence used generally of feasts and drinking parties that are protracted till late at night and indulge in revelry.” These are accurate and true descriptions of the dance and what takes place both physically and mentally. No one can truthfully deny these things!
I want to note some arguments made in defense of the dance.
A. “There is nothing wrong with a good clean dance. Even the P.T.A. sponsors them.” Answer: I have already pointed out that there can be no “good clean dance” and the P.T.A. should stop sponsoring them. They are contributing to the moral decay of youth.
B. “Dancing is alright if it is well chaperoned. ” Answer: Who, beloved, can guard or protect the mind?
C. “I only dance for the exercise. ” Answer: Other forms of exercise are much better and do not stir evil thoughts (walking, etc.).
D. “Dancing is alright if it doesn’t bring the bodies together.” Answer: Note Mark 6:22-23. What stirred Herod’s heart to lust?
E. “What about square dancing?” Answer: To say the least – your influence as a Christian is lessened. Note 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 in light of this truth.
I want to conclude with some arguments against the dance.
A. Dancing destroys modesty and shamefastness. Thayer says, regarding the word “shamefastness” (p.14, Lexicon), “a sense of shame, modesty . . . is prominently objective in its reference, having regard to others . . .it precedes and prevents the shameful act” (emp. Mine, bh.)
B. Even if you could truthfully say that you can dance and not lust, what about your partner? Note the admonition of Jesus in Matthew 5:27-28, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Note also James 1:13-16. What will make a man want to caress the body of a woman he is dancing with? It is lust aflame!
C. The dancer is always in bad company at a dance. The worst moral characters always attend the dance. Note the admonition to Christians to abstain from evil companionship (1 Cor. 15:32-33). You cannot convert people to the Lord on the dance floor. Try it if you doubt it. I once heard of a young lady who took that challenge and tried to talk to her dancing companion about the Lord. She asked him if he was a Christian. He replied, “No, are you?” She answered that she was and the young man asked, “What are you doing here then?” The world and the Lord don’t mix (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1)!
The dance, the road to hell! Read carefully Galatians 5:19-21 and 1 Peter 4:3-5. These verses not only include the dance (revelling, lasciviousness) but also include the things that accompany the dance (“and such like, Gal. 5:21). Inspiration says they who do such things “shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven.” It is the road to hell! We need to have the heart of Joshua who said, “Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your father served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:14-15). To those of you who preach, who teach Bible classes, who are elders or deacons, who are parents, who are Christians, stand up and be counted! I’m not an “old fashioned” preacher or “living forty years ago.” I’m standing for what is right and against what is wrong! Wrong will never be right no matter how long one waits for it. “Choose ye this day.” “Who is on the Lord’s side?”
Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 14, p. 425
July 19, 1990