What does the Bible say about dancing?

Q&A

Question:

Brother Meador, what advice would you give on what to teach our young children about dancing?

Answer:

I remember my father's strong admonition to A me as a young boy: "Son, it is wrong for a Christian to dance." Many times over the years I have heard my father's words in the memory of my conscience-when I was in junior high and high school-when I was a college student-and as a young man. Today I look back with a son's loving gratitude to my father's kindly appeal, and there is no doubt about it-my father was right!

The surroundings and atmosphere associated with modern ballroom dancing do not contribute to Christian growth.

A dimly lit room and a physical embrace does not usually promote chaste behavior. Darkness is sometimes associated with sin and deception. Lustful people obsessively crave the faded lights and feverish atmosphere of the dance. They do so because they are lascivious. In such an environment they seek to freely express their prurient desires. They forget God. There is also associated with the modern dance the accompaniment of secular and sensual music which only adds to the sordid demeanor of the participants behavior (Eph. 5:1­12).

The act of dancing is provocative and easily leads to promiscuity and immorality.

The dim environment of the dance combined with either body contact, or slinking suggestive movements act as strong agents of enticement. Impure motives thrive in such an atmosphere. Such fits the biblical definition of "indecent" and is out of character for one professing the name of God's only begotten Son (Gal. 5:19­21).

Most of those who participate in dances are not seriously interested in the development of Christian character.

Good people should understand the danger of associating with sinful people. It is against the admonitions of God's Word (1 Cor. 15:33­34). To be in a negative environment where alcohol and drugs have a part to play is wrong. And, the sexual promiscuity associated with dancing, coupled with the danger of communicable disease, should cause the child of God to avoid the dance. We must "cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor. 7:1) We must not conform but transform (Rom. 12:2).