Dance

In the OT it was mostly a joyful spiritual exercise of triumphant worship involving actions and words directed towards God (Ex 15:20,21; 2 Sam 6:16; Ps 30:1, 149:3, 150:4). Dancing can also be a mode of expression for idolatrous worship and seductive entertainment (Ex 32:19; Mk 6:17-28).

When God was worshiped, the men and women did not mingle, as is the case with eastern religions and modern secular dance. Dancing which involves close contact with the

What is the reason and motive?

opposite sex tends to arouse strong emotional and sensual feelings which are contrary to the teachings of Scripture to purify oneself from all impure thoughts and abstain from lusts of the flesh (1 Thes 4:7, 5:22; 1 Pet 2:11). Even though we are born-again, we still have the old carnal nature within which constantly needs to be denied. Everything should be done decently and in order for the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31, 14:40). Any worshipful dance should be God-focused, praiseworthy and honouring to Him, not drawing attention to the dancers or a cause of temptation for all our activity should be governed by the awareness that we are not to cause another to stumble (Mt 18:6).

See also: desires, lust, night club , purity .