THE MYSTERY OF DANCING

 

INTRODUCTION           

A mystery is divine knowledge which is usually a secret until it is unlocked by divine revelation to a man at the appointed time. It is a secured truth that needs to be unveiled, unraveled, and demystified.

A mystery is not actually complex. It is not hard to understand a complex algorithm or mathematical expression. It is very simple and straightforward. It is also a concept that does not usually conform to human understanding. It is divine and supernatural.

Believers who are hungry for knowledge about God are the best candidates that mysteries can be unveiled too. God loves our zeal, passion, and enthusiasm to learn. Apostle Paul understood the mystery of the Kingdom and of Christ because he received this knowledge by divine revelation (Ephesians 3:3-4).

Is dancing scriptural? Is it acceptable to God? Could it be dangerous? Are there rules? Let’s go on this journey together. 

 

WHAT IS DANCING?

Dancing is a popular culture around the world and also in Christianity. Dancing is a way of expressing our joy, happiness, and high spirit. Both believers and non-believers dance. It usually involves a special body movement in accordance with the rhythm of a song or the beat of musical instruments. It is generally acceptable in our society and could even be a source of income for professional dancers. People, especially celebrities develop dancing steps, and society if accepted adopts it and practices it.

In Nigeria, the popular dancing steps are usually from secular musicians mostly Hip Hop stars. These dancing steps spread like wildfire as the youth and children first adopt it, then the middle age and even adults gradually adopt the steps.

People love to showcase their dancing skills and derive immense joy when they are noted as the best among other people. Many people dance energetically either as a result of joy in their heart or to draw attention to themselves especially in an event. Dancing is influenced by several factors such as; mood, happiness, musical quality, musician, environment, event, time, venue, purpose, etc

Most churches would not complete service without a session of Praise and worship. This is a session where the praise leader or the choir would lead the church both in slow beat songs and fast beat songs. The slow beat is regarded as worship while the fast beat is regarded as praise. The worship usually comes with sobriety, humility and most worshippers close their eyes.

However, the praise (fast beat songs) is a session most people are waiting for especially if the musical instruments are top-notch, the praise leader is excellent and the sound is without blemish. When it reaches the climax, people leave their seats to create more space to dance. It brings a lot of shouts, screams, and jubilations.

 

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCE

There are about nineteen (19) scriptural references where you can find the word dance in the bible (KJV). It was used fifteen times in the Old Testament and four (4) times in the New Testament.

 

THE MOTIVE

It is a culture of the Israelites to celebrate victory over a battle or an enemy. It is a way of expressing joy, happiness, and jubilation after a battle has been won (Exodus 15:20, Judges 11:24, 1 Samuel 29:5).

The first account of dancing in the bible was led by a Prophetess named Miriam (Exodus 15:20). She is a sister to Moses and Aaron (Numbers 26:59). Prophetess Miriam took a musical instrument (timbrel) and led the woman in dance in expressing joy for victory over the Amalekites.

It is crystal clear that the motive of the dance was in appreciation to God because from Exodus 15:1, Moses and the Israelites were singing to the Lord. They were worshipping the Lord for granting them victory. Their real intention was to worship, praise, extol, magnify and appreciate God. It was not a show of talent! It is not a display of dancing skills or prowess. The dancing was strongly attached to songs of appreciation to God and Him alone.

It is unfortunate that most people who dance in the church today are doing it to showcase their dancing skills. Some even claim it is to forget their sorrow! Some are motivated by the singer while some are actually enjoying the beat from the musical instrument. Many praise session has now become live performance and not really thanksgiving to God!

Many people have asked if certain dance steps are right or wrong in the church. The question is, what is the motive of the dancer? How did he/she learn the dance steps? Why use the same dance steps by a non-believer? Can he/she design a unique dance step that is not motivated by Secular musicians? Why are you really dancing?

 

 

DANCE BEFORE THE LORD

AND David danced before the Lord with all his might, and David was girded with a linen ephod

(2 Samuel 6:14)

We can praise God in a dance (Psalm 149:3, Psalm 150:4). It is scriptural and should be regularly practiced. The bible encourages us to praise God with a dance accompanied by songs and musical instruments. In fact, there is a time to dance (Ecclesiastes 3:4)

David should be awarded as the best Worshipper in the World. The Bible revealed that he danced before the Lord with all his might. Some people who argue about the use of dancing steps by secular musicians or dancers in the church often make reference to David that he danced with all his might, but they fail to pay critical attention to the fact that he danced before the Lord. The bullet point is that he danced with all his might before the LORD.

We need to understand that our dancing in church is not to impress other people. There are cases where church members even clap and hail some set of people because they danced very well. Meanwhile, the real person that should pass comments is the Lord.

 

DANCING TO KILL OR KEEP?

Herodias the daughter of King Herod danced very well during her father's birthday party and the king was really impressed. The king offered her a gift and after seeking advice from her mother, she requested for the head of John the Baptist (Mark 6:22).

John the Baptist according to Jesus is the greatest of the prophets that ever lived (Luke 7:28) but a lady`s dance brought down his head!

I implore you to dance for the glory of God. It is not really about the steps, it is about your heart of gratitude to God.

 

Yours in Christ,

A_Watchman

 

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