Lesson 9: Dancing and Lasciviousness

Date Time: 2026-06-10 18:31:41 Location: SLCC Zoom Bible Class Instructor: Hubie Harris

Summary

The lecture continues the study on avoiding worldliness, focusing on dancing. The instructor recaps previous discussions on various forms of worldliness and then explores dancing from a Christian perspective. While the Bible does not explicitly condemn dancing, it warns against lasciviousness. Dancing becomes sinful when it involves movements that mimic sexual acts, immodest attire, unchaste touching, suggestive music, or occurs in inappropriate venues. Participants share perspectives and experiences, including dance as exercise (line dancing) and concerns about movement during worship. The instructor emphasizes that Christians must consider how their attire and movements are perceived by others (especially from a male perspective) to avoid causing others to stumble and to ensure conduct honors God. The session concludes with an announcement that the next topic will be gossiping.

Knowledge Points

1. Study Overview and Context

• Study Objective
  • The primary objective is to identify worldliness and avoid practicing it.
  • Worldliness is described as one of the church’s biggest problems.
  • The central challenge for Christians is to live “in the world, but not of the world,” especially in a society largely not Christ-inclined and influenced by the devil.
• Progress and Upcoming Plans
  • The instructor reviews a list of 24 worldliness topics compiled in week one.
  • Topics already covered: indifference to God, inappropriate language, alcohol, stealing, lying, gambling, lustfulness, fornication, boasting, not sharing, immodest clothing, and bullying.
  • The current topic is dancing.
  • Upcoming topics include gossiping, fighting, conning, drug abuse, idolatry, quarreling, denominationalism, racism, road rage, inappropriate friends, condoning abortion, and smoking.
  • The study on worldliness will conclude next week, with only two hours left in the quarter.
  • A new study for the third quarter will be led by Brother Barry Johnson; timing (third or fourth quarter) is being confirmed with Avery.

2. Dancing in Biblical and Modern Context

• Definition of Dancing
  • Dancing is the art of moving the body rhythmically and purposefully, usually to music, to express emotions, ideas, or release energy.
• Dancing in Scripture
  • There are no biblical records of partnered, mixed-sex dancing as commonly practiced today.
  • Biblical dancing was communal and separated by gender: men with men, women with women.
  • Examples of Non-Sinful Dancing:
    • Miriam and other women danced triumphantly after crossing the Red Sea.
    • David danced with joy when the ark of the covenant returned.
    • Women of Israel sang and danced when David and Saul returned from battle.
    • Psalms depict dancing as praise.
    • In the parable of the prodigal son, the older brother heard music and dancing upon returning.
    • Jeremiah 31:4 speaks of Israel going forth in dances of rejoicing.
  • Examples of Sinful Dancing:
    • Idolatrous dancing around the golden calf while Moses was on Mount Sinai.
    • The dance of Herodias’s daughter, described by some scholars as erotic or striptease-like, which led to John the Baptist’s beheading.
• Christian Approach to Dancing
  • The Bible does not explicitly condemn dancing itself; historically it can be a natural expression of joy, celebration, and worship.
  • Christians must ensure their actions are driven by love, honor to God, and do not cause others to stumble.

3. Dancing and Lasciviousness

• Understanding Lasciviousness
  • Dancing becomes sinful when it crosses into lasciviousness.
  • Lasciviousness: wanton manners, filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females, and conduct that incites lust.
  • Also translated as “lewdness,” “sensuality,” or “debauchery.”
  • Scripture identifies lewdness as a heart-sin that requires repentance (Mark 7; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Ephesians 4:19; 1 Peter 4:3; Galatians 5:19).
• How Dancing Can Become Lascivious
  • Movements that Mimic Sexual Acts:
    • Modern dances like twerking.
    • Older dances like “the bump” and “bump and grind.”
  • Immodest Attire:
    • Provocative, suggestive clothing—especially for women—can incite lust and is lascivious.
    • “Dancing with the Stars” cited for provocative outfits.
    • Such attire affects men and young boys; exploiting females via revealing clothing is a longstanding tactic of the devil.
  • Unchaste Touching:
    • “Unchaste handling of males and females” is central to lasciviousness. Though common culturally, Christians must consider God’s view.
  • Suggestive Music:
    • Music with explicit, suggestive lyrics (“E-rated”) can accompany and promote lascivious activities. Christians should question their association with such music.
  • Inappropriate Venues:
    • Avoid venues (e.g., certain dance halls) that expose Christians to lascivious expressions of dance.
• Perspectives and Experiences
  • A Sister noted perception varies with mindset; one may see “Dancing with the Stars” as sexual while another does not. Motive, behavior, and purpose are key.
  • Another Sister observed worsening provocativeness in performances (e.g., at concerts like Cardi B’s and sporting events), exposing children; she agreed mindset matters.
  • A listener said shows like “Dancing with the Stars” began with enjoyable dances (waltz, calypso) but producers now push scandalous clothing to appeal to viewers who “want to see skin.”
  • The instructor urged women to consider the male perspective, as certain attire and movements can tempt men even if unintended.
  • Another Sister shared a positive experience with line dancing as daily exercise benefiting mind and body, and appreciated the clarification that dancing itself is not sin but can lead to it.

4. Application in Christian Life and Worship

• Christian Responsibility
  • Christians will witness worldly lasciviousness but should not participate.
  • Aim to gravitate toward what honors God; the devil tempts people to cross into lasciviousness.
  • Consider how God views your conduct; violating biblical principles requires repentance.
• Movement During Worship
  • A question addressed excessive body movement during worship by a shapely person and whether it could be perceived as dancing or excessive.
  • The instructor emphasized consistency and appropriateness in corporate worship where God is present.
  • Motive matters: genuine movement from a song differs from attention-seeking.
  • Even in worship, be mindful not to cross into lasciviousness, as others are watching.

Assignments

• 1. Evaluate your conduct before God to ensure it does not cross into lasciviousness.
• 2. Reflect on whether any personal expressions of dance may be inappropriate for a Christian, considering movement, attire, music, and location.
• 3. Men in the study should help female members understand the male perspective on temptation to avoid unintentional lasciviousness.
• 4. Prepare to discuss “gossiping” in the next session on June 17, 2026.