Questions

Dear Brother,

I am very happy write you today. I have been longing to do so for a long time now. However, I would love you to answer just one question which I find very difficult to deal with.

I grew up in a christian family and from childhood we were taught that listening or dancing to sounds is sin against God.

At some point I was meant to understand that it is not sin if you only listen to sounds of music, but will become sin once you move your body to the rhythm.

Today, I have been taught here in England that the only place where musical instrument or dance is not allowed is the worship of God probably on Sunday morning which is(in spirit and in truth).

I want to attend Christian wedding here in England to see how it is organised, but from asking questions I understand the bride and groom could dance on their wedding day and it won't be seen as sin.

If you really get my point, please let me know what you think is correct. I personally do not know which is correct, but if dancing is sin I know many people who are guilty but have never been confronted, not because they weren't seen but because those who could condemn it also dance themselves.

Is there anything we could do as Christians in our homes and be right, but when we do them in public or in the gathering of the saints it becomes a sin.

Thank you.

I hope to hear from you at your earliest time.

Brotherly,

Innocent Chikezie

Answer

Dear Innocent,

I appreciate your excellent question and your determination to do what is right. I assume from your name that you may be a Nigerian who immigrated to UK. When Daniel was taken as a captive from Judah to Babylon, He "purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank" (Daniel 1:8). Thankfully, you're not a captive, but you have the same virtue, i.e. moral excellence, displayed by Daniel 2600 years ago and which must characterize our lives today (2 Peter 1:5). I commend you for your stalwart effort to live up to your name.

Instrumental music in worship is wrong because the Lord has specified singing as the type of music in worship He desires from us during the New Testament age (Acts 16:25; Romans 15:9; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:18-19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12; James 5:13). This is true whether the worship is by one person (James 5:13), a small group apart from the church (Acts 16:25), or the whole congregation assembled (1 Corinthians 14:15,19, 23).

We have general authority from the Lord by His own example to engage in innocent activities for rest and relaxation (Mark 6:31). Listening to or performing innocent, secular music is one such form of activity which we may engage for "R & R."

Lewdness is a work of the flesh which will condemn us (Galatians 5:19-21). Part of Thayer's definition of the Greek term translated "lewdness" in the New King James Version is "unbridled lust." As examples of the application, he lists "filthy words, indecent bodily movements," and "unchaste handling of male and females" (79-80).

Listening to music with sexually explicit lyrics is a form of lewdness. "Let no filthy talk come out of your mouths, but only what is good for building up as the need may be. This way you will give grace to those who hear you" (Ephesians 4:29, International Standard Version) "Obscene, flippant, or vulgar talk is totally inappropriate. Instead, let there be thanksgiving" (Ephesians 5:4, ISV).

"Indecently bodily movements" are lewd. Could one find a more apt description of modern dancing? John the Baptist literally lost his head because Herod morally lost his head at the sight of Salome's sensuous dance (Matthew 14:6-11). Many will lose their souls because of such lewdness.

"Unchaste handling of males and females" is a form of "lewdness." "Unchaste" means "impure." This is the kind of touch that leads to sexual arousal. Of course, this also describes modern "close dancing." "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (2 Timothy 2:22).

A husband and wife may privately engage in sexual activities that would be sinful for an unmarried couple (Hebrews 13:4).

I trust this answers your questions.

Brotherly,
Keith Sharp