First let us notice that we are not discussing the world and their view or acceptance of anything. We are discussing those persons who have "changed." Their lives have changed; their life-styles have changed; their friends and activities have also, in many cases, changed; be-cause their minds have changed to become submissive to God's divine will for our lives. And to sum up this opening_, it doesn't matter what the world accepts or does not accept. We are "new creatures," as Paul says, II Cor 5:17, therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." Now, either they have, or they haven't. Paul says the child of God is changed. Our reason for living has been given into God's hands, and our purpose has become the "1iving example" to lead others to the new life for Christ. Listen, again to Paul, as he says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of you mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Rom 12:1-2.

The only real question seems to be, "Is dancing consistent with the principles of purity that are to be the Christian life?" Does it qualify as a fruit of the Spirit, or is it a work of the flesh? Does it show my communication (the way I live) to be of God or of the world? Does it work as an influence. to draw others to Christ, or is it a stumbling block and a hindrance? The questions posed here could be used to examine all phases of my daily life. Please notice, we are each responsible for being sure that our lives meet "that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Dance is defined as "rhythmic movement of the feet and body, usually, to music." Webster's New World Dictionary (College Edition). The Encyclopodia Britannica says, "Dancing is rhythmical movement of any or all parts of the body in accordance with some scheme of individual or conceited action which is expressive of emotions or ideas." With today's dancing we not only find men dancing with women, but also women with women and men with men. Dance has been described as a "walking embrace." When we examine the dance in the light of world acceptance, no one can long stand on the dance as not offending the "purity" of scripture. Just here, let us notice Paul's letter to those at Galatia. Listen, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seductions, drunkenness, revellings and the like; of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Gal 5:19-21. Some of the words may require work to understand, but isn't that also a part of the Christian character. First, look to the word, lasciviousness, which Vine's defines as, "excess, licentiousness, absence of restraint, indecency, wantonness." Lasciviousness is among the sins of those who were declared to be "past feeling." Eph 4:19. The prominent idea, concludes Vine's Dictionary, is that of shameless conduct. Revellings is defined, "boisterous merry-making or festivity; revelry. An occasion of merry making or noisy festivity with dancing." American College Dictionary. Dance is an unchaste handling by those of the opposite sex and is abomination when such actions are carried on by those of the same sex. You know, even the words, "those who do such things SHALL NOT inherit the kingdom of God," should be enough for anyone who has been set free from sin to leave that which is questionable alone, and I believe the scripture takes the idea of dance far beyond the questionable stage.

The Encyclopedia Britannica states "In all dancing there is an opportunity for pleasurable exercise, but some dances are designed to create sexual excitement in both the performers and the onlookers." To those who try to condone dancing, I challenge you to defend the "Dirty Dancing" as anything but lust filled actions which fall short of the sex act itself. Paul says, "Abstain from all appearance of evil." I Thess 5:22, Peter says, "For he that will love life... let him eschew evil," I Pet 3:10-12. Shun it; flee from it. Why is it that when evil comes our way, we want to get a better look, and try to justify it with.. "I only do it to lose weight," or some other excuse. Do we really believe that God accepts our excuses? Satan, truly is alive and well, and he is working overtime to deceive those of the "household of faith," Gal 6:10. Also, please explain how we "let our light SO SHINE" while we embrace, go to and do everything that the world does.