Dance and Be Merry
Christians, when was the last time you danced? Whether by yourself in your room, at a wedding or at a celebratory function? Do you dance at all?
One morning as I was continuing reading the gospel of Luke, I read Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son in Luke chapter 15. It’s a wonderful story of a son who goes wayward, but comes to his senses and returns to his family seeking their forgiveness. As if I had read it for the first time, one particular verse stood out. Verse 25 says ‘Now his elder son was in the field, and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing‘. The parable of the Prodigal Son is told by Jesus Christ himself, the Son of God. In his story, Jesus said that they were dancing! In fact Jesus actually debunked two false teachings in this parable – that Christians shouldn’t dance, and that Christians shouldn’t wear jewellery. In verse 22 it says “and put a ring on his hand“. Is Jesus thus trying to confuse our minds? Never!
Why you should dance
Because Jesus said you can. Dancing is a wonderful way to realise endorphins and lift up your spirits. When you listen to great music, you automatically feel like dancing, right? I am an African woman by blood – you cannot take the spirit of joy through dancing away from me. I believe that when you supress this natural desire, this God given ability, you are supressing the holy spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 says Quench not the spirit. Sing praises to God and dance! Dance with your spouse. Dance with your children. Dance with your friends. Dance with your community and let glory be given to God. When pastors teach that you should not dance, you should not drink, you should not wear jewellery – it’s because they feel that their congregation, if given the license to, may go overboard. Preach the truth, and the truth will set the flock free. When your mind is set on God and when you study the word of God for yourself, then you’ll know that you are allowed to dance but righteously, you are allowed to drink but not to drunkenness, you are allowed to wear jewellery but in obedience to God’s standards for me as an individual.
David typified Christ in so many ways and he danced unto the Lord. In fact, when his wife Michal frowned upon him and mocked his dancing, the Bible notes soon afterwards that ‘Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.’ David rebuked her and explained why he was dancing and enforced his stance that he would continue to ‘celebrate before the Lord’.
The Bible says my people perish because of lack of knowledge. We are blessed today because we have the word of God at our fingertips, therefore no one has an excuse to say oh but the preacher said so! Live your life in accordance to God’s will and not man’s and you will rejoice always.
Bible Scripture that Permits Dancing
Take a look at more bible verses below that make mention of the act of dancing. I hope it will prove in your mind that dancing is not wrong nor prohibited by God if done righteously and with a pure conscience.
Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
Psalm 149:3
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
Exodus 15:20
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
Psalm 30:11
Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.
jeremiah 31:4
