Dancing
What does the Bible say about dancing?
The Bible mentions dancing in several places, for instance:
- When the Ark of the Covenant was brought back to Israel, King David was so happy that he was “leaping and dancing before the Lord” (2 Samuel 6:16).
- Solomon wrote that there is “a time to mourn and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:4).
- Psalm 149 encourages believers: “Let them praise his name with dancing” (verse 3).
- And in the New Testament, Jesus rebuked people for not caring. He quoted a poem: “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn” (Matt 11:17).
Unless something is specifically forbidden in the Scriptures, the real question is “Why am I doing this?” There are lots of things we can do for selfish, sinful reasons or for good, godly reasons. Dancing is one of those. If we dance because we want sensual, sexual experiences or because we want to go to clubs to be with some wild people, that’s not good! Paul wrote to the Colossians: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col 3:17). So as you think about dancing, consider why you want to dance. Can you do it “in the name of the Lord Jesus”? That means you will do it in his will and for his glory. If you can, then by all means, go for it. If the kind of environment is not honoring to God, find somewhere else to dance. But whatever you do, do it for God’s honor.
