Justin Hale Supporter

By definition, a 'clean heart' is one that does ANYTHING, 'as unto the Lord with all of our soul,' (Colossians 3:23).

Can anything 'secular' be done this way? Can you picture yourself standing before Christ and 'dancing' with all of your soul?

If you did, what would it actually look like and why would you be doing it? What about it would strike our Lord as 'pleasing?'

Those are some pretty intense and important questions that get raised by your original question. So did Jesus Himself ever do anything 'secular?'

“And his master praised the unrighteous steward because he had acted shrewdly, for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light. And I say to you, make friends for yourselves from the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will take you into the eternal dwellings." (Luke 16:8-9).

The word usually translated 'mammon' is 'secular wealth.' That doesn't just include government issued money. It is anything 'treasured' by the world, (which is what 'secular' actually means, 'worldly').

So is the 'art of dancing' a form of 'worldly treasure?'

Absolutely. 

Jesus is telling us that we can use it to 'make friends.' In fact, He is commanding us to do so!

So what exactly does He mean by 'making friends' and how does it work? Jesus illustrated several times in scripture that we can 'give back' mammon, (also called 'Caesar's wealth'), in a way that liberates people from debt, either to government, (like 'taxes and fines'), or criminals, (like gambling debts or addictions). 

This isn't something that you can go into 'halfheartedly' because you are entering a rather scary and dangerous world, which is also why scripture says that we must do it 'with all of our soul.'

Can you imagine a way to 'dance with all of your soul' that could liberate people from debts to oppressors?

That question alone is 'pleasing' to the Lord. Anything you can do to actually accomplish this would be extremely pleasing to Him. That is because it would be a direct testimony to people in the world who need to see that He can 'deliver' them from hardships. That is why scripture says that Jesus is 'the Savior of ALL men, but especially those who believe." (1 Timothy 4:10). 

The Lord often demonstrates His saving power in 'mundane' or 'familiar' ways first, offering a testimony to the person's 'soul' about its own 'eternal' salvation. 

So how exciting would it be to 'dance a secular dance' for the grand purpose of helping to produce a testimony to help save a person's soul?

How EXACTLY would something like this work?

The apostle Paul was an 'inspired maestro' when it comes to using 'secular' activities to introduce himself to people whom Jesus was trying to reach with His 'good news.'

"For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 

"To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings." (1 Corinthians 9:20-23).

Just in case you missed it, Paul is saying that, (under inspiration of the Holy Spirit), he introduces himself as a 'great Jew' who impresses other Jews, as a 'great pagan' who impresses other pagans, as something like 'great law enforcement' who impresses other law enforcement people, as a 'great outlaw' who impresses other outlaws, (though never by actually breaking the law), even as a 'great patient' who impresses other people struggling with illnesses.

When people found out, they either got enraged or saved. 

Still interested?

February 17 2023 • 4 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Kilian Kean Supporter Telecommunications Engineer (Retired)

Matthew 5:28 tells us that the issue is our heart. Jeremiah 17:9 says our heart is desperately wicked. 

Besides the above, what is the purpose of dancing to secular themes? Ephesians 5:17-21 shows that we should be singing songs "to the Lord". 

Yes, we can and I have danced without sin in my heart, but I don't think it's possible within a secular environment. As a man, I can only remember what my heart and mind wanted to do when dancing at a club. Fulfill the lust in my heart and mind. Romans 13:13 tells us to walk away from those types of places and to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. 

When we start to "justify", "confirm", or "approve" actions that do not belong in a Christians life, we are wrong. If what you do falls under the Galatians 5:19-21 category for flesh, then we know not to do it. The beginning of the list is adultery then fornication. Those two as the first marks of what not to do are pretty much in line with dance club results. Proverbs 14:14-16 Is going to a dance club beneficial to your walk?

But sin is fun, right? Is dancing sinful? David danced when the ark was returning home and he was overjoyed. The intention of David's dance was focused on the Lord, not his fleshly desires. 

We should be pursing those things that are beneficial to our eternal stance. 1 Timothy 4:8 tells us that godliness is more profitable than exercise. Romans 10:17 tells us hearing the Word increases our faith. So what is better? 

What is your goal in life? What are your eternal goals? Just getting into heaven? Believe in Jesus. Done. But what now? 2 Corinthians 5:10 tells us we will give an account for all that we have done, not as punishment, but rewards for service done in Jesus Name. What do you plan on doing in Heaven? 

Worship, praise, service. How about a docent giving tours of heaven? Or leaf picker? (Revelation 22:2) I don't see dancing as something we need to practice, but it will come naturally. Faith could be the currency of heaven so why not build that up?

July 29 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Donna Williams Supporter

I looked up what it means to have a clean heart, and this is what I found. "It means having an undivided loyalty to God. Loving Him above all else. This kind of love comes from a clean heart that has been transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit." It is apparent that this poem was written from a secular perspective, and is not based on the biblical truths of God's Word! 

The Dutty Wine dance is very seductive and provocative in nature, and is not something that people who have been born of the Spirit should be participating in. I believe that when the Holy Spirit changes our hearts, that we will have new desires to please Him, and not our flesh. Worldliness and godliness are in opposition to one another! In 1 Corinthians 10:31, we are admonished by these words: "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

July 28 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report