A correspondent asks would it be alright for a Christian to dance at his or her wedding. There are a number of things that would be alright to take place between a husband and a wife that are not appropriate to take place in all places, for instance publicly. The type of dancing or behavior that the New Testament forbids is that of sensuality (“uncleanness,” Galatians 5:19), arousing sexual desire (“lasciviousness,” Galatians 5:19) and immoral behavior, usually associated with alcoholic drink (“reveling,” Galatians 5:21). Whereas a husband and his wife are expected by God to participate in sensuality, and it is their right to arouse each other in sexual desire (1 Corinthians 7:2-5), this is not something that God permits them to do publicly. What otherwise would be immoral behavior is not immoral between a husband and his wife (Hebrews 13:4), but again, this was never intended by God to be a matter of public display. Furthermore, dancing that results in or predictably could produce sensuality, sexual arousal and immoral behavior is definitely not something that either a husband or his wife ought to share with others. In addition, even if a husband and his wife dance exclusively with each other at their wedding, what implied stamp of approval are they proclaiming to all others present, irrespective of whether dance partners are married to each other? Likewise, on other occasions in public when a husband and a wife would dance together exclusively, what kind of an example would they be providing? Especially outside of a wedding, and yet often at weddings, public dances are usually attended in places where alcohol flows freely; is that the type of an environment in which a child of God should pursue intimate familiarity with one’s spouse?
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:11-12 NKJV)
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles — when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. (1 Peter 4:1-4)
