[Biblemat] Sermon on Worldliness including Dancing

[Bob Myhan]

WORLDLINESS
 

Introduction: "Worldliness remains an issue at the core of our existence and [spiritual] survival. Though the specific cultural forms of worldly influence may change, the same devil is laboring [today] with the same purpose [as in the first century] - to draw us away from spiritual interests to material concerns; to seduce us from high values to carnal behavior; to bring us down into the pit that is a foretaste of eternal destruction" (Warren E. Berkley, The Preceptor, Volume 51, Number 3, page 1). But what is "worldliness"? It is that which pertains to the world. The world is "that realm wherein 'the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life' reign supreme." This is because "the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" (1 John 5:19). The politically correct term for worldliness is "secular humanism." But, just as the term "feminism" robs women of all that is feminine, the term "humanism" robs mankind of all that is human. While claiming that being human is the highest level of existence (hence, that there is no God), the humanist can give no legitimate reason why man should behave any differently from animals. Therefore, those caught up in it differ very little from animals in their conduct. And the more consistent the humanist the more like an animal's his conduct will be. Let us consider seven expressions of worldliness.

IMMODESTY
A.      Sexual awareness causes us to want to be modest (Gen. 3:6-10, 21).

B.      We are to wear modest apparel (1 Tim. 2:9, 10; 1 Pet. 3:1-6).

C.      We are to dress to be chaste, not chased (Titus 2:1-8)

D.      We are not to be sinning against others (Rom. 14:13; Matt. 5:28; Luke 17:1, 2).

DANCING
A.      It is lewd (Mark 7:22, 23; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Pet. 4:3-6; 2 Pet. 2:17-19) - "inclined to, characterized by, or inciting to lust" [Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary, 1996 edition.]

B.      Inciting others to lust (Matt. 14:6-10; 1 John 2:15-17; Luke 17:1, 2)

C.      It can lead to other sins, such as fornication (Eph. 4:17-20).  A word about dancing: "This process of mate selection may be aided by specifically erotic displays, such as [the] body movements of dancing, where sensuous actions accentuate the gender signals and the individual qualities of the potential mate.  Sexual intention movements and mimicked copulatory actions also appear on the dance floor, helping to suggest the patterns of behavior yet to come." [Desmond Morris, Manwatching: A Field Guide to Human Behavior, p. 246]

GAMBLING

A.      Godliness with contentment precludes gambling (1 Tim. 6:6-10, 17-19).

B.      Putting covetousness to death precludes gambling (Col. 3:3-7).

C.      The work ethic precludes gambling (Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10), but does not preclude accepting a grant (Acts 20:35).

D.      It involves too great a risk (Matt. 16:24-27).

BEVERAGE ALCOHOL & RECREATIONAL DRUGS

A.      Its physical effects are mostly negative (Prov. 23:29-35).

C.      Its spiritual consequences are only negative (1 Cor. 6:10; Gal. 5:19-21).

D.      The body you inhabit is not your own (1 Cor. 6:19, 20).

E.      Social drinking is also forbidden (1 Pet. 4:3-6).

FORNICATION (ILLICIT SEXUAL INTERCOURSE)

A.      The Bible requires abstinence (Acts 15:20, 29).

B.      Is not to be named among saints (Eph. 5:3).

C.      It must be put to death (Col. 3:1-7).

D.      It is not your body (1 Cor. 6:16-20).

E.      Its spiritual consequences are devastating (1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Gal. 5:19-21).

CRUDE LANGUAGE

A.      The tongue is full of deadly poison (James 3:1-8).

B.      We ought not to curse men (James 3:9-12) - "to wish evil against a person or thing" (Vine, page 264).

C.      We ought to avoid lying and speak the truth (Eph. 4:25; Prov. 6:16-19; Rev. 21:8).

D.      We are to avoid corrupt words that do not edify (Eph. 4:29).

E.      We are not to speak evil to one another (Eph. 4:31, 32).

F.      We are to "shun profane and idle babblings" (2 Tim. 2:16; Matt. 12:36, 37).

GODLESS RECREATION

A.      "Proper recreation is a good and wholesome thing. Everyone needs to take a break - an outlet from the day-to-day grind. We need good ways to relax and renew our minds and [bodies]. Think about the root word in recreation - we recreate ourselves and come back with a renewed vigor and attitude" (John N. Evans, The Preceptor, Volume 51, Number 3, page 17).

B.      God gives all things for enjoyment (1 Tim. 6:17; but see James 4:3).

C.   Bodily exercise is profitable (1 Tim. 4:8).  

D.   There is a time for rest and relaxation (Mark 6:30, 31).

E.      Godly principles must be remembered (1 Tim. 4:8).

1. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33).

2. What we do influences others (Matt. 5:14, 15).

3. Lewdness should never characterize a child of God (Col.. 3:5; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Thess. 5.22).

4. "Evil company corrupts good habits" (1 Cor. 15:33).

PORNOGRAPHY

A.      Looking at either still or moving pictures of naked men and/or women causes one to lust (Matt. 14:6-10; 1 John 2:15-17; Luke 17:1,2). And by "naked" we don't necessarily mean nude. Covering only certain parts of the body merely draws more attention to them.

B.      It is wrong to look at a woman to lust for her (Matt. 5:27, 28). 

1. "Here, as in reference to murder [verses 21, 22], Jesus legislates against the thought which lies back of the act. He cuts off sin at its lowest root. The essence of all vice is intention. Those who indulge in unchaste imaginations, desires and intentions are guilty before God." (J.W. McGarvey, The Fourfold Gospel, page 241)

2. Since there is no double standard, it is equally wrong for a woman to look at a man to lust for him.

C.      In many convenience stores, the pornographic magazines are kept behind the counter so that they have to be asked for. Responsible sales clerks will not allow minors to buy them or look at them. 

D.      However, in the computer age, it is extremely difficult to shield young people from photographs of naked men and women. 

1. Concerned parents set up passwords but many young people are smart enough to figure them out. (Steve Quillian, The Preceptor, Volume 51, Number 3, page 5)

2. "Two years ago a study discovered that during January, 2000, 17.5 million people visited pornographic websites and the top porn site had more visitors that ESPN.com or barnesandnoble.com (same as above). 

3. Another report showed that the $970 million spent on Internet porn in 1998 was expected to more than triple by 2003 (same as above). 

4. Another study reported that 200,000 Americans were addicted to Internet pornography in 2000 - 'addiction was defined as spending 11 or more hours viewing the content per week' (same as above). 

5. 'A study from MSNBC found that one-in-five men - and one-in-eight women - admitted to downloading porn at work" (same as above).

Conclusion: These eight subjects, of course, do not constitute worldliness in its entirety. But they are the forms that most concern, or should most concern, parents that are Christians. Young people don't become addicted to what the world has to offer. Resist the magnetic pull of worldliness with all your might. "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth" (Eccl. 12:1). "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).



Bob Myhan
3901 Northside Drive, Apt. 2L
Macon, GA 31210
myhan at cox.net
www.foresthillschurchofchrist.com
478-476-4768
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