- Jun 5, 2002
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Why is it some Christians find dancing, clapping, raising hands, shouting praises to God, etc offensive or "of the devil"?
We are told many times how to praise God in both the Old and New Testament and here are some verses:
It annoys me when people get all "holier than thou" when someone raises their hands, shouts, etc, to praise God.
Look at what this guy had to say:
What is wrong with praising God in the ways the Bible tells us to? Does it somehow offend these people, make them feel embarrassed that someone is expressing themselves while praising God? Do they get uncomfortable at a football match when people shout and cheer on footballers? If we can cheer on footballers, then why not God?
What does everyone else think?
We are told many times how to praise God in both the Old and New Testament and here are some verses:
From http://www.mpc.org.uk/articles/worship.htmlWORSHIPPING THE LORD WITH OUR VOICES:
"Let the high praises of God be in their MOUTH and the two-edged sword in their hands" (Psalm 149:6).
"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, THE FRUIT OF OUR LIPS, giving thanks to His name" (Hebrews 13:15).
SINGING:
"Sing praises unto God, sing praises, sing praises unto our King, sing praises" (Psalm 149:6).
SHOUTING:
"Let those who put their trust in thee rejoice, let them shout for joy" (Psalm 5:11).
"Cry out and shout thou inhabitant of Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee" (Isaiah 12:6).
WORSHIPPING THE LORD WITH OUR HANDS:
Scripture commands us to use our hands in worship. Most of us find our hands expressive in everyday conversation.
LIFTING THE HANDS:
"Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord" (Psalm 134:2)
"I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath or doubting" (II Timothy 2:8).
The universal sign of surrender is lifting up the hands!
CLAPPING THE HANDS:
!O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph" (Psalm 47: 1).
Our hands can be used to play musical instruments
"Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him for His excellent greatness!
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance,
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes
Praise Him with loud cymbals:,
Praise Him with clashing cymbals,
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!" (Psalm 150)
WORSHIPPING THE LORD WITH OUR BODIES:
The bible declares that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19) and that, "we are created for His pleasure" (Revelation 4: 1 1).
STANDING:
"Praise ye the Lord, praise ye the name of the Lord; praise Him o ye servants of the Lord. Ye that stand in the House of the Lord, in the courts of our God" (Psalm 135: 1-2).
BOWING OR KNEELING:
"O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our maker" (Psalm 95:6).
DANCING:
"Praise Him with the timbrel and the dance" (Psalm 150:4). "Let them praise His name in the dance" (Psalm 149:3).
It annoys me when people get all "holier than thou" when someone raises their hands, shouts, etc, to praise God.
Look at what this guy had to say:
"Well as far as we are concerned, we feel that dancing in any shape or form is incompatible with a Christian profession," said Mr McIlveen.
What is wrong with praising God in the ways the Bible tells us to? Does it somehow offend these people, make them feel embarrassed that someone is expressing themselves while praising God? Do they get uncomfortable at a football match when people shout and cheer on footballers? If we can cheer on footballers, then why not God?
What does everyone else think?