Finding Balance

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There was once a time, not so long ago, where in many Christian circles dancing was prohibited for a believer. Being a Christian in these circles also meant you couldn’t listen to popular music, socialize with non-believers, and watch movies above a G rating. You would also be expected to boycott certain movies and music artists, even going as far as to burn records, books, videos, and paraphernalia that were deemed as evil and satanic. Alternative lifestyles were shunned and faiths outside of Christianity were seen as false religions. And it was during this time when many overzealous believers saw the devil in every detail, from a financial loss to a baby crying with colic to mental health problems.

Now in 2009 things have changed in many ways. Now dancing is widely accepted, as is popular and rock music, hanging out with non-believers, and watching movies of all genres, and ratings; many times these things are even encouraged. As a rule, we no longer burn things that we don’t like, shun those who live alternative lifestyles, call other faiths “false”, and the devil seems to be the last place many people point the finger when something goes wrong… we’re more likely now to point our fingers at one another.

It seems to me that our balance is somewhat out of whack!

When I became a Christian back in 1991 there were still a lot of books, videos, and CD’s that focused on the demonic and satanic. Some were sensationalistic and definitely out to cause paranoia; as far as I’m concerned these types of books belong to the Witchfinder General genre of books. I remember buying a book back in the early 1990′s called “What’s Wrong with Christian Rock?” This was a supposed Christian book that looked at the Christian music scene and tried to fault find and point out the evil that lurked just under the surface of many believing rock acts like Stryper, Barren Cross, Holy Soldier, and even Michael W Smith?! On the other hand, books like “Pigs in the Parlor” by Frank Hammond and “They Shall Expel Demons” by Derek Prince, may have been seen by some as exploitative, but at least they showed us that there is a spiritual battle taking place between God and satan, angels and demons, and raised awareness of where we stand in this battle.

The question I ask in all of this is, how do we find a healthy balance between being Witchfinder General types (those believers that find evil everywhere including Disney movies and Hanna Montana CD’s) and the Loosey Goosey types (those believers that happily listen to hedonistic and satanic music and watch movies filled with extremely disturbing violence and gore, dubbing it as OK)? Is there a way in which believers can be both mindful of the world and its ways, and yet not be too scared or paranoid to interact with the world?

The Bible tells us that “God didn’t give us a cowardly (or fearful*) spirit but a spirit of power, love, and good judgment.” 2 Tim. 1:7 (GWT *added by me). This means we have nothing to fear as we boldly go and witness to a lost and dying world. I think fear, or lack thereof, has been at the heart of the issue all along.

C.S. Lewis in his brilliant and eye opening book, The Screwtape Letters, claims that there are two equal and opposite errors into which we can fall about Satan and demons. “One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe and to feel an excessive, and unhealthy interest in them” (p.3). The truth is, the Devil is equally pleased by either error. One gives him no credit, and the other gives him too much credit. In the past there has maybe been an over emphasis on the dark spiritual forces of this world, so much so that it has caused people to literally fear interacting with those around them. On the other hand, in this day and age there is maybe not enough time devoted to raising awareness of the very real dangers of the dark spiritual forces around us; instead focusing too much on the flesh whilst forsaking the spiritual.

However, the Bible reminds us that, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

Some interesting facts regarding the churches view on satan in this day and age: In the book “What America Believes” by George Barna he asks the question, do you believe “The Devil, or Satan, is not a living being but is a symbol of evil?” The response? Of the Born Again population that replied to this question, 32 percent agreed strongly, 11 percent agreed somewhat, and 5 percent did not know. Thus, of the total number responding, 48 percent either agreed that Satan is not real and only symbolic, or did not know! (What Americans Believe, pp. 206-212).

So the question remains, how do we find a healthy balance between fear and boldness, as well as right and wrong? There are two passages of Scripture that come to mind regarding this.

1) “I will make clear to you of whom you are to be in fear: of him who after death has power to send you to hell; yes, truly I say, Have fear of him.” Luke 12:5 (Bible in Basic English)

We don’t need to live in fear of our enemy satan. The Bible tells us to fear God alone. And yet the Bible tells us that “God is Love” (1 John 4:8 NIV) and that “There is no fear in love: true love has no room for fear, because where fear is, there is pain; and he who is not free from fear is not complete in love.” (1 John 4:18 GWT)

It all boils down to this: If we are to fear anyone it should be God alone because only he has the power of life and death. However, we are told in no uncertain terms that God is love and that those who believe in him (those who are “complete in love”) have nothing to fear. Therefore we don’t have to over emphasize and vilify the works of the devil because he is not the one we are to fear.

2) “Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable.” Philippians 4:8 (GWT)

Having a healthy balance in life means living a healthy lifestyle by watching what we put into our lives. Let’s face it if we put rubbish into our bodies then chances are we will get sick. Take the example of Morgan Spurlock who produced the movie Super Size Me. He ate nothing but food from McDonalds for 30 days and afterwards he was really ill – Spurlock gained 24½ lbs., a 13% body mass increase, and experienced mood swings, sexual dysfunction, and liver damage. It took Spurlock fourteen months to lose the added weight and get back into shape.

The same is true when we look at our spiritual lives. For example: If we are listening to gangsta rap or hardcore rock/metal that glorifies violence, anti-social behaviour, and degrading women, and watch movies that push the boundaries of morality and social standards, then spiritually speaking, what are we doing to ourselves mentally and spiritually?

I believe that a healthy balance exists somewhere between knowing, accepting, and understanding. I agree with CS Lewis in that too much of one thing is not the answer, and neither is too little. We need to know yes, but not become obsessed. We need to raise awareness yes, but not cause fear and panic.

Going back to the beginning of this article it really comes down to this:
The problem is not the dancing itself, but what we are dancing to.

Christian St John M.Div, BChM, ACS
June, 2009