!If You Dance With the Devil
Introduction
Recently, while watching the news, I was not surprised to hear of yet another violent act attributed to the Satanic sub-culture. I was surprised, however, to hear an expert actually admit that the Gothic underworld is a first step on the path to becoming a full-fledged satanist. According to the horrific report, a prominent defense attorney's wife was brutally murdered and a satanic symbol was carved into her back. The prime suspect is a teenager who was heavily involved in the world of Goth.
Do you know a teenager who is obsessed with black clothes and make up, body piercing and masochistic behavior? Do they listen to head-banging heavy metal music and read books about dungeons, dragons, wizards and witchcraft? Are they reclusive and secret about their friends and activities? If this is your child, beware! Do everything within your power to get them help. The steps toward Satan's lair have already begun.
The material contained in this book is a compilation of information that I have learned over many years in youth ministry. Experiences from the inner city to the upscale neighborhoods of the suburbs have led me to believe that none of our young people are safe.
The devil wants to dance with our children. Like the seductive moves of a show girl, He parades his demons and temptations in front of them. He entices their imaginations and tantilizes them with thoughts of secret powers and special wisdom. He knows their weaknesses and he exploits their youthful desires. His greatest desire is to dance them into Hell. For the love of God and for the sake of His children, we cannot let this happen.
Several years ago I wrote a book entitled, “Tattoos, Nose Rings, Bellybuttons and Other Things”. The material is actually built around a 60-verse poem about godly image. In two parts of this book, I address the dark side of Gothic dress. Please read this poem with your family and then discuss the questions together. It could make a very effective introduction to a very important family discussion.
Black As Night
Black shirt, black belt, black britches, too.
Black hair that stood in spikes - it’s true!
His trench coat, yes, you guessed the shade,
Hid boots - black, too, I am afraid.
His girlfriend seemed to share his view,
Her lips were black, her eye lids, too.
A collar ‘round her neck had spikes.
It too was black, it’s purpose... YIKES!
I wondered why the color scheme.
It was to me a creepy theme.
Dark shadows seemed to fill their way.
They’re of the night, not sons of day.
The Savior came to bring us light,
His blood was shed to make us white.
Since He endured that awful task,
Is image all that much to ask?
I saw her at the video store. Her hair was died black. Her makeup was black. Her clothes were black and she even wore a black dog collar. Am I wrong for wondering why?
Sin is black (Proverbs 2:13). Ignorance is black (Romans 2:19-21). Evil is black (Ephesians 6:12). Hell is black (Matthew 8:12). Why would anyone celebrate darkness?
The blackest moments in human history were so black they even darkened the brightest hours of the day. From noon till 3:00 the sky turned black, the earth groaned with convulsions and then the Creator died at the hands of those He had created.
Consider the following discussion questions:
1 Thessalonians 5:5-6
“You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.”
1. How is being “self-controlled” the opposite lifestyle of those who “belong to the night or to the darkness”?
2. Why did God choose light to represent purity and darkness to represent evil? Why do evil things often happen in darkness?
3. List three feelings you associate with the color black. How do these feelings compare to Philippians 4:8?
4. Did you know that medical research has proven that people heal better in well lit rooms than they do in dark rooms? What is the connection between light and healing?
5. Does God really care if you primarily dress in black? Does it help, hurt or have no effect on your christian image? What message does it send?
Now consider another section of this poem about godly image.
Another Hole in the Head
When she spoke, her speech was slurred.
What’s in her mouth? Are my eyes blurred?
I looked again and then I knew,
Her tongue was pierced, a stud run through.
Another lady who stood near
Had seven holes punched in her ear.
Her boyfriend had an eyebrow ring
And I thought I’d seen everything.
Through bellybutton, nose and lip,
This body piercing is a trip.
But when they give you each new hole,
Could they be also piercing soul?
Christ bought your soul on Calvary’s hill.
He loved you then, He loves you still.
Since He endured that awful task,
Is image all that much to ask?
Isaiah 3:18-21
“In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, the earrings and bracelets and veils, the headdresses and ankle chains and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms, the signet rings and nose rings...”
1. Make a list of things that can make body piercing wrong? After coming up with your own list, consider these:
them you would burn forever in Hell. Because He endured them you can live forever in Heaven. What kind of fool would refuse such a love? What kind of fool would dishonor such a friend?
As we will see in the rest of this book, the world of the occult is nothing less than a slap in the face of Jesus Himself. This dark world of blasphemies and eternal insults must be avoided at all cost.
Excessive (Read I Cor. 6:12b)
Cross dressing (Read Deuteronomy 22:5)
Example (Read I Corinthians 10:32)
Rebellion (Read I Peter 2:13-17)
Seduction (Read I John 2:10)
2. Make a list of five body parts that are often pierced for no other reason than an expression of vanity.
3. Does God really care if you pierce some part of your body? Does it help, hurt or have no effect on a Christian image? What message does it send?
Spit, blood, sweat, aches, splinters, nakedness, thirst, groans, stink, cramps, begging, exhaustion, swearing, laughter, bruises, punctures, heat, pressure, scabs, darkness, weeping, helplessness, screams, loneliness. The Prince of the universe willingly left the conveniences of Heaven to endure these horrors for you. Without them you would burn forever in Hell. Because He endured them you can live forever in Heaven. What kind of fool would refuse such a love? What kind of fool would dishonor such a friend?
As we will see in the rest of this book, the world of the occult is nothing less than a slap in the face of Jesus Himself. This dark world of blasphemies and eternal insults must be avoided at all cost.
Never dance with the devil! He always wants to lead.
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