Question: Can one take that which is unclean/impure and make it clean/pure?
Answer: We can’t, but God can.
This question has been rolling around in my head for the last few weeks. I often ponder (probably more than the average person) questions, concepts, ideas, and dilemmas until I can get clarity from God by the Holy Spirit revealing wisdom through His word, spirit-to-spirit revelation, a teaching, a conversation with another, etc. God speaks to us in many ways, and I have learned over the years to be sensitive to His divine timing and placement of people, conversations, and words of Truth at just the moment I need them. His promise is true. When we seek Him and His wisdom; we will always find it. Seeking is active, and I believe that He honors our efforts to know Him more and to know His will in all things. He isn’t hiding Himself or His Truth from us. Isn’t that so comforting?
This question came to me after some recent experiences in which I was forced to face the predominantly secular, carnal and even profane use of a dance pole. In my pole journey which has involved countless hours of training (especially in the teaching certification process), I have gone out of my way to avoid environments and situations that I felt were not honoring to God. This conviction was the catalyst for me to found Dancing Queen in 2007. I felt called to create a wholesome, sacred space for like-minded Christian wives to come together in a unique sisterhood, to be encouraged and empowered. The harsh reality is that the pole dance world is derived from and thrives on a God-less perspective.
I recently chose to remove myself from a training program that I had previously convinced myself that I needed. (Sidenote: The reality is that our husband's do not care if we can do Cirque-du-Soleil level tricks on the pole.) It began innocently enough but sadly, it quickly morphed into a much-degraded environment. The Holy Spirit said to me, "What are you doing here? You don't belong here." So I chose to remove myself and have committed to resume my training in a solo fashion trusting, nay knowing that God will honor and bless my obedience. Herein does lie the great challenge; to be competent, and proficient without being exposed to or dragged down by the often deadly ends to which this path (like many in this world) can lead.
After I had made the decision to remove myself from said training program, I continued to ponder and pray on the matter. The Holy Spirit spoke softly, yet clearly to me; "Can one take that which is unclean and make it clean?". I love it when He asks me questions because it fires up my passion for digging into His word and excavating the answers, His Truth. Somehow I think He knows that will be the outcome, don't you? (smile)
I discovered the following:
All of this leads me to the following conclusion; a dance pole and the activity of pole dancing can be sanctified only if we choose to separate it unto God for the sacred purpose of infilling our marriages with love. We must submit ourselves and the activity to the moral laws of God. We must continually ask ourselves, and more importantly, ask our Father in heaven; "Does this line up with the scriptural and moral principles that I am called to fulfill?" "Is this blessing (making better/ stronger) me, my husband, and my marriage?" If ever the answer to these questions are "no," we must lay it down.
Bottom line: In it's most sensual, feminine bodily expression (naked and various states thereof) pole dancing must be kept within the sacred, sanctified bond of marriage. It is, after all, intended to be loving foreplay. To quote my dear faithful and true sister-in-Christ, "That is for the marriage bedroom only."
PS: As always, my choice to be separate and obey my personal convictions is in no way an exacting of personal judgment/s upon any person/s. I choose to love all and extend grace to all.
"And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.…" (Romans 3:22-24)
But for the grace of God, there go I.
Copyright ©2017 by Ronilynn Brissey-Ramos
Answer: We can’t, but God can.
This question has been rolling around in my head for the last few weeks. I often ponder (probably more than the average person) questions, concepts, ideas, and dilemmas until I can get clarity from God by the Holy Spirit revealing wisdom through His word, spirit-to-spirit revelation, a teaching, a conversation with another, etc. God speaks to us in many ways, and I have learned over the years to be sensitive to His divine timing and placement of people, conversations, and words of Truth at just the moment I need them. His promise is true. When we seek Him and His wisdom; we will always find it. Seeking is active, and I believe that He honors our efforts to know Him more and to know His will in all things. He isn’t hiding Himself or His Truth from us. Isn’t that so comforting?
This question came to me after some recent experiences in which I was forced to face the predominantly secular, carnal and even profane use of a dance pole. In my pole journey which has involved countless hours of training (especially in the teaching certification process), I have gone out of my way to avoid environments and situations that I felt were not honoring to God. This conviction was the catalyst for me to found Dancing Queen in 2007. I felt called to create a wholesome, sacred space for like-minded Christian wives to come together in a unique sisterhood, to be encouraged and empowered. The harsh reality is that the pole dance world is derived from and thrives on a God-less perspective.
I recently chose to remove myself from a training program that I had previously convinced myself that I needed. (Sidenote: The reality is that our husband's do not care if we can do Cirque-du-Soleil level tricks on the pole.) It began innocently enough but sadly, it quickly morphed into a much-degraded environment. The Holy Spirit said to me, "What are you doing here? You don't belong here." So I chose to remove myself and have committed to resume my training in a solo fashion trusting, nay knowing that God will honor and bless my obedience. Herein does lie the great challenge; to be competent, and proficient without being exposed to or dragged down by the often deadly ends to which this path (like many in this world) can lead.
After I had made the decision to remove myself from said training program, I continued to ponder and pray on the matter. The Holy Spirit spoke softly, yet clearly to me; "Can one take that which is unclean and make it clean?". I love it when He asks me questions because it fires up my passion for digging into His word and excavating the answers, His Truth. Somehow I think He knows that will be the outcome, don't you? (smile)
I discovered the following:
- The topic of sanctification is spoken of 142 times in scripture.
- We are called to a continual state of sanctification in Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit, but what about things? Can they be sanctified?
- Sanctify (verb) set apart as or declare holy; consecrate for God, His purposes, and His glory.
- When studying the Doctrine of Sanctification I came across the Greek (Hagiasmos) translation; consecration; a separation unto God from a profane, secular, and carnal use to a sacred, religious, and spiritual use.
- In scripture, God is spoken of as sanctifying persons, material things, and immaterial things.
All of this leads me to the following conclusion; a dance pole and the activity of pole dancing can be sanctified only if we choose to separate it unto God for the sacred purpose of infilling our marriages with love. We must submit ourselves and the activity to the moral laws of God. We must continually ask ourselves, and more importantly, ask our Father in heaven; "Does this line up with the scriptural and moral principles that I am called to fulfill?" "Is this blessing (making better/ stronger) me, my husband, and my marriage?" If ever the answer to these questions are "no," we must lay it down.
Bottom line: In it's most sensual, feminine bodily expression (naked and various states thereof) pole dancing must be kept within the sacred, sanctified bond of marriage. It is, after all, intended to be loving foreplay. To quote my dear faithful and true sister-in-Christ, "That is for the marriage bedroom only."
PS: As always, my choice to be separate and obey my personal convictions is in no way an exacting of personal judgment/s upon any person/s. I choose to love all and extend grace to all.
"And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.…" (Romans 3:22-24)
But for the grace of God, there go I.
Copyright ©2017 by Ronilynn Brissey-Ramos
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