One of the most unpopular topics that a preacher can address is the matter of high school proms. However, it is a matter for which all Christians must have an answer. How can a child of God willfully, excitedly and with much preparation put himself or herself (or his/her child) into a situation that violates numerous Christian precepts, principles and virtues, while at the same time lauding how great it is?
Each of the following points could be further developed extensively, but consider these brief points and honestly ask yourself, “As a Christian, why would I go to prom?”
1. God condemns “lasciviousness,” which involves (by definition) “indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females, tending to excite lustful desires.” Modern dancing at today’s prom cannot escape this behavior, which God says “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21).
2. God commands that Christians monitor all situations and environments in which they may enter (i.e., “Test all things,” 1 Thes. 5:21), and “abstain” from every situation that may tempt them to sin (1 Thes. 5:22; Jas. 1:13-16; 1 Pet. 2:11).
3. God commands Christians to beware of the influence that they have on others (Rom. 14:21-23) and not lead others to sin (Matt. 18:6) or to call evil good (Isa. 5:20).
4. God’s will for His children is “sanctification”—“to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust” (1 Thes. 4:3-7). We’ve been called to holiness!
5. Christians are to “be imitators of God” (Eph. 5:1), with Christ “living” in us (Gal. 2:20). At the prom, could you see God or Christ “hanging out” and “getting it on”?
6. The Bible says that “when Jesus is revealed” at His second coming that “we shall see Him” (1 Jn. 3:2; 2 Pet. 3:14). Is prom the place you want to be when Jesus returns?
7. Christian men are to make a “covenant with their eyes” (cf. Job 31:1) and not “lust for a woman” (Matt. 5:28). Are they not set up to fail with female bodies all around that are barely clothed and moving, shaking and tantalizing?
8. The Christian is to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). How likely are you to evangelize at the prom and talk to folks about Jesus and salvation? If you wouldn’t feel right doing that, why be there?
9. God gives Christians a list of priorities and at the top is “His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). What God deems to be right, appropriate and aligned with Christ-like living is to be our number one priority in all that we do. His will, not ours!
10. Your body is not your own (1 Cor. 6:19-20). It belongs to God! Everything you do in it should glorify Him and magnify Him (Phil. 1:20-21)! Not detract from Him!