Is It OK To Go Do Secular Things At Secular Places?

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘(1) Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. (2) But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man <Jesus> welcomes sinners and eats with them.”’ (Luke 15:1-2)

Recently, a question came, during a Bible study in Life Group, if it was OK to go attend a concert at a local venue.  The venue is not a bad one or has a reputation as such, but concerts for some carry a perception of ‘sin’.  In my experience, there have been those who have been disagreeable on my choice of musical taste (metal), or attending certain Broadway plays (Wicked, Les Misérables).  The perception of metal by some is ‘evil’, and the perception of at least some plays are not wholesome or Christian.  Many pursuits outside of church activities are not necessarily seen as uplifting; golf, shooting, playing card games, and others are not necessarily ones that can be seen as ‘Christian’.

As much as I would appreciate all music, plays, and venues be Christian and uplifting, and while there are Christian metal groups, plays and venues, there are not many.  Most are secular.  If you want to go out to eat, for example, most restaurants serve alcohol or have a bar section.  If one tries to avoid eating at such establishments, you are limiting yourself to fast food or sub shops. 

While I appreciate the cuisine of the drive-thru eateries, my digestive system and my health would not put up with that diet for too long.  A good sit-down meal, especially in Fellowship, usually requires a visit to one of the restaurants where we can sit a bunch of people together.  Usually, this is one of the ‘chain restaurants’, which almost always have the bar and an alcoholic beverage menu at the table or booth.  Is it wrong for Christians to eat at such establishments?  Is it wrong for Christians to attend secular events or do secular things?

The answer is ‘it depends’.  What is the motive of the Christian to be there, and what are the actions the Christian takes is key.  Perception in many things can be construed as reality, but it can be a misnomer to the Truth.  In Luke 15, we see Jesus associating with the ‘dregs’ of society during His time of ministry on Earth.  Tax collectors were shakedown artists to collect money for Rome and the local governors, and also to get extra money for their pockets.  He handpicked several ‘blue-collar’ men to be His Apostles, like commercial fishermen who were rough around the edges.  The beggars and the sick, who most people ignored and avoided, were those Jesus always seemed to find and help.

Put another way, the perception would be ‘guilt by association’.  The Pharisees made this assumption on Jesus; why would He want to hang out with such people, like Matthew or Zacchaeus, both tax collectors?  Jesus answered this in the parable of the lone lost sheep, in Luke 15:3-7.  Those who are Righteous and do Righteous things are not the ones who needs Salvation as they already have it.  The ones needing Salvation don’t always go into a church on their own volition.  Jesus understood that to seek people to provide His Gospel to, He had to go where they were, and talk to them, eat with them, and be around them.  While the perception may proclaim Him ‘guilty’, He was doing what He was sent to do, providing Salvation to a lost people. 

The question stills remains, can a Christian do and enjoy secular activities?  If the Christian does them without having a motive of performing sin and does not violate Biblical principles, yes.  Golf (or my preference going to a gun range) is not sinful to do as long as it is done without interfering with the duties or responsibilities as a Christian, which we all have.  If one golfs on a weekday morning, with friends, and they can engage in discussion, it may even be something that can induce sharing the Gospel with a friend or friends who don’t know Jesus.  Enjoying a concert or eating at restaurant brings a familiarity with a cultural segment that can provide an opening for a discussion.  I have had people tell me their son or daughter listen to messages I give simply because I listen to their same musical genre. 

What the Christian must be careful about and avoid is not to engage in activities that are sinful or go against being obedient to His Word.  It’s OK to golf, but don’t go golfing on Sunday morning as an excuse to miss church.  Don’t go to a venue and use it as an excuse to engage in sinful activities.  Jesus did not endorse sin by eating with sinners, He ate with them to endorse His Father. 

There are obvious places to avoid; Daniel did not voluntarily go into the lion’s den and neither should we.  If there is no valid reason or redeeming value to go to a certain venue, or listen to a certain group, or watch a certain movie, don’t do it.  Have fun, but have fun without being sinful. Be Biblical, not legalistic, and without secular infiltration in your walk.  It’s a tightrope to navigate, but with Jesus we can do it.

We cannot avoid living in the world as we are already here.  We need to be discerning and an example of Christ, and not be afraid (but always being mindful) to go to places out of a fear of ‘perception’.  The key is to be a Christian example out in the world, and not an example of the world inside Christianity.   Let 2 Corinthians 1:12 be ‘…our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity <,holiness,> and Godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.’