Let me set the scene – The music is bumping, the lights are strobing, the D.J is mixing, while the bodies are moving to a hypnotizing beat. You and your boys head back to the bar where the drinks flow as fast and fluid as the young M.C. that just got on stage. Then, just like Hollywood promises, through a smoke filled haze you notice her, she notices you. So you stop and think to yourself “life is gooood, why not live it to its fullest?” So you head back out to the floor in hopes of living the “MTV” dream.

Ahh yes “Da clubs”--the center of Hollywood parties, MTV videos, and…and “Christian entertainment?” Clubs are everywhere and for some time now they have been the epicenter of today’s youth and young adult culture, and after all, why wouldn’t they be? Clubs cater to and fulfill most of what this “World” is looking for. They seem to be an outlet that we go to in hopes of finding satisfaction to what we crave, but for how long, and at what price?

Even at the young age of twenty-three, nothing seems to surprise me anymore. Saddens, yes, deeply. Surprises? Not a chance. As I live, I have seen society decaying all around me at an alarming rate, and I have watched our morals decline and our standards slip right in front of my eyes. I have seen absolute truths watered down into “whatever is right for you” all in the name of “tolerance,” “self-satisfaction,” and “changing with the times.” After all, we must be “open-minded.” What grieves my heart the most is when I see “Christians” who bear and represent the name of Christ Jesus our Lord, still holding onto this world’s patterns and standards of what’s acceptable as their own. As a result, sadly, not only can you find “Fifty Cent” in “da” club, but those who claim the title “Christian” as well.

I am aware that some of you reading this may already agree with me, while some of you maybe haven’t even give it a second thought. The rest of you are thinking, “What’s the big deal? Aaron, you’re just going a little bit over board. There’s nothing wrong with having a good time!” 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (NKJV) So, if you’re in agreement, then I pray that what you’re about to read will inspire and equip you even more. For those of you who may be new to the faith, and are searching, then I pray that what you’re about to read will give you the guidance and instruction in righteousness that you seek. For those who have been “Christians” for awhile and don’t see what the big deal is, I pray that what I am about to share from God’s Holy Scriptures will convict your heart so that you will be repentant and open to the reproof and correction God has graciously bestowed upon you today, and change. Remember, God himself says, “Those I love I correct and discipline.” So let’s hear Him out.

First of all, clubs are a breeding ground to various types of temptations, sins, and immoralities. Keep in mind, they are filled with lost men and women who are controlled by their flesh and are of this world because they do not know Christ. So here are a few examples of what you will find in “da” club:

• “The Lust of the Flesh”—In my opinion, the number one reason why people go to clubs is to fulfill the lust of the flesh. It’s all about putting on your tightest gear and your best cologne, in hopes of attracting the opposite sex. People go to clubs to hook up with multiple partners and see whom they can go home with, after they have felt them up on the dance floor, of course. Men are not in the club looking for love, they’re just looking for someone to use on that particular night. And when they’re done, who do they call? That special someone they took home the night before? Yeah, right!! They call up their boys to brag about their manly conquests and compare stories. Sad, but true.
• “The Pride of Life”—The attitudes of most people in the club reflect a worldly genre that says, “Hey, look at me! Out of my way. I’m here to satisfy me, and I don’t care who gets hurt.” To call their mentality selfish is an understatement, and to them, arrogance is viewed as confidence.
• “Lewdness, Drunkenness, and Revelry”—Ahh, the club scene just wouldn’t be the same without liquored-up men and women blurting out their favorite four-letter obscenities while somehow managing to start a fight. Man, now that’s what I call multi-tasking. I wonder if they put that on their job resume? Probably not.
• “The Music, the Music, the Music”—Don’t go to a club expecting to hear Barry Manilow, Nat King Cole, or some inspirational ballad that moves you to tears. Oh no, the louder the better. G-rated? I think not! The music played in clubs acts as a catalyst that helps to create and enhance an atmosphere that further promotes all of the lewdness mentioned above.

You might say, hey Aaron, you’re painting that picture with pretty broad strokes. I’ve heard all the excuses that Christians can come up with, even from fellow church-members, and they go a little something like this, so let the defense begin: “Yeah, there are some people there that act like that, but that’s not why I go. I’m not going there to drink or smoke or to meet someone, I just like dancing and having a good time with my friends. Don’t group me in their category. I’m not doing anything wrong.” While that might sound good on the surface, let’s take a look at some Scripture and see what the Truth really is.

Enter At Your Own Risk:

The Bible backs up the saying “don’t to go where Angels fear to tread.” What does that mean? There are places that even angels themselves will not go to. This depends on who and what kind of activities are going on there, and what is being promoted. Examples: strip joints, a friend’s wild party, “clubs”, and even movie theatres, depending on what is playing. So regardless of what your intentions are, you cannot overlook what is going on around you. You are to stay away from such places, where the people and atmosphere are contrary to Scripture. The more you are around these places, the more it will begin to affect you. Also, God’s protection, his “guardian angels,” will not be there with you because you have chosen to step out of His realm into a place where evil dwells. As Christians, God expects us to know better, because it is clearly stated in His word.

New Address:

The Bible tells us to be in this world, but not of it, and that this world is not our home. We are pilgrims, or foreigners, here, and our true home is with the Lord in heaven. Therefore, while we are here, we don’t live for this world, but for the next. I believe Colossians 3:1-10 hits the nail on the head. Let’s take a look: “If then, you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore, put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another; since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.” (NKJV) Christians are to be different. If you have been genuinely saved, then your old man (lifestyle) has been put to death, and you have been transformed by the renewing of your mind. This new nature that you now have is opposite to the world’s nature, so that you should not feel comfortable around things you used to, such as foul language, course jesting, lust, and pride. All these things are from the flesh, which should have been put to death. Now you should be guided by the Spirit and bear its fruit.

New Love, New Friends:

1 John 2:15-17 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it: but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (NKJV) Not only do you not love the world, but your friendship with it, and those who belong to it, should cease to exist. James 4:4-5 says, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, ‘The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?’” If your love has not changed, and your friendship with the world remains, God basically considers you an adulterer (cheater). Why? Because you were bought with a price and were freed from the flesh by the blood of Christ to become a slave of righteousness to God. You belong to Him. If you go back to the world (your former love/master), you are committing spiritual adultery and making God’s spirit jealous. He loves you too much to share you with things that He knows will hurt you.

Set Apart:

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 and 7:1 say we are to be “separate,” not mixed together with the world. For God wants to dwell in you and have a holy people he can use to bring “Honor and Glory” to His name and the name of Jesus by the way we conduct and live our lives. We are to be a light in a dark world. But we can’t do that if we’re just like it. Ephesians 5:3, 6-11 says, “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints…Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light…(vs. 11) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” You will find that when you put verse eleven into practice, this lost world will not understand. They will no longer view you as friend, but enemy. 1 John 3:13 says, “Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.” You may have to be willing to face persecution for you faith, even from your family and friends. They may “think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.” (1 Peter 4:4.)

Now that we have searched the Scriptures, there should be no doubt that God is against His children going to clubs, and that it grieves his heart to see them following after the world instead of after Him. So I hope what I have shared has brought encouragement, guidance, and conviction where they were needed. I don’t want to leave you with the impression that God is some kind of cosmic grouch who wants to take all your “fun” away. There are places that you can go to and have a good time, fellowship with friends, and have a good dance or two. But always remember that the Bible tells us to be discerning, and to use good judgement. If the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, lewdness, drunkenness, and basically anything that goes against the Word of God are present, you, my brothers, should not be there, nor should you include these things in your definition of “fun.” As we have studied, “…we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles (the “world”) - when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.” (1 Peter 4:3) We have already wasted enough time, so now let us humble our hearts in repentance, becoming vessels that God can use to bring Honor and Glory to his Name for all the world to see.

So, should you find me in “da” club?…

Aaron Orr is a youth pastor and writer in Houston, TX. For more information, or to sign up for The Narrow Gate Newsletter, please email us by clicking the link below.