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Answer
The concise response is, indeed, it is sinful for a Christian—or anyone—to visit a strip club and observe strippers. Nevertheless, the mere raising of this question warrants further consideration. Frequently, when someone inquires whether a specific activity is “a sin,” the query is founded on the erroneous assumption that God maintains a list of sins that we can evade to remain in His favor. The belief is that as long as we steer clear of those particular “sins,” then we are at liberty to live however we please. This is a mistaken comprehension of sin and of what it entails to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
Attending a strip club fuels the lust of the flesh “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”, (1 John 2:16) and is hence sinful. Sin can be described as any thought, word, or action that “falls short of the glory of God” “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”, (Romans 3:23). Since the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden, every human has been born with a tendency to sin (Genesis 3:11;Romans 5:12). We are born with a desire to gratify ourselves, defy God’s authority, and fulfill God-given desires in ungodly manners. Any misapplication or exploitation of God’s design implies that we are falling short of His glory.
Sexuality is a realm of human experience that God intended to be affirmative, not negative. Sexuality is a present from God, and He has established the boundaries for its enjoyment within marriage (Hebrews 13:4;1 Corinthians 6:18). Strip clubs, by their nature, promote the objectification of individuals, encourage lustful thoughts, and contribute to the degradation of God’s gift of sexuality.
Clubs promote sexual expression outside of God’s parameters, turning His positive gift into something negative. Rape, pornography, homosexual activity, and fornication are also negative expressions of God’s gift of sexuality. God designed marriage as the only healthy, holy avenue of sexual expression, so any sexual activity outside the marriage relationship is sin (1 Corinthians 6:9;Genesis 2:24;Matthew 19:6).
While the Ten Commandments are a good starting place for understanding God’s boundaries about sexuality, Jesus went even further, explaining the intent behind the Law: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell” (Matthew 5:27-29). Jesus was warning us that lust is a serious error that will lead us away from God (James 1:13-15).
Rather than make choices based on whether something is “a sin” or not, followers of Jesus seek to honor God in everything they do. Instead of asking whether something is “wrong,” we should ask what is “right” about it, as seen in Philippians 4:8. When wondering whether an activity is sinful, it is simpler to ask ourselves, “If Jesus were spending the week with me, would I do this?” If the answer is “no,” then the event in question is most likely sin. Since the whole purpose of strip clubs is to celebrate lust, sensuality, perversion, and immorality, there is no question about whether or not Jesus would condone it. The environment of a strip club is contrary to the character of Jesus and those who want to follow Him.
The only reason that a Christian could righteously be in a strip club would be to minister to the people trapped in that lifestyle.
It is good for Christians to stay out of strip clubs. However, we don’t earn “points” with God by avoiding certain sins. We become right with God by trusting in the blood of Jesus to cleanse us from our sinful natures (1 John 1:7; Titus 3:5). When our hearts are made new by the power of the Holy Spirit, we want to do those things that are pleasing to Him «that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; », (Colossians 1:10). When we know Him, we know what pleases Him. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” «My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: », (John 10:27). True followers of Jesus don’t have to wonder whether perversion or lust is a sin or not. We want to keep our hearts and lives pure, as He is pure « Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. », (Matthew 5:8). We desire to live holy lives, as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). If we call ourselves His followers, then we actually follow Him. We go where He goes and do what He does. We want to avoid thoughts, words, and deeds that are contrary to our identity as children of God— not so that He will accept us but because He already has (1 John 3:1, 9-10; Philippians 2:15).
