Is it a sin for a Christian to go to a strip club or to watch strippers?
The Bible does not specifically mention strip clubs or strippers. However, it does provide principles that can help Christians think through this issue. Here is an overview of 9000 words on what the Bible teaches related to lust, sexual immorality, objectification of women, and other potential concerns with strip clubs.
Lust and Sexual Immorality
Several Bible verses warn against lust and sexual immorality. For example:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28)
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18)
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5)
These and other verses indicate that lusting after someone who is not your spouse is sinful. When people knowingly put themselves in tempting situations, it shows a disregard for resisting sexual immorality. Attending a strip club could stir up wrong desires and lead to lustful thoughts. Even if a man claims he can watch strippers without lusting, the sexually charged atmosphere still promotes lust in general. For these reasons, visiting strip clubs would be unwise for Christians seeking to maintain moral purity in their thought lives.
However, simply being tempted by sexual attraction is not necessarily sinful in itself. Jesus Himself was “tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). The sin comes when we indulge wrong desires instead of fleeing from them. So a Christian who struggles with temptation related to strip clubs should not beat themselves up, but rather seek God’s grace to resist temptation and act righteously. Our thought lives cannot be controlled entirely, but our actions can.
Objectification and Exploitation of Women
Another issue with strip clubs is the objectification of women. When women are seen primarily as objects for men’s sexual gratification, it can diminish their value as people made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). The Bible calls Christians to love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39), which rules out using people for selfish gain. But strip clubs often promote the commodification of women’s bodies for the sexual pleasure of paying customers. This contradicts the Christian ethic of honoring all people and caring for their wellbeing.
Related to objectification, strip clubs raise concerns about the possible exploitation of women who work there. Some women in the industry admit they strip out of financial desperation rather than free choice. Christians should have compassion for these women and support efforts to provide them with alternative job opportunities. Even when stripping is freely chosen, the prevalence of drugs, abuse, trafficking, and contact with dangerous customers creates an ethical minefield. Christians should avoid contributing to an industry with many known risks of harm to vulnerable women.
However, Christians also need compassion for women who work in strip clubs, recognizing that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Pointing fingers in moral outrage can push these women further away from God’s grace. A Christian approach is offering God’s love while avoiding patronage of the industry. There are ministries devoted to reaching women in strip clubs with the Gospel message and practical support to leave that lifestyle. This balances the biblical stand against sexual exploitation with Christlike care for the exploited.
Potential for Addictive Behaviors
The thrill of strip clubs can become addictive for some people, distancing them from their loved ones and responsibilities. There are stories of marriages and families torn apart because the husband got drawn into a cycle of obsessive attendance at strip clubs. This contradicts the Bible’s call for people to exercise self-control (Galatians 5:23; 2 Timothy 1:7) and live responsibly for the good of others (Ephesians 5:25, 28-29; 1 Timothy 5:8). Christians should avoid situations with addictive potential that can wean their hearts away from what is most important.
Undermining Marriage Covenant
Married Christians, in particular, should avoid strip clubs as this breaks faithfulness to one’s spouse. By going to strip clubs, a husband or wife is seeking sexual stimulation from people other than their marriage partner. Jesus directly addressed this issue:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28)
This indicates that for married people, pursuing lustful gratification outside of the marriage bed defiles the covenant made before God. The intimacy and trust of marriage can be damaged when a spouse invests time, money, and sexual energy at strip clubs. Even if no physical affair results, it still represents an emotional breach. For this reason, strip club attendance is unwise at best and sinful at worst for anyone pledged in marriage.
A Healthy Sexuality
Rather than the fleeting thrills of strip clubs, the Bible promotes a wholesome and holy sexuality within marriage. Hebrews 13:4 says, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” God designed marital intimacy as the appropriate place for sexual relations, not commercial enterprises like strip clubs. When this sacred bond is preserved, couples can enjoy sexual pleasure as the Bible intends. They should devote their eyes, minds, and hearts to fulfilling each other, not outsourcing their desires (Proverbs 5:15-19; Song of Songs 4:5-7). By contrast, strip clubs can create unhealthy comparisons and dissatisfaction with one’s spouse. God’s design is for sexuality to draw husband and wife closer together, not drive them apart.
Living as Light in Darkness
Jesus calls His followers the “light of the world” and tells them to “let your light shine before others” (Matthew 5:14,16). Christians seek to live differently than the surrounding culture, especially regarding sins like sexual immorality. Scripture says:
“The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:12)
Many unbelievers see nothing wrong with strip clubs and assume attendance is harmless fun. But Christians should evaluate cultural norms in light of God’s standards, recognizing that some “fun” activities can be unfruitful or corrupt (Ephesians 5:11). By avoiding strip clubs, Christians bear witness to the renewing power of the Gospel. They show that following Christ impacts life choices in positive ways. There may be financial sacrifice and missed thrills, but the rewards of obedience are far greater. As Hebrews 11:25 says of Moses:
“He chose to be mistreated with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.”
Of course, no Christian perfectly avoids cultural vices; all fall short at times. But generally avoiding places promoting overt sexual immorality can be one way Christians live distinctly from the world and reflect God’s light.
Seeking Greater Devotion to Christ
In the end, the strongest reason for Christians to avoid strip clubs may simply be their desire for greater devotion to Jesus. Scripture urges:
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” (Colossians 3:5-8)
“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.” (1 John 2:15)
These texts portray a life wholly dedicated to Christ as incompatible with indulgence in fleshly desires. When Christians pursue entertainment centered on sexual immorality, it indicates a heart that is not fully God’s. Their love is divided between devotion to Him and devotion to sinful pleasures. But Jesus calls believers to an undivided heart focused on treasuring Him above all else (Matthew 6:24). Saying “no” to strip clubs is one way Christians affirm Christ as their greatest delight, not fleeting excitements. It allows them to say with Psalm 73:25-26:
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Avoiding potential stumbling blocks to their faith is just one aspect of Christians’ broader call to live as disciples of Jesus. But that includes refusing to endorse or support industries profiting from the exploitation of human dignity and sexuality. Christians have better things to do than enter morally compromising environments which can harm personal integrity and devotion to God. As Philippians 1:10 says, believers are called to “approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” By God’s power and wisdom, Christians can discern and choose what is most excellent in His eyes, including on entertaining themselves. And when in doubt, they do well to ask: is this activity contributing to greater Christlikeness in me? Strip club attendance fails that test.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible does not specifically prohibit strip clubs, but its principles offer guidance:
– Attending strip clubs often involves lust and promotes sexual immorality. Christians are called to resist temptation and walk in purity.
– Objectification and potential exploitation of women contradicts honoring others as image-bearers of God.
– Strip clubs can lead to addictive patterns that destroy marriages and families. Christians should exercise self-control and uphold responsibility.
– For married persons, strip clubs represent an emotional and spiritual breach of covenant faithfulness to one’s spouse.
– Wholesome sexuality is promoted within marriage, while strip clubs distort God’s design.
– As witnesses to the world, Christians’ lives should reject sinful entertainments.
– Above all, Christians avoid activities dividing their hearts from wholehearted devotion to Christ.
Influenced by such biblical concerns, most Christians would be wise to avoid strip clubs personally. They can also support efforts to provide alternative livelihoods for women working there. With prayer and courage, Christians strive for purity while also offering God’s redemptive grace to a fallen world.