Have you ever been on a business trip with a group of peers/customers when someone says “Let’s go to the strip (gentleman’s) club.” or “Let’s see if the new girl/guy in the office wants to party a little bit?” I have and am sad to say I succumbed to this type of pressure before accepting Jesus as the Lord of my life. Mind you I believed in God, but I wasn’t committed to God’s ways and word. (Gal. 5:16-28). Three things occurred to me the last time I was in a ‘gentleman’s club’:
- Being in the environment, even if uncomfortable and non-participatory, was not Godly and was harmful to my heart/mind/spirit.
- Was I honoring my wife and marriage?
- The girl up on the stage was someone’s daughter. This fact pieced my heart since I had a baby daughter.
I had made decisions that tainted my heart/spirit but, God is forgiving and redeeming. The bottom line was I had to make a different choice going forward. I chose to never participate or endorse these types of activities again. I chose to pray for those involved in these activities. How about the consequences? From the culture’s perspective I was no longer one of ‘the guys’, was labeled uptight/judgmental, and seen as not doing what it takes for the build good customer relationships. BUT from a follower of Christ perspective, I was honoring my commitment to God, honoring God’s creation, honoring my wife and marriage, honoring my daughter and all women. Did this choice negatively impact my career? Possibly. Did some business relationships cool or end all together? Yes. But I know God forgave me and honored my decision to repent and turn away from the temptations and worldly rewards. I have never regretted making the Christ centered choice. I have been blessed in my career with God always providing for my family’s needs. Prov 16:17 If you find yourself succumbing to peer pressure relative to ungodly behavior and activities, then step up and repent. Lift this burden up to Jesus and make the choice to follow His lead (Prov 16:3). This may result in harsh negative consequences in the short-term, but the positive consequences on you, your family, your friends, your business, and your eternal salvation far outweigh the negative (Prov 16:7). Trust God and He will get you through the storm.