Should I Attend Family Events Where Sinful Activities Occur?
1) Direct answer
Go only if you can be present without partaking in, approving of, or being shaped by the sin. If the event is given to open sin and you cannot maintain a clean testimony, don’t attend. Honor family, but obey God first.
2) Scriptural explanation
- The Bible says, “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11). “Come out from among them, and be ye separate” (2 Corinthians 6:17). “Blessed is the man that… sitteth not in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1).
- Yet we are “in the world” though not “of the world” (John 17:15-16). Jesus ate with sinners to call them to repentance, not to join their deeds (Matthew 9:10-13).
- “Evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33). “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth” (Romans 14:21).
- If an unbeliever invites you, you may go with a clean conscience, but you must not be brought under the power of anything, and you must do all to God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10:27-31). If pressured to compromise, “we ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
3) Simple clarifying logic
- Light does not fellowship with darkness. Presence is possible; participation is not. If your presence becomes approval, leave.
- The strongest walk is sobriety and separation. Where there is drunkenness, lewdness, filthy talk, or music and dancing that inflame lust, you are safer to abstain and depart.
- You can visit to show love to family, but your purpose must be to honor Christ. If that purpose is frustrated, your place is outside.
Practical guardrails
- Before you go, decide your boundaries:
- I will not drink, dance, gamble, or join crude talk.
- If the atmosphere turns sinful, I will politely leave.
- I will not stay where my conscience is defiled or my testimony is confused.
- Go with a witness: a believing spouse or friend, a clear exit plan, and your own beverage if needed to avoid pressure.
- Speak kindly and plainly:
- “I’m glad to see you, but I don’t drink. Thanks for understanding.”
- “I’m stepping out now—this isn’t my place to be. Love you all.”
- If attending will tempt you, confuse weaker believers, or embolden family in sin by your presence, don’t go. Peace with all men must be “with holiness” (Hebrews 12:14).
Short reinforcement
You see, the Bible calls us to be separate, yet shining. Go only as a light. The moment light is dimmed or mixed with darkness, step away. Honor family, keep a clean testimony, and let Christ be first.
Ask a Follow-up Question
What did the Laodicean Church Age (our age) Angel (- messenger) Say about this?
Ranked passages from the local William Branham sermon and Church Age Book database. Relevance is relative, not a statement of doctrinal certainty.
An Exposition Of The Seven Church Ages
CAB 5:E-5
...artin was converted to Christ while he was following a career as a professional soldier. It was while he was still engaged in this occupation that a most remarkable miracle occurred. It is recorded that a beggar lay sick in the streets of the town where Martin was posted. The winter cold was more than he could bear for he was poorly clad. No one paid any attention to his needs until Martin came by. Seeing this poor man's plight, but not having an extra garment, he took off his outer cloak, cut it in two with his sw...