The Bible doesn’t directly address going to bars, but it does speak about how we should conduct ourselves in environments that may lead to temptation. Scripture encourages believers to be mindful of their surroundings and to avoid situations that could compromise their values. Let’s explore what the Bible says about navigating social environments with wisdom and discernment.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Cheating On A Test
What Does The Bible Say About Church Buildings
Exodus 25:8
“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.”
This verse highlights the importance of creating a designated place of worship, a physical structure where God’s presence can dwell among the people. Church buildings serve as a holy space where believers can gather to worship, seek spiritual refreshment, and experience God’s presence.
However, it is essential to remember that the true Church is not confined to a building but consists of the collective body of believers. The building itself is merely a tool and should never be idolized or prioritized over the spiritual life and unity of believers.
Psalm 122:1
“I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.'”
This verse expresses the joy and anticipation of coming together in the house of the Lord. Church buildings provide a communal gathering place where believers can unite in worship, fellowship, and encouragement. It is a place where the body of Christ can find strength, support, and spiritual nourishment.
However, it is important to remember that true worship is not limited to a physical location. We can worship and experience God’s presence anywhere and at any time. The purpose of church buildings is to facilitate and enhance our corporate worship, not to replace the personal and individual relationship we can have with God.
1 Corinthians 3:16
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?”
This verse reminds us that as believers, we are the temple of God, and His Spirit dwells within us. While church buildings hold significance and serve as places of gathering, it is crucial to recognize that the true essence of worship resides in the hearts of believers.
Church buildings should be viewed as facilitators of our faith, providing a space where we can corporately express our worship and devotion to God. They should also serve as a reminder that our bodies are sacred vessels through which God’s Spirit operates.
Acts 2:42
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
This verse exemplifies the early church’s dedication to gathering together for various activities. Church buildings offer a dedicated space for believers to engage in the apostles’ teachings, foster fellowship, participate in Communion or the breaking of bread, and engage in prayer.
While these activities can occur outside of church buildings, having a centralized location facilitates community and collective participation in these spiritual practices. It nurtures a sense of unity and enables believers to grow in their faith together.
Matthew 18:20
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
This verse emphasizes the significance of gathering together in the name of Jesus. Church buildings provide a designated space for believers to come together, worship, seek God’s presence, and experience His manifest presence in their midst.
While it is possible to worship and connect with God individually, there is a unique power and synergy that occurs when believers gather in unity. Church buildings facilitate this communal gathering, fostering an atmosphere for believers to encounter God and support one another in their faith journeys.
Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of regularly assembling together as believers. Church buildings provide a dedicated space where believers can come together to spur one another on in their faith, encourage one another, and inspire acts of love and good deeds.
While meeting in church buildings is not the only way to fulfill this biblical command, it provides a central location where believers can consistently gather and experience the support and encouragement of the larger Christian community.
1 Corinthians 14:26
“What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of collective worship and active participation within the gathering of believers. Church buildings offer a conducive environment for believers to share their gifts, talents, and spiritual insights with one another.
These shared expressions of faith contribute to the building up of the church, promoting spiritual growth, unity, and the deepening of relationships among believers. Church buildings provide a platform for believers to actively engage and contribute to the edification of the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-12
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up”
This verse highlights the role of God-appointed leaders in equipping believers for acts of service and building up the body of Christ. Church buildings provide a location where pastors, teachers, and leaders can teach, impart, and equip believers for Kingdom work.
It is within these gatherings that believers receive spiritual nourishment, direction, and instruction, empowering them to walk in their God-given calling and contribute effectively to the expansion of God’s Kingdom.
Colossians 3:16-17
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
This verse encourages believers to let the message of Christ dwell richly among them through various forms of worship and expressions of gratitude. Church buildings provide a space for believers to engage in corporate worship through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
These shared expressions of praise and thanksgiving foster an atmosphere where the Word of God becomes deeply ingrained in the hearts of the congregation, leading to personal transformation and genuine worship that overflows into everyday life.
Hebrews 12:28
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”
This verse calls believers to worship God with reverence and awe, recognizing the eternal and unshakable nature of His kingdom. Church buildings provide a dedicated setting where believers can lift up their voices, hearts, and minds in worship, expressing gratitude and honor to God.
Through collective worship in church buildings, believers are reminded of the greatness of God, His faithfulness, and His unchanging nature. It is a place where believers can offer heartfelt adoration and invite the transformative presence of God into their lives.
Romans 15:5-6
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This verse encourages believers to cultivate unity and harmony within the Church. Church buildings serve as spaces where believers can gather to glorify God with one mind and one voice, expressing the beauty of a diverse yet united body.
By coming together in church buildings, believers are reminded of their shared identity in Christ and can bear witness to the love and transformative power of God through their unified worship and fellowship.
Romans 12:4-5
“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ, we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
This verse highlights the interconnectedness and interdependence of believers within the body of Christ. Church buildings provide a gathering place where believers can come together, recognizing their shared identity as members of the same body.
By meeting in church buildings, believers can discover and utilize their unique gifts and talents for the benefit of the entire body. It is within this communal space that believers can fully embrace their role as valuable members of God’s family.
Psalm 27:4
“One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”
This verse expresses the longing to dwell in the house of the Lord continually. Church buildings provide a physical space where believers can set aside distractions and intentionally seek God’s presence, immersing themselves in His beauty.
By gathering in church buildings, believers create an environment conducive to encountering God, where they can set aside worldly concerns and solely focus on worship, prayer, and seeking God’s face.
Psalm 84:10
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”
This verse exudes the deep longing to be in God’s presence and dwell in His house constantly. Church buildings serve as a physical representation of God’s dwelling place, where believers can experience His presence and find refuge.
By coming together in church buildings, believers can taste the goodness of being in God’s courts, even if only for a short time, recognizing the unparalleled joy and fulfillment found in His presence.
Psalm 122:9
“For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, ‘Peace be within you.'”
This verse expresses the desire for peace within the community of believers. Church buildings offer a space where believers can come alongside their family, friends, and fellow believers, seeking and cultivating peace.
By gathering in church buildings, believers can engage in prayer, worship, and fellowship that foster unity, harmony, and reconciliation within the body of Christ, extending the message of peace to one another.
Hebrews 10:25
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of consistent fellowship and gathering as believers. Church buildings provide a designated place where believers can come together and encourage one another in their faith.
By regularly meeting in church buildings, believers can find strength, inspiration, and support from fellow believers, cultivating a vibrant and thriving community that perseveres in faith, especially as the return of Christ draws nearer.
John 4:24
“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
This verse highlights the essential nature of worshiping God in spirit and truth. Church buildings provide a space where believers can come together, aligning their hearts, minds, and spirits in genuine worship.
These gatherings in church buildings create an atmosphere conducive to encountering the Holy Spirit and worshiping God in truth, allowing for authentic expressions of faith and intimate connection with the Father.
Psalm 150:1-2
“Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.”
This verse calls believers to praise and worship God for His acts of power and greatness. Church buildings provide a dedicated space where believers can come together to lift up their voices in praise, celebrating and magnifying the Lord.
By gathering in church buildings, believers create an atmosphere of corporate praise and adoration, expressing gratitude for God’s amazing works and declaring His surpassing greatness among the assembly.
Psalms 134:1
“Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.”
This verse exhorts those who serve as ministers and servants of the Lord to praise Him in the house of the Lord. Church buildings serve as a place where ministers and servants of God can gather to offer up their worship and service.
Through their dedicated ministry within the church building, these individuals bring forth the light of God, ministering to others, and demonstrating the love and grace of Christ to all who enter the holy space.
1 Corinthians 14:40
“But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”
This verse reminds believers of the importance of conducting their gatherings in a fitting and orderly manner. Church buildings provide a structured environment that facilitates organized worship, teaching, and fellowship.
By meeting in church buildings, believers can ensure that their gatherings are conducted with decency, respect, and proper decorum, allowing for the smooth flow of worship, and the effective delivery of the Word of God.
Acts 2:46-47
“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
This verse provides a glimpse into the early church’s pattern of gathering. Church buildings offer a space where believers can meet regularly for corporate worship, fellowship, and the breaking of bread.
As believers engage in these activities within church buildings, they create an inviting and welcoming environment that attracts others and facilitates the growth of God’s Kingdom. It is within these gatherings that the Lord adds to the number of those who are being saved.
Acts 19:9
“But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.”
This verse illustrates the adaptability of the early church in finding suitable places for teaching and gathering. While not specifically about church buildings, it exemplifies the importance of having a designated location conducive for gathering believers.
Believers today continue to meet in various physical spaces, including churches, homes, and other venues, all with the purpose of fostering a conducive environment for spiritual growth, teaching, and edification.
Acts 16:32-34
“Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.”
This verse demonstrates that believers can gather in non-traditional spaces and experience powerful encounters with God. While church buildings provide a dedicated environment, the essence of worship and the presence of God are not confined to a specific location.
Believers should be open to gathering and ministering in various settings, recognizing that God can move mightily regardless of the venue. The important aspect is the corporate gathering of believers, regardless of the physical place.