In recent days, nearly every time I turn on the news or open my social media, I find stories related to businesses, schools, government agencies, politicians, and even churches who are promoting a homosexual/transgender agenda. I cannot go shopping at favorite stores like Bath & Body, TJ Maxx, or Old Navy without displays of “Pride” merchandise and advertising staring me in the face.

Though we may not realize how long it has been going on, June was declared to be Gay and Lesbian Pride month all the way back to June of 1999 by President Bill Clinton. Then, it was 2011, when President Barack Obama expanded Pride Month to include the entire LGBT community. Since that time, numerous groups have boycotted businesses who promote and celebrate this sin.

As a Christian, what do I do? Am I required to boycott businesses who promote this sin? Am I allowed to continue shopping at stores such as Target as long as I do not purchase objectionable merchandise?

Here are a few points to consider as we make those decisions for ourselves and our families:

• There are no specific Bible passages regulating where we choose to shop, though we must make decisions that are line with Scriptural principles. We need to honor God with every decision that we make (Proverbs 3:6; 1 Corinthians 10:31).
• We must never violate our conscience in matters of opinion. If we believe it is wrong to spend money at a store that promotes sin, then we should not do it (Romans 14:23).
• We should not bind our opinions on others and make those opinions matters of faith and fellowship. We need to respect those who make different choices about where they shop or if they choose to boycott a business (Romans 14:3-12).
• We are not to be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2). Never be “okay” with what we see around us and become complacent, acting like sin is “no big deal.”
• The world will be the world, so do not expect Christian virtues, Godliness, and morality from it (1 John 2:15).

And finally, consider this:

If you believe that it is necessary to boycott a business for its promotion of Pride Month, are you willing to consistently boycott every business that promotes and sells sin or is it this particular sin? While homosexuality and transgenderism are not new sins, what is new is that it is now openly celebrated and promoted. We need to be consistent, not only boycotting and calling out sins that we find repugnant and offensive to our sensibilities, but all sin. Most every grocery store, clothing store, gas station, and restaurant sells and promotes alcohol, gambling, immodest clothing, ads with seductive models, and a host of other sins.

As Christians, this world is not our home, so let’s not act as though it is. We have always been aliens and strangers here, though perhaps our feeling of “not belonging” is continually becoming clearer to us than ever before (1 Peter 2:11; 1 John 2:15-17).