The following was asked in a Christian Forum—

“What do you guys think about the position of lowering yourself (sinning) for the greater good of God? Example: I have a friend who does drugs, drinks, goes to parties, is all tatted up (I know that’s not a sin), etc., but he is sexually pure. He has won more people over to Jesus during these bouts than most people I know who have not ever even touched alcohol.

“I understand that faith is what gets you into heaven and I know the Bible talks a lot about our fruits and being in the image of Christ, but if you’re winning souls over to Jesus in this situation, is this acceptable?”

This was my answer—

“Jesus also socialized with sinners, but He didn’t participate in their sins. We too should follow the example He set, and heed His words of wisdom spoken through the Apostle Paul, ‘Flee immorality. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.’ (1 Corinthians 6: 19, 20).

“If true conversion has happened among your friend’s associates, that would be the result of God turning a bad situation into a good one. He is known to do that (see Genesis 50:20). But just because He can clean up a mess, doesn’t mean that one should intentionally use bad conduct in order to reach people.

“God’s people are a peculiar set of people who, yes, are in the world, but not of the world. He has set us apart that we may be His light in the world, showing and offering a different way of life; one that is holy in its nature.

“The people who have professed to be followers of Christ, because of your friend’s efforts, is a good thing. They now, though, need to be discipled by sober minded, godly people who demonstrate clean, responsible living. They need to be in a church, engaging in prayer and Bible study, seeking a relationship with the One whose name they now carry. In this way, they may behold Him and become like Him, as opposed to discrediting their witness by exhibiting the worldliness of your friend.”