Not On Target

The admonition is given in 1st Thessalonians chapter 4 to live a distinctive lifestyle, which means a right, Biblical view of sexuality, recognizing that we as Christians are not to support activity that is contradictory to the teachings of the Bible. We can read these verses:
1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;
2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality...

And, later, Paul writes:
7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

If we have been born again by the Spirit of God and possess salvation through Jesus Christ, we are called to a higher standard - and we are placed in this world in order to shine His light.  That means that we are to live with distinction, not approving the things of the world, but offering to people around us a godly way forward, recognizing that His way is best.  So, when confronted by the world's ideas, we can take those thoughts captives and present superior ideas from Scripture. 

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The apostle Paul addressed matters of conscience in 1st Corinthians 10, in which we can read:
23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.

Later, in a verse cited in an article from which I will be quoting, Paul wrote:
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

The continued pushback to the promotion of the LGBTQ+ agenda has rocked the Target department store chain, to the tune of over 9 BILLION dollars, according to a Christian Post article, which said:

Fox Business reported that the retail chain lost $9.3 billion in market value and the corporation's shares have dropped by more than 12.6% since the consumer backlash began last week.

But, in a stunning display of calling good evil, the company blames its removal of some so-called "Pride" merchandise on "threats," rather than consumers making sound decisions.  The article references a statement that says: "For more than a decade, Target has offered an assortment of products aimed at celebrating Pride Month. Since introducing this year's collection, we've experienced threats impacting our team members' sense of safety and well-being while at work..."  Target's statement went on to say:

“Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior,” the statement continued. “Our focus now is on moving forward with our continuing commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community and standing with them as we celebrate Pride Month and throughout the year.”

The Christian Post stated: 

While Target did not disclose in the statement which items it intended to remove, some of the products that received the most backlash included the “tuck-friendly” women’s swimsuits for men.

Designs created by Abprallen, a London-based company that creates products with occult imagery, have also garnered public outrage. Products by the brand were previously featured on Target’s website but have since been removed.

The article noted that:

Abprallen shared a “Satan respects pronouns” design in a March 28 Instagram post, writing that LGBT-identified people are “often referred to as being a product of Satan or going against God’s will, so fine. We’ll hang with Satan instead.” The statement is printed on an image of Baphomet, the goat-headed idol associated with satanism.

But, Target CEO Brian Cornell is "undeterred," according to The Washington Stand, which reported:

“What’s your take on some of the pushback now on so-called ‘woke’ capitalism?” Fortune’s Michal Lev-Ram asked him on the “Leadership Next” podcast released last week. “We’re seeing a lot of backlash, not just on the social justice side,” Lev-Ram pointed out, “but ‘woke’ capitalism in general. What is your take on it?”

The CEO scoffed concerns. “I think those are just good business decisions,” he insisted of the company’s controversial trans-alignment. And more than that, Cornell argued, “it’s the right thing for society, and it’s a great thing for our brand.” From a “diversity” standpoint, he said, “it’s adding value. It’s helping us drive sales, it’s building greater engagement with both our teams and our guests, and those are just the right things for our business today.”

Another Washington Stand article released yesterday included comments from Joseph Backholm, senior fellow for Biblical Worldview and Strategic Engagement at Family Research Council, who said: “The plunge in sales seems to indicate that Americans do have some boundaries,” adding, “The public seems to be generally indifferent to what adults do, seeing it as an issue of liberty even when it is socially destructive. But what middle America is clearly not interested in is those who target their children in what is effectively evangelistic effort on behalf of the sexual revolution.”

One might say that the LGBTQ+ movement, which has been pushing for greater acceptance of its principles while the extension of its ideology has gone far and wide from corporate boardrooms to retail stores to various forms of entertainment media, may be starting to "jump the shark," a reference to a Happy Days episode when Fonzie overplayed a particular activity. The movement may have overplayed its hand now, resulting in customer backlash from consumers who do not accept and do not wish to be forced to accept a point of view that has now proven to be destructive.  

The latest from Target is another development in a trend for Christians, as stewards of God's resources, to make decisions based on the stewardship God has given to us.  In a recent conversation with noted homeschool leader and podcast host Heidi St. John, Tony Perkins of Family Research Council, according to The Washington Stand, cited 1st Corinthians 10:31 as a guide for Christians in making decisions.  The article quotes the verse and goes on to say:

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” “So how you shop, where you spend your money,” he said, “everything we have as followers of Christ, we have to recognize … is given to us by God. We’re stewards of what we’ve been entrusted with. And you have to ask the question: Would God be pleased with you giving your money to an organization that is promoting the transgenderism of our children and is fostering this spirit of lawlessness?”

“If the church can’t be at the front of this conversation,” St. John warned, “I don’t know who should be. This is the responsibility of God’s people.”