"pastor's point" could have been right and true and valid, if it was not for the purpose of 'appearances' ....My pastor's point was that he was 'checked by the Spirit', not to go in there. To enter in anyway would have been to tempt God. Consider the natural children of Israel who decided to go ahead and enter Canaanland after God had told them through Moses, not to do it.
If he was , as posted, righteous and walking with Jesus,
then whoever knew him would know that he was righteous and walking with Jesus no matter where Jesus led him.
Even going in to a bar,
even associating right out in the open with women! (AND TALKING with them!!) ...