Dealing with Homosexuality.

Over the last few weeks we've taken a look at some more of the areas of culture and life that are more hotly debated. We've already looked at Abortion, Same-Sex Marriage, Politics, and Divorce. Today we look at another. Please understand this isn't about condemning anyone or passing judgment on anyone. It's about a brief look at what the Bible says on the topic and how we should deal with it. So let's get started!


There isn't much more of a hot topic issue in our culture anymore than issues surrounding homosexuality. Whether its LGBT groups seeking legalization of same-sex marriage or seeking city ordinances for transgender restrooms we regularly hear about it in the news and media. We constantly hear about a push for acceptance and equality for those who live a homosexual lifestyle. Our TV shows, movies, and other media have sought to desensitize us to homosexual relationships over the past 20 years to the point that no one questions it when its presented anymore. But the question we ought to ask ourselves isn't what society says about it. It doesn't matter what our friends, family, or co-workers "think" about it. Like every other area of life our basis should be what God says about it in His Word. So here's some brief direction for us on this topic from the Bible.

Homosexuality is a sin according to the Bible.
Sin is “the condition and activity of human beings that is offensive to God” or a “revolt against holiness and the sovereign will of God.” When we go against God's will, regardless of what it is, we sin against Him. He tells us in His word in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 that homosexuality, along with many other sins, will keep a person spiritually separated from God. That means a person who practices sin and has not received salvation from God will not enter heaven after death. If they are a follower of Christ and struggle with the sin of homosexuality, then they need to seek God's help to deal with the temptation.

Homosexuality is a choice not genetics.
Like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, we all make the choice to sin. It is difficult to resist temptations to sin but God gives us His strength, through Christ, to resist (1 Corinthians 10:13). When it comes to homosexuality some will claim that God created them as a homosexual and that it is biological. That statement is partially right in the sense that God did create them and their sin nature is biologically passed from Adam and Eve's original sin. But God did not create anyone homosexual. The choice is up to the individual and they must decide whether to sin against God or resist the temptation to sin. In the end it's a matter of taking responsibility for our choices.

All sexual relationships outside of marriage are forbidden by God.
As I discussed in my post on same-sex marriage, God's original design for marriage is one man and one woman for life (Genesis 2:24). God's original design for sexual relations was for it to be enjoyed inside the marriage relationship between that one man and one woman. Anything outside of that is forbidden by God as being sinful. That means homosexuality, fornication (sex between two unmarried persons), and adultery (a married person having sex with someone other than their spouse) are all forbidden by God. There is no room for acceptance or approval for any of these sexual sins in God's eyes.

Homosexuality is no worse than any other sin.
My sin of pride, cursing, or lying is no different than another person's homosexuality. Many in the history of the church have tried to vilify homosexuality as being a "major" sin like adultery or murder, as if some were worse than others. But when we look back at how sin was defined earlier, there is no distinction between the severity of different sins. All sins separate us from God. All sins tempt us to turn our back on God. All sins lead to spiritual death unless salvation is received from Christ. When we do receive salvation from Christ then we seek to please God by resisting the temptations to sin and pursuing His holy standards for this life.

The Christian response to homosexuals.
Love. In one word that is the response that followers of Christ should have for those who struggle with the temptation of homosexual sin. We should love the individual as a person not labeling them by their sins. Don't get me wrong we should not approve or condone a homosexual lifestyle anymore than we would that of any other kind of sexual sin, but we must show the same love, grace, and mercy that we've been shown by God. What any sinner needs is forgiveness from God and a loving environment to grow in their faith and understanding of God's Word. The church should be a place where a person struggling with homosexual sin can receive both. 

I'll close with this. My desire with this post is not to be judgmental or criticize a person for the life they've chosen to live. My desire is to share the truths of God's Word with people in the hope that they will pursue the standard of holiness in their life that God desires for them. If you are struggling with homosexuality or any other kind of sin and need someone to talk to feel free to email me, pastornick@northcatawbabaptist.com. I will be glad to talk with you and go more in-depth with you than I can in a blog post.


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