In pop and western culture today, there are a great many political and social issues that can create blazing arguments between friends, family members, strangers, or basically any human being in the cosmos. Few such issues will cause more hate, more spats, and more broken relationships than the topic of ‘homosexuality.’ This has become a massive religious issue and social issue in today’s society and after much thought and study I thought I would bring my thoughts to the table today. This has been a burden on my heart for a long time and I pray God will give me wisdom as I write these thoughts out and present them to you.
The first thing I’d like to say is I have a burden about this topic, mainly because I have seen so many struggle with this issue. Also, I’m sick of being called either a “homophobic” by some and a “gay lover” by others. So, let me explain this topic from a Biblical and logical point of view and hopefully help bring this topic away from its toxic roots on both sides of the aisle.
Growing up I’ve had many friends come out and say they are gay. My best friend actually in high school and early college even came out and said he struggled with this issue. Growing up in the conservative realm I was in and the views of others I was around, this made it extremely difficult for me to think this through. I had a great friend, who was a Christian, who helped in ministries, but then he told me that he has struggled with homosexual thoughts for years. He sought council for it and it bothered him deeply. I empathized with my friend as well, I was just unsure of how to handle it. Luckily, few at the church knew about his struggle, I could only imagine the outrage that he would’ve received if others knew of this. Luckily, no one knew that he didn’t want to know.
So, before I speak further on this topic I want to ask, “What does the Bible say? Is homosexuality a sin?”
Romans 1:24-28 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
There are many other verses I could use, but this passage will be the one I primarily focus on. So the Bible says that homosexual relations is contrary to nature. The Bible makes it clear that homosexuality is against the nature that God made things. I always thought this was very clear in the Bible. God made man and woman and together they can create life (children.) God gave men and women different anatomies and different ways of thinking so that together they can create a balanced family. The Bible is clear that marriage is between husband and wife, so to answer the previous question: yes, homosexuality is a sin before God.
The problem isn't the spiritual conclusion, but the practical application of this. So many churches, pastors, deacons, Christians, etc., attack homosexuals in some of the worst ways a church can do. Calling them godless, perverts, sodomites, child molesters, and many other things that are intended to be derogatory or hateful. If someone gay walks into the church either people ignore their existence and avoid them, or jump all over them, putting them down and spewing hateful remarks at them while demanding they turn away from their sinful lifestyle. Some even go as far as kick them out of their families or churches, or forbid anyone in the household to be friends with them. This sort of behavior will never win them to Christ, but in fact hurts the testimony of Christ.
Are Homosexuals Born Gay?
The answer to this question is: yes. Yes, homosexuals are born this way. Not in the sense liberal media wants you to believe, but we are all born with sin! (Romans 3:23) Each person is born with a sin nature and hence we all struggle with different sins. Satan gets his claws into certain people and just doesn’t let go without a fight! Each person has different sins that they struggle with and homosexuality is no different than that.
"Homosexuals are born gay, because they are born with sin, not a gene."
My friend growing up understood that it was wrong, but he struggled and struggled with these issues. It was constant for him. I’ve heard many Christians ask, “Why would someone have such desires to go against that which God created to be natural?” Well, the same could be asked to any of us any time we sin! Sin is going against the commands of God; lying, stealing, adultering, coveting: These are all examples of things that go directly against the way God intended them to be. The simple answer is the sin nature.
Sometimes people have no rhyme or reason to their sins. A habitual liar could never tell you why he feels the need to lie all the time. Well, I’d say it’s applicable to this subject matter as well.
It’s an Abomination to the Lord! (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13)
This is my personal favorite thing I’ve heard in my life as a miserable excuse to slander and hurt these people. (Yes, they are people. Not demons, not witches, or pedophiles. They are people) Yes, it is true that it is an abomination though! The references above describe it clearly as that. However, there are other things described as this as well.
Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
That’s right Christians. We are all guilty of committing an abomination against God. We’ve all lied, have had pride, ran to mischief, etc. That means, we’ve all committed a sin of the same magnitude as homosexuality. It's easy to get on our high-horse and condescend someone else's sin, but we must remember that we are all equally guilty of similar sin before God.
Just because we’ve committed a crime against God, doesn’t mean God hates us. In fact, we know that God loves every person on this earth. There are dozens of references that show this (e.g. John 3:16) Jesus Christ died for the sin of the liar and the homosexual. He died for each and every sinner here. You know why? Because God hates sin, but He loves the sinner. He loves us despite our flaws, mistakes, failures, and sins. He looks past our faults, and sees our need.
Sodomy/Sodomites
This is a phrase I refuse to ever use when referring to this topic and I urge you to forbid this phrase as well because it screams ignorance for a few reasons. Let me explain.
This phrase “sodomy/sodomite” is used because of the events of Genesis 18-19 when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. For one, a “Sodomite” would technically be a person who was a citizen of Sodom (a city) not a group of people that practice sexual relations with the same sex. A Sodomite is a citizen of Sodom, not a homosexual. Lot wasn’t a homosexual, but he was a Sodomite, because he lived there. This clear enough?
The term “Sodomy” is a pet term used by many conservatives to describe the act of homosexuality. This drives me crazy for a few reasons. Contrary to popular belief, Sodom was not only destroyed because of homosexuality. This is one of the largest misinterpretations in the Bible. Sodom was destroyed for this reason...
Genesis 18:20 Then the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave...
Ezekiel 16:49-50 Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it.
The Bible, more or less, just generalizes their sin as many different types of sins. It never once just points to homosexuality. I’m sure you can see that not even the Bible uses the term the way many of the church like to. Now we see that this sexual wickedness is one of the many issues in Sodom (Gen. 19) but they must’ve been filled with much more wickedness than this one sin. It was a nation stained with filthiness. There are not many nations we see in the Bible that God just wipes out, and Sodom and Gomorrah got the full wrath of “fire and brimstone” from Heaven. This was God’s judgment on a city filled with sin. In fact, all but Lot’s family were destroyed.
We need to stop generalizing homosexuals as “Sodomites.” They are not Sodomites, the Bible never even points to the way the phrase is used today. Let’s use proper terminology. I don’t see homosexuals running around raping, pillaging, stealing, molesting, lying, killing, etc. Anymore than the average person. They just have this particular sexual struggle. Instead of condemning them, how about we love them and pray for them that God will help them overcome this issue?
Also, due to the liberal use of the term “sodomy” many just figure it means “homosexuality.” However, upon looking at the definition:
Sodomy: (slang) Sexual intercourse involving anal or oral copulation.
Both straight and gay people regularly exercise oral copulation. Some even participate in anal copulation (although not usually recommended.) However, this would mean that most people have committed “sodomy.” in one way or another.
I’ve had discussions with gay people and they tell me that when someone uses the term “Sodomite” usually hate comes right after. I’m not talking about reproof here, I’m talking about hate. Please, Christians, I urge you to use proper terminology and not say such things. This isn’t cowardice or being afraid to “call it what it is.” In fact, it’s the opposite. I’m asking you to actually call it what it really is (homo/bi-sexuality.) Because as explained above, the term “sodomy” is highly inaccurate and has been exhausted by the most hateful speakers. I’m only encouraging wisdom and discretion here.
Gain Knowledge and Wisdom
You need to get to know a person before you start pointing fingers. You see, many times there is a “method to the madness.” Generally, if someone struggles with this issue it is because they were exposed to it early on in life or some other event.
Example: Growing up in my family, we had foster kids in and out of our home. Obviously, this meant we had many sexually abused children come through our doors. I remember hearing things from the kids that to this day disturb me. One of the kids still resonate in my mind. When he was just four years old he was raped, multiple times, by a ten year old neighbor boy. Then, another neighbor girl molested him along with her brother. This happened until he was about six years old. He was eventually taken into foster care. Being exposed to this at such an early age it created a ton of confusion with him. Later, he was caught molesting/raping other boys around him. This caused him to be moved from that foster home and eventually into ours where all of us were much older and not going to be another random victim. I talked to this boy many times about his experiences. He knew it was wrong. He didn’t understand his urges or why he had them. But I knew why; he was abused at an early age and it warped his mind. Something inside him was broken. After being in our home for a long time and us watching him closely we watched him go from a traumatized kid to becoming a normal boy in every way. He accepted Christ as his savior and we saw him as a new child. He was given a chance to change, and he did.
What’s my point? Well, if this boy was never brought to our home, introduced to God, and given a bit of grace his story could've ended very differently. However, this child was given a normal life, but due to a traumatizing past incident he could’ve easily been set before a different path.
My ultimate point is that you have to get to know people before you just instantly condemn them or label them. The Bible tells us to judge (discern) that which is sin, but not to judge a person’s thoughts, motives, feelings, past, or heart. This is God’s part. Our job is to lead them and anyone else to the Lord.
A Plea
Matthew 9:36-38 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
God moved with compassion when He saw the people lost in sin. Let me ask you: Will you be a shepherd? Will you stop putting down, avoiding, condemning, and being hateful to homosexuals? I understand it’s a sin and so should you. If someone openly lives that lifestyle then they are living in open sin and not in the freedom of Christ. Obviously, we Christians are not bound by sin, let’s show the entire world that! Every person we come into contact with. Gays/lesbians are no exception.
Also, let me add this. Gays/lesbians/bi’s are not trying to take over the entire USA or the world. They aren’t trying to molest your children. They are not monsters in the night. They are people. Are there some who might fit this description? Sure. But are there straight people doing the same? Yup. So it’s the liberal agenda to be blamed there, not only homosexuals. To blame gays for all the problems in this country/world is ignorant and foolish. Sin filled mankind is to blame for all of that. No one else.
For all those still doubting everything I’ve said and still want to openly and verbally bash them and excuse it by saying something like “There is no greater love than speaking the truth” Well let me remind you. First off, the Bible says that there is no greater love than he who gives his life for a friend (John 15:13) so that statement is wrong. Also, it’s not bashing the truth all day that shows love. It’s speaking the truth in love.
John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
“Love without truth is compromise, but truth without love is harshness”
That is the moral I’m ultimately trying to speak here. Why would anyone want to hear man just hating on them all day? Especially if they are not a Christian! Why on earth would anyone open a listening ear to hear about God if all they hear is “God hates you and you going to burn in hell because you’re gay!” I know I wouldn’t listen to a word! Let’s clear the name of our churches today and show that the church is God’s blessed vessel to reach out to the world and teach His Words to everyone and preach the grace of God.
Let me give you an example real quick then I’ll close:
When I was in Tennessee going to Crown College of the Bible, I worked at Express. One of my managers there was a gay man. He was a hard worker, he was friendly, and never mistreated anyone. He worked insane hours and went to school to be a chemist. He knew I was a Bible college student but he didn’t act weird around me and I joked with him as I did with all my co-workers. I never acted weird around him and he always respected me and vice versa. Well, when the school year came to an end I had to quit working there. When I put in my notice he called me up and said this to me:
“Will, I wanted to thank you for your hard work and your attitude while working here. You treated me like a normal person despite going to a Bible college and knowing I was gay. I never told you this but my dad was a Southern Baptist Preacher and when I was 17 I went to him and told him that I had thoughts toward men and didn’t know what to do. Enraged my father scolded me and told me to find a job and kicked me out of the house. I haven’t talked to him for over 8 years now. Ever since that day, I wanted nothing to do with church. I believe in God, but I’m scared of being treated like that again. So I wanted to thank you.”
“What for?” I asked.
“For giving me faith in Christians again.”
I remember hanging up the phone in a daze. I was shocked that I made such an impression on him while I was there: all because I treated him like a person. Now, he had faith in Christians again. He never stopped believing God, he only doubted the people that are supposed be showing the grace of God.
What happened to us Christians? Since when did we trade the Great Commission and the Grace of God for a hammer and judgment seat? It is not our place to judge them or make sure they “regret” their sin. It’s our place to reach and teach Christ.
Please understand, I do not condone homosexuality. The Bible says it is sin and against the nature of things. God created things to be a certain way and we are to follow that. However, I am tired of Christians not following the proper commandments of God. To hate on them, bash them, and then excusing it away by saying “It’s an abomination to the Lord.” Meanwhile, they ignore that lying and sowing discord among the brethren is also an abomination. Let me remind you, if there is a Christian who struggles with homosexuality to put them down, yell at them, call them an abomination is doing 1) judging/condemning him for their sin which is only God’s place 2) You are causing discord among the brethren. Instead of doing those things, how about you befriend that person and encourage them to walk right with the Lord.
1 John 2:11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
Let’s keep things where they need to be. Hate the sin and love the sinner. No one will ever turn away from sin or even have a desire to transform their mind/heart (Romans 12:2) if we don’t lead first by example. Even now, I am counseling and attempting to help some people who struggle with this sin. They are opening up to me and I’m trying to help them. But they will only listen if you first show grace, love, and discretion. This is not to say “Look how spiritual and good I am!” this is something that is a burden on my heart. It bothers me when I hear what Christians say about homosexuals, yet they ignore the commands of Mark 12:31 (love your neighbor) I want to see a change in Christians and how they interact with the gay/bi/lesbian community. Not saying it’s “okay” and accepting it as normal, but not rejecting them with such harsh demeanor that it’s not even remotely Christian. I will lave you with this verse. I am praying for you all and I hope that my thoughts were clear on this message.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works...
