[stextbox id=”custom”]This article is from the “What does the Bible say about” series. Here are some others (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th).[/stextbox]
I had an uncle who suffered greatly and eventually died of AIDS nearly fifteen years ago. He lived a homosexual lifestyle in San Francisco.
A few days ago I went to Starbucks for an iced coffee. There was a lesbian couple there that kept touching one another, hugging, and even kissed once or twice.
A few years ago I was at a fast-food restaurant. There was a group of about a dozen highschool students talking, just being kids. I heard one of the boys say to his friends, “I can’t decide if I’m gay or just bi-sexual.”
I give these examples above for one reason: to demonstrate that gay men and lesbian women are all around us, that they come in all shapes and sizes, and they are people like you and me.
Everyone Has Their Own Opinion On Homosexuality
Most people (including Christians) have their opinions about homosexuality. Some people—on both sides of the issue—are very open about their stance and rather close-minded towards those who don’t necessarily agree with them.
As an example, a few of my highschool friends have unfriended me on Facebook, purely because I don’t believe that homosexuality is an acceptable lifestyle. They labeled me as archaic in my thinking. I was even an usher at one of their weddings.
Homosexuality seems to be running rampant in our culture at the moment, and it seems as though the acceptability of the gay lifestyle will only continue to increase. Almost every primetime television sitcom has a gay character or gay couple on it. I can still remember when I started seeing a noticeable difference on HGTV (Home & Garden Television), in that their flagship program, House Hunters, starting featuring gay and lesbian couples searching for homes.
The times are indeed changing.
What Does The Bible Say About Homosexuality?
Does God care how people live sexually? Are there acceptable and unacceptable lifestyles according to God? Certainly people (like myself) have their opinions, but is there an objective right or wrong regarding human sexuality.
Some label homosexuality as merely a choice, a lifestyle. Others claim it is no choice at all but an innate urge they have had since childhood.
But where should the line be drawn?
Should homosexuality be accepted as a legitimate sexual lifestyle? What about bestiality? Or what about having sex with children? We consider eighteen year old’s in this country an adult in the eyes of the law, but in most places around the world that age is much younger.
Who gets to decide what is right and what is wrong?
For the Christian, we must listen to God by what He has revealed in the Bible. For the Christian, we do not bow the knee to cultural preference or Hollywood’s latest interpretation.
There are some who claim that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality. They say that verses are cited out of context and really don’t condemn the loving, honest relationship between two people of the same sex. But is that true?
Are Christians completely misrepresenting the God of the Bible, as some say we are? For the most part, no. The truth is that the world wants to change God’s words to suit its sinful desires and the fact is that the Bible condemns homosexuality as a sin.
Here is just a taste of what the Bible says about homosexuality.
- Levitiucs 18:22, “You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.”
- Leviticus 20:13, “If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their blood-guiltiness is upon them.”
- 1 Corinthains 6:9-10, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
- Romans 1:26-28, “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper.”
God Made Adam And Eve, Not Adam And Steve
Homosexuality is not only condemned in the Bible, but it also goes against the created order of God who made Adam, a man, and Eve, a woman—not two men, not two women—to carry out His command to fill and subdue the earth. Homosexuality cannot fulfill that command. It is, therefore, a contradiction to God’s stated desire for those who were the first to be created in His image.
This contradiction is a severe one. And, unlike other sins, homosexuality has a heavy judgment administered by God Himself upon those who commit it. This judgment is simple in that they are given over to their passions—which means that their hearts are allowed to be hardened by their sins.
“For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error,” (Romans 1:26-27).
As a result, they can no longer see the error of what they are doing. They will not seek forgiveness. They will die in their sins. They will face God’s holy condemnation. But that isn’t all. In addition to the judgment of being given over to their sin, those involved in it also promote it and condemn others who don’t approve of their behavior.
That’s right, they will condemn other people who do not also participate or agree with them.
“…and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them,” (Romans 1:32).
So, in their hearty approval of homosexuality they encourage others to be trapped in their sinfulness. They will not trust in Christ’s redemptive work on the cross. Without Jesus, they will have no forgiveness. Without forgiveness, they will have no salvation. Without salvation, there is only damnation in eternal hell.
How Should Christians Respond To Homosexuals?
Just because someone is a homosexual does not mean that we cannot love him (or her) or pray for him (her). Homosexuality is a sin and like any other sin it needs to be dealt with in the only way possible. It needs to be laid at the cross and forsaken.
Homosexuality is not a special practice that is exempt from God’s righteous judgment simply because they claim they are born that way, or just want to be free to love, or say that it is normal.
People are born with a tendency to lie. Does that make it okay?
People want to love each other, but since when is “love” the determiner of what is right and wrong?
We Christians should pray for the salvation of the homosexual the same as we would for any other person trapped in any other sin. This is not an issue of arrogance or judgmentalism. We don’t want anyone to be eternally lost due to their sin, and that includes gays and lesbians.
The homosexual is still made in the image of God—even though he (or she) is living a lifestyle of sexual sin. Therefore, we Christians should show homosexuals the same dignity as anyone else with whom we come in contact with.
Don’t ridicule them. Don’t hate them. Don’t ignore them. Tell them that freedom and forgiveness is found in Jesus alone. Let them know that God loves us and died for us that we might be delivered from the consequences of our sin.
But this does not mean that you are to approve of their sin. Don’t compromise your witness for a socially acceptable opinion that is void of godliness and biblical truth. Instead, be kind to them. Be loving. And when the opportunity arises, tell them the gospel.
Can Homosexuals Ever Be Forgiven By God?
Remember, the Bible is our sole authority. Remember that God can save anyone, at any time, and from any circumstance. And as the following Bible verse proves, remember that there are many Christians today who were delivered out of that lifestyle by a compassionate and loving God.
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; underline is mine).
Praise God that He is the God of second chances!
QUESTION FOR COMMENTING BELOW: Do you agree with what the Bible teaches about homosexuality or do you disagree? Why or why not?
* Image credit: Jason Sheveland (Creation Swap)
QUESTION FOR COMMENTING BELOW: Do you agree with the Bible or do you disagree? Why or why not?
I totally agree with what the bible says about homosexuality. Some readers: Those who commit sin are still loved by God, but the sin that they are in is not of God. Just because a person doesn’t agree about something, doesn’t mean that the love is not there.
Homosexuality is a ploy to deceive mankind. It is a cunning plan to kill, steal and destroy lives, lives that God created to glorify the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
i agree with the Bible.Yes it is sin and it should be forsaken.
You lost me from the very beginning for the sake of slippery slope fallacy. Equating homosexuality to beastiality and pedophilia is morally wrong ethically wrong, and just stupid. How about we listen to the one commandment that Jesus gave us, “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Sorry, but you’re mistaken on all accounts.
First, I didn’t equate homosexuality with bestiality I simply made a statement about what will (or should be) tolerated next in our society as “acceptable.” That is not the same thing.
Second, Jesus gave a lot more than one commandment. “Love your neighbor as yourself” goes back to the old testament initially. Still relevant for today and still the target, for sure. But we are to love people, not necessarily their poor choices/lifestyle. There is a difference between loving a sinner and that of loving (or approving of) their sin.
Jesus is God. It is God’s Bible. The Bible, from cover to cover, in both the old and new testaments, condemns that act of homosexuality. Say what you want, but you can’t deny that reality.
To love your neighbor “as yourself” means that you want for others what you would want for yourself. I want to be godly and God-honoring, and I want that for others.
My advice to you is that you read the Bible for what it is and not take verses out of context in order to support your agenda. I hope you take me up on that, even if you don’t reply back.
God bless!
While I respect your opinion there are several comments that are purely personal opinion. Not only that but you are using edited passages.
For example: ” “Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.””
The word homosexual does not appear in the bible even once in any current or dead language.
Gods opinions on homosexuality are equivalent to his opinions on mixed fabrics, different types of foods and even child behavior.
Do you agree or disagree that disobedient children should be stoned to death? Better yet, could you stone your own child to death? Think about that. The God you so love and use to discriminate against a certain type of people wants you to kill your child if they misbehave.
Don’t cherry pick what you believe in or disbelieve in. When you accept Christ in to your life you must follow what he says. You can’t judge one group of sinners and ignore your own sins.
Chase, your arguments are based upon false assumptions. You’re trying to interpret Scripture by making it say something in order to support what you want it to say.
The Bible obviously…yes, obviously…denounces all sexual sin, and that includes homosexual sin. It’s very plain and simple.
Great article!! We must love the sinner but hate the sin. Many people who do not understand or believe will have to give an account. (Heb 20:23-29) continue to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ no matter who agrees with you. When god saved the earth in Noah’s day it was only 8 people who believed. We serve that same God today… He is just and fair. All we can do is share the truth of Gods Word and pray that their eyes are open to the true freedom in Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:18)
So true, Tam. Thanks for sharing!
Hello there,
First and foremost, homosexuality is not a lifestyle. Secondly with all due respect, one doesn’t need a holy book for all matters. Common sense if any play a big part in our lives.
An article from the ‘Washington Post’ below miight help you see things clearer.
Ask Amy: Parent pressures gay son to change
By Amy Dickinson, Published: NOVEMBER 18, 5:02 PM ET
DEAR AMY: I recently discovered that my son, who is 17, is a homosexual. We are part of a church group and I fear that if people in that group find out they will make fun of me for having a gay child.
He won’t listen to reason, and he will not stop being gay. I feel as if he is doing this just to get back at me for forgetting his birthday for the past three years — I have a busy work schedule.
Please help him make the right choice in life by not being gay. He won’t listen to me, so maybe he will listen to you. — Feeling Betrayed
DEAR BETRAYED: You could teach your son an important lesson by changing your own sexuality to show him how easy it is. Try it for the next year or so: Stop being a heterosexual to demonstrate to your son that a person’s sexuality is a matter of choice — to be dictated by one’s parents, the parents’ church and social pressure.
I assume that my suggestion will evoke a reaction that your sexuality is at the core of who you are. The same is true for your son. He has a right to be accepted by his parents for being exactly who he is.
When you “forget” a child’s birthday, you are basically negating him as a person. It is as if you are saying that you have forgotten his presence in the world. How very sad for him.
Pressuring your son to change his sexuality is wrong. If you cannot learn to accept him as he is, it might be safest for him to live elsewhere.
A group that could help you and your family figure out how to navigate this is Pflag.org. This organization is founded for parents, families, friends and allies of LGBT people, and has helped countless families through this challenge. Please research and connect with a local chapter.
The problem with “common sense” is that most people have their own interpretation of what is sensical. And that’s just plain nonsense.
The Bible alone is sufficient for all matters in both life and eternity. It is infallible and can always be trusted.
Yes, homosexuality is a lifestyle and a choice. A person chooses to sin sexually, whether that is sex before marriage, homosexuality, etc. A person must repent of all sin and willing choose not to do it. The same goes for sins like lying and stealing. A person might be prone to tell lies but just because it seems “natural” to tell lies doesn’t mean it is acceptable.
Charles – I do believe what the Bible says about homosexuality and believe you have covered that very well in this post. Homosexuality is a sin just a lying or stealing is a sin and they are all equal in God’s eyes and that is a point that most miss.
I like the statement, “Homosexuality is not a special practice that is exempt from God’s righteous judgment simply because they claim they are born that way, or just want to be free to love, or say that it is normal.”
I believe the root of the issue for those that believe this is normal and ok is they know that God says this is wrong but they lash out at those of us Christians who quote God because they don’t want to take it up with God. My prayer for them is they would take it up with God. He is big enough to handle it.
Very true, Stan. Thanks for sharing!
yes i believe the Bible. homosexuality is against God’s plan .
Nice write up unfortunately the world is done caring about the word of God. My concern is in the next 5-10 years what would the younger generations be exposed to? In school last semester watching 2013 Hollywood movies was an issue because a number of them had these same sex things in fact one portrayed it as just fun. In any case, It’s good to know that not the whole of America is overwhelmed by the trend. Love your neighbor is simple to understand it is an idiosyncrasy that charges people to care for their neighbors not sleep with them.
Yes, homosexuality is gaining tremendous momentum, not just in America but the world at large.
It saddens me to hear about what schools are teaching or what they’re showing to children. I pray that people will see that what God teaches in the Bible is alone truth. Homosexuality is wrong, is sinful, and will be judged like any other sin.
Thanks for sharing.
I believe in the bible from genesis to revelation it’s sad a lot of our politicians and spiritual leaders compromise for votes and membership . They wont speak on it knowing it’s wrong for fear of the public outcry if I’m doing something wrong I want to be told if I don’t know and no one never tells me how am I going to stand up and fly right. I admire you pastor for speaking the word on a very unspeakable subject because of fear of retaliation. God bless and stay strong don’t ever compromise on your beliefs. AMEN
What does the Bible say about a christian couple bringing their lesbian daughters family to church all the time and even taking communion. The pastor preaches against homosexuals but they still come and focus all their attention on their new baby. Shoild they be asked to leave if they do not change?
No I don’t believe they should be made to stop coming to church at all. ( not sure how I feel about them taking communion, something I haven’t thought about) if you are going to stop a lesbian/ gay person / couple or family going to church if they don’t stop what they are doing, you are surely going you do harm, it says they are not good enough for church, God doesn’t love them, ect ect.
Also are you going to exclude everyone who sins on a regular basis, that would surely mean empty churches.
I would however have you say I don’t believe someone living a lifestyle that is against the bible should not have positions of leadership, this goes beyond just homosexuals, this would include in my view ,unmarried people living together, those who sleep around, those who regularly commit the same sin over and over and over.
No one should be excluded from any church except on very rare instances where they may cause a risk to one or more members of the church