I mean practicing it, living out a homosexual orientation.
Jesus loves all people (John 3:16–17, 2 Pet 3:9b). Even people who practice
a homosexual orientation. But that doesn't mean he approves such a lifestyle,
see article How can Christians make sense of all the gender confusion in the world?
It means teaching in the church that it's not OK to live out a homosexual orientation as a Christian. A Christian congregation therefore can't support such an approach, because it would be disobedience to the Word of God (2 Tim 3:14–17). a homosexual orientation. But that doesn't mean he approves such a lifestyle,
see article How can Christians make sense of all the gender confusion in the world?
Homosexuality in the Old Testament:
Practicing homosexuality is ungodly and a sin against God. It's an abomination according to the Old Testament (OT) Law (Lev (3 Mos) 18:22–24).
There isn't one verse in the OT that supports the practice of homosexuality.
There isn't one verse in the OT that supports the practice of homosexuality.
The men of Sodom wanted sexual
relations with two angels, who they thought
were men (Gen (1 Mos) 19:1–11). They practiced homosexuality (Jude 1:7).
It was an attempted sexual assault; homosexual gang rape. Gang rape
was probably common in Sodom and Gomorrah. These cities were obviously destroyed because of this type of sinful behavior related to sexual abuse.
were men (Gen (1 Mos) 19:1–11). They practiced homosexuality (Jude 1:7).
It was an attempted sexual assault; homosexual gang rape. Gang rape
was probably common in Sodom and Gomorrah. These cities were obviously destroyed because of this type of sinful behavior related to sexual abuse.
A woman shouldn't wear
anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment (transvestism) (Deu
(5 Mos) 22:5). It's an abomination according to the Law in the OT. We shouldn't wear clothes that confuse the sexes, our identity as male and female. See it clarified at time 19:41–23:18 in Bible Q&A ∙ Episode 12.
See also the article Can men wear feminine clothing — and vice versa? Society
tries to remove the distinction between man and woman, but that isn't God's will.
See how to deal with that at time 8:19–11:12 in Bible Q&A • Episode 58.
See also the article Can men wear feminine clothing — and vice versa? Society
tries to remove the distinction between man and woman, but that isn't God's will.
See how to deal with that at time 8:19–11:12 in Bible Q&A • Episode 58.
Homosexuality in the New Testament:
The New Testament (NT) describes the New Covenant that Jesus introduced
(Luk 22:19-20) and was activated at his death on the cross, see The Atonement.
(Luk 22:19-20) and was activated at his death on the cross, see The Atonement.
Homosexuality is one of
several consequences because people have rejected God and is
against nature (Rom 1:18–32), see time 28:43–32:19
in Romans 1 (Part 2) :18-32 The Wrath of God. It’s shameful to God.
God’s invisible attributes are clearly seen by the things that have been made
since the creation of the world. Therefore, there is no excuse for rejecting God.
in Romans 1 (Part 2) :18-32 The Wrath of God. It’s shameful to God.
God’s invisible attributes are clearly seen by the things that have been made
since the creation of the world. Therefore, there is no excuse for rejecting God.
The NT says that people who practice homosexuality will not inherit the kingdom
of God (1 Cor 6:9–10). We shouldn't be deceived by society that says it’s OK
to live out a homosexual orientation. Society has removed it as a sin, but God hasn’t.
God hasn't changed his mind about practicing homosexuality in the New Covenant.
of God (1 Cor 6:9–10). We shouldn't be deceived by society that says it’s OK
to live out a homosexual orientation. Society has removed it as a sin, but God hasn’t.
God hasn't changed his mind about practicing homosexuality in the New Covenant.
An argument to live out a homosexual orientation is that man isn't justified
by the works of the Mosaic Laws in the OT but by faith in Jesus Christ (Gal 2:16).
But the moral laws among the Mosaic Laws regarding sexual relations are similar
and even stricter in the New Covenant than it was in the Old Covenant,
see Jesus and the Law and the comment to the 7th commandment
in the The Ten Commandments.
by the works of the Mosaic Laws in the OT but by faith in Jesus Christ (Gal 2:16).
But the moral laws among the Mosaic Laws regarding sexual relations are similar
and even stricter in the New Covenant than it was in the Old Covenant,
see Jesus and the Law and the comment to the 7th commandment
in the The Ten Commandments.
Another argument for allowing homosexuality is that Jesus didn't specifically speak about it. But
Jesus didn't specifically speak about pedophilia or bestiality
which are considered wrong even by our society. So that argument doesn't hold. When Jesus spoke about sexual relations, it was always between male and female (Mat 19:4–5).
which are considered wrong even by our society. So that argument doesn't hold. When Jesus spoke about sexual relations, it was always between male and female (Mat 19:4–5).
There isn't one verse in the NT
that supports the practice of homosexuality.
What to do if being homosexual:
There is very little (if any) scientific evidence that a person can be born homosexual. There is no consensus
among researchers on how to develop a homosexual orientation. Many think it’s an
adaptation. But even if so, it's against God's Word, see time 0:53–4:45 in Bible Q&A • Episode 54.
If you struggle with homosexuality, see as encouragement time 6:00–13:53
in the video Titus 3 • Be careful to devote ourselves to good works.
See also what to do in the article Can God help me to break this cycle of sin?
in the video Titus 3 • Be careful to devote ourselves to good works.
See also what to do in the article Can God help me to break this cycle of sin?
We are all born with a nature that has been affected by sin. We are all sinners
(Rom 3:23, 1 John 1:8–10). Because of that, we all have weaknesses
of various kinds. We all struggle with different temptations. A weakness
isn't an excuse for participating in it. God doesn't allow us to be tempted
beyond our ability (1 Cor 10:13). Take steps to avoid environments
that you may not be able to handle in a biblical way. We must choose
not to give in to temptations (Rom 13:13–14). See Sanctification.
(Rom 3:23, 1 John 1:8–10). Because of that, we all have weaknesses
of various kinds. We all struggle with different temptations. A weakness
isn't an excuse for participating in it. God doesn't allow us to be tempted
beyond our ability (1 Cor 10:13). Take steps to avoid environments
that you may not be able to handle in a biblical way. We must choose
not to give in to temptations (Rom 13:13–14). See Sanctification.
As Christians, we are
sanctified and can be set free (1 Cor 6:9–11).
Jesus came to call sinners to repentance (Mark 2:16–17, 1 Tim 1:15).
Sin includes living out a homosexual orientation, see it explained at:
Jesus came to call sinners to repentance (Mark 2:16–17, 1 Tim 1:15).
Sin includes living out a homosexual orientation, see it explained at:
- Time 32:40–38:22 in Bible Q & A With Pastor Paul and Sue.
- Time 15:55–20:14 in Bible Q&A with Pastor Paul.
We can be freed from the bondage of sin:
- Living out a homosexual orientation as a Christian isn't
how God wants us to live. It's not what God created us to do. - Such a person needs to repent from doing this and is then forgiven.
- Invite Jesus into your life as
your Savior, if you haven't already done that
(John 5:24, 2 Cor 5:17), see Salvation. He forgives your sinful living,
see time 24:16–27:46 in Bible Q&A • Episode 32.
How to relate to homosexual persons as a Christian:
As Christians we need to do
the following:
- See How do we love someone who is homosexual without condoning their sin?
- If you hate or dislike homosexuals, you need to repent. There is no room for that for a Christian, even if people live a lifestyle that is contrary to the lifestyle of what is written in God's Word. Jesus also gave his life for them.
- We should show love,
compassion, and deal with it in a loving way,
see time 45:06–48:27 in Bible Q & A With Pastor Paul │December 2023.
We can even associate on an individual level with such a person (Gal 6:1).
At the church level, we may need to withdraw from such a person
(1 Cor 5:9–11, 2 Thess 3:6, 14–15), see Psalm 101: How to live a holy life. See this explained at time 43:37–45:53 in Bible Q & A With Pastor Paul . . .. - We should be characterized by a gentle and tender spirit towards homosexuals and their concerns. Jesus died no less for them than for anyone else
(John 3:17). We should invite them to our services, to our churches. - We should pray for salvation for homosexuals, as we do for anyone else.
It's not a question of hatred, bigotry, or homophobia. That's wrong behaviour. - However, we must stand by God's Word: "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever." (Isaiah 40:8).
See the consequences of this in these videos:
It's not personal, it's about obedience to God's Word. See also the meaning of
Do not judge others in The Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said:
- "If anyone loves me, he will keep my Word, and my Father will
love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the Word that
you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me." (John 14:23–24). - "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love." (John 15:9–10).
See also Some stories in the Gospels at the end of The Four Gospels.
