After over 65 years of ministry, we have developed the top 27 questions people ask us so we would like to share these questions each week for our weekly blog and share the answers as a resource for you all to use in your ministry, churches, and family.
Top ? #16 What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?
Answer: The Bible clearly teaches that homosexuality is unnatural and sinful behavior which God condemns.
Homosexuality has gained unprecedented acceptance in our society in the past 30 years. Because of the influence of pro-homosexual activists, media attention and generally declining moral standards our society has become more tolerant of this lifestyle which in the recent past was considered a form of moral depravity.
God’s attitude toward homosexuality as outlined in the Bible is clear. In the Old Testament God forbids homosexual behavior, labels it “detestable” and demands death to those that practiced it in Israel (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13). Jesus teaches nothing about homosexuality, but he upholds the Old Testament law (Matthew 5:17). The Apostle Paul condemns homosexual behavior as well (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Romans 1:26-27). It should be pointed out that God had similar statements about all forms of sexual immorality including heterosexual adultery and rape. This is so because God’s design for sex is that it is to be restricted to marriage as a sacred expression of love and unity. It is not to be viewed flippantly or with the disrespect so common in our modern culture.
Some have argued that homosexual attraction is something inborn based on genetics and God should not condemn a desire that a person has no control over. In response to this, it must be said that the evidence that homosexuality is genetically predetermined is far from conclusive. Most scientific studies trying to prove that a person is born a homosexual have been seriously flawed. What is clear from the studies of social scientists is that the vast of majority practicing homosexuals can trace their sexual preference back to one of a variety of human-caused reasons. Most common among these are sexual abuse in childhood, having been seduced by an adult homosexual at an early age, having had an abusive heterosexual partner in adulthood, a domineering mother, never learning to establish healthy relationships with people of the opposite sex, and a host of other traumatic causes.
God forbids all forms of sexual activity outside of marriage. He does this because he understands the horrible consequences that unhindered sexual lust can have on individuals, families and entire societies. Our present-day AIDS epidemic is a result of sexual desire (both homosexual and heterosexual) that has been allowed to express itself without restraint.
As Christians, we must remember that through God’s grace anyone can experience forgiveness and deliverance from any form of sinful behavior that enslaves us. Christ’s death paid for all of the sins of those that place their trust in him, including sexual sins. Not only can homosexuals be forgiven, they can be rescued from the unnatural desires that control their minds and bodies.
Homosexuality is a sin, but it is no greater sin than any other form of disobedience to God’s revealed will. Christ’s death paid for our sins and provides deliverance from bondage to evil desires and actions.
Please read the following verses: Deuteronomy 23:18; Genesis 19:3-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 2 Timothy 2:22
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