“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” John 8:31-32 ESV
This post is for the genuine Christian who truly wants to know what God’s Word says about homosexuality. This is not a formulated opinion; this is what comes from the Word of God. Many will label me a “bigot” or “homophobe”, but these will be mere opinions based on feelings, rather than logical and factual conclusions based upon God’s Word.
Throughout my life I have had: homosexual men attempt to sneak pictures of me while working certain jobs; I have been slapped on the butt from co-workers who were homosexuals; I have received flirtatious look-backs from homosexuals while simply changing in the locker-room to workout; and I have received verbal, inappropriate dialogue. Now, not all who are homosexuals act in such a manner; that would be a foolish conclusion to come too. Just as there are wrongdoers of sexual abusers between men and women; so, now, a door has opened within the realm of men to men; women to women.
The reality, however, is that because we have allowed homosexuality to become the new norm; this brings forth additional inappropriate behavior and sexual abuse that could have otherwise been prevented. It is because we have allowed homosexuality to be considered “love” and “natural” that if I voice anything of the sort of what has happened to me, personally, they will cry for their rights (sadly, in the work field these instances were from my bosses - though, I left shortly after).
If you get anything from this post, may it be love - tough love. I have love and compassion for all; but I especially have compassion for people that want to be set free from their sin. If it wasn’t for those who told me to put away my pride, lust, anger, envy, bitterness and self-deception, I would be on Hell’s highway digging my own damnation; burying myself in my own iniquity.
True love cares more about the soul of the person than the feelings of the person. Therefore, I am willing to get backlash; despite me simply stating God’s Word. For the genuine believer who may be struggling with this and wants deliverance, let us dive into this reading.
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 11:15 ESV
Is Homosexuality a sin?
Before answering this question from a Biblical perspective, it is important to understand this: Being attracted to the same-sex is not a sin; thinking lustfully about the same-sex and acting upon those feelings is, however, a sin. It is not higher or lower than other sins; but it is sin. “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22 ESV).
The severity of homosexuality can be seen within Leviticus 20:13 (ESV): “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.” Now, no one is at all promoting death to homosexuals today; and if they are, they are not brothers or sisters in Christ. This is to simply show the severity of God’s wrath towards such conduct. You may say, “Well I hate God. That just isn’t right.” Those with such backlash fail to neglect just how dangerous disobedience to God is. For example: God told Moses to speak to the rock so water could come out to the Israelites; but instead, Moses decided to strike the rock twice with his staff (Numbers 20:6-13). Because of this, God told Moses that he would not see the promise land. God is very serious when it comes to obedience and disobedience. He will chastise accordingly in this life, or He will bring perfect justice in the afterlife.
Looking again at the Old Testament, we see in Genesis 19 that God wipes out Sodom and Gomorrah because of their terrible acts. “Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”” (Genesis 19:4-5 NIV). As one reads later on in Genesis 19, we can see God’s enraged response towards homosexuality/sodomite conduct. “Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens. Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land” (Genesis 19:24-25 NIV).
Now you may say, “All this is ridiculous and crazy. God’s all uptight. He’s wrong about thinking homosexuality is so bad.” Is He? How ironic is it that He is the One Who ordained what marriage is and He is the One Who allowed reproduction to only happen between a male and female. Though it can also be found in Mark 10:6-9, let us take a look at the words of Jesus in Matthew 19:4-6:
“Jesus answered, ‘Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.’”
Now, I am sure many are thinking “Yeah, but Jesus doesn’t say anything about homosexual marriage. Besides, Leviticus is in the Old Testament. We’re not under Old Testament Law anymore. Even if it were a sin back then, homosexuality isn’t now.” Let us see what Scripture has to say…
Does the New Testament say that homosexuals will inherit Heaven?
Once again, let us look at the Scriptures and see what they have to say for themselves:
“Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted” (1 Timothy 1:8-11 ESV).
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the Kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
Now I know some are going to argue, “The word homosexual or homosexuality wasn’t even a word back then. Wycliffe made up the first translation in 1508 when he was translating the Bible into Middle English. The Greek word he translated was Arsenokoitai (arsenokoitai). The Greek noun comes from the formation of the Greek adjectival prefix for male (arseno-) and beds (koitai). Which would literally mean, “male beds.” Come on. There’s nothing here.” There isn’t? Let us review further what the New Testament has to say.
Explicit insight on homosexuality, based upon the New Testament.
Without using the word homosexual/sodomite, let us see what Scripture points to regarding homosexuality and the conduct, thereof:
“Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire” (Jude 1:7 ESV).
“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet” (Romans 1:26-27 KJV).
From Romans 1:26-27 alone, we can clearly see that homosexuality is unnatural and a sin. The Bible makes it very clear that “men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another”; and therefore “receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.” Obviously, we are aware that many homosexuals have received HIV/AIDS through sexual misconduct amongst homosexual activity; therefore, validating the claim of receiving in themselves the recompense of their error.
Let us review what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has to say about HIV/AIDS: “In the United States, gay and bisexual men are the population most affected by HIV. According to the CDC, in 2016, gay and bisexual men accounted for 67% of the new HIV diagnoses in the United States and six dependent areas”.
Expounding off of the research done from aidsinfo.gov, I enjoy David Wilkerson’s additional wisdom regarding the topic of homosexuality: “There can be no white-washing of AIDS. Like it or not, the Bible calls it the due penalty of sin. No, it isn't the due penalty for innocent babies or those who got AIDS through blood transfusions — but for homosexuals who flaunted their sins. It is a curse straight out of Leviticus 26. The church has but one message for homosexuals and lesbians. It is the same message we preach to addicts, alcoholics, and all who are enslaved by sin: "You must be set free — and only Christ can do it!"”.
Why did I write this?
I wrote this because Christ has given me a heart that loves others and seeks to Evangelize to both those inside and outside the church. I did not write this to bash or point a finger at homosexuals. I am not seeking publicity - for if I was, this writing would be completely sabotaged and flipped 180 to deceive multitudes into remaining comfortable in their sin. Like some of those in the LGBT community, (again, not all), I will not be in your face about what God’s Word has to say about homosexuality; though I will always be honest and deliver the truth, based upon God’s Word.
Know that I just simply wanted to write an honest essay, based upon Scriptural teaching, on what God has to say about homosexuality. In the midst of a fog of deception, it is extremely important to know what the truth says. This offers one the ability to cast their vote on whether they will listen to God’s Word, or remain in their iniquity. May we all know that temporary satisfaction of sin is not worth the loss of Heaven with Christ.
Now, I know even after reading this writing many will completely disregard what has been shown and said through God’s Word. They will call me names and possess a strong emotional impulse to rage towards me; and that is fine. Their blood is not on my hands come Judgment Day, however; for they have been presented the Truth, based upon God’s Word. I am simply a messenger.
Testimonies of ex-homosexuals.
Time and time again I have seen people flip-flop in regards to their passions for one another. I have seen homosexuals/sodomites/lesbians become straight. I have seen straight people become homosexuals/sodomites/lesbians. I have seen people genuinely seek after Christ to be set free from homosexuality. Likewise, I have seen Christians fall into a lifestyle of homosexuality and completely drift from the Lord (though, many times, they remain religious - believing that going through the motions they can still cling to their sin and think that everything will be okay; when, in fact, it is not).
I’m sure many of us have seen similar circumstances; which the rational person can therefore conclude that it is a choice. There is no such thing as a “gay gene”. Sins are not genes, for genes are characteristics from God. God is not sin; therefore, sin is not a gene. Sin can be a stronghold in the mind (which is usually demonic), and it is the Holy Ghost’s job to purge that sin out of us. It takes humility to receive discernment; but once discernment is bestowed upon a child of God, one will be able to see that much of habitual sin is in fact demonic.
This will be a topic of discussion that I will further write on in the future, as I had struggled with habitual sin for the longest time. It will be a very humbling story; but I believe that it just takes one person to tell their story, in order to set another free and have them feel comfortable talking about their struggles and temptations and how Christ can bring deliverance.
The reality is we are all wicked men and women without Christ; and we all need God to send Holy Ghost fire to incinerate sin within us. God truly wants to set us free, but we must have a heart that seeks it, honestly.
Why is homosexuality so hard to turn from once involved in it?
In this day and age, we are beginning to accept anything and everything. The world is looking for the next radical thing to do that spits in the face of Almighty God. Mankind from the beginning has wanted to make their own rules. The great fall of man is striving to be as God is. It is the desire to determine right from wrong, and good from evil on their own terms.
I fear for those who will live in self-deception and self-denial all their lives; to come to the Throne of God and to hear the damning words from Christ Himself: “‘‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:23 NKJV). Regardless of the sin and being apart from Christ, my mind cannot begin to conceive the life that was wasted in the lusts and pride of this life. Can you imagine ending your life and being sentenced to the “Lake of Fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are”, where they will be “tormented day and night for ever and ever" (Revelation 20:10)?
The reason homosexuality is hard to turn from is because the world accepts it as normal. People go around and applaud it as “love”; when in reality, this world has no idea what “love” truly means from a sound, Biblical perspective. Many evangelical movements have lost the true meaning of love, and it’s sad. Many will come to a realization that God’s Word did in fact mean what it said. They will wish that they had taken it more seriously; but sadly, it will be too late for them.
My hope and prayer is that you can know there is deliverance from this stronghold. I know what it can do; I’ve seen it. The biggest hurdle that a homosexual faces is to come to Christ with all humility and ask for freedom. This is excruciatingly tough for the person that wants genuine freedom, because most times the spirit that goes along with homosexuality is pride. Just look at what we have done for a whole calendar month: “gay pride month.” The person who can, however, recognize and except that this is sin - again, based upon God’s Word; coming to Jesus with a genuine belief in Him; repenting and asking for forgiveness of sin - Christ simply smiles upon that child and says, “Of course. I have been waiting for you, My child.”
God loves all and wants everyone to come to know Him. We simply must be humble enough to admit that sin is sin. We must be willing seek God to help us with turning from our iniquity, and into His glorious promises found in Christ Jesus. "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9 NIV).
If you are someone who has admitted that this is a struggle, may God Almighty set you free, by the power of the Holy Spirit; in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lance VanTine