At the time of this writing the first Google search result for the search phrase, “can you be gay and Christian”, comes from hrc.org, a non-Christian, LGBTQ affirming organization that advocates for equal rights and protection under the law for those of the LGBTQ community. On their homepage are images of women kissing women, transgender “men” and “women”, gay pride flags being flown and so on. They also publish Equality Magazine, the nation’s largest-circulation LGBTQ magazine, and boast a shop where one may purchase their Pro-LGBTQ wares (all proceeds supporting the cause, of course).
Clearly this organization has an agenda and it’s not to accurately represent the Word of God. So suffice it to say that I’m more than a little disturbed that this website has to its account an article titled, “What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?”.
From a Christian standpoint, this organization has no right to proclaim what the Bible says about homosexuality, especially when their agenda is to further affirm and advocate for those of this sexual orientation.
Now don’t get me wrong, I do believe we all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect; that we all should be treated the way we want to be treated (cf. Luke 6:31). I also believe that everyone should be protected equally under the law according to God’s standard of justice. But the point I’m trying to make here is that it should hardly be expected that an organization such as this should present the Scriptures in any other manner than one which coheres with their own secular worldview, which is exactly what they do in the article mentioned above.
If we want the truth about what the Bible says about a particular issue, we must consult those whose only agenda is to accurately proclaim Biblical truths. If we consult non-Christian sources about issues regarding Christianity what more can we expect but a biased opinion littered with distorted truths in support of their own secular agenda?
My point in mentioning all of this is not to bash Human Rights Campaign, or any other organization that advocates for the LGBTQ community, but to simply demonstrate that there are many sources out there, both Christian (so they claim) and non-Christian, that twist and manipulate the Word of God for their own advantage. And without true men and women of God who are willing to stand up for the truth of God’s Word, their lies will continue to run rampant and infect the hearts and minds of those who are looking to justify their sinful lifestyles.
Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
Proverbs 27:5
With this in mind, I will now layout the Biblical truth concerning homosexuality.
Homosexuality is a Sin
It should go without saying, but obviously it doesn’t, that the homosexual lifestyle is a sin. Numerous passages both in the Old Testament and New Testament confirm this.
Leviticus 18:22 says, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.”
And in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 we read: “9Or 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, 10nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Aside from these two, there are four other verses that speak directly to the issue of homosexuality. They are:
- Genesis 19 (story of Sodom and Gomorrah)
- Leviticus 20:13
- Romans 1:26-27
- 1 Timothy 1:8-11
Clearly, the Bible is not silent on the issue of homosexuality. Just as clear is the fact that God does not condone the homosexual lifestyle. In fact, from the very beginning God has made known His expectations in regards to the sexuality of those made in His image.
Gods Intention Concerning Mans Sexuality
In the Creation account given in Genesis 1, we see that God “created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). He then blesses them and says, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth…”, (Genesis 1:28). Obviously God’s intention was for mankind to populate the earth and have dominion over it. This could not happen if God had created two men for then there would be no possibility for procreation.
Aside from the issue of procreation, we know that Gods original intention for one man, one woman relationships was not temporary but for all time. For “God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). Part of “everything that he had made” was the institution of marriage between one man and one woman, which was also “very good”. So if God declared one man, one woman relationships to be “very good” and ordained that “a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24), who are we to attempt to now modify what God has ordained from the beginning of human history?
God didn’t say that a man should leave his father and mother and hold fast to his husband, but to his wife. And we know that the wife, according to God’s standard, is the woman. The term “wife” is not simply indicative of the spouse whose attributes are more feminine than masculine; its indicative of the woman. Therefore a two man or two woman marriage cannot fulfill the God ordained requirements for marriage.
Jesus himself affirms that marriage is to be between one man and one woman in Matthew 19 and Mark 10 when he addresses the issue of divorce. He says, “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 not man separate” (Matthew 19:4-6).
If there were ever an opportunity for Jesus to modify the acceptable conditions of marriage, now was the time. And yet he didn’t. Not here and not anywhere else in Scripture. Nor do any of the New Testament writers, who wrote as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit, attempt to modify the conditions of marriage.
What God ordained in the beginning as being acceptable in regards to marriage is the same today. For we know that God does not change (Malachi 3:6), that He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and that everyone of his righteous rules is forever (Psalm 119:160).
The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.
Psalm 33:11
Furthermore, it was in response to Gods recognition that its “not good that the man should be alone” that He decided to make a “helper fit for him” (Genesis 2:18). And what did He make? The woman. Upon seeing the woman that God had created for him, Adam said this: “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man” (Genesis 2:23)
So we see that God, from the very beginning, has ordained the woman to be the spouse of the man. This is the only configuration of marriage in which God is pleased. Man with man, woman with woman, and so on do not fit within the Biblical model for marriage and thus are sinful in the eyes of God.
Homosexuality Like All Other Sins
One thing we must keep in mind when speaking of homosexuality is that its a sin like all other sins. Meaning that, as such, it can and must be repented of. As humans, we all have things that we struggle with and are tempted with. But being tempted is not a sin in itself, its human. The Bible tells us that even Jesus was tempted, but that he was without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
I say that to say this; its not a sin to be tempted with same sex attraction necessarily. For being tempted with same sex attraction is no different than being tempted to steal, commit acts of violence, lie, gossip, covet, etc. However, temptation to do any of these things becomes sinful when acted upon, whether outwardly via your physical body, or mentally when thoughts of committing such acts are willfully entertained and only a lack of opportunity prevents you from committing them.
However, the temptations that each of us face do reveal something about our hearts. For, “each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire“ (James 1:14). Meaning that its not typically things that we haven’t already thoroughly considered doing that we’re tempted with. Its things that we’ve already given serious thought to that we’re tempted to do the most. For no one is seriously tempted to do a thing lest they’ve fully considered it previously.
This is why I said its not a sin to be tempted with same sex attraction necessarily. For one may be tempted to partake in homosexuality via a fleeting thought, one that, previously, little attention has been paid to. In such an instance a conclusion is generally arrived at quickly on the side of his/her Christian faith which forbids such practices. On the other hand, if one is tempted to partake in a same sex relationship via a string of previous serious considerations, then they’re more inclined to give in to the temptation. In both scenarios temptation is present. However, one is the result of a fleeting thought, the kind of which no one is able to control fully (that I’m aware of); the other is the result of ones own desire to commit such acts. In both instances the condition of the heart is revealed.
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
James 1:13-15
In regards to being tempted with same sex attraction and the physical act of homosexuality, it must be realized that to indulge in thought of, or to partake in actually, are both sins. But as such, they are able to be overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit. For there is no sin or temptation that is able to resist God’s power. However, God never forces Himself on us. And so for us to overcome any sin, whether sexual in nature or not, we must be ready to have it eliminated from our lives, and willing to submit to what God says is right.
For those who have struggled with this particular sin, I offer you the words of Paul as encouragement:
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
You Are Not Born This Way
There are those who would argue that being homosexual was determined for them at birth. However, research shows that there is no “gay gene” or any single genetic cause of same sex attraction and behavior. Meaning that, scientifically speaking, no one is born gay.
This means that being gay is a choice. Just like its a choice to steal, to commit adultery, or to worship idols. If one were to claim that he was born a thief, would this abdicate him of the consequences of being a thief in the court of law? Absolutely not. He would be tried, and if proven guilty, given his sentence.
When it comes to issues regarding legality, claiming to be “born this way” does little to persuade a jury or a judge. Why? Because we all know that we all have free will and the ability to exercise it however we see fit. When one exercises his free will against the law he gets punished for it, such as when one steals. The only difference between homosexuality and theft, in this instance, is that theft is illegal whereas homosexuality is not. Neither practices, however, stem from a moral deficiency at birth (being born this way), but rather through the operation of ones free will.
Aside from this, the Biblical standpoint on homosexuality is that its a sin. In fact its an abomination in the eyes of God. With this in mind, and knowing that God is the creator and giver of all human life, it makes little sense (none actually) that he would create a human being and bind them to a sexual orientation that he doesn’t approve of. For if God declares that homosexuality is a sin, but then creates humans with an inherent desire towards same sex attractions, how then can he judge them in righteousness (cf. Acts 17:31)?
But even, hypothetically, if someone were born with an inherent attraction to those of the same sex, it would not justify acting upon those desires. For homosexuality, as stated earlier, is a sin and as such must be repented of and abstained from like all other sins. So whether or not you claim to be born homosexual or born a liar, it does not excuse your actions as such. For God commands that all sin should be repented of for “he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead” (Acts17:30-31).
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
2 Corinthians 5:10
Being Gay and Being Christian
There seems to be much confusion concerning whether or not one can be both homosexual and Christian. Quite frankly, however, the Bible is clear on this issue.
In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Paul gives a list of vices and declares that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. One of these vices is practicing homosexuality.
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. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
But take notice especially to what Paul says in verse 11: “And such WERE some of you”. This indicates that some of those whom Paul was writing to used to practice homosexuality but no longer do because of their faith in Christ. For they were “washed…sanctified…[and] justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
This verse indicates that one cannot practice homosexuality and enter the kingdom of God. Why? Because it goes against what God has decreed as being right and acceptable for mankind in terms of sexual relations.
But all sin, not just homosexuality, must be repented of in order for one to establish and maintain an authentic relationship with Christ. For the Bible clearly demonstrates throughout the New Testament that with the call to salvation comes also the call to righteous living. For it is impossible for us to claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior if we refuse to submit to his lordship (that is, obey his commandments) and return to those things which he’s saved us from (that is, our previous sins).
For if we refuse to abandon our lives in order that we may live the life that God has called us to, then truly we remain lost. Jesus said “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25). Meaning that we must give up what we had planned for our lives and die to self, in order that we may live for Christ. If we seek to preserve our old lives and live in sin then we’ve missed the point of the Gospel. When Jesus said to “take up your cross and follow me”, this was an invitation to come die to self, that is, to let your former self pass away with all of its sinful practices and to begin your new life in Christ.
This is what Paul had in mind in Romans 6 while speaking on the subject of sin in the life of a believer. In Romans 6:6-7 Paul says, “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.” So if you have not died to self, you have not truly committed yourself to Christ and therefore remain in your sins.
This is not to say that someone becomes perfect or sinless once becoming a Christian (cf. 1 John 1:8), but that if we make a practice of sinning after coming to Christ then our profession of faith is not genuine, and His blood has no effect in cleansing us of our sins. For “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Notice the stipulation John puts on being cleansed by the blood of Jesus: we must walk in the light, as he is in the light.
John then goes on to tell us in chapter two that: “I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin…And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him…By this we may know that we are in him; whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked“ (1 John 2:1-6).
And in chapter 3, John has even more to say about the topic of sin: “You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him…Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil…No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God” (1 John 3:5-10).
I say all of that to say this: no one can become a Christian and remain a homosexual. Just as no one can become a Christian and remain a liar, adulterer, greedy, a drunkard, and so on. If we continue to sin after coming to Christ then we don’t truly belong to Him and our profession of faith is worthless. For we cannot continue to live in sin and claim Christ as Lord. For all who do so are of the devil, as the Bible makes abundantly clear.
So no, you cannot be a Christian and a homosexual simply because homosexuality is sinful and God commands that all who profess Christ should “walk in the same way in which he walked”. Meaning that if we profess Christ we must live the same way in which he lived and we do so by keeping his commandments (cf. John 14:15) and abstaining from sin.
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:1-4
Can You Have Same Sex Attractions and Be a Christian?
From what we’ve covered so far its clear that those who practice homosexuality cannot be Christians. But, someone might say, there is a difference between those who actively practice homosexuality and those who are simply attracted to those of the same sex. Can those who have same sex attractions, but refrain from having homosexual relations, be Christians?
This question is no different than asking, “Can I be attracted to children, or animals, or other women besides my wife, and be a Christian, as long as I don’t act on these desires?” The answer is an obvious no.
The issue here is not necessarily whether or not you act on these desires, but the fact that these desires exist in the first place. If one has desires such as these, its clear that their lusts take precedence over the Lords commands and their commitment to Him. For those whose hearts truly belong to the Lord will not have desires such as these.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:27-28: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” What this means is that its not simply the sins that we commit with our bodies that we’ll be held accountable for, but for those we commit within our hearts as well.
In reality though, all sins that we commit with our bodies stem from the moral wickedness of our hearts. For no one is able to act in a manner outside of that which his heart allows. Meaning that from the heart all actions flow, whether righteous or wicked. So for someone to want to have same sex relations, or any kind of relation that God says is immoral, simply demonstrates the sinfulness of their hearts.
Furthermore, this goes back to keeping the Lords commandments, walking in the light as he is in the light, and refraining from sin as we covered in the previous section of this blog post. If we are to be Christians, then we have to abide by the “rules” (for lack of better words) of Christianity. Meaning that we don’t get to say we’re Christian but then act in a manner outside of that which Christianity condones, or do things which the Bible clearly forbids. To come to Christ is to die to self. That means giving up all forms of sin and lust and wicked desires in order to serve Christ, advance his kingdom, and bring glory and honor to him.
The Christians Response to Homosexuality
While the majority of Christians today still take a strong stance against homosexuality, there are those who have become more accepting and tolerant of this practice. However, for a Christian to condone what the Bible so clearly condemns is for him to deny the very faith he claims to have. For in saying that homosexual behavior is permissible when the Bible says its not, is for him to allow his own opinion to take precedence over the Word of God. But when one makes his own opinion the standard by which he lives he automatically places God’s Word second to his own. Meaning that he no longer serves God but himself.
The issue of homosexuality is a touchy one, especially within the church. But making allowances for it, and manipulating the Word of God is not the way to handle it. Most often it seems people do this out of their fear of offending someone. But we, as Christians, cannot allow our feelings to dictate our actions. We cannot allow our desire to be nice and to not offend, prevent us from teaching the truth and proclaiming what the Bible says about any moral issue.
In fact, when we refuse to preach the truth out of fear of offending someone, we’re not acting in accordance with the Biblical command to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). For if we truly love someone we’ll do all that we can to lead them to Christ and away from their sinful lifestyle. If we allow them to remain in sin then we don’t truly love them. We also don’t truly love them if we lead them to believe that their sinful lifestyles are acceptable in Gods eyes and that they don’t need to repent of anything.
When we say that homosexuality is not a sin, we take away the homosexuals opportunity to repent and come to Christ. For if homosexuality is not a sin, then there’s nothing to repent of and the homosexual is justified. But we know that homosexuality is a sin, and as Christians its our responsibility to declare what God says is true and right about every issue, regardless of how uncomfortable it makes us, or those were witnessing to, feel.
Of course, we’re supposed to do this in a loving and kind manner; in a way that truly reflects the character and nature of our Lord Jesus. Therefore, when confronted with sin and the practitioner thereof, we must always remember that we too were once lost and in need of Jesus; that the person in front of us, whether a homosexual or a sinner of other sorts, is also made in the image of God, and is in need of his love, grace, and mercy. We must treat everyone with the dignity and respect they deserve, just as Christ did with those whom he encountered.
…but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…
1 Peter 3:15
Final Thoughts
For one to mistake what the Bible so clearly teaches regarding homosexuality is not a failure to see but a refusal to. For those who twist the Scriptures in regards to any issue, do so out of their own need to justify their sinful lives or to advance their own agenda. Nothing good can be said for those who practice such things.
As Christians we have the responsibility to bear witness to the truth – God’s truth. Failure to do so, or refusal to, places us in the category of the “wicked and slothful servant” (Matthew 25:26) who bore no fruit to his master and was thus “cast into the outer darkness” where “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:29-30). God has given us his word which is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). If we fail to use it properly, and instead distort it in an attempt to further our own agendas (whatever they may be) then we’ll become as useless to Christ as the dead branches he speaks of in John 15:1-8, which are gathered up and thrown into the fire.
With this in mind Christians cannot remain neutral on the issue of homosexuality. We must boldly proclaim the Biblical truth concerning homosexual practices and deny the possibility of one being a homosexual and a Christian. Truly, the practice of homosexuality is a sin like all others and as long as one continues to live in willful, habitual sin he is lost.
Furthermore, if the Church begins to make allowances for homosexuality (which its already doing), and professes one can be gay and Christian, where then does it draw the line? Can one then be a rapist and a Christian or a pedophile and a Christian? When we refuse to hold our ground and allow immoral men to dictate what is acceptable within Christianity then everything, in due time, will become acceptable and the term “Christian” will become meaningless.
But the true Christians will always know who is of God and who is not. For Jesus said “You will recognize them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). In the original context Jesus was speaking of the recognition of false prophets but his words hold true for those who claim to know Christ but whose lives testify against their proclamation of faith. Meaning that if you claim to be a Christian your life must align with what the Bible teaches, instructs, and commands. If you claim to be a Christian but practice homosexuality then you are not a Christian, neither can you be until you recognize your sin, repent of it, and truly give your life to Christ.
Indeed, you must die to self; you must crucify your flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24) and come to Christ with a heart that’s willing to change and a mind that wants to be transformed into who he would have you to be. Anything less than genuine repentance and a faithful commitment to Christ and the life he has for you is not true salvation.
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