What does the Bible teach about homosexuality?
Read Romans 1:18-32.
The key verses are "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 recompense of their error which was meet." Romans 1:26-27.
God’s creation plan for his creation was for a natural sexual relationships, one man and one woman. Unfortunately, sin has distorted the natural use of God’s gifts of sex. When people say that any sex act is acceptable as long as nobody gets hurt, they are fooling themselves. Ultimately, the sin of homosexual will hurt individuals, their families, ultimately whole societies. How sad it is that people worship the things that God made and not the Creator, this behaviour often distorts and destroys the very things they want and value the most because sin often means not only denying God, but also denying the way we are made.
Homosexuality (to exchange or abandon natural relations of sex) was as widespread in Paul’s day as it is in ours. Many pagan practices encouraged it. Yet, in Leviticus 18:22 homosexuality is strictly forbidden. "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination."
Unfortunately, there are some people who are attempting to make homosexuality an acceptable alternative life-style, homosexuality has become an acceptable situation by many in our world today — it has even become acceptable by some churches. Many homosexuals believe that their actions and desires are normal and so they have a right to reveal and express them, also some Christians say people have a right to choose their sexual preference.
Just because society has decided to accept a situation does not mean that God will ignore and accept what mankind accepts, He has a already set the standard and the Law.
Because of the grace of God, alongside his condemnation of sin is his offer of forgiveness. God is always willing to receive anyone who comes to him in faith, but any desires which are contrary to His Law must be controlled. Do not underestimate the power of Satan to tempt you back into your desires and the serious harm which could happen if you give into these temptations.
If you are already involved in homosexual behavior, you must turn to God for help, God can and will forgive sexual sins just as he forgives other sins. Give yourself to the grace and mercy of God, asking him to show you the way out of the sin and into the freedom and his love. Make sure that you avoid places or activities which you know will offer temptations towards this kind of life.
The Bible specifically calls homosexual behavior a sin, we must be careful, however, to condemn only the practice, and not the people.:-
"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."1 Corinthians 6:9-11; see also Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Timothy 1:9-11.
Like all sinners, homosexuals are called to repent. Those who commit homosexual acts are not to be feared, ridiculed, or hated. They can be forgiven, and their lives can be changed by the power of God. The church should be a place of forgiveness and healing for homosexuals who have repented, but not at the expense of ignoring the attitude of God to the act of homosexual behavior.
Christians come out of all kinds of different backgrounds, including these. They may still struggle with evil desires, but they should not continue in these practices, Christ can change and control all desires if we ask.
However, those who say that they are Christians but persist in continued practices, with no sign of change of life, will not inherit the kingdom of God. Such people need to examine their lives to see if they truly believe in Christ as Christians should not allow sin of any kind into their life. |
