Homosexuality according to the Bible

Homosexuality:
Alternate Life Style Or Immorality?

Homosexuality is as modern as today's newspaper and as old as ancient history. It has been especially common in certain societies. Many Roman emperors and ancient Greek leaders, including Socrates and Plato, were apparently homosexuals.

What about our own society? Some studies have claimed that ten per cent of Americans are lesbians or homosexuals. However, this figure has almost certainly been inflated to promote acceptance. A more likely figure would be one to three per cent.

Despite small numbers, the Gay Liberation movement has become a powerful political force. Homosexuals and lesbians demand "civil rights" similar to those enjoyed by valid minority groups, including the right to work with children, join the military, marry, and adopt children.

Most public school "sex educators" and many religious leaders teach that homosexuality is simply an innocent "alternate life style." Some denominations accept homosexuals and lesbians, even as preachers and officers. The pro-homosexual Metropolitan Church is a denomination with thousands of members.

Militant homosexuals seek, not just to practice their sexual desires, but to be accepted socially and religiously. They ridicule all who oppose their practice as "homophobes."

Homosexuality has become a major social force. Let us consider several important questions about the moral consequences of the practice.

Question #1: Is Homosexuality Moral?

Our answer to this question will influence our answers to nearly all other questions. Since the Bible is the world's most highly respected moral authority and our only inspired guide, let us see what it says about homosexuality (2 Tim. 3:16,17).

Old Testament Teaching about Homosexuality

Genesis 19:1-11 -- Two men (actually angels) visited Lot, and the men of Sodom asked Lot to bring them out so they might "know them" (v5).

"Know" here has the old definition "to have sexual intercourse" (Random House College Dictionary). Surely it does not mean simply to make acquaintance, for Lot would not have referred to that as "wicked" (v7). The New International Version says, "that we can have sex with them." Verse 8 uses the word in the same way saying Lot's daughters had not "known man," clearly referring to carnal or sexual knowledge. The word is elsewhere used for a man "lying" with a woman so she "conceives" (Num. 31:17,18,35; Gen. 4:1,17,25; Matt. 1:23,25; Lk. 1:27,34, etc.).

Clearly the men of Sodom wished to commit homosexual acts with Lot's visitors. Sodom was noted for wickedness (Gen. 13:13; 18:20), and Lot described this homosexuality as "wicked" (v7). Because of it, God determined to destroy the city (19:12-28). Some claim the men were wicked because they sought to rape the visitors. But Lot called the men "wicked" when they just requested sexual relations (v5-7).

Leviticus 18:22,23; 20:13,15,16 -- A man lying with another man (or with an animal) was an abomination, and they were both to be put to death.

Again the term "lie" here has the older meaning "to have sexual intercourse" (Random House College Dictionary). This is clear because it says, "if a man lie with mankind as with womankind." Other passages show this word refers to "lying carnally" such that, when done between a man and woman, the woman may conceive (Gen. 30:14-17; 39:7-14; Num. 5:13).

Clearly these passages refer to sexual union. When done between people of the same sex, this was an abomination worthy of death. (Other passages to consider are Deut. 23:17,18; 1 Kings 14:24; 15:12; 22:46; 2 Kings 23:7.)

New Testament Teaching about Homosexuality

Some people claim the New Testament differs from the old and no longer condemns homosexuality. But in sexual matters, the New Testament is actually stricter than the Old Testament (Matt. 5:27-32; 19:3-9).

2 Peter 2:6-8 refers to the acts of the men of Sodom as "ungodly," "wicked," and "unlawful." Sodom is expressly cited as proof that God will punish wicked people who do not repent (cf. Jude 7).

1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:9-11 -- "Abusing oneself with mankind" (KJV), like other sins, is "contrary to the gospel" and causes people not to inherit the kingdom of God. This expression refers to homosexuality as shown in virtually all modern translations, including the New King James, New International, New American Standard, Revised Standard, etc. (See also Thayer and other Greek dictionaries.)

Romans 1:26,27 -- People refused to properly honor God and soon became involved in gross immorality (v20-25). Instead of having a natural desire for a woman, men burned in lust toward other men. This clearly means sexual lust, which is natural for a man to have toward a woman but not natural toward another man. This is condemned as "vile affections," "unseemly," and "error." It is classed with other immoralities that lead to spiritual death (v28-32).

The New Testament condemns homosexuality and lesbianism as pointedly as did the Old Testament.

Bible Teaching about Marriage and Fornication

Genesis 2:18-24; Ephesians 5:22-33 -- When God created a sexual companion for man, He created a woman, not another man. From the beginning God intended humans to satisfy the sexual desire with someone of the opposite sex, not the same sex. Marriage between two men or between two women would pervert God's plan.

In both testaments the word "husband" is the same as the word "man," and "wife" is the same as "woman." Only the context tells whether or not they are married. God ordained marriage as a lifetime relationship between one man ("husband") and one woman ("wife") (Rom. 7:2,3).

Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:2-4 -- The sexual relationship is pure only within marriage. A sexual union outside marriage constitutes "fornication." Remember that God created marriage to be a relationship between a man and a woman.

Hence, every homosexual sex act, according to the Bible, constitutes fornication because it involves sexual union outside Scriptural marriage. It is condemned in every passage that condemns fornication (Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3-5; 1 Cor. 6:18, etc.)

Every honest and informed person must conclude that the Bible condemns homosexuality and pleads with homosexuals to cease their practice. Homosexuality is not a "mental illness" nor an uncontrollable inherited desire. It is a form of immorality like drunkenness, adultery, murder, or stealing, for which people will be held accountable at the judgment day (2 Cor. 5:10; Ecc. 12:13,14).

Question #2: How Can Homosexuals Change?

Some psychologists say homosexuals can never change, but the Bible gives examples of some who did -- 1 Cor. 6:9-11. People in modern times have also changed, but it is difficult just like overcoming alcoholism, drug addiction, etc.

Note that no one must practice heterosexual acts to please God. One may simply choose to abstain from improper sexual thoughts and acts as all unmarried people must do.

How is this done? One must practice self-control by applying the Bible principles whereby any sinful habit can be overcome. Here is how this may be done:

1. Totally devote your life to God's service. Present your body as a living sacrifice to God (Rom. 12:1,2). Realize that your past life displeases God, but by God's grace you can be forgiven and have eternal life. Let the desire for eternal life motivate you to change (1 Cor. 9:25; Col. 3:1-6).

2. Study the Bible diligently. Let it strengthen and guide you so you can prosper in God's service (Josh. 1:8; Acts 17:11). Become so familiar with it that you can rely on it in time of temptation as Jesus did (Matt. 4:1-11).

3. Believe that Jesus can forgive your sins and free you from your habit. Salvation is only through Jesus (Acts 4:12). He loved you so much He died as a sacrifice so you could be saved from your sins (Rom. 5:6-9; John 3:16). As a result, He is able to save to the uttermost (Heb. 7:25). You must believe that He can forgive you (Mark 16:16; John 8:24; Heb. 11:6). Then you must believe that He can give you strength to overcome your sinful habits (Phil. 4:13; 1 Cor. 10:13).

4. Repent of your sins, including homosexuality, and determine that you are going to change. This decision is essential to forgiveness (Acts 17:30; 2:38; Luke 24:47). It is also essential to change your practice, for you will never change until you determine to change (Prov. 28:13; Dan. 1:8).

5. Confess Christ and be baptized to receive forgiveness by Jesus' blood. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved..." (Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; 2:38). You will then come into fellowship with Christ (Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:27), and He will add you to His church which is the body of all saved people (1 Cor. 12:13; Acts 2:47; Eph. 1:22,23; 4:3-6; 5:23-26). At this point your sins will be forgiven, but you must continue working to break your sinful habits.

6. Pray to God regularly for strength to defeat temptation (Matt. 6:13). Pray especially in times of strong temptation (Matt. 26:36-46).

7. Regularly attend all assemblies of the Lord's church. This will give you encouragement from God's word and from association with other Christians (Heb. 10:24,25; 3:12,13).

8. Talk to faithful Christians. Never be afraid to confess your sins and ask for advice and prayers (James 5:16). Brothers in Christ can help you bear your burden (Gal. 6:2).

9. Learn to control your mind. Evil deeds result from evil thoughts, good deeds from good thoughts. To control your actions, you must control your thinking (Prov. 4:23; Rom. 12:2).

Satan will tempt you by putting thoughts of evil deeds in your mind. The coming of the thought is temptation, but you must resist it by not taking pleasure in it (cf. Matt. 5:27,28; 15:19,20; 2 Cor. 10:4,5). Think pure thoughts instead (Phil. 4:8). Avoid dwelling on thoughts of bitterness over your past or people who hurt you.

In particular, learn to appreciate your own gender; do not resent it. God made male and female in His image, and He made both "very good" (Gen. 1:27,31). He does not make people homosexuals, but He does make them male or female. Do not deny God's goodness by resenting your own sex.

10. Avoid people and places that tempt you. Evil companions corrupt good morals (1 Cor. 15:33; Prov. 13:20). Often we are dragged back into sin by people and circumstances that could not affect us if we would avoid them (cf. Matt. 6:13; Psa. 26:5).

If you sin again, renew your repentance and pray for God to forgive you (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:8-10).

Yes, you CAN overcome homosexuality and all other sins you have committed, but you cannot do it alone. You need help from God and from God's people. God loves you and has promised to give the help you need if you will do your part.

Conclusion

We need to have the same attitudes toward sin that Jesus and His disciples had, whether that sin is homosexuality or any other powerful, soul-destroying sin. Jesus and His disciples pointedly rebuked those who sought to justify sin. We should do the same (Rom. 1:20-32; Eph. 5:11; 2 Tim. 4:2-4; Rev. 3:19).

But Jesus also wanted all people to change and be saved (Lk. 5:30-32). Like the prodigal son in Luke 15, homosexuals should turn away from sin and come back to God. Like the prodigal's father, other people should seek the salvation of those in sin and should rejoice when they repent.

If you are a homosexual or lesbian, Jesus cares for you enough that He died on the cross for you. You can be free from your guilt if you will leave your sinful habit and come to Jesus according to the gospel.

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