Homosexuality... What Does the Bible Say?
The foundational teaching on human sexuality is found in the very first book in the Bible... Genesis, the book of beginnings. "So God created man in His own image... male and female He created them (Gen. 1:27).
Jesus based His teachings against divorce on this passage, in Matthew 19:4-6. God created man and woman for each other, and ordained sex only within the context of a lifetime commitment. Fornication, adultery, prostitution, and homosexual "marriage" are all distortions of God's original plan for sex.
Genesis 19 tells the story of Sodom and Gomorrah where the men of the city of Sodom demanded to "know" Lot's angelic visitors, (v.5 KJV) or "have sex with them" (NIV). Lot replied, "No, do not do this wicked thing" (v.7). 2 Peter 2:7 refers to these Sodomites as "lawless men leading filthy lives." Jude v. 7 also refers to those towns as "giving themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion." God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns with fire and said that "they serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire."
In the Law laid down to Israel, God told Moses (Leviticus 18:22), "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." Christians are no longer under the Mosaic ceremonial or dietary laws, but the moral laws are reinforced in the New Testament, and still applicable today (Mark 7:20-23, Matthew 5:27, 28). The Old Testament moral laws carried the penalty of death. "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads" (Leviticus 20:13).
Isaiah 40:8 tells us that "God's word stands forever." His moral laws do not change.
The first chapter of Romans is considered to be the most thorough and clear condemnation of homosexuality in the Bible. It also contains the only specific reference to lesbianism, vs. 18-32. Paul called homosexual acts "unnatural" (vs. 26, 27). Most "gays" say that they were always attracted to their same sex, and it is "natural" for them. But we live in a fallen world, and sin has distorted our perception of truth (v. 18). So what someone feels is "natural" can still be wrong. Paul was referring to the natural order as God originally created it.
Those who practice homosexual acts receive "in themselves the due penalty for their perversion" (Romans 1:27). Homosexuals reap a bitter harvest of emotional and physical suffering. Although AIDS may not be a direct judgment from God, it certainly is a devastating consequence of sin. Statistics also show that homosexual unions seldom last more that 1 ½ years. The relationships don't last due to the unfaithfulness that seems to be much greater than in heterosexual marriages. The emotional heartbreak also takes a toll.
1 Corinthians 6:9 mentions "homosexual offenders" in a long list of people who will not inherit the kingdom of God. In 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 Paul says not to associate or even eat with sexually immoral people, among others, who claim to be a brother (or a member of the church).
For those who want to argue the exact translation of the Greek text referring to "homosexual offenders" mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6:9, the Greek word arsenokoitai literally means "a male who lies with a male." There are no qualifications. Uncommitted, lustful male prostitution or a loving permanent relationship, all homosexual behavior is forbidden, no matter what degree of love or lust is involved.
Why was Jesus silent on this issue? There are many sexual behaviors that He did not address (incest, rape, bestiality). That doesn't mean they are permissible. Jesus always upheld the Old Testament law (Matthew 5:17-19) which condemned homosexual acts. And He affirmed celibacy as the only alternative to heterosexual marriage (Matthew 19:12).
The Bible calls it a perversion, but today in the "political correctness" arena, homosexuality has been called a disease. There are things that today's society no longer call sin, but a "disease."
If something is an illness, then the perpetrator is really the victim, and should not be held accountable for their actions.
Alcoholism is now being called a disease. Gluttony is also called a disease, or "eating disorder." Jesus is in the healing business, and in fact is the "God that heals all your diseases." A disease is an illness of the body, and maybe even mental illness due to a physical malfunction, birth defect, accident, or handicap. But today, stealing is considered a disease, as well as all kinds of sexual offenses. We have even excused murders because of temporary insanity, and even PMS!
Behavior is a choice... it is a conscious act of the will.
The Bible addresses these specific behaviors, among others. There are several scriptures about drunkenness, gluttony, and sex sin. For one, Proverbs 23:2 says "it is better to put a knife to your throat, than be given to appetite (desires)." What about the Ten Commandments? Our society seems to have reduced them to the "Ten Suggestions!" When the Bible says "Thou shalt not steal" and "Thou shalt not commit adultery," how much plainer can it be? Nowhere does it say "Thou shalt not, if thou can help it!" Sin is judged by God, and He certainly can/will not judge a disease.
We are not born as thieves, murders, gluttons, alcoholics, adulterers, OR homosexuals. The only one of these sins where God burned towns to the ground in judgment, were the towns that were given over to homosexuality. Yet God told Abraham that He would have spared the whole town if He could have found only 10 people who were righteous... He could only find 4. He had the angels remove those 4, and then destroyed the town only when they were out of harm's way.
You can read the account of where Abraham pleaded with God not to destroy the righteous with the "wicked" (not the diseased) in Genesis 18 starting with verse 23.
Most sins indulging the flesh ARE by choice. We punish ourselves by overeating, drunkenness, or taking drugs, but committing sex sin usually requires others to participate. Therefore, we not only corrupt ourselves, but are also responsible for initiating another (or others) into sin. When we lead other souls into sin, we will surely answer for that, as well.
However... we serve a God of mercy, forgiveness, and deliverance. 1 John 1:9 tells us "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to CLEANSE us from all unrighteousness." If you are bound in ANY type of sin, all you have to do to get free is turn to Christ. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins, come into your heart and life, clean you up, and live through you. There is NO pit so deep, that He is not deeper still.
David said, "Though I make my bed in HELL, You are there." (Psalm 139:8)
Jesus told Peter, "Satan has desired to sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for you" (Luke 22:31, 32). He didn't tell Peter that he would not fall, but that he would not FAIL. He knew Peter would fall, but after confessing and asking for forgiveness, Jesus would encourage him to get up and walk with Him again. God's people DO NOT STAY DOWN! God picks us up EVERY time we fall. He loves on us and tells us to get out there and try again... what a loving Papa our Heavenly Father is!
Desire is powerful and even intense, no matter what has ensnared your life, and mind. That can be a good thing as well as a bad thing. If you desire to get free of sin, MORE than stay in it, you will overcome... and God can change our desires. Even the child, Jesus, learned how to choose the good and shun the evil, as He was growing into manhood.
God is all powerful... He can change your desire... but only if you ask Him. He never trespasses the human will. He will come into your life and DESTROY that sin. He will deliver you from evil desires. All you have to do is believe Him and ask.
Satan is out to destroy all that is good, decent, and holy. He is even out to destroy countries that serve the one true God. He is out to destroy our country that was founded upon God's Word. He begins with the family. Today, we see Satan coming against American families through drunkenness, adultery, gluttony, murder of the innocent, and all manner of sex sin. Even the laws of our land are going along with this evil plan, by turning away from God.
Our politicians are pandering to a small minority, whom Satan has helped to get into positions of wealth and power. If God did not spare Sodom and Gomorrah, why should we think He will look the other way for America? We need to wake up, get our own lives right with God, vote those "hirelings" out of office, and pray for our country.
God says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Amen.
Namby-pamby ministers are not standing up and preaching the whole Gospel, out of fear of offending someone. What is more important? Telling people the truth, and hopefully saving their souls from destruction, or being politically correct? It is already against the law in some countries to preach certain portions of the Bible, and there is one pastor in jail that I know of, for a "hate crime" just because of preaching that a certain behavior is a sin. It is coming to that point, in our closest neighbor, Canada!
True pastors preach the Word of God. We didn't WRITE the Bible, but we are to REPORT it. Perhaps it may come to the place in America that new "politically correct" Bibles will be issued, because the original Word of God will be considered unconstitutional! What's next? Will we rewrite our laws and continue to amend our Constitution in the name of tolerance?!
Some Christian leaders are saying that very thing. Christians are rapidly losing their rights of free speech and religion in our country, which was founded upon the principles of the Bible. Even the laws of the land, as well as our Constitution, are patterned after the Ten Commandments and the Word of God. And to compare preaching the Bible to dragging a black man to death behind a pick-up truck, by calling them both "hate crimes" is utterly preposterous, not to mention outrageous. (Perhaps if the teachers were still permitted to begin the day with prayer and Bible reading in our schools, like when I was a kid, that man would not have died).
I don't know of ANY church that hates homosexuals, and certainly GOD doesn't. The Church is in the loving and healing business, at least any that follows the teachings of Jesus Christ. Our Lord DOES hate sin, but He does not "throw the baby out with the bathwater!" "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He loves the sinner. Jesus gave His life for all of mankind, and the ground is level at the foot of the cross. No sinner is above or beneath another, no matter what the sin.
The Church is to love people into the Kingdom of God, and although some have not yet caught the true vision, there are many who have that revelation. In fact, there are places that offer help for people who wish to leave the homosexual lifestyle. I have found at least two on the internet, and am listing them below. Please reach out to them or to a church or pastor in your area, or write or call a TV ministry, but first look to God. He will help, save, and direct you. Click on the "Salvation" link on this website... that is the most important step on the path toward your New Beginning!! God Bless You!
Pastor Moser
July 11, 2004Help for homosexuals: www.narth.com or www.exodus.to
Also, visit The Center for Moral Clarity's website!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This article was inspired by a question in Sunday School class.
In : 2004.07 "Homosexuality... What Does the Bible Say?"
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