Lesson 41 Explore 2: Is Homosexuality Wrong? | Young People Ask
YOUNG PEOPLE ASK Is Homosexuality Wrong?
“Growing up, one of the most difficult things I had to deal with was my attraction to others of the same sex. I used to think it was just a phase, but those feelings plague me still.”-David, 23.
David is a Christian who wants to please God. Can he do that while feeling attracted to those of the same sex? How does God really feel about homosexuality?
What does the Bible say?
Attitudes about homosexuality may vary from one culture to the next or from one time period to another. But Christians aren’t governed by popular opinion or “carried here and there by every wind of teaching.”
(Ephesians 4.14: So we should no longer be children, tossed about as by waves and carried here and there by every wind of teaching by means of the trickery of men, by means of cunning in deceptive schemes.)
Instead, they base their view of homosexual conduct (and any other kind of conduct, for that matter) on the standards set forth in the Bible.
The Bible’s standard regarding homosexual acts is clear. God’s Word says:
• “You must not lie down with a male in the same way that you lie down with a woman.”-
(Leviticus 18.22: “‘You must not lie down with a male in the same way that you lie down with a woman. It is a detestable act.)
• “God, in keeping with the desires of their hearts,... gave them over to uncontrolled sexual passion, for their females changed the natural use of themselves into one contrary to nature.”-
(Romans 1.24: Therefore, God, in keeping with the desires of their hearts, gave them up to uncleanness, so that their bodies might be dishonored among them.)
(Romans 1.26: That is why God gave them over to disgraceful sexual passion, for their females changed the natural use of themselves into one contrary to nature;)
• “Do not be misled. Those who are sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, men who submit to homosexual acts, men who practice homosexuality, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners will not inherit God’s Kingdom.”-
(1 Corinthians 6.9, 10: Or do you not know that unrighteous people will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Do not be misled. Those who are sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, men who submit to homosexual acts, men who practice homosexuality, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners will not inherit God’s Kingdom.)
In reality, God’s standards apply to all people, whether they have homosexual desires or heterosexual desires. The fact is, everyone must exercise self-restraint when it comes to urges to engage in conduct that displeases God.-
(Colossians 3.5: Deaden, therefore, your body members that are on the earth as respects sexual immorality, uncleanness, uncontrolled sexual passion, hurtful desire, and greediness, which is idolatry.)
Does that mean . . . ?
Does that mean the Bible promotes hatred of gays?
No. In fact, the Bible doesn’t promote hatred of anyone-gay or straight. Rather, it tells us to “pursue peace with all people,” regardless of their lifestyle.
(Hebrews 12.14: Pursue peace with all people and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord.)
So it’s wrong to engage in bullying, hate crimes, or any other type of mistreatment of homosexuals.
Does that mean that Christians should oppose laws that allow same-sex marriage?
The Bible shows that God’s standard for marriage calls for the union of one man and one woman.
(Matthew 19.4-6: In reply he said: “Have you not read that the one who created them from the beginning made them male and female and said: ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and will stick to his wife, and the two will be one flesh’? So that they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has yoked together, let no man put apart.”)
However, discussions of human laws on same-sex marriage relate to a political issue, not a moral one. The Bible tells Christians to remain politically neutral.
(John 18.36: Jesus answered: “My Kingdom is no part of this world. If my Kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my Kingdom is not from this source.”)
Therefore, they neither advocate nor oppose governmental laws involving same-sex marriage or homosexual conduct.
But what if . . . ?
But what if someone currently practices homosexuality? Can that person change?
Yes. In fact, some in the first century did so! After stating that those who practice homosexuality will not inherit God’s Kingdom, the Bible says: “That is what some of you were.”-
(1 Corinthians 6.11: And yet that is what some of you were. But you have been washed clean; you have been sanctified; you have been declared righteous in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and with the spirit of our God.)
Does that mean those who stopped practicing homosexuality no longer felt any inclination toward their former lifestyle? No. The Bible says: “Clothe yourselves with the new personality, which through accurate knowledge is being made new.”
(Colossians 3.10: and clothe yourselves with the new personality, which through accurate knowledge is being made new according to the image of the One who created it,)
Change is an ongoing process.
But what if someone who wants to follow God’s standard still has homosexual urges?
As with any urge, a person can choose not to nurture or act on those urges. How? The Bible says: “Keep walking by spirit and you will carry out no fleshly desire at all.”-
(Galatians 5.16: But I say, Keep walking by spirit and you will carry out no fleshly desire at all.)
Notice that the verse doesn’t say that the person will have no fleshly desire. Instead, armed with a good spiritual routine of Bible study and prayer, he or she will have the strength to resist those desires.
David, mentioned at the outset, found that to be true-especially after he confided in his Christian parents about his struggle. “It was a tremendous burden off my shoulders,” he says, “and I probably would have enjoyed my teen years a lot more if I had talked to them sooner.”
In the end, we are happier when we conform to Jehovah’s standards. We are convinced that they “are righteous, causing the heart to rejoice,” and that “in keeping them, there is a large reward.”-
(Psalm 19.8: The orders from Jehovah are righteous, causing the heart to rejoice; The commandment of Jehovah is clean, making the eyes shine.)
(Psalm 19.11: By them your servant has been warned; In keeping them, there is a large reward.)
[End of article.]