RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2020-11-10	What Does The Bible Say About Homosexuality?
		The Bible clearly and consistently declares homosexual activity is a sin (Ge.19:1-13; Le.18:22; 20:13; Ro.1:26-27; 1Co.6:9). It is important to distinguish between homosexual behavior and homosexual inclinations or attractions. Homosexual behavior is sinful, but the Bible never says it is a sin to be tempted. To struggle with a temptation may lead to sin, but that struggle itself is not sin. Some people are born with a greater susceptibility to homosexuality, just as some people are born with a tendency toward violence. Such susceptibility does not excuse the person who chooses to give into this sinful desire. It is still sin. If a person has a greater susceptibility to fits of rage, it does not make it right for him to give into those desires. And the same thing is true for those who have homosexual tendencies. Some say God made me this way. We cannot say God is at fault for our sinful struggles. 1Co 6:9  Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 1Co 6:10  nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. Paul lists the sins that are typical of those who have not placed their faith in Jesus Christ. 1Co 6:11  And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. Paul reminds the Corinthians some of them lived homosexual lifestyles before they were saved. No sin is too great for the cleansing power of Jesus. Once we are cleansed, we are no longer defined by sin. Romans 1:26-27 teaches that homosexuality is a result of a culture and people that has denied God. So when people continue in unbelief, God “gives them over” to more depraved sin. God does this to show them the hopelessness of life apart from Him. The intent is to lead them to repentance. And so homosexuality is seen as one of the fruits of rebellion. Our sinful nature causes us to see the world and our actions through a warped perspective. All of our thoughts and desires are affected. Homosexual attraction does not always result in active sin. So same-sex attraction is an expression of the fallen nature. The world is filled with lures to sin in so many ways. People may not always be able to control how or what they feel, but they can control what they do with those feelings (1Pe.1:5–8). We all have the responsibility to resist temptation (Ep.6:13). All sin is offensive to God. Without Christ, we are lost, whatever type of sin has entangled us. We all have attractions that we ought not act on. And there is a difference between attractions and actions. We are to have compassion on those who have these kinds of attractions. Many did not wake up one day and think I want these attractions. They have these attractions because they have a sinful nature and live in a fallen world. And everyone has different areas that they are attracted to that they should not act upon. The Bible calls all sex outside of the marriage of a man and a woman sin. Sex is not just physical. It is emotional. It is moral. It is biological. It is spiritual. The forgiveness of God is available to the homosexual as much as to the adulterer, murderer or thief. God promises strength over sin, including homosexuality, to all who believe in Jesus Christ for salvation (1Co.6:11; 2Co.5:17; Ph.4:13). Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

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