Homosexuality

Homosexuality

ho·mo·sex·u·al·i·ty

\ˌhō-mə-ˌsek-shə-ˈwa-lə-tē\

Greek: arsenokoites \ar-sen-ok-oy'-tace\

noun

definition:

1. sexual desire or behavior directed toward a person or persons of one's own sex.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/homosexuality

Translated: (1 Cor 6:9; 1 Tm 1:10): “men who practice homosexuality” (ESV); “abusers of themselves with mankind” / “them that defile themselves with mankind” (KJV); “abusers of themselves with men” (ASV); “homosexuals” (NASB); “sodomites” (NKJV); “men who have sex with men” / “those practicing homosexuality” (NIV); men who have sexual relations with other men” / “sexual relations with people of the same sex” (NCV); “practice homosexuality” (NLT).

“You shall not” even if you do want

You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination. Lev 18:22

Throughout the Bible there are some things that God makes extremely clear. If you think about it, the Ten Commandments are like that. Each one starts with the no question, no doubt, no discussion, and purely authoritative, “You shall not...” We know God’s will on each of those ten topics and we also know that his will has not changed on any of them. As it turns out, God also gives us his clear and sure commands on other subjects that are not found in the Ten Commandments. One of them has to do with homosexual behaviors.

The Bible strictly forbids homosexual practices. To be clear and consistent, God actually uses the command, “You shall not..” when addressing homosexual behaviors. Homosexuality is not an acceptable or alternative lifestyle, rather it’s a sin against God. Whether it’s the practice of homosexual behaviors or the lust and sexual desires towards others of the same sex, it’s against God’s design and will. Why? Because homosexual behaviors have as their root rebellion against the ways and will of God.

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. Rom 1:26-27

What’s the reason that God “gave them up to dishonarable passions?” How do people get into this sort of ungodly sexual behavior? The answer is that people do ungodly things because they don’t want to accept the truth of God’s Word. Although God’s design is that men and women follow him in all aspects of their lives, the reality is that not everyone wants to align their lives and lifestyle according to the will of God. Instead, they end up following their own selective and convoluted version of the truth.

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. Rom 1:24-25

And they called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them." Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, and said, "I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly.” Gn 19:5-7

There are two accounts in the Scriptures that have to do with homosexual behavior. The first is the ever classic story of Sodom and Gomorrah. What was the sin of these twin cities? Well, aside from having pride, excess of food, prosperous ease, and not aiding the poor and needy (Ezek 16:49); the more glaring sin was homosexual conduct that greatly distressed and tormented the soul of Abraham’s nephew Lot. When he opened his house to visitors, his neighbors came around that night and demanded the he hand them over so they could “know them.” This last straw of sin so displeaed God that the next day he passed judgment and sent fire and brimstone to consume them. This homosexual activity was so grievous in God’s eyes that he condemned them to extinction (2 Pt 2:6), made an example of them, and punished them with eternal fire (Jude 1:7).

But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly. Gn 13:13

And the LORD said, "Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous... Gn 18:20

Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the LORD out of heaven. Gn 19:24

If by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard)... 2 Pt 2:6-8​

Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. Jude 1:7

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Jgs 17:6

The second account of men wanting to have sex with other men is found when a traveling Levite and his concubine decided to accept an offer of hospitality by an old man in the town of Gibeah near Jerusalem. He graciously invited them to spend the night at his house. It didn’t take too long before a group of neighboring men came to his house and demanded that they be allowed to have sex; not with the female concubine, but instead with the male Levite.

As they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, worthless fellows, surrounded the house, beating on the door. And they said to the old man, the master of the house, "Bring out the man who came into your house, that we may know him." And the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, "No, my brothers, do not act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, do not do this vile thing.” Jgs 19:22-23

We all have certain, and sometimes very different, takes and opinions on homosexual behavior. Some say it’s normal, natural, and therefore acceptable while others just call it flat out sin. Some preach tolerance and love, others counter with repulsion and judgment. Ever wonder what God’s take is on this subject? Wouldn’t that be good to know? For a start, let’s look at how God describes homosexual behavior in his Word so we can get a feel for what his view really is. Listed below are nine different descriptions of the acts of homosexuality found in the Word of God.

1. An act of wickedness

And they called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them." Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, and said, "I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly.” Gn 19:5-7

2. An abomination

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. Lev 18:22

If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. Lev 20:13

3. A vile thing

As they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, worthless fellows, surrounded the house, beating on the door. And they said to the old man, the master of the house, "Bring out the man who came into your house, that we may know him." And the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, "No, my brothers, do not act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, do not do this vile thing.” Jgs 19:22-23

4. A dishonorable passion

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Rom 1:26a

5. Contrary to nature

For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. Rom 1:26b-27

6. An unnatural desire

Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. Jude 7

7. A shameless act

...men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.Rom 1:27

8. Contrary to sound doctrine

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. 1 Tm 1:8-11

9. Greatly distressing

If by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard). 2 Pt 2:6-8

The practice of homosexuality is just as much a sin as all the other sins listed in the Bible. No better, no worse. All sins, no matter the perceived or imagined degree of severity or seriousness, are dead wrong in the eyes of God. Given that, it’s still quite interesting to see the type of sins that homosexuality is associated with in the Bible. It’s listed two times with a number of sins that as a group are described with terms such as: unrighteous, lawless, disobedient, ungodly, sinners, unholy, and profane. If you are adverse to those who steal, cheat, and lie, or those who hit their fathers and mothers, kidnap people, or even murder people; then you should also be opposed to those who practive homosexual behaviors.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor 6:9-10

Understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine. 1 Tm 1:9-10

“God made me this way, so he shouldn’t judge me!” That excuse is often used to validate and justify homosexual behavior. But it’s just that; an excuse. We are all born with a sin nature, and therefore are all bent towards sin – all of us. So why does God still judge us? The answer is that we are all responsible for our actions and have the choice and ability to refrain from sinful behaviors. It is only when we cave in to sin that we reap the consequences for our actions and fall into judgment.

Wouldn’t it seem odd for someone to say that God made them with a tendency to get drunk, steal or lie? It’s even more bizarre to think that someone would dare to use as an excuse, “But God made me with a strong tendency to kidnap, rape, or murder.” If we go down that road of (“I’m a helpless victim”) reasoning, we’ll come away looking like we have no choice, no freedom, and no responibility for any of our actions.

Are there consequences for those who engage in homosexual behaviors? Yes, without a doubt. It is not something that God simply tolerates or winks his eye at. According to God’s Word, there are four things that await those who practice homosexuality:

1. They will stand guilty before God.

If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act... their bloodguiltiness is upon them. Lev 20:13

2. They will receive a punishment in their own bodies.

And in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. Rom 1:26

3. They (did) face the penalty of death (under Old Testament Law)

If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Lev 20:13

4. Unless they repent, they do not inherit the kingdom of God.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor 6:9-10

Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor 6:11

God is such a loving God that he has provided a way for all sinners, no matter what the sin, to be cleansed and forgiven through Jesus Christ. In writing to the early church, the Apostle Paul gives us insight into the condition of churchgoers at a church in Corinth, Greece. He specifically states that some of them used to be practicing homosexuals. He then goes on to remind them that they had been cleansed and justified by the blood of Jesus. Once sanctified in Jesus Christ they no longer were inclined to engage in homosexual behaviors. Ah, there is hope!

If you are currently engaging in homosexual behaviors but desire to now change your life, then you need to embrace the love of God today by:

1. Admitting to yourself and God that your homosexual behavior is a sin.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Rom 3:23

There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Prv 14:12

2. Asking God to forgive you for being involved in the sin of homosexuality.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. Rom 5:8-9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 Jn 1:9

3. Deciding to never again to be involved in homosexual behaviors.

 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19

4. Choosing to live a holy and pleasing life before God.

But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." 1 Pt 1:15-16

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Cor 6:19-20