Imagine yourself at a bustling dinner party, a whirlwind of conversations swirling around you. One topic, sharp and divisive, pierces through the chatter: homosexuality.
Opinions clash, voices rise, and you, caught in the middle, can’t help but wonder: what does the Bible truly say about this complex issue?
For centuries, the scriptures have guided countless lives, offering both solace and controversy. Yet, on the subject of homosexuality, interpretations veer in many directions.
Have churches strayed from the scriptures, embracing modern interpretations over timeless truths? Or is there more to the story, nuances waiting to be unraveled?
Join me on a journey through the Bible, a quest to uncover six key truths nestled within its pages.
I’ll delve into scripture, sift through interpretations, and emerge with a clearer understanding of what the Bible says about homosexuality.
Prepare to have your heart challenged, your mind stretched, and perhaps, even find answers you never expected.
This is not just a theological debate; it’s a story waiting to be untangled. Are you ready to turn the page?
1. Homosexuality is Not God’s Intention for Sexual Expression
The creation account in Genesis establishes God’s intended model for human sexuality and relationships.
Genesis 1:27 (NIV) states:
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
biblegateway.com
This foundational passage affirms that God created two distinct sexes, male and female, and His plan was for the man and woman to relate to each other.
Genesis 2 provides more details about God’s design. In Genesis 2:18 (NIV), God declares:
“It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
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Then Genesis 2:21-24 (NIV) describes how God created the first woman from the man’s rib to be his partner and complement. Verse 24 states:
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
Genesis 2:24 (NIV)
biblegateway.com
God created woman for man, establishing His pattern of heterosexual monogamy.
Jesus affirmed in Matthew 19:4-6, that this passage from Genesis reveals God’s intentions for marriage from the beginning – one man and one woman becoming “one flesh” in marriage through sexual union.
The Apostle Paul echoed this truth in 1 Corinthians 6:16 (NIV), stating:
“Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, ‘The two will become one flesh.’”
biblegateway.com
Here Paul alludes back to the Genesis 2 passage to argue that illicit sexual relations go against God’s established pattern of sexuality because the “one flesh” sexual union is intended only within heterosexual marriage.
First Timothy 1:10 explicitly lists “those practicing homosexuality” among those who live contrary to “sound doctrine” because their behavior violates God’s original design for sexuality expressed in Genesis and affirmed by Jesus.
God’s intention from the beginning was for a man and woman to unite in marriage as the sole context for sexual relations.
According to Scripture, any sexual expression outside of heterosexual monogamous marriage falls short of God’s plan.
2. Homosexual Practices Brought Judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah
One of the most well-known biblical accounts highlighting the sinfulness of homosexuality is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.
When two angels came in disguise to Sodom, the wicked men of the city surrounded Lot’s house and demanded:
“Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”
Genesis 19:5 (NIV)
biblegateway.com
The depraved men of Sodom clearly practiced homosexuality regularly and brazenly and even tried to rape and humiliate the angelic visitors.
For this grievous sin, along with the city’s general unrestrained wickedness, God rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah, completely destroying them.
Jude 1:7 (NIV) confirms the sexual nature of Sodom’s sin, stating:
“In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.”
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2 Peter 2:6-7 (NIV) reiterates that God condemned and destroyed the cities for their wickedness and “depraved conduct.”
The account of Sodom and Gomorrah stands as a sobering reminder that God judges sin severely and homosexual activity angers Him.
While some try to downplay the homosexual aspect of Sodom’s sin, Scripture strongly connects it to the judgment God poured out upon them.
3. Homosexuality is Condemned as an Abomination in The Book of Leviticus
The Levitical law given to Israel under Moses’ leadership clearly prohibits homosexual activity.
Leviticus 18:22 (NIV) states bluntly:
“Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.”
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Leviticus 20:13 (NIV) goes further to order the death penalty for men who engage in homosexual acts:
“If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”
biblegateway.com
Though these commands were specifically given to Israel under the Mosaic law they remain in Scripture as a testament to God’s consistent perspective on homosexuality.
The New Testament affirms that God has not changed His moral character.
Malachi 3:6 (NKJV) proclaims:
“For I am the Lord, I do not change.”
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Therefore, anything God calls “detestable” in the Old Testament remains so in the New. His standards for sexuality and righteous conduct do not waver.
4. Homosexuality is Rooted in the Fallen Nature
In Romans 1:18-32 (NIV), the Apostle Paul highlights homosexuality as an example of fallen humans rejecting God’s truth and pursuing sinful desires instead.
Paul writes that humanity “exchanged the truth about God for a lie” (v.25). As a result, “God gave them over to shameful lusts” (v.26).
These sinful lusts led to “shameful” homosexual acts which Paul calls “unnatural” (v.26), stating:
“In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men.”
Romans 1:27 (NIV)
biblegateway.com
This passage reveals that homosexual impulses stem from sinful human flesh. Just as heterosexual lust can lead to sin, homosexual lust reflects wayward desires contrary to God’s will.
Paul classifies homosexuality as a deviation from God’s natural design, likening it to idolatry.
Instead of stewarding sexuality as God intended fallen humanity exchanges truth for lies and engages in all manner of “unnatural” sexual immorality.
5. Practicing Homosexuals Will Not Inherit the Kingdom of God
In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NIV), Paul provides a sobering list of sinful lifestyles that, if not repented of, prevent people from inheriting God’s kingdom:
“9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
biblegateway.com
This unambiguously identifies “men who have sex with men” (translated from the Greek words “arsenokoitai” and “malakoi” which refer to homosexuality) as among those who live in opposition to God’s ways.
Unless they repent and believe the gospel practicing homosexuals remain under condemnation and cannot inherit eternal life.
Some argue these passages only refer to exploitative forms of homosexuality like pederasty, prostitution, or rape. However, the terms used are broad, covering all same-sex sexual activity.
God offers hope to all sinners through the cross but homosexuality as a lifestyle has no place in God’s kingdom.
6. Homosexuals Can Be Saved Like Any Other Sinner
While Scripture presents a sober warning against unrepentant homosexuality, it also offers hope.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:11 (NIV):
“And that is what some of you were [referring to all the sins he just listed in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10]. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
biblegateway.com
This confirms that practicing homosexuals and all sinners can find salvation through Jesus Christ.
Forgiveness and freedom from the power of sin are offered to anyone who repents and believes. The gospel is offered to all.
However, while orientation may not change, behavior must. Believers who struggle with homosexual sin can have victory through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.
As with other sins, temptation may remain, but acting upon homosexual desires is incompatible with following Christ (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Personally, I have never been attracted to a man, but a few years ago, I met a girl in her early twenties who was in a same-sex relationship with another older woman. We worked together, and quite often we would have casual conversations during breaks.
I realized that the girl was disturbed, and she revealed to me that she was in an abusive relationship with the older woman. Her father, who was a pastor, had thrown her out of the house because of this relationship.
I began to pray for her every day, and after only a few weeks, she broke up with the older woman, was reconciled to her family, and moved back home.
A couple of months later, she quit her job to go back to school. I was totally amazed at how quickly God transformed her life.
As Christians, we should not condemn homosexuals, but instead, we should pray for them, and I believe God will work in them to transform their lives, just as He did for this girl.
For those struggling with same-sex attraction, the path to wisdom and freedom is submitting to the Lordship of Jesus, allowing Him to transform your desires and behavior through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Key Takeaways:
- The Bible consistently presents homosexuality as a deviation from God’s design for sex and marriage.
- Homosexual desires are a result of the fallen human condition, not God’s creative intent.
- Though sinful, homosexuality can be forgiven through repentance and faith in Christ.
- Practicing homosexuality is incompatible with inheriting God’s kingdom.
- Christians should share the gospel with humility to all people, regardless of sexuality.
Conclusion
In examining key biblical passages mentioning homosexuality, we find six important themes:
- Homosexuality violates God’s intended design for sex and marriage.
- God judged homosexual sin harshly.
- Homosexuality is called detestable and an abomination.
- Homosexuality stems from man’s sinful nature, not God’s created order.
- Unrepentant homosexuality prevents you from inheriting God’s kingdom.
- Homosexuals, like all sinners, can find salvation through Jesus.
The Bible speaks clearly – homosexuality goes against God’s natural order and design for human relationships and sexuality.
But hope and forgiveness are found in Christ, who can free and transform any life submitted to Him.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Does the Bible actually condemn homosexuality?
A. Yes, directly in passages like Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-27, and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. It violates God’s intended design.
Q. Weren’t Bible verses misinterpreted or mistranslated?
A. No, respected scholarship affirms the clear meaning in both Hebrew and Greek. The church historically understood these passages as prohibiting homosexuality.
Q. Didn’t Jesus never mention homosexuality?
A. Jesus affirmed God’s design for marriage and sexuality from Genesis, which precludes homosexuality. The rest of Scripture, which Jesus affirmed, addresses it specifically.
Q. Shouldn’t we love and accept homosexuals?
A. Absolutely. All people have inherent dignity as God’s image-bearers. Christians must share the gospel with grace and stand against bigotry. But we cannot affirm homosexuality itself.
Q. Can people be born gay or choose to be gay?
A. The causes may be complex but Scripture presents homosexual desires as a product of the fallen human condition, not God’s creative design. Behavior matters more than labels or feelings.
Q. Can homosexuals change and live holy lives?
A. Yes! 1 Corinthians 6:11 shows that people can leave homosexuality and put their faith in Christ. With the Spirit’s power and by God’s grace, believers can choose to live according to Scripture no matter the struggles or temptations.
