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Gay Rights: A Summary of the Debate - Faith Facts
There are claims that the Bible does not really condemn homosexual behavior or that Jesus would not condemn this behavior. But let's look at what the Bible actually says.
http://faithfacts.org/christ-and-the-culture/gay-rights
Topics:
Bible, Gay Rights, Homosexuality, Sanctity Of Marriage, Fairness, Born That Way, Way Out Of Homosexuality
All Topics
does the new testament talk about homosexuality? Does LEviticus still apply today???
In compliance with the scripture there is no such thing as Gay rights.
Read Romans; 1, 24; 26-28 and here you will find where God said it is unnatural and abominable. I suggest this be read and reread to all that think contrary.
Pastor Gl.
I have been struggling for quite sometime on how to approach a couple friends of mine who are dealing with this.I feel that God created marriage to be a man and a women not the same sex marriage.I also feel that we should rebuke our brothers and sisters in Christ in a loving way.
Karina, I think you are approaching the issue in the right perspective. I think the key thing is to approach the issue lovingly, whatever the Spirit leads you to do. The Bible speaks of the importance of correcting fellow believers who have strayed, but the goal should always be to correct and restore them, not to condemn or drive them away. I think you’re on the right track.
Pastor GI, I take your point, but keep in mind that the Bible’s condemnation of the sin of homosexuality does not imply that they should be treated with less basic human respect than any other person. We’re all sinners, but we’re called to treat all people with love and grace.
we have to let them know the truth out of love. let them know its not them its the sin there in and give them the word.god loves them just not what there doing. pray for them always,do not constantly hang around them but be a good witness. a good friend who loves you will tell you the truth,not sugar coat it ,but do it out of love.
I appreciate that conversation. I live in Maine and we just barely won a vote against gay marriage. It is so difficult to get people to see the truth of God’s word on this subject. I believe we are the 4th most unchurched state in the U.S.. That was very prevalent in the outcome of this vote. So many people have family members and neighbors who are gay and they can’t understand why it isn’t okay for them to be able to get married. It goes against every fiber of my being to accept such a thing. But it is being forced upon us. The gay community doesn’t care that it is against our beliefs. They just want what they want and there should be no comprimise. Although we should comprimise everything we believe for their so called equal rights. Please pray for our country as we fight this ongoing battle. My prayer is that our Lord God will come back soon.
The question was asked,”does the new testament talk about homosexuality?” The answer is yes-in several places it refers to sexual immorality, not the least of which is 1 Cor. 6:9. We are notccalled ,though, to hate the sinner, but the sin.
PJD
Carrie, I truly appreciate your heart and passion to preserve marriage as something holy and in God’s plan. I wholeheartedly believe that preserving Christian values are of huge importance in the government and nation. However, in my own opinion, shouldnt we be focusing less on acting out against gay marriage, and more on working with the hearts of those struggling with sexual immorality? I know that preserving marriage is something that is important, but i feel that the gay community gets the impression that is already labeled on the church. By actively opposing them, it becomes more of a battle than an outreach. I’m scared that so actively and loudly opposing gay marriage, we are giving the church the label as one that hates them (which we both no is not true, but it is the image given off) and what they do,and not as a group of people who loves them as Christ does.
I dont know, I guess personally I could care less about gay marriage, I mean, yeah marriage is supposed to be holy, but i mean, athiests get married all the time. Personally, All my focus is going to reach out to the gay community and only by Gods strength, try to bring them into the light and truth and to know the peace and love that Christ has for me, I mean he loves me so much even though I too am a just a sinner, no better than the dirt on the ground. But God loves me anyway. It is so amazing. I want more than anything in the world for them to have what i am so blessed to have.
I want to share with you all and I apologize that this is going to be lengthy… From what I have read so far I,unlike you all am a person actually struggling with homosexuality. I have been out of the lifestyle for a little over a year, but still fight with this everyday day. I am even seeking a Christian Counselor because I fight a daily battle to not fall into homosexual temptation. I just want to say that those of you who have never dealt with this have NO idea what this is like, just like I probably could never understand the struggle of an alcoholic. I don’t want to sound dismissive to any of your comments, but share where I am at as a person who has dealt with this my entire life. I felt my whole life like it was wrong to be gay because that’s what I was raised to think and believe, then after an abusive marriage to a man I decided to act on the homosexual impulses I had had since I was 10 years old. I then lead a full on lesbian lifestyle over over 2 years, which was mostly in a very serious committed relationship. I then rededicated my life to Christ and felt like I was supposed to turn away from that lifestyle ( because of my up bringing, so I did. That’s a very short version of the story, but I said it to show you all that my heart is to truly seek God and follow Him. Yet I can’t say right now that I 100% believe that being gay is a sin… Maybe I am delusional or confused, but I feel like that I only I felt bad for being gay because that’s what I have been taught to think. Humans tell me its wrong, but I can’t say that I have heard from God directly on it, but rather have had outside influences sway me to either side. I was raised that being gay is nasty or gross, which in turn makes me feel like I am nasty or gross because I do have those desires. The thought of upsetting God or living against Him upset me, so I turned away and I am still not acting on anything that I feel, but I struggle. DEEPLY. I have decided to remain celibate until I hear from God on this, because I am tired of people (who are sinners judging sinners) telling me what they think is right and wrong. I pray daily for this. And I have questions, lots of them and maybe some of you can even help shed some light. Please forgive me if I sound harsh in anyway, this is not my intention, I am just genuinely looking for answers.
I attended an open and affirming church at one point, which is to say thta they don’t believe being gay is a sin. This is what the church I was going to while living the gay lifestyle taught about the scriptures against homosexuality.
I know that the old testament scriptures as well as new testament scriptures, I have read them over and over again. Here’s the issue, the old testament says A LOT of things that aren’t carried out today such as:
DEUTERONOMY 22:13-21
If it is discovered that a bride is not a virgin, the Bible demands that she be executed by stoning immediately.
DEUTERONOMY 22:22
If a married person has sex with someone else’s husband or wife, the Bible commands that both adulterers be stoned to death.
LEVITICUS 18:19
The Bible forbids a married couple from having sexual intercourse during a woman’s period. If they disobey, both shall be executed.
And those are just some of the things the bible mentions, obviously none of which we do in our world today. So why do we specifically pick put out Leviticus 18:6 and 20:13 and condemn only homosexuals? Doesn’t also speak about eating unclean foods, wearing clothes of mixed fabrics and even eating creatures of the sea without fins (such as shrimp). I guess that is my big hang up. Is that all sin as well???
Also they teach that the scriptures in the new testament that have been used to condemn gays because of the word that has been translated into “homosexual” or “sexual immorality” is mistranslated. That the meaning of the scripture has been twisted from the original translation and I don’t know about you but I don’t read Aramaic or Greek. They say that the bible condemns prostitution and rape, that this is sexual immorality, not being in a committed gay relationship. Both the conservative and liberal Christians have a point. So who is right? Who is wrong? I really can’t say because I find myself torn and in the middle. So I guess my question is how can we so strongly condemn something when there is all this gray area?
Maybe I am the only one that feels this way, but I can tell you that I have tried dating men, and I have NEVER felt connected to a man the way that I felt connected to a woman. I have also never sexually desired a man the same way that I have a woman. This is why I am celibate, because if being gay is indeed wrong and against God, then I don’t want it. But as it stands in my mind now, I’m still unsure and question it. I know several gay men and women who say that they are a christian, and not only do they say that they are but all of them live a christian life, except for the fact that they have a same sex partner (Which is the only argument against their Christianity if being gay is indeed a sin. SO who are we to say that they aren’t Christians? Are we to sit there and judge them and tell them that they are wrong and can not be gay and be a christian? hmmm…
Ok I am going to shut up now, and I’m sorry once again for sounding so harsh, I’m just brushing away all the “religious” crap and being real. I question this part of scripture and ask that if any of you would like to share your thoughts or facts, please do!!! I hope I didn’t offend anyone and I apologize if I did, I’m just deeply concerned and living in turmoil about this with in myself. I’ve been to the edge of suicide at times because I felt like who I am (which is a gay woman trying to live a straight life) is an abomination to the Lord. Its depressing and I just want peace with in my soul, no matter what the answer is. Thank you for listening. ~Asbury
Asbury-
What way of living your life brings you the “abundant life” that Jesus wants for you? Which way of living brings you closest to God and to other human beings?
For me, the closer I am to God, the happier I’ve been in my same-gender relationships. Being true to how God created me is being true to my God.
The Bible has been mis-used by so many people to seperate them from God. My own tradition teaches that “The Devil thumps the Bible the loudest.” We hear the Word of God in the Bible when we read it as God’s love story for us, read it through the understanding of a God who come to us in a human body, to bring us all into relationship.
Read the first chapter of Romans again. If we read it bigger than the one verse, it says that when people fall away from God, we fall away from the way God created us. Paul doesn’t understand that some of us are created gay, and so gives an example of what he understands to be straight people acting gay- it would be the same problem to have a gay person acting straight! Being in relationship with God is being who God created you to be.
Besides, it is pure mis-translation to think the Biblical texts mean a homosexual orientation. They texts are purely about certain sexual acts we all condemn.
Blessings on your struggle! God is with you, always, loving you, no matter what.
A Few Quick Questions… I know the scripture, and I know what it says about homosexuality. But I also know that when you ask the Lord for forgiveness, your sins are washed away and truly forgotten. IF homosexuality is a sin, then can it not be forgiven? Does G-d not say to love everyone and all man? And did Jesus Christ not die on the cross for all sin? Yes the Bible says one thing, but in reality, NO ONE is perfect because we have been sinners since the apple was picked off the tree. G-d forgives all and he loves all. I also believe G-d makes you, who you are. You cannot forget the quote from Isaiah where he says, G-d knew me before He put me in my mother’s womb. G-d knows us all, but we don’t know everything about G-d. Even though the Bible says what it says, we do not TRULY know His opinion!
In reading many of these posts I had a couple of thoughts I would like to share. I don’t mean to sound naive nor do I want to condemn anyone. I believe homosexuality is the only sin I have not participated in. I was a woman at the well with all her faults and struggles. Jesus came, called and healed me and I haven’t looked back. The thing I think from reading His Word is that any sin of the flesh or soul (mind, will or emotions) has to be battled against. The struggle to stay alcohol free is the same as the struggle to not be in a gay relationship, is it not? The Word says that our hearts are deceitful above all things and so if anything in our life doesn’t follow the Word, we can know we aren’t walking the right way. Maybe being gay, like being co-dependant, is a thorn in the flesh like Paul spoke of. Also, the only clear reference I see to a homosexual act in the Word is when the mob of townsmen want the male visitors at Lot’s house so they can have sex with them. Please know I am putting these thoughts out there because I want to know how to approach this situation in ministry. Again, I am not judging, or at least, don’t intend to. Feedback would be greatly appreciated.
cravy
My son was raised in a Christian home with Christian values. He told me the other night that he has been strugling with homosexuality for the last few years. I am heart broken and don’t know where to turn. Not as much for me but for him. He is a very bright 22 year old with the whole world at his feet; and will now be shunned and ridculed not only in the world, but likely in the family as well.
We discussed the possibility of this being an experimental phase but after the lengthy phone conversation I am convinced that he has saught out all options of this not being who he is. I now have the best understanding I could ever have of unconditional love. He feels he is still right with God which is confusing to me, but I am right with God and I sin too.
My question is this, I can’t believe he would choose this life style, he was never rebellous or even argumenative. Is this how God made him and if so, why?
hurting4him,
I am in a very similar situation as your son… I have tried everything that I think to go against this lifestyle. Honestly from the bottom of my heart I can say to you that I did not choose this and I don’t believe your son has either. Its who we feel like we are and when we try to fight it we feel like we are trying to be something we are not. Yet many of us still try to be straight to make our parents, friends or even church happy. And thats the key, we are trying to make everyone but ourselves happy, so many young gay people end up committing suicide over this inner battle. You have no idea to what it feels like to wake up and look at the person you love (who would be the same sex) and feel in that instance that despite the love you share, you are an abomination to not only God but society. I can understand why people go into a depression, you wonder WHY ME? Why can’t I just be normal if this is wrong? Why God Why? Believe me if I could have it burn out of me with a blow torch I would, because the thought of dissatisfying God upsets me and makes me sick. I can’t tell you what it feels like to struggle with this. Its a constant battle of self against spirit… Sometimes I wonder if I had not been raised to believe in the Lord and I found Him on my own and read the bible with fresh, untainted eyes if those 7 little scriptures that supposedly condemn homosexuality would really mean the same to me. I was raised to believe it was wrong, so why does it feel right with a woman and not right with a man? Whats wrong with me? Well I am still actively praying about this and I know you will do the same, but I am praying for God’s answer to this for me. Not peoples, no my parents, not my church because lets face it, church is a building full of sinners trying to reach out to a God that loves them, but we in NO way have all the answers and we in no way can judge anyone else because society thinks ones sin is greater then the next. I pray that your son above all things accept himself and love himself. I pray that God speak to his heart and what ever road God wants him to go down, I pray he willing does so. I have given up homosexuality for almost 2 years now and I am single right now waiting on God’s answer for my own life. Its times to shut out the outside influences and get alone with God so I can hear HIS voice. This is the time that I wish God had a cell phone I could just pick it up, call Him and ask Him what He thinks about it… If I find one, I’ll let you borrow it.
I pray blessings on all of your houses and ask that you keep me in prayer. Thank you and God bless!!! Asbury
I am in awe of your courage to talk about your homosexuality. To many churchs shut out gays which I believe to be a sin. God most certainly loves the homosexual but hates the spirit of homosexuality, I am in constant debate over this with straights ands gays alike. For the record I am straight but I simpithize with people and respect individuals that have the bravery to admit flaws in there lives, I look forward to meeting this mighty man of valor some day even if it is when we enter into eternity together. Fight the good fight and never give up your God loves you so praise Him with all your heart and you answers will come, praise God for your problems because when you get through it you are stronger then before PRAISE WORKS semingly even quicker then prayer so I challenge you to PRAISE!
Thank you Teddy! I accept your challenge, its something that I know I can work on. Praising Him through EVERYTHING. I respect your point of view on the subject completely, even if different from my own. I feel that if the church and the gays alike would take on a certain amount of respect for each others view, then we would not be so divided. I know that some people believe that homosexuality is a sin and should not be acted upon, I also know that there are others that don’t agree with that stand and believe that this is who they are and God accepts them as a homosexual. I in no way can say that I have that figured out, which is why I pray in and out of days for the Father to help me in this. I think that the uproar between to two sides is just what Satan wants… Because I think at times, it becomes so important for side a to prove side b wrong and vice versa, that we forget one little thing… Jesus. We don’t even know it but we get so fixated on this debate that we forget to keep our eyes on Christ and what He said. “Love your neighbor as yourself”, its one of the greatest commandments. We as believers as called to LOVE and LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY, whether gay, bi, straight, black, white, yellow or green. By loving a person, it does not mean you have to agree with their lifestyle or applaud them for being gay, but does mean that you are to LOVE them. It didn’t say condemn,judge or look down upon them because let’s face it, we ALL have our issues. Drug addiction, sex addition, porn addiction, alcoholism, etc… So my goal is to embrace my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, whether they are gay, straight, an alcoholic, a thief, a porn addiction, whatever… I want to love like He loved me!!! Let Christ be the mortar between the 2 bricks. Love and Peace in Him, Asbury
Asbury, I praise you for what you said. I wish more people in the world would think like this. This would help the world come together as a world who loves G-d. I thank you for what you said and I agree with you one hundred percent!
Thank you Kaitek! I truly appreciate that. Maybe by living by example and showing unconditional love we can change this old world!
Wishing you many blessings!!! Asbury
This entire post has been very impacting to my thoughts on the matter. I, personally, have dealt with homosexuality in my life since I was 8-years-old, being 18 now. I, like Asbury, have just decided to remain celibate until God directs me to do what He wants done in my life. I live to seek Him and to bring His will on earth. I in no way want to push my own agenda or own opinions, for what if my opinion causes someone to go to hell? I greatly appreciate what you’ve had to say, Asbury, and your amazingly genuine heart towards loving God and loving His people. I too believe that there’s been a great divide in the church as a body, mainly because we can’t realize that in the end, we need to live by the New Testament, being to “love the Lord your God with all your mind, soul, and strength, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself”…
Josephrb, absolutely!!! My heart hurts to see these two sides bicker back and forth, this translation says this, but this translation says that and so on. One thing I can say with the up most confidence is that we serve a MIGHTY, LOVING and FAITHFUL God. He never leaves us nor forsakes us and I truly believe that He answers all our prayers, just not in the manner we want Him to or in the timing we want Him to. My challenge to myself lately has been to NOT start out my prayer asking something from Him… Dear Lord, please help me with this… Get me out of that, guide through here… Instead I am trying to make my first words to Him praises… Lord THANK YOU for another breath that has entered my body, THANK YOU for a roof over my head and food in my belly. THANK YOU for loving a worthless creature such as myself. I PRAISE you for all that You are and stand in AWE of your power and glory. In doing that I can say that He has truly given me some revelations and He has had room to work in my life. Celibacy is not an easy thing, but I agree that until we get alone with God, shut these two sides out and seek the Creator’s face on the issue, its best to remain celibate. Maybe this is a thorn for us to keep in our sides, to be shown someday for the glory of God. Or maybe its just who we are and God accepts as that, I am not to say the answer but I do encourage you to keep seeking His face, Keep your face buried in His word and above all things PRAISE HIM. I do hope you will keep in touch.
Here is my email if you ever have questions or just want to share… I’m only a little older being 25 but hey maybe something I’ve been through can help you!!! Love in Christ, Asbury Email: asbury1985@yahoo.com
God loves all of us sinners! Adultery, murder, theft, homosexuality, gossip, and failing to do what we know is right (the most common sin of all) separate us from God. Jesus Christ died to bring sinners to repentance and faith; forgiveness and freedom; and to be lights to a dark world. Homosexuals are God’s children marred by sin. If they have already accepted Jesus Christ they are forgiven but still have to deal with the consequences of their sin. If they openly try to defend their homosexuality and seek acceptance of their lifestyle they should be rebuked. if they are struggling with their past sin and humble they should be loved, encouraged, supported, and held accountable. If ANYONE IS NOT A CHRISTIAN we should never go after their sin and attack them but should tell them of the consequences of sin and the opportunity for freedom in Christ. BUT, if a group of homosexuals seek to force their agenda on our society: especially our schools with our children we should FIGHT THEM WITH EVERYTHING WE HAVE! Evil must be fought! They are already perishing but we are responsible for the “little ones.”
Dear Worrior… With all respect intended… Agenda is a term so many have over user its ridiculous. Even though I don’t actively participate in the homosexual lifestyle, I have friends that do. Friends that I know are Christians, and they are not barbarians out to get your little children, they are humans trying to feel normal (whatever normal really is) in this crazy world. They don’t push or shove anything down anyone’s throat, but merely try to co-exist peacefully with others that don’t share the same beliefs. I was raised to respect all everyone’s opinion even if different from my own and in my opinion, rebuking is a bit harsh. These are people with feelings and they look at their spouse the same way you look at yours, with the up most love and compassion. You can not possibly understand this if you have never battled with same sex attraction. You find it repulsive or disgusting and you can’t understand why they need to force their lifestyle on others. Well that is far from the case. There are extremist out there, don’t get me wrong but there are also “Christian” extremist like Fred Phelps who picket soldiers funerals saying “God hates America” and Fag Army”, so who is right and who is wrong? Once again I say WHO CARES! If your not gay, you don’t have to worry about it. If you don’t agree with gay marriage, don’t marry a gay person. You wouldn’t like it if someone told you that you couldn’t marry your spouse for some reason would you? That’s how they feel. See back in the 60’s this same sort of argument was going on about those that wanted interracial marriages. People stood up and shouted that it was against God and that it was a sin… My the times have changed now haven’t they? I understand you wanting to protect your children but here is the thing… Are you going to be able to shelter them from homosexuality forever? No, you won’t. Its in schools now whether they teach it in a classroom or not. Their are gay students, students with parents that are gay and sooner or later your kids will hear about it. So, in my opinion, I would rather have my child sat down and given an education about it rather then treating anyone like they are weird. Put yourself in that kids shoes, the one who has two Dads or two Moms, how does he feel when kids pick on him because parents refuse to teach their children that not all people are straight. See you have to think outside of your conservative box and understand that we all are different. I see nothing wrong with educating children about the different types of families that now exist more openly in 2010. My Grandmother was raised to tell African Americans they have to use a different school, bathroom, water fountain or even to sit in the back of the bus. It was nothing more then the ignorance of the times. We have since learned that African Americans are equals simply because they are HUMAN. I feel the same way about gay people. They are people and they deserve HUMAN rights, just like you do. You may no agree and that’s ok, but I wonder if you agree that atheists can get married, if its a man and a woman? Because honestly if marriage is a HOLY thing, which it is, then why do we share it with atheists? Because apparently they aren’t as bad as the gays? What about those that go out and get married for 12 in Vegas? Is their marriage holy and pleasing to God? I have a hard time understanding these things. So I choose to go with my heart and that is let them get married if they want, it will in no way affect my marriage to my husband or make it any less significant. Last thing I will say is what really upsets me is that the government wants to take God out of everything, no prayer in school,no in god we trust, no one nation under God. However, they want to pull the God card SOOO conveniently when a gay man wants to marry his partner of 15 years… Thats all for today… I am sorry if I have ranted or offended, this is something that I just don’t understand sometimes.
I do not agree that living a gay lifestyle is what God wants, and i believe that it is clearly in the Bible!
But those who are gay have to ask the help of God to live by HIS will, just as all other have to deal with their problems in life. Any kind of sin is bad in Gods eyes!
Im happy that people here who are dealing with this see that they have to rely on God and wait for Him, just as I have to rely on Gods help for my problems with other stuff.
I encourage you all to read this letter… It was written by a Conservative Southern Baptist Preacher… Its hard to deny that what he brings to the table is not only fact but as has significant evidence that may just open your mind and your heart a little.
http://www.godmademegay.com/
Once again, I do not participate in the homosexual lifestyle because for me I feel like its God’s plan to use me in another way. However, I refuse to be closed minded and ignorant to the fact that this is not a choice and its not a disease. Food for thought
I recently was thinking about this and came to this realization. loving someone of the same sex is not a sin. homosexuality (intercourse with same sex)is a sin. why? its outside of God’s plan for us. no one is born with a”need” to have intercourse. however i feel that someone can have a subconcious desire to have a relationship with someone of the same sex. a son loves his father. there is nothing homosexual about it. intercourse out side of God’s plan is a sin. lust is a sin. this is true of homosexual and heterosexual. love is love. seperate the actions from the feelings.
love God and love others
+mike+
Mike you are on the right track there except that the definition of homosexual is not someone that has sex with the same sex, but its actually defined that homosexuality as a romantic or sexual attraction among members of the same sex. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to “an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual or romantic attractions primarily to” people of the same sex; “it also refers to an individual’s sense of personal and social identity based on those attractions, behaviors expressing them, and membership in a community of others who share them.
The key word being attraction. Just becuase you are a homosexual does not mean you are actively having sex with the same sex, it means that you are ATTRACTED to the same sex. Its something that can not be chosen, its just who you are. I do however agree that you can choose to act upon it or not. That’s where the choice comes in. I believe for myself that God has asked me to abstain from those behaviors and seek Him. That is my journey and all that I have ever said to anyone with the same issues is that I pray they seek GODs face and ask Him what He wants from them. Its not my place to tell someone what they should and shouldn’t do for God, the audacity.
The last part is kind of sad to me, because I can speak first hand that the “Christian” community casts out the gays so quickly and in some of the most degrading, embarrassing manners that the gay community feels like they are God’s screw ups, the rejects or they feel condemned and none of them have ANY desire to ever go to church which means most will never encounter the true love and fellowship that the church can offer. Instead they are confined to their own community, which most conservative bigots want, thought its not at all what Jesus would want. So those that joke about sending them all to an island and letting them kill each other off with HIV and other STDs, is that something you could ever imagine coming out of Jesus’ mouth? Aren’t we called as Christians to be an ambassador for Him? Wow, if so we are doing a poor job in the instance. These people never see an example of Christ in us, they see bigotry, judgment, condemnation and hypocrites. None of which Jesus was. I believe that if Christ was here now, he would loves those people, break bread with them (just as he did with the tax collectors and lepers), talk to them, comfort them and show them through love what God desires for them. He would lead by example not by spouting out a bunch of “theories” or scriptures used to smash them.
My roommate is gay, he is one of the most loving, caring men I have ever met in my life. He believes that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He is coming again someday to take us home. He is a “Gay Christian” if you need to label him and I can tell you this, He knows that I abstain becuase I feel God convicted my heart of it, he supports me in following God’s will for me, even though its directly opposite of what he feels the path is for himself. I am not in the place, nor is anyone else walking this earth in the place to tell him that he is going to hell. God is the only one that can decide that and I have the confidence in my roommate that if God truly convicted him, he would turn away just like I have. Not all gays are sexual predators, child molesters, drug addicts, promiscuous whore-mongers. And even if they were, I know a man that would love them, you might know Him, His name is Jesus, Prince of Peace, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Who are we to judge, would any of us like to pull ALL of the skeletons out of our closets? I think not. So Mike I agree that we should love all!!! Well said. And in case anyone has forgotten what the meaning of love is, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Cor 13:4-7
After hearing alot of these comments on struggling with homosexuality, I come to feel in my heart that you may need deliverence. I challenge you to attend a retreat where there is a strong deliverence, and open your heart to God. If you have the conviction to not be in a homosexual relationship you are on the right track in following Gods path. Alot of scriptures in the old testament tell us what not to do, but Jesus came to break tradition, routine, and reliogious people, but he also repeats alot of his laws in the new testament and it still states not to be in homosexual relationship, that never changed.1 Corinthians 6:9
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders.
I, for the most part, agree with what has been said thus far. It seems that the bible does declare homosexuality as a sin. I’ve seen people try to use loopholes to justify their side of the argument, and I personally would not risk my salvation on a loophole. I realize that people genuinely feel homosexual feelings, but there are people out there that genuinely feel pedophilic feelings. While people continue to fight for homosexuals, no one is trying to justify pedophiles’ actions. We will all be tempted to sin, some in different ways than others, and we have to do all we can to resist.
Case: How can you compare homosexuality with pedophiles? Homosexuality is between two consenting people (where as pedophiles do not, and they do it with children); the two are not on the same domain. The one thing that underlies pretty much all of the comments on this page is sex (or as the Bible says “relations”). If you boil homosexuality down to just sex, you have to also boil heterosexuality down to just sex. Think of all the arguments made against homosexuality; now, many of these can also be applied to heterosexuality. Just as heterosexuality is about the actual relationship/friendship between two people, homosexuality is about the relationship/friendship between two people. All the rules that apply to heterosexuals also applies to homosexuals. Everything is not about sex. I don’t think God would have a problem with two people who are in a committed relationship. Remember, homosexuals are people too. The way people treat homosexuals is like how society oppressed non-whites and women all those years ago. The only hard part is is that homosexuality knows no color or gender. It’s easy to say “there goes a black guy” or “there goes a woman,” but (unless a homosexual is flamboyant) homosexuals are hard to identify and so it is easy to put them in a nameless, faceless category. I also want to point out that just as non-white gang members reflect poorly on that ethnic group, so does certain flamboyant homosexuals reflect poorly on all homosexuals. In fact, most homosexual are quite normal. In the end, God says to be loving; so no matter what your opinion is at the end of the day, you have to treat homosexuals in a loving way (remember, as God loves you, you are to love others).
I dont think anyone is not loving the homosexual, they are pointing out the sin. God put us here for that reason, to spread the word to all nations about him and his words.John 7:24 (New King James Version)
24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.â€
Like I said in my previous comment, who ever is trying to give up a sin, any sin, and feels the struggle, and is seeking God with all their might, sometimes it’s just not enough. You need a strong deliverance, speak with your leader in your church if they have those retreats, or if not find yourself a well grounded church that does. I pray for you and I send an abundance of blessings your way in an anointed gush of wind that will shake your lifes for all eternity. Love you!
Nancy,
I agree with what the first part of your first sentence says, but my point was that homosexuality is not a sin. The Bible has no positive examples of homosexuals; every time homosexuals are portrayed in the Bible, they are always doing something bad or amoral.
have you forgotten that God created adam and eve. not adam and steve. he clearly created MAN and WOMEN. not the same gender. thats also why he created the human body and the reproductive system. God loves new lives and they are blessings to him and his kingdom. with women and women or men and men that cannot happen like God had planned from the beginning of time.
this is also just what satan wants. is for you to be in constant doubt about homosexuality. its time to read those bible verses and believe them for what they are and not try to disect every little thing about them, God gave us the bible as it is in a way that we could already understand. so just except it. if you know in the depths of you’re heart it is wrong, then keep moving forward even in times of struggle.
no more comprimising friends.
also, we are called to set examples to the young and old. it is not okay to let the young think its okay to participate in homosexuality. it is a sin (no greater than others) but we dont let murderers or people with filthy language teach the young or let them lead in the church..
I find that Some homosexuals are born that way. Without choice, but there is the 80% of them that MAKE themselves like that, eg. Growing up dating guys and then turning to girls.
Some teenagers turn to homosexuality if they feel angry, depressed, and sometimes it can be spiritual or father reasons and abuse. But There is that 20% that actaully dont have a choice on how they feel, and they were made that way. Its just the way things are.
God loves everyone equal no matter what, But if homosexuality turns one away from God, then its not right for their relationship, but if they are still able to speak with HIM and be a born gay at the same time, then its ok.
Love has no gender. And being yourself is what matters most.
I am a lesbian my self, and for years ( im 15) i have been rejecting my feeelings. but just this year I HAD to make a choice, but I tried to reject it, and i felt like dying, and i was living a lie. I even got prayed for. But the thing is, people can only change if they REALLY want to.
And i did want to, because I have a reputation and christian friends and family to uphold, and what would they think of me if i was a lesbian?
I cried alot. Dried up the tears. Prayed to God. And now I am ok with who I am. I still love God. And I am what i am
If God ever said to not be what I am, then i dont know how I could change?? especially when Ive NEVER EVER had one little attraction to a MALE.
Boaz,
How are old are? Unless you are under the age of 15, you should not be using such corny comments as “Adam and Eve – not Adam and Steve.”
You’re right, some people do read too much into the Bible, but it is only good to read at least somewhat into the Bible (everything in moderation).
It’s not Satan who wants me to be in constant doubt: It is bigots like you who take everything at face value and not think to question and further explore your faith.
Homosexuals are not like murderers or people who use filthy language. Being in a committed relationship is what God glorifies and it is what children should see (it is good for them to see homosexuals in committed relationships so that their minds aren’t poisoned by the likes of you and others full of hatred).
Kez,
All homosexuals are born homosexuals – it’s all to do with what happens prenatally. You said your are a fifteen year old lesbian who has been rejecting her feelings; you didn’t make the choice to be a lesbian – you made the choice to come out. Don’t let anybody tell you that homosexuality is a choice; just remember I Corinthians 2:9 and that God loves you and made you just the way you are.
I think all heterosexuals should read your last paragraph. With heterosexuals who are against homosexuality, there needs to be a name and a face to the struggles homosexuals go through. Christians are so against homosexuality that they forget that there are actual people involved.
To all,
This will be my last post. I cannot win an argument with people who take things at face value or who are closed to others’ ideas.
Let me start by saying that all people are sinners and struggle with sinful desires of the flesh. Many of the Scriptures that speak of having sex with a person of the same gender as being a sin, will in the same sentence speak of marital “adultry” as a sin. I am a married man who struggles daily with the temptation of sexual adultry. The Bible teaches that if a man even looks on a woman other than his wife with lustful desires, he commits adultry. That is a sin. My flesh tells that is feels right. I could easily twist Scripture into saying that this is the way God made me so it must be ok. Scripture clearly tells me it’s wrong.
Likewise, a persons flesh may tell them that sex with a person of the same gender feels right. People may even say that God made you that way, so it must not be a sin. However, Scripture, when read plainly and not twisted, speaks to the act of homosexuality as being a sin.
In Genesis, the story of Sodom and Gomorra tells of two cities who are distroyed for their having given themselves over to a sinful lifestyle. Some people try and sidestep the idea that homosexuality was one of the sins that Sodom was destroyed for. However, when Scripture speaks of the men of the town wanting to “know” the visitors, it is speaking carnally – sexual knowledge (Gen 19). Additionally, Romans 1:27-28 is speaking of men and women putting off what is natural for what is against nature, unseemly, and shameless – namely lusting after the same gender. That is clearly saying that homosexuality is sinful; unless you define homosexuality differently than people of the same gender having sex with each other. Also in 1 Corinthians 6:9, Paul speaks of the unrighteous (ones who have given over to a life of sin) not inheriting the Kingdom of God. It then goes on to give a list of sins that are “unrighteousâ€; one of those being homosexuality. In fact, the Greek word used here is actually a word that translates to the phrase “male bed partnersâ€. This word is used again in 1 Tim 1:10 in a list of unholy, ungodly, sinful behaviors. Among the list of murdering, lying, and others is the sin of being male bed partners; homosexuality. Neither Corinthians nor Timothy refers to the changing from heterosexual to homosexual or vice versa as being a sin. Rather, they list the act of homosexuality (or being sexually partnered with the same gender) in a long list of others sins that are detestable to God. The King James uses the word sodomite for the Greek word “male bed partners†in 1 Tim. This takes us back to the behavior of those in Sodom; again supporting the fact that Sodom was destroyed because of its inhabitants giving over to many sinful behaviors including homosexuality.
Scripture teaches that we are to repent and turn away from our sins (Acts 3:19). We are to then to bear fruit in keeping with repentance (Matt 3:8) or to live a life consistant with having turned away from sin. Though no one can fully turn from all sin, God forgives sin when we repent of them and ask for his forgiveness.
A person deeply loving another person of the same gender is not the same thing as homosexuality. I deeply love my brother. Jonathan deeply loved David in 1 Samuel 18. That does not mean that having sexual relations between my brother and I or between David and Jonathan is condoned or seen as acceptable in God’s eyes.
I do not hold anything against any man or woman. We are all in the same boat. As Christians seeking the truth in God’s Word, Satan uses our weaknesses to cause us to become entrapped. I think what Asbury has chosen to do is the right thing. Choosing abstinace while seeking God’s will is very admirable. Go to His Word. Pray for His strength, wisdom and discernment in this struggle. I will be praying for you as well, sister in Christ.
Asbury,
As a response to your long ago asked questions regarding:
“And those are just some of the things the bible mentions, obviously none of which we do in our world today. So why do we specifically pick put out Leviticus 18:6 and 20:13 and condemn only homosexuals? Doesn’t also speak about eating unclean foods, wearing clothes of mixed fabrics and even eating creatures of the sea without fins (such as shrimp). I guess that my big hang up. Is that all sin as well???”
There are parts of the Old Testament Law that are not followed today because Jesus Christ came and died for mankind. It says that through Christ the law was made perfect. What this means is that the old law has been removed from the people and God’s word, given through Christ and later imparted by the Holy Spirit to the authors of the New Testament, has replaced it’s system of (for lack of a better term) checks and balances. The New Testament does mention both homosexuality and sexual immorality, in lists with various other sins such as greed, adultery, and dishonesty. It does not portray it as any better or any worse since all sin is equal in God’s eyes. The sinner who lies is just a condemned before God as the sinner who engages in homosexual behavior. I hope this was helpful rather than confusing for you. My best to you in your walk with the Lord.
I have to disagree with your theology that the old law has been removed from the people and God’s word have you not read Romans 7:14-16 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but i am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. also in Romans 8:3-8 Forjwhat the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, so that the requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. for those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God for it does not subject itself to the Law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. I could go on and on even Paul up held the law by tell child to obey parents this is the first commandment with a promise Ephesians 6. The Lord did not do away with His laws, commandment on the contray according to Matthew 5 He did not come to abolish to to up hold and there is a blessing to those who theach this
Romans 1:24-28 (KJV)
24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
basiclly all you need to know on this subject.
Timothy,
Thoughts are also sinful, whether they are of a homosexual or a heterosexual. Deep down in our heart we know whether we like girls or boys. Well, only God knows those deep feelings. I can imagine how hard it must be for a homosexual or any sexual human being that is not living in righteousness, a Godly life, or a straight path without deliverance. I had my own down falls before I was delivered that I thought I could never overcome. The worst demons to get rid of are the sexual ones. I pray for anyone who is reading any of these comments and that are going through a hard time, to find peace and a well grounded church that can help you in that direction. It will require a lot of time on your behalf, time to spend with God to become fueled for that battle that will head your way once you start being an instrument for Gods glory to help others.
For those that commented “we are born that way”….
Sometimes we inherit it through our ancestors, sins move down from generation to generation, or the doors open up when our mom’s or dad’s don’t spend enough time with us. We could obtain it through different ways. The truth of the matter is that it can be stopped and cut with the blood of Christ. When we ask God to come into our heart, we are making a commitment:
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 “Anyone who believes in Christ is a new creation. The old is gone! The new has come!”
When Jesus casted out demons and healed the sick he told his disciples they could do the same…we are his disciples, we have the authority through Jesus Christ to cast out demons. Jesus has not left, he’s still here in spirit, and he still heals. Their are some demons that are stronger than others and you need to be well prepared through fasting and lots of prayer or it will devour you like it did with the seven sons of Sceva:
Acts 19:13-16
13 “Some Jews went around driving out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to set free those who were controlled by demons. They said, “In Jesus’ name I command you to come out. He is the Jesus that Paul is preaching about.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva were doing this. Sceva was a Jewish chief priest. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus. And I know about Paul. But who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on Sceva’s sons. He overpowered them all. He gave them a terrible beating. They ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
Matthew 17:14-22
14 When they came near the crowd, a man approached Jesus. He got on his knees in front of him. 15 “Lord,” he said, “have mercy on my son. He shakes wildly and suffers a great deal. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples. But they couldn’t heal him.”
17 “You unbelieving and evil people!” Jesus replied. “How long do I have to stay with you? How long do I have to put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”
18 Jesus ordered the demon to leave the boy, and it came out of him. He was healed at that very moment.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private. They asked, “Why couldn’t we drive out the demon?”
20-21He replied, “Because your faith is much too small. What I’m about to tell you is true. If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, it is enough. You can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there.’ And it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
The key to homosexuality is deliverance….if you attend a church where you are not feeling the holly spirit and your heart is wide open, get out!!! Go to the next church, until you find that church where your calling is suppose to be, you will know, because you will want to explode inside like dynamite, and cry like a baby…..God bless you all!!! I love you!!!!
As good religous folk i think it is best to accept everyone. And in the Bible homosexuality is “Abominable” but that word had a different meaning then. It meant “abnormal” but not bad. What else was in that same category? Men shaving their beards off. How many men do not have facial hair? Do you still have rights? And doesn’t the Bible say you can sell your daughter into slavery? How many “good Christians” would do that? LGBT(Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) people are born how they are. If God made everyone then God made LGBT folks too. Homosexuality is natural. It occurs in almost every animal species IN NATURE. Some scientists think it may even be a biological mechanism against over population.
Norap, i love you, and I love the homosexual, I except people for who they are, but I wouldn’t be a true leader and follower of God if I sat here and didn’t try to save each and everyone I could….this world is ending, and we are either going to heaven or we are burning in hell….I could not carry that on my conscience and the conviction over me cant stop planting the word…..When there might be a hurricane in Florida, you see people running around getting bottled water, wood, hurricane shutters, cans of food, candles, generators…..God is telling us to get ready, we are his media, his people, but we have to believe and open our hearts, other wise your not going to feel the Lord, because he gets moved by our faith….Tomorrow is not promised to us, if were to die right now, where do you think you will go? Have you ever lid a match to your finger for a minute? It’s not pleasant….
Nancy, I thank you for trying to save people in the last days, believe me I know God will bless your efforts as long as they are from a pure and concerned, not judgmental heart. However, there are a few things you have said that I respectfully disagree with you on… #1, I believe you are homosexual,I know I did no choose that and unless you are gay you have no way of understanding… Now I do not actively live in that lifestyle becuase God convicted me… But that is my journey… #2 Everyone is spending so much time and so much effort trying to “convert” the homosexuals into being straight because their sin will send them to hell… Well folks, your sin (which is no greater or less then theirs) will send you to hell as well… So why are we lecturing? Why are we debating? We have ALL sinned. What we should be concerned with is not “converting” homosexuals but rather showing them the love of Jesus Christ and then praying for their salvation. If someone who is gay gets saved, then HALLELUJAH they are going to Heaven because Christ died for all of their sin, not just the ones we think they should be forgiven for.
And if they get saved, it does not mean that they will “go straight” and honestly thats ok with me. Even thought my personal journey is different and I no longer live the gay lifestyle, I don’t expect God to deal with each person the same way. God convicted me, no humans. SO I walked away. However if a homosexual gets saved and doesn’t feel conviction on their lifestyle, then so be it. All I pray at that point is that they open their hearts to Christ and let Him lead. I then TRUST IN CHRIST enough to know that He will not let one of His own be sent to devil’s hell without a fight. Its not my place to tell them what they need to become for JEsus, but it is His place to do so. I am call to worship the Lord with all that I am and to love my neighbor as myself… I can barely keep up with those 2 things at times, so I dont need to be soooo concerned with a gay person’s life that I lose sight of my own walk with Christ. I believe you can be gay and be a Christian because even straight, God fearing Christians are still sinners. We are all a work in progress and we will never have sin completely out of our lives until we cross over Jordan and into the Promise Land. So my point being, even if homosexuality is a sin, if it is covered until the blood of the most precious lamb, then it is forgiven… And I know right now you want to quote me the “Go and sin no more” scripture… But let me ask you a question first, since when has sin kept anyone from being Christian? Isn’t that why we become Christians, is to be forgiven and pardoned of our sins? Jesus welcomes the sinners because HE can save them… And sin has never scared Jesus off and His blood washes away all sin, even homosexuality…
That being said, everyone keeps quoting the same “Clobber” messages to try and back their opinion… Another question I will raise is has anyone be able to read, write and interpret Greek or Hebrew into English? Because like Norap stated, the word which is now used to describe “Homosexual” or even “Sexual Immorality” (EACG777) has been translated into other words previously, one including “abusers of themselves” aka masturbation… Anyone want to say that they are not guilty of that one? You can’t take one group of people and use the bible to beat them down and tell them that unless they change their lifestyle they aren’t worthy of the blood of Jesus… Who are we to say that when we are all but yet sinners? “Judge not lest ye be judged”
Please open your hearts and mind… I am not saying that you must go out and join a gay pride parade, all I am saying is please understand that your harsh points of view don’t have as much backbone as what you think they do. Do more research and in doing that research, pray that God open your mind and hearts to His truth. And I will tell you what, He will lead you love and not condemn anyone, homosexual, straight, liar, cheater, thief… He will teach us all to love each other and pray for their salvation, not their conversion, that God’s job, not ours to convert them…
May He richly bless you all, love in Christ,
Asbury
HAHA, and on a funny side note… Nancy, I meant to say that I believe you are BORN homosexual, not that you are personally homosexual… Sorry… HAHA… You have to laugh sometimes at typos…
Asbury
Asbury, thanks for you last comments. You expressed a lot of the things i was thinking reading through a few of the previous comments.
It is very frustrating because it seems Christians forget that no one can live up to Gods perfect law. There is nothing we can do to make God happy. Compared do him, the most holy, unfathomable God, we are nothing. So how amazing is it that he sent his son to take the burden of law for himself! He was perfect, so now we are perfect in God’s sight.
I think its fair to say the ultimate example for our lives should come from Jesus. Who was Jesus witnessing to, and who did he have the biggest problem with? How often are we like the pharisees, sitting in our church, looking out on the world, judging others for being so much sinful then us.
Matt 7:4-5
4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Lets show all people, regardless of how we see them, the love of Christ. We need to bring them to Jesus and let him and his holy word change them and convict them of sins. All people saved or unsaved struggle with sin!
However, the church has no right to tell people that certain sins are ok. Are some people born homosexual? Yes! All people are born sinners! Psalm 51:5. There are several sins i’ve struggled with all my life, even when I was young. For instance, I often lie to people, since I’ve been young and it is something I’ve been convicted about. Was I born that way? Did God make me that way? We are all made in God’s image, but also born into sin.
So lets praise God that we are born again, of the spirit, and share that with all people, not just those who would fit nicely into our church.
As a homosexual man and a very strong christian i feel that god created us to “LOVE” no matter what and i also feel that a lot of christians that are against this “issue” or “sin” feel that gays go to hell… well doesnt it also say in the bible that we are to love one another no matter what…? and doesn’t it also say that no one is to judge but the lord? and final question who wrote the bible? cause i am pretty sure it was the lords followers so how do we truly know what is right and wrong besides what we feel in our hearts….if christians feel it is wrong for us to be gay isnt that a sin in itself?
If people, especially Christians take the Bible for what it has to say in regards to any sin, then there would not be any confusion. The question that I pose to everyone who commented “Is the act of homosexuality, gay, lesbian and other terms referring to homosexuality, sin? If it is sin, then is it blessed in God’s eye or is it an abomination? God is not the author of confusion. Will the individual practicing sexual immorality, enter in to Kingdom of Heaven? Is homosexuality a type of sexual immorality? Yes or no? I am not judging, I am just asking questions in the light of God’s Word. God says a marriage should be between one man and one women. Does gay marriage line up with what God says marriage should be. It is not about culture if you are a Christian, it is about being Christlike. Would God lie to us? No because it is impossible for Him to lie. Is homosexuality a natural or an unnatural act? What does the Bible says it is? Yes God loves you with an everlasting love, because of what John 3:16 says.
To Asbury, tjdice21, and any others who have said that they are a homosexual Christian thank you.
I am bisexual and a Christian, much to my mother’s dismay (the bi part). Because of some past bad experiences with men I finally looked into the lesbian thoughts I have been having since I was 10 (I am now 20). About 10 months ago is when I finally said, “Ok there has got to be something with these thoughts.” Now I am happily dating a girl I met in college. We celebrate a year in October.
I have been raised that homosexuality is wrong, but I can not deny my heart and how I feel about my same-sex partner. Nothing about our relationship feels wrong; I know we are not supposed to rely on feelings but I can not see myself without her.
The sinful nature shows itself in many forms. Examples include alcoholism, workaholism, ambition, selfishness, sex addiction, love of money, anger issues, and homosexuality. The list goes on and on.
Everyone struggles with something. Just because we are born a certain way with a struggle or internal desire doesn’t make it okay for us to use that as a crutch to sin and keep sinning. All sin has consequences and separates us from God…including homosexuality. The consequences are obvious…AIDS, shame, cultural unacceptance and so on.
As Christians we are called to hold other Christians accountable and to rebuke sin. We can dance around the Bible and pretend that the Bible can be translated in certain ways to make our sin acceptable but that is worthless. What we need to do instead is to call a sin a sin.
I struggle with all kinds of sin that many people don’t struggle with. Because I am different from others in my specific sinful nature, does that make it okay for me to sin in the particular way that is easiest for me. The answer is obvious….NO!
When I give in to my sinful desires it always leads me on a path to destruction and the ONLY way to avoid that path and the consequences is to open my heart to Christ so that the Holy Spirit can strenghten me and produce the fruits of the Spirit in my life. Read Galatians 5:16-26. This applies to all sinners. We either go the way of our sinful nature or we turn to Christ who can give us the fruits of the Spirit that we need to overcome this world.
If you are a Christian that struggles with homosexuality, the only way to get past it is to open your heart to Christ instead of standing in defiance against what God expects of you as a believer. Open your heart, surround yourself with other Christians, read the Bible and stay away from those that lead you to sin. If you do this, you can overcome any struggle including homosexuality. God is greater than your sin. Put your faith in Him and he will provide you with what you need to overcome it.
Take a look at Luke 6:36.
Also take note, judging and condemning is a SIN!
God EXPECTS us to love one another.
God loves us for who we are, why can’t we?
Should we judge or condemn those who do wrong, when we do wrong ourselves?
Asbury,
I really appreciate your posts…you have no idea. Your Dec 9th and Jan 6th posts really resonated with me. It was as if I had written them myself. As a matter of fact I just cried myself to sleep praying to God a few nights ago asking “Why me? Why do I feel like I am the only one that feels this way?” I have also struggled from a very young age with feelings for women. And to some people that will also read this, no I was not abused or anything like that. I had a wonderful childhood. I was saved years ago (in my 30s now) and I even went to my pastor and received counseling. That really only left me more confused and feeling like the scum of the earth because I have prayed and prayed and prayed and tried to date men, but I am always left feeling the same way. I would even go so far as to say that the thought of being intimate with a man has sometimes sickened me. I used to think about suicide before I was saved and since then that thought has not crossed my mind. Depression would be a much more accurate way to describe my feelings over the years as I have dealt with this. I truly love God and a couple of years ago I even gave my heart to Him to use me as a missionary if that was His will. My life has taken a different outreach path, but my desire to live for Him has never changed. Like you have said, people that have not dealt with this since they were children really have no idea the struggle we are talking about. I am not trying to minimize what others have said on here about other sins at all. I am just trying to understand why there is such a stigma place on homosexuality. Why don’t we all make that person that lies once in a while or can’t stop coveting their neighbor’s wife or house feel like they are a poor excuse for a human being that is only worthy of finger pointing and being spit on? If a sin is a sin and one is not greater than the other….why do we just let a “little white lie” slip by because it protects someone from being hurt? But by golly those same-sex people need to be burned at the stake! I only say it this way because I feel like I have NO ONE to talk to (even my own family) because I’m afraid they will see me as a freak and it all just makes me sad and angry. I could go on, but I think for my own sanity I should stop.
I am a 16 year old lesbian and Christians shouldn’t judge because it says in the bible judging is WRONG and Im the one who has to answer to a FORGIVING AND LOVING god so i am who I am and Im happy with girls not boys!!!!!!!!!!!
As a child of God, we all have something we are fighting against, but do not be deceive we do not fight against flesh and blood. Read Ephesians 5:11-12, Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary. 12 For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers,authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness,against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. The enemy will alway have something to use against use. Do you trust God to take care of it and if you do trust me he will. I have two friend who was in same sex relationship. One the Spirit shown me why she was in this tap of relationship. She was in a gay church and she look around and said they are all going to hell and she walk out, she told me she did not want to go to hell. These are not my words but hers. I also had another friend that told me about her relationship and stated she did not know if she wanted to come out I told her that was okay because God knows her heart and we pray together. She is now marry with 4 children. The enemy will use what ever he can to get you back worshiping him. Sorry not a good writer
Trust… Thank you for your comment and I am so glad that my journey has related to your own… I look back at my previous posts and I can actually see the spiritual roller coaster that I was on. I believe that I have found peace with God. I’m holding tight to it and praying that HE give me strength to stand against those that oppose my beliefs. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! There are TONS AND TONS of people just like us… May God speak to your heart as He has with mine and feel free to contact me… Bless you! Asbury
PJD miss quoted the bible verse it should read.
9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. 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.
I see alot of post about Judge not. Why is it when something is pointed out in the Bible we are judging? If in the bible it say,s homosexuals will not inherit the Kingdom what is the debate? The Bible is the word of God. Who can debate him?
evrmc1 the Bible says that homosexual offenders will not inherit the Kingdom not homosexuals.
Asbury, Trust,
I am deeply touched by your expressed honesty im these posts. There have been a few others who have shared about where they are at with the topic of homosexuality as well that I would like to thank for being so transparent. As a sister in Christ and in this journey, I would like to share my story with you as well and a few thoughts that I have, as you have been so kind to share yours. I am a 24 year old female and I was not raised in Christian family. My mother raised me as a single parent, and the only influence on me who was Christian was my aunt. My aunt was a wonderfully, loving person who was very focused on serving others. I came to know God through her example as well as reading the bible for myself and talking to God. I never had any influence either way with homosexuality, except that I noticed at a young age that while most girls were solely interested in having a boyfriend, I desired friendships with females, and some of the closer ones whom I had such a connection with, it almost felt like, I daresay a crush. To be honest, I had no grid for these feelings so I didn’t pay them any attention, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve continued to note that the deepest connections I have are with women, and have involved feelings of attraction and painful longing to even be in a committed relationship. I like you, have no idea why I feel this way, or have any clear answers as to what is exactly going on, but I too desire to live my life for Christ and not myself. To be honest, what I do sense, is that Christ sees our internal battle and I think he wants to use us for His glory. If I know anything about my God it’s that He doesn’t break a bruised reed, and he doesn’t belittle us for what we struggle with. Each of us has a hard battle to fight, with alot of unanswered questions, which is a result of our broken human nature, and none of us get to chose those battles. I can tell you though, Asbury and Trust, that the harder the battle, the greater the Glory. Jesus wants more than anything that we seek Him and Love Him as our source of life, and when we come into allignment with Him, there is Life. You have done the best thing by surrendering your hearts to Him and just saying “Lord, I don’t know the answer, but I trust you”. You are the ones Jesus looks at and says “man, look at what they are up against, and STILL they choose to serve me”. I know He is more than proud of you, and me too. Somedays I wake up and immediately I am confronted with my desires and the fear of not knowing what to do, but I don’t think God intends that we fight our battles alone, nor are we meant to come across our answers alone. We have an enemy to our souls, and his scheme is to get us to mistrust God and get tossed about by confusion and worry. I do believe God wants us to have revelation on what this struggle is to overcome it. Your battle isn’t alone, let’s intentionally pray, stay in touch, and fast if need be. We are more than conquerers in Christ Jesus.
Galations 19-21It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on.
This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom.
I have two good friends who are gay and I struggle to be friends with them. Everything that has been said on this board I have dealth with. I seem to be able to agree with both sides except on one issue. God created us so we could create new life. Two men or two women cannot create life on their own. I realize there are options out there now but just in my humble opionion I don’t believe that was what God had in mind. Please don’t hate on me, I am not gay and I am a Christian, and this is my first experience dealing with friends that are gay. I struggle everyday, just not the same way homosexuals do.