IS HOMOSEXUALITY A SIN? WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT GAYS, LESBIANS, BISEXUALS?
In our culture today, homosexuality is being thrust into everything: commercials, TV shows, movies, sports, books, education, social media, etc. Although most studies suggest the LGBT community makes up a tiny 2-3% of America’s population, the media would have us believe it makes up 95%. Liberal churches are also compromising, allowing unrepentant and openly practicing homosexuals to participate in fellowship, even going so far as to allow some to serve as deacons, pastors, and so forth–a clear violation of God’s scriptures.

The USA Supreme Court’s recent passing of the same-sex marriage law reveals just how low America has sank into confusion and immorality. In this study, let us cast aside our opinions and instead, open God's Word and see what He says about it. Specifically, I’m going to do 5 things in this article:

- Examine what God’s word says about homosexuality.
- Refute nonsensical arguments that “so-called” Christians and liberals use today to justify or rationalize acceptance of homosexuality as “good.”
- Explain how Christians should treat homosexuals, and offer the free gift of salvation to anyone willing to accept Christ.

Before I begin, let me just say this: I’m a sinner, and the only way I’m getting to heaven is by the blood of Jesus Christ. I’m not a “homophobe,” but I hate sin because God hates sin, and I love people because God loves people. Fornication (sex before marriage), adultery (sex outside of marriage), bestiality (sex with animals), pornography, incest, pedophilia, etc. are also wicked sins in God’s eyes, and I condemn all of those activities as sinful, wicked, and wrong.

This article is in no way meant to mock, hate, or demean homosexual individuals. Rather, it is intended to warn against the practice of homosexuality, share the truth in love, and explain God’s love in His willingness to forgive and grant eternal life to those who repent and believe on His Son.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY?
The Bible mentions homosexuality several times, both in the Old Testament and the New. Every time homosexuality is mentioned, it is considered a very serious sin, often with serious warnings of punishment or judgment from God. Therefore, everyone who is interested in what God’s word says about the topic would do well to actually study it for themselves, and not listen to what the media or society says.

OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCES TO HOMOSEXUALITY
The first important reference to human sexuality occurs in the second chapter of Genesis. Here, God creates Adam and Eve. God never asked Adam if he preferred a woman or man, or if he was happy with his sexual orientation or gender. He put him to sleep and created a woman, because that’s the way God wanted it done.

Marriage between one man and one woman was the first institution ordained by God. Same-sex marriage will never be honored by God. Jesus pointed this out in Mark 10:6-8 "But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh."

Next, we have the scene in Sodom, which is where we get our modern term “sodomy,” meaning anal sex. Notice how God considers those engaging in this to be “wicked” and that this sin is “very grievous.”
Genesis 13:13“But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.”
Genesis 18:20 “And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous."
Genesis 19:4-5 “But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.”

The phrase “that we may know them” has clear implications of sexual activity. The men in this town were so lust-driven they were going to gang rape Lot’s angelic visitors. In an act of judgment, God soon destroys this wicked town for its sexual perversion and other sins.

Next, in chapter 18 and 20 of Leviticus, God gives a very serious warning against homosexuality:
Leviticus 18:22 "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination."
Leviticus 20:13 "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them."

Not only do these passages clearly condemn homosexuality, but God’s word uses the Hebrew word “Towebah” for abomination, which is a slightly stronger sense of condemnation than other words such as “Zimmah,” often translated “wickedness.” We can see this difference in the word “wickedness” in the Leviticus 18:17 (referring to taking both a woman and her daughter as a wife), compared to the word “abomination” referencing homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22). Therefore, God does indicate more of a seriousness about engaging in same-sex relations than some other sexual sins. In fact, take a look at this warning in Deuteronomy about allowing sodomy to take place in the land: Deuteronomy 23:17 "There shall be no LovePeddler of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel."

And in the book of Judges, we see the perversion that took place when individuals did “what seemed good in their own eyes,” a statement that characterizes today’s society. Notice how this scene echoes the scene with Lot in Genesis: Judges 19:22 "Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him." (Underlining mine).

NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES TO HOMOSEXUALITY
The New Testament also clearly warns that homosexuality is a sin, and those who do not repent of such activity and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Romans 1:26-28 "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And 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. And 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;"

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind [meaning homosexuals], nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."

There is only one way out of eternal damnation: Repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ! Interestingly, Paul also addresses what people should do if they have a strong sexual desire: 1 Corinthians 7:2 "Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." Paul, who clearly knew about homosexuality, tells people not to fornicate, and that if they have strong sexual urges, God’s plan is one man and one woman in marriage, as the Bible teaches throughout.

Finally, the books of Jude and Revelation tell of the wickedness of the sin of Sodom, as well as the penalty for such an activity without repentance and trusting in Christ: eternal fire. In fact, Jude clearly says that Sodom is given to us an example, so we should all be warned: Jude 1:7 "Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire."

Revelation 21:8 "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

The Bible clearly condemns homosexuality throughout the Old and New Testaments. Friends, Jesus said you cannot have two masters. You can’t live in unrepentant sexual immorality and serve God. Either you’ll repent and trust Christ as your savior, and become His slave, or you will be a slave to sin.

FALSE, DECEPTIVE ARGUMENTS USED TO JUSTIFY HOMOSEXUALITY
Here’s a brief list of the most common arguments used in an attempt to justify homosexuality.

1. Why would God make me gay if He didn’t want me to be gay? I was born gay. I don’t have a choice of my sexual orientation.

God does not create people to be “gay,” any more than He creates a pedophile to lust after children, or an adulterer to cheat on his or her spouse. You have a choice to entertain lustful thoughts or to engage in sexual behavior. Jesus told Nicodemus that in order to be saved, we must be born again (John 3:7). That’s the only way anyone–gay, straight, or otherwise–can be saved.

2. The Bible doesn’t really condemn homosexuality. Those passages are mistranslated, and God is okay with homosexuality if it is a committed, loving relationship.

Some extremely deceitful teachers have tried to skew some Bible passages and suggest it never really condemns homosexuality at all. Every single translation of the Bible mentions and condemns homosexuality. It’s also absurd to assume God is okay with homosexuality if it is a “loving, committed” relationship. The Bible rejects homosexuality as sin, regardless of the level of "commitment".

3. Jesus never personally condemned homosexuality in the New Testament.

First, Christians are to believe that all scriptures are God-breathed, because that’s what the Bible itself teaches:
2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." It doesn’t matter whether Paul, Moses, or any other prophet or apostle wrote it—it came from God Almighty. Men weren’t just writing their opinions, they were like pens in the Holy Spirit’s mighty hand: 2 Peter 1:21 "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

Second, Jesus, in His earthly ministry, certainly stood against sexual immorality, yet there are many sins He never listed specifically by name (pedophilia, for example). When the woman who was caught in adultery was brought to Him, Jesus had compassion on her. Yet he also warned her to “Go and sin no more.” He didn’t say, “Go and spread your love to all people.” This cotton-candy, lovey-dovey Jesus that liberals try to portray doesn’t exist in the scriptures. Jesus was loving, merciful, and compassionate, yet He also turned over tables, called people hypocrites, and constantly warned of eternal hellfire. His Word clearly says homosexuality is a sin, period.

4. The Bible is outdated, and the writers simply didn’t understand sexual orientation back then.

As cited in Timothy 3:16 and 2 Peter 1:21, the Bible never suggests that uneducated men were merely penning their philosophies about morality or God. The Bible is Holy Scripture! It is from God. It’s sacred. To suggest we mere humans know more about morality or “orientation” than God does, is the most arrogant, blasphemous thing imaginable. People try to use clever semantics these days by using the word “sexual orientation,” making it seem like something you’re born with. God says we can enjoy sexual pleasure as much as we want, but only in the context of a loving marriage between one man and one woman.

5. But we’re not under law, we’re under grace. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if I sin, right?

What does the Apostle Paul say about this? Here it is: Romans 6:15 "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid." Never can a Christian justify a sinful behavior by claiming they are “under grace.” Yes, God forgives sin. Yes, we are under grace. Yes, I’m a sinner saved by grace. But we never use grace as a license to sin. Even though saved Christians can and do sin, John tells us people engaged in willful, unrepentant sin are not saved: 1 John 3:6 "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him."

6. But gay people are so nice. I know a gay person! How could homosexuality be such this horrible sin?

Of course there are some really nice gay people. There are talented gay people. There are wealthy gay people. Gay people are people! It is not through “good deeds” we are saved, but by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, when you try to be “good” on your own (without believing on Jesus), God actually hates such good deeds, and doesn’t even hear the prayer of the wicked, unless it is a prayer of repentance:

Proverbs 28:9 "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination."
John 9:31 "Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth."

7. My child/sibling/friend is gay. I know them to be a gentle and loving person. I can’t imagine why God would not allow them to enter heaven!

It’s often difficult for a Christian parent/sibling/friend to realize their loved one may be struggling with feelings of homosexuality or even openly embracing the lifestyle. You should always love them and try your best to help him or her understand the Bible’s position on same-sex relations, just as you would about other sexual sins such as adultery, fornication, incest, etc.

However, you also must keep in mind that Jesus takes precedence over any person in this world:
Matthew 10:37 "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."

Homosexual relationships can devastate an entire family or friendship. As Christians, we are to love people, not their sin. Supporting the “gay rights” movement, allowing homosexual behavior in the home, participating in same-sex wedding events, or condoning this sin as “normal” or “acceptable” is certainly a way many people are choosing loved ones over God these days. Rebuke your loved one with meekness, pray for them, but we should never celebrate or approve of any kind of sin. Make it known you do not agree with the lifestyle, but treat the person with kindness.

8. The Bible also condemns eating shrimp, wearing clothes with mixed fabrics, etc. Aren’t Christians so hypocritical to judge homosexuality, when the Bible clearly condemns those things, too?

People often get confused on this point. The Old Testament contained universal moral laws, but it also contained laws that were specific to the nation Israel for a specific time. Those ceremonial laws were made void at the cross of Christ. The ceremonial/civil laws are the laws most people refer to, which included dietary restrictions, clothing restrictions, etc.

However, laws against sexual misconduct were universal, and they are repeated numerous times throughout the Old and New Testaments. There is no hypocrisy when you understand that Christians no longer need to abstain from certain foods, because the Bible actually tells us that in the New Testament! Nevertheless, Christians should exercise wisdom with their eating habits, as many foods deemed “unclean” in the Old Testament are not healthy in large quantities.

9. But I thought the Bible told us not to judge?

This is the most incorrectly used phrase in today’s society. The Bible does NOT forbid all types of judgment, only certain forms. Matthew 7:1 forbids hypocritical judgment. John 7:24 warns us against judging by mere appearances only. Christians are also warned against silly, frivolous judgements, such as judging someone for being a vegetarian vs meat eater.

In contrast, the Bible commands Christians to rebuke one another (1 Timothy 5:20), expose evil works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11), correct a sinner in his ways (James 5:20), and be light to a dark world (Matthew 5:15). Part of being “light” is speaking out against sinful practices, false religions, and so forth.

10. All I want is to love someone of the same sex. Why are Christians so against equality and love?

Love has nothing at all to do with it. The Bible commands us to love all people. There is nothing wrong with a man or woman “loving” someone of the same sex. What homosexuals really mean to say is not that they want to “love” someone else, but that they want to engage in sexual relations with them. That’s the problem.

It makes no sense whatsoever to accept homosexual love as “love” any more than it does to accept polygamy (multiple spouses), pedophilia, or rampant adultery as love. It’s sexual perversion. Allow me to use an illustration. No one ever dares entertain the following argument from a pedophile: “But I just want to love little children.” Yet, when a Christian objects to homosexuality on the same grounds of it being “immoral,” suddenly we’re horrible people and bigots.

WHAT TO DO AS A CHRISTIAN? WHAT IF YOU'RE A HOMOSEXUAL?
The Bible exhorts us to treat all people with kindness and respect. We should love everyone, including homosexuals. We should pray that they repent and trust Christ. We should share the truth of the gospel in a spirit of love, not condemnation. We should be willing to extend acts of kindness to all people.

Christians should never name-call, antagonize, bully, harass, or threaten a gay or lesbian person, for that would be wicked behavior in itself. Never follow the pattern of ignorant people who rebuke in the wrong spirit. Nevertheless, there is nothing wrong with maturely declaring truth on your social media outlets, defending God’s word, or making it known what you believe about Jesus Christ and sin, while also treating all people with kindness and respect.

If you’re a homosexual, let me say this: I’m counting on the blood of Jesus to get into heaven. I’m a sinner, and even one sin is wicked in God’s eyes. However, you must also make a choice. You can embrace sin or you can embrace Jesus. The Bible says if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be saved. That means you repent of sin, and accept Him as Lord and Savior.

Even if you reject Him and scoff at this article (thinking I’m nothing more than a “bigot”), I hope you remember that Christ stands willing to forgive, even until you draw your last breath. The thief on the cross started out cursing Christ, but ended up getting saved before he died.

May the Lord bless you all, and may you all attain salvation through faith in Christ. If you find this article helpful, please consider sharing it.

SOURCE (abridged): https://www.revelation.co/2015/07/01/is-homosexuality-a-sin-what-does-the-bible-say-about-gays-lesbians-bisexuals/