Question 1

Is homosexuality wrong?

Accepted Answer

Leviticus 18:22“Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin.”Romans 1:26-27That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.1 Corinthians 6:9-11Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.1 Timothy 1:9-11The law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.God views the practice of homosexuality as a sin because it violates the boundaries for sexual relationships that he established. At the very beginning of time, God created the perfect union, a man and a woman.

Question 2

Are people born with homosexual attraction?

Accepted Answer

Leviticus 20:13“If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense.”The penalty for homosexual acts in ancient Israel was death to both parties. In God’s eyes, they have committed an act that goes contrary to his creation.Romans 13:13-14Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.God would never design a person to engage in homosexual activity when his laws in Israel called for death because of it. That would be contrary to his character. However, can a person be born with a predisposition toward homosexuality? Can a person be born with a predisposition to alcoholism or some other addiction? Yes. In fact, every person is born with a predisposition to sin because everyone is born with a sinful nature. Different people have predispositions to different sinful behaviors. Although everyone is born with a predisposition to sin, however, it doesn’t make sin right. God didn’t create us to sin, nor does he condone sin. He wants us to live like Christ, free from sin’s tyranny, loving and enjoying him through our obedience.

Question 3

If I am not designed to live this way, then why do I have these feelings?

Accepted Answer

Romans 1:21-24Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.Romans 7:19-20, 24-25I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. . . . Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.Sin causes unnatural desires within us. By Christ’s salvation, we are freed from the penalty for our sinful desires and actions. Through God’s continued work in us, we can overcome the power of sin that tries to control us.How can a person overcome homosexual feelings?1 Corinthians 10:13The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.James 1:12God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.It may be helpful to approach homosexual feelings in the same way that we approach any sinful temptation—by looking to God for help, resolving to stand firm, and avoiding tempting situations.

Question 4

Can God forgive me for my homosexual behavior?

Accepted Answer

1 Corinthians 6:9-11Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.Hebrews 4:16So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.Hebrews 8:12“And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”1 John 1:9If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.When we confess our sins to God, he not only forgives us but gives us a new outlook on life. He will change our hearts and make us new persons, free from the imprisonment of our past sins.

Homosexuality