Homosexuality and Lesbians: The Bible says

gay mardi gras Homosexuality has become increasingly popular and glamorous within society. Homosexuals and Lesbians are portrayed as happy, exciting, effervescent carefree people. The homosexual and lesbian lobby groups have become increasing powerful and successful in winning gay rights and making legislative changes. In Sydney, Australia the level of tolerance is said to be higher than in the United States. The annual Sydney Mardi Gras march attracts thousands of gays, lesbians, spectators, hundred of overseas visitors and Corporate sponsorship. The average person in society now may see little problem with homosexuality. They may say: "They have their lifestyle! We have ours! As long as they don't hurt me. It's okay with me." On the surface this attitude may appear reasonable. Many Christians do not approve of the increasing immergence of homosexuality and gay rights but as peacemakers would prefer not to get involved and therefore stay quiet. Others may become very aggressive and hateful towards individual homosexuals, lesbians, gays and the homosexual movement as a whole.

Despite society's prevailing opinion whether positive or negative towards homosexuality, this issue must be addressed in accordance with the Word of God. This is where we determine what God thinks about the Gay and Lesbian lifestyle. A number of silly and "politically correct" Uniting Church ministers in Australia are promoting homosexuality and gay marriage but that's not important. What God says about homosexuality in the Holy Bible is of key importance. In the page I use the word Homosexuality but the comments below are equally applicable to Lesbians and Bisexuals.

This issue is addressed here, not out of hatred but out of love, because God loves the lesbian and gay person as he loves all Sinners. Two key truths of the Bible are:

(1) "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3: v 23). This includes Heterosexuals, Homosexuals, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Pedophiles, etc.
(2) Sex that falls outside the recommended plan of God (as detailed in the Bible) is sin and sin has eternal consequences for everyone no matter if you are heterosexual or have homosexual or lesbian tendencies.

WELL, WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Old Testament References
Leviticus 18: v22
"Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." (also described in the KJV as an abomination)

Homosexuality is also referred to as the sin of "sodomy". This reference comes from the Bible. Sodom was one of two wicked cities which God destroyed. Sodom had a become a city of great evil. Homosexuality, moral depravity, sexual lust and arrogance were some of their sins. Angels went to Lot's house in Sodom to warn him that the city would be destroyed. The men in Sodom were so evil that they wanted to rape the angels!

Genesis 13: v13
Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.

New Testament References
Romans 1: v24 - 32
(24) Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.
(25) They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen.
(26) Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.
(27) In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women, and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
(28) Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
(29) They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, (30) slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents,
(31) they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
(32) Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

1 Corinthians 6 v 9-10

"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 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."

1 Corinthians 6 v 18

"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body."

WHAT DO THESE VERSES TELL US

These verses clearly state that men lusting after other men (gay men) or women lusting after other women (lesbians) are not the natural affections God created them for. God hates homosexual acts and lesbian sex because such acts are sinful and against his will and plan for human relationships. God equally hates all types of sexual immorality.
God did not create any human being as a homosexual. Homosexuals often claim they are born that way so they can claim their homosexuality is pre-determined. This statement is not true. This fact has been proven recently in a very extensive study:

ARE HOMOSEXUALS BORN THAT WAY?

Point 1 - Dr George Rice of the University of Western Ontario, Canada has recently completed a large study to determine if there is a genetic cause for homosexuality. That is, whether homosexuals are born that way. The research team has failed to find any evidence whatsoever of the so-called "Gay Gene." To ensure the results were beyond criticism his team used a large study sample and sophisticated genetic tests. Clearly Homosexuals are not born homosexuals.
References: "The Independent (UK) - 23 April 1999 (p5) and SCIENCE - 23 April 1999 (p571, 665-667)

Point 2 - The Identical Twin Evidence.
Identical twins have the same genes or DNA. They are nurtured in equal prenatal conditions. If homosexuality is caused by genetics or prenatal conditions and one twin is gay, the co-twin should also be gay because identical twins are always genetically identical, homosexuality cannot be genetically dictated. In short No-one is born gay.

So though men are definitely NOT born as homosexuals, and neither are women born as lesbians, the Holy Bible says that all human beings are born with a sinful nature. This sinful nature, the environment they have been brought up in, the domination of one man over a another (a strong personality controlling a weaker personality) and the power of Satan may all combine to draw them into homosexuality. Those who yield to the evils of the flesh are living as an enemy of God. Eventually this gay lifestyle will lead to destruction and eternal punishment. Very sadly many talented young men have gone to an early grave as a direct result of their gay lifestyle. AIDS has cut them down or destroyed their precious lives in their prime. This is a terrible tragedy of major proportions to themselves, their families, their friends and society as a whole.

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

However, the Bible offers hope. As is the case for all sinners with all types of sexual persuasions, God offers an answer for the gay man or lesbian. A way out. An escape. By putting your faith in Jesus Christ and believing that He died on the cross you can break free from the hold that homosexual sin may have on you. Everyone has a choice. As do heterosexuals. Heterosexuals are tempted by Satan to have sex before marriage and outside of their marriages. Lesbians, Gay men and heterosexuals (men and women) have a choice to live a righteous (God fearing) life or to live a sinful promiscuous life. Men and women are not locked in to an evil existence. We do have a choice. With Jesus Christ on your side you can walk away from sexual related sins and be a "WINNER". You can learn not to give in to temptation in this area and live a Spirit controlled life. See the Bible verses below.

Romans 8: v 1-6
(1) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (2) because through Christ Jesus , the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
(3) For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, (4) in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
(5) Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
(6) The mind of sinful man is death; but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.

HOW DOES THE WORLD TREAT CHRISTIANS WHO DISAPPROVE OF HOMOSEXUAL PRACTICE

Christians are generally condemned for expressing their concerns about homosexuality. Terms such as Narrow minded, Bigots ,etc can be used. An Australian survey in July 2005 noted that Evangelistic Christians rated highest of all religious groups in disapproving homosexuality. This is no co-incidence. Evangelistic Christians read their Bibles. Many commentators labelled christians who make a stand again homosexuality as "homophobic", as though Christians have some sort of mental illness or problem in this area that requires medical help. This of course is completely untrue, but is to be expected because it is only defence Homosexuals can use against the Gospel. Homosexuals don't want to face the fact in truth that their lifestyle ignores God directions as detailed in the Bible and that such a lifestyle leads to death both in a physical and spiritual sense. Refer Romans 8: v 1-6. As with all sexual sin REPENTANCE and a TURNING TO JESUS is required to develop any level of joy and peace.

RECOMMENDATIONS

For those who have gay or lesbian tendencies and are thinking of getting involved in a homosexual relationship. What does the Bible say?
The answer is clear. Flee from sexual immorality. Don't get involved, no matter how sexually exciting or pleasurable it may appear. Seek professional Christian Counselling. It is a lifestyle that may be portrayed as leading to freedom and pleasure but appearances can be very deceptive. Instead of freedom it can be a life of bondage and prolonged sinful behaviour. If you get AIDS, BOWEL INFECTIONS or other homosexual related diseases caused by improper use of your body you may ruin your life. Once your involved in the Gay and Lesbian lifestyle you may never find the strength of character to escape from the homosexual environment.

Reference Sydney's SUN-HERALD Sunday 26 Nov 2006 Despite all the millions of dollars spent in sex education in Australia "HIV Infection rates rise to epidemic levels in Gay Community." Dr Garrett Prestage, a lecturer at the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research stated that "in the inner city area, 10 to 18 percent of the gay population was HIV infected. In 2005 in the state of NSW 954 people were diagnosed with HIV and nearly 75% of them caught the disease through homosexual sex". Dr Garrett Prestage also said "If you are a gay man living in central Sydney, you are living with rates of HIV infection that are equivalent to sub Saharan Africa." Interesting to note that in 2005 only 109 people were reported with mumps, only 11% of the HIV infection rate.

Unfortunately when you have society that ignores Christian principles as detailed in the Bible and promotes sinful relationships through the media this is the result, and everyone in the Community pays one way or the other. Little wonder the NSW Medical System is barely coping to meet the needs of the wider community and older Australian often have to wait for months for important medical procedures.

For those who are, or have been in a Homosexual relationship and are deeply unhappy and want out. What can you do?
You may feel trapped but there is a way out. Jesus Christ can heal you from this Sin and give you freedom. You can escape and live a joyous life. Free from this type of lifestyle. Free from Sin. Free from the Guilt and Pain. Hallelujah. Further down the page are six steps recommended by Pastor Betty Miller - Christ Unlimited Ministries (www.bible.com). These steps are summarised below.

At the bottom of this page are places you can go to get help? There are now Agencies that specialise in helping gay men and lesbians who are seeking release and forgiveness. So seek help and REMEMBER that JESUS CHRIST LOVES YOU DEEPLY no matter what type of sexual sin you have been involved with. With Jesus Christ on your side You can escape.

SIX STEPS TO ENABLE LESBIANS and GAY MEN to ESCAPE FROM HOMOSEXUALITY

(1) Make a total commitment to Jesus Christ. Be willing to change your life.

(2) Pray and read your Bible daily. You must be prepared to study and apply God's words in the Bible.

(3) Find an honest trustworthy group of Christians that will pray and will stand by you in the tough times.

(4) You must make a clean break. It is no good maintaining relationships or lifestyles with men or women that will simply pull you back into their sexual sins. As tough as it may be, you must make the break from these people. (1 Corinthians 6 v 18)

(5) If you sexually Sin again. DON'T GIVE UP. Satan will relentlessly try to pull you back into homosexuality. Again don't accept Satan's filthy lies. Repent and ask Jesus for forgiveness and strength. With Jesus Christ you can win the battle.

(6) Forgive those that have hurt you in the past. Move on with Jesus Christ. Christ is the judge. He will right the past wrongs on Judgement Day. You can't change the past. Move forward with Jesus.

For those who are practising gays or lesbians and think they are also Christians. What does the Bible say?
This is clearly a contradiction in terms. It's like saying your a Christian murderer. AS AN EXAMPLE. Lets say you were once a mass murderer before you became a Christian. Jesus has entered your heart, your life has changed, but you've decided to keep killing people anyway, now your Christian. Clearly ridiculous and silly!. The Bible says "Flee from sexual immorality." What did Jesus say to the woman caught in the act of adultery in John 8: v1-10?. Jesus said "Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again." Christianity is NOT a licence to Sin. Homosexuals who think they can continue to Sin Sexually with other men and women, and think they can love the Lord at the same time are fooling themselves. You don't demonstrate your love to God by sinning against Him. God is a Holy God. Sin is abhorrent to Him. So the answer is clear. A life of sexual sin (even if you dress it up as a male-male or a lesbian relationship) and a life dedicated to following Jesus Christ are two separate pathways.

For Christians: How should we treat Gays and Lesbians?
Clearly this is a personal issue. However the overriding attitude should be "Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner" The Biblical teaching on homosexual practice is clear. It is an abomination to God. God hates this type of Sexual Sin. No where in the Bible is homosexual practice or sexual immorality of any kind condoned. Christians are called to be the SALT OF THE EARTH. So don't just sit on the sidelines and let assertive gays and lesbians set the agenda in Society. Support christian politicians and members of State and Federal Government Agencies who try and stop immoral legislation being approved. Lobby and write to all Politicians who support changes that are pro-gay and pro lesbian. Advise them precisely that Homosexuality is a Sin and a perversion of God's plan for men and women. Tell them you will not vote for them if they continue to promote the gay movement and fail to support God's instructions for male female relationships and marriage.

However, remember that the Christian Church has a responsibility to seek the lost and love the lost. Hateful, abusive behaviour will not win homosexuals or lesbians back to Jesus Christ. Remember that we all SIN. You may not like gays or lesbians but Jesus Christ in the Bible clearly says that we must love our neighbour as ourselves (Matthew 19: v19) and to love our enemies. As Dostoevsky says "To love a person means to see him as God intended him to be."(Quoted in Helmut Thielicke-p81-"The Waiting Father"- Harper & Row-1959)

FURTHER HELP AVAILABLE ON THE NET



Are you a Gay Man or Lesbian that wants further help?

Help is available. You are not alone!
Below is a list of resources and support groups for Homosexuals and Lesbians who need help and/or decide to make a change. Just click on the one you prefer:

Restored Hope Network

Desert Streams Ministries

 Last Days Ministries Site and search on "homosexual"

Cross Ministries
The mission of Cross Ministries, founded by former homosexual Tim Wilkins, is equipping the Church to evangelize and disciple the homosexual.
First Stone Ministries
First Stone Ministries is dedicated to the healing and restoration in all areas of brokenness. We specialize in leading those caught in a homosexual lifestyle and other areas of sexual brokenness to freedom in Christ Jesus.
Parents & Friends of Ex-Gays
A Christ-centered network of the parents, friends, and family of loved ones struggling with homosexuality.
Free To Be Me
Becoming the Person I want to Be
Pure Intimacy
Focus on the Family has created this Web site as a practical resource for individuals who want to overcome the grip of online pornography and affairs.
NARTH
NARTH stands for the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality--an organization that provides psychological understanding of the cause, treatment, and behavior patterns associated with homosexuality.
Courage
For those struggling with homosexual feelings and are searching for answers, this is an international community of men and women committed to following the magisterial teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and to being there for one another.
Transforming Congregations
Transforming Congregations is a movement among "mainline" denominational churches to affirm that those who deal with homosexual temptations are loved and that Christ can and does have power to change those who face such temptations.
International Healing Foundation
Established in 1990 by psychotherapist Richard Cohen, IHF is a nonprofit tax-exempt organization that seeks to help each man, woman, and child in healing from past and present wounds, and empower them with the understanding of their value as a child of God.
Living Hope Ministries (www.livehope.org)
Founded twenty years ago, Living Hope Ministries supports men and women affected by same gender attraction through weekly support group meetings, mentoring, partnering with churches and moderated online support forums. A Living Hope seeks to engage each person with the Gospel which offers hope for transformation by providing an environment where men and women are given the freedom to grow.
DrThrockmorton.com
Warren Throckmorton, PhD is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Fellow for Psychology and Public Policy at Grove City (PA) College. Dr. Throckmorton is past-president of the American Mental Health Counselors Association and is past-chair of the Ethics Committee. In 2004, he wrote and produced the documentary, I Do Exist about identity formation. He is a member of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS), founded in 2005 and  dedicated to the advancement of functional contextual cognitive and behavioral science and practice so as to alleviate human suffering and advance human well being.

Probe Ministries (www.probe.org)
Probe Ministries is a non-profit ministry whose mission is to assist the church in renewing the minds of believers with a Christian worldview and to equip the church to engage the world for Christ.
Sue Bohlin's three articles below are truly excellent

"Can Homosexuals Change" ( https://www.probe.org/can-homosexuals-change/) and

"Helping Homosexuals Change" ( https://www.probe.org/helping-homosexuals-change-yeah-right/) and

Same-Sex Marriage: The Fallacy of Normalcy (https://www.probe.org/same-sex-marriage-a-facade-of-normalcy/).


 TESTIMONIES OF ESCAPE FROM HOMOSEXUALITY

Walking out of Homosexuality by Joe Hallett

Escaping Homosexuality by Ex Australian homosexual - It's a fantastic testimony. But it highlights the difficulty, but great joy of escape from the bondage of homosexuality.

Setting men free from Sexual Sin - Pure Life Ministries

 Another amazing story is that of David Kyle Foster in his 2014 book “Such Were Some of You”..
"For over 10 years I lived the homosexual lifestyle, and for 34 years I have not. And there are very good reasons for that difference. To those who suggest that I never was homosexual, my response is, “Does sleeping with over 1,000 men count?” Oh yes. I was homosexual, though like most, I never wanted to have such attractions. I saw the narcissism and arrested emotional development all around me, and in me. Guys flitting around like Peter Pan were sometimes cute and funny, and certainly nonthreatening, but I wanted to be a grown up. I wanted to be a man. I wanted to be strong, solid, stable and reliable. I recognized the obsession with youth and beauty that drove their fantasies and lusts and knew that once I entered my thirties, the thrill of being wanted would quickly come to an end. I cringed at the epidemic of perverse sexual behaviors commonly practiced and celebrated by gay culture and wanted nothing to do with them. Such behaviors were so obviously perverse. Simple anatomical design declared it. A man was designed to interact sexually with a woman. That’s the design. And when sex is practiced outside of that design, physical damage and a legion of diseases are unleashed."

David Foster continues:

"It does no good to pretend that it is good and natural and holy. That’s called denial. Statistics overflow with evidence that homosexual sex causes damage to body, soul and spirit. It actually damages the body of the partner. It tears at the body in ways that result in homosexual sex being the number one risk factor for contracting AIDS in this country. In fact, an entire cottage industry of scientific study and medical care has arisen from the proliferation of gay sex in our modern culture.

Homosexual behavior also tears at the soul, causing much higher rates for substance abuse, suicide, depression, domestic violence, early death—even in the most gay-friendly regions of the globe. Why? Because active homosexuals are trying to find something through gay relationships that can never be found there. The happiness that they seek can only be found in submitting their sexuality to the Lordship of Christ and allowing Him to bring healing to the broken areas that have caused their homosexual desires. Yes, it’s a slow and sometimes arduous path to take, just as it is for the addict, but the only one that leads to joy, peace and eternal life with God."



For those in the USA there is a Workbook available on repentance from Pure Life Ministries Dry Ridge, Kentucky, United States. They can be contacted by Phone on (888) 7873-5433.




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Revision date: 14 March 2015