The Truth About Homosexuality

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,

who put darkness for light and light for darkness,

who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." Isaiah 5:20

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." Romans 12:9

Dear Brethren

Extraordinary deception is sweeping across our land, even influencing the minds of some Christians not grounded in the Word of God. Increasingly we are yielding to pressure to silence Christians in the public arena concerning issues that are vital to our survival as families and as a godly nation.

Marxist revolutionaries, using college students educated in our godless colleges and universities, are beginning to hold us hostage in our streets.

Any reference to the Christian faith is being routinely silenced in our schools, businesses, and government.

Immoral behavior is the norm of our day.

With godlessness open and brazen in its expression, Christians in political leadership are hesitant to clearly state their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Word of God. They are hesitant to state, or sadly don't realize, that our economy will recover only if we, as a nation, return to our Christian identity, and the Christian principles of integrity, character, and morality, that created and prospered this extraordinary nation. We do not have time, nor does it honor God, to speak in gray and vague terms concerning the moral choices now facing us in our churches, and in our nation.

I believe the most severe threat to our moral survival as a nation are the growing demands for acceptance, by homosexuals, lesbians, transvestites, and bi-sexuals. (LGBT's) Can you imagine murders, thieves, and gang members, organizing and passing laws outlawing discrimination against them. We would call that madness, yet in the sight of God there is no difference, indeed in the light of God's Word, homosexual behavior leads the list in the severity of sin.

What is especially grievous is the attempt to develop a Christian "theology" that accepts homosexual behavior. Thirty years ago an entire denomination was established, "The Metropolitan Churches" to give a "Christian" face to homosexual behavior. In these churches suggestions are made that Jesus and John were probably "gay", Mary and Martha were probably Lesbian "sisters" and David and Jonathan probably had a "gay" relationship. These suggestions are blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Increasing we see the liberal churches of America embracing and teaching acceptance of homosexual behavior.

The question before us is not whether we should welcome "gay's" and all sinners into our churches to hear the gospel. I have never heard of a church that would not receive through its doors any person truly seeking the Lord. Rather, the demand that is being made is that we accept homosexual behavior as normal, and, and homosexuals as they are, open, and unrepentant. The demand is that we cease to call this perverse behavior sin. Following is a commentary, and listing of New Testament and Old Testament Scriptures. If we love those who are ensnared by sin, we show them no kindness and love by accepting and embracing their behavior. If we love our nation, we do it no service by failing to uphold the Righteousness of God. If we love the Lord Jesus Christ, we do not honor Him to say nothing when His Word is violated and twisted.

The Abomination and Extreme Sin of Homosexuality (Sodomy)

Commentary followed by clear evidence from the Old and New Testaments.

By Court F. Wood

Commentary

The Bible gives clear testimony that homosexuality is a sin which is extremely abhorrent to God (See scriptures from both Old and New Testament at the conclusion of this article). If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and realize the Bible is the Word of God, the issue is clear. But how are we to respond to the increasing acceptance of homosexuality in our society as a legitimate "life style," "sexual preference," or "orientation." How do we respond to the claim that homosexuals are "born that way," and that those against the practice of homosexuality are "homophobic" (having hatred for, or fear of homosexuals or homosexuality). Federal and State laws are rapidly being passed which treat homosexuals as a legitimate minority class which cannot be discriminated against in matters of employment, housing, etc. Over two hundred top companies have embraced "politically correct" (godless) thinking and are giving their homosexual and lesbian employees insurance protection, and company benefits, for their homosexual employees same sex "partners."

It is astounding that we have become so blind as a nation that we would even entertain the thought that homosexuals should obtain the recognition and benefits of legal same-sex marriage, and have their sin protected by law. Already, it is considered illegal in many states to refuse employment to, refuse to conduct business with, or refuse to rent or sell property to someone because he or she is a homosexual, lesbian, transgender, or bisexual. And it probably will soon become a violation of the law to even write or preach a message presenting the teaching of the Bible on this subject.

Because homosexuals and lesbians are making every effort to express their life-style openly, and are demanding recognition for themselves and their sin as both lawful and normal behavior, it behooves us as Christians to speak out on this issue, both to our own community of believers, and to society at large. It is also for the sake of the homosexuals and lesbians that we must speak plainly of the depravity of their sin. If we yield to their demands for recognition, respectability, and acceptance, we confirm the lie of Satan which they have believed, and there is little hope they will become convicted before God of their sinful nature and turn to be saved. We are commanded by our Savior to be the "light of the world." If murderers, and child molesters, and thieves, began demanding recognition of their "life-styles" as lawful and acceptable and deserving of legal protection, we would be shocked and appalled. Yet, this is exactly what is happening with the abomination of homosexuality. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. And, all sin must be revealed, resisted and rebuked, especially when society (and even some in the church) begin to justify ungodly behavior as "normal" and "acceptable." Also, some sins are extremely destructive to the lives of innocent victims, society, and the offender as well. These perverse sins are also particularly blinding to the light of the Gospel and must be exposed.

Christians should hate the sin of homosexuality just as we are to hate adultery, murder, stealing, lying and all sin. "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." Rom 12:9. We do not hate homosexuals, murderers, thieves, liars, etc., for we ourselves were once also lost, and now as Christians, are called to express the love of Jesus Christ. We have renounced the sin in our own hearts and are now called to die daily to sin and self in order to live victoriously in Jesus Christ. As we preach Christ we are called to "resist" sin in ourselves and in our world. "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." Hebrews 12:3-4

Why do Christians and many non-Christians feel a revulsion when working with homosexuals, or living near them, or having them teach our children or serving with them in our military? Are we wrong to have such feelings? Absolutely not! It is not because we do not care about them or love them as Christ loves all sinners. Such revulsion is because their sin is open, unashamed and aggressive in our society. Would you welcome an open, unashamed adulterer, or murderer, or child molester, or thief to work with you or teach your children, or live next door to your spouse and children?

Revulsion is a proper response to blatant unashamed sin because this type of sin, if not resisted in our own lives, families, and nation, is a spiritual disease that is even more deadly then the AIDS virus that the homosexual community has clearly introduced into society. (Homosexuals are also guilty of the deaths of the innocent children and people who have been infected with the AIDS virus). Jude wrote: "Save some by snatching them as from the very flames of hell itself. And as for others, help them to find the Lord by being kind to them, but be careful that you yourselves aren't pulled along into their sins. Hate every trace of their sin while being merciful to them as sinner." Jude 1:23 Living Bible

Even most natural men, not born again, fear and hate the sin of homosexuality because they know, by the simple laws of nature, that homosexuality is the most unnatural and corrupting of sins, and to accept it as proper in others would be to risk its invasion into their own lives and families.

Many claim that homosexuals are born so and therefore they cannot control their sexual preference. In a similar side-step to avoid the label of sin, for years, drunkenness has been re-classified as the "disease of alcoholism;" and in 1995, Time magazine had a cover story article indicating that some "scientists" had found evidence that the practice of adultery has a genetic origin. We might laugh at these absurd efforts to avoid God's judgment on sin; however, there is some truth to these claims with one very important qualification which validates the Word of God. We are all born in sin. Even as Christians, we continue to live in "a body of death" which will one day perish and be resurrected without sin and the fallen sin nature. We all carry within us, apart from salvation through Jesus Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, the potential for all manner of sin. The Word of God clearly teaches that every human being is vulnerable to all sin and that only through Jesus Christ are we delivered from the corrupt sin nature. Homosexuals have "exchanged the truth of God for a lie" and like all unconverted human beings have given themselves over to their "human nature" which carries within itself the potential for every evil. We were all "born in sin" or "born that way" as the homosexual will say, but thank God, in Christ Jesus we have been set free! We, as believers in Christ, have "crucified the sinful nature" Gal 5:24 which lies within the heart of every man and woman, and are now "slaves of righteousness". Rom 6:16, 18-19 "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." So, the homosexual may have some truth in his or her claim that he was born that way, in the same way that a murderer or thief or drunkard, or swindler or fornicator or adulterer could claim that they were born that way. The homosexual has chosen a 'sexual preference," "life style", and "orientation" which was truly within. They have given themselves over to the corrupt sinful nature.

How We Should Respond

All have sinned, and all need the forgiveness and gift of righteousness through Jesus Christ. God's great salvation through Jesus Christ is freely given to all who recognize their sinful nature, and realize their need of God's forgiveness and cleansing. All (including homosexuals) who have humbly admitted their sinfulness, and placed their faith in the Son of God, are delivered from the wrath to come and are not condemned. Although all sin of believers with sincere faith is covered by the blood of Christ, evidence of genuine faith is a new-found love of righteousness, and a desire to resist sin with all our strength, mind, and heart, enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit. Sin within ourselves is to be our greatest concern; however, sin in our society is also of concern to Christians, as we are called by our Lord to be the salt and light of the world. If standards of righteousness are not upheld in a society, that society is destined to destruction, and such a society will not only resist holiness, but will increasingly resist the light of the Gospel as well.

We must reach out to homosexuals with the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ which is available for all, for all have sinned, and Christ is able to save to the uttermost, all who come to Him. Also, in the clear light of God's Word, Christians cannot surrender to demands to remove homosexuality from its identity as an extreme sin before God. Homosexuality, and all ungodly behavior and thoughts must be recognized as wicked. The presence of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in one's life brings a compelling desire to turn from all revealed sin. Finally, Christians, as the salt and light of the world, have a responsibility as fellow member of society, to warn our society of the dire consequences of protecting homosexual behavior, and accepting such behavior as normal. Judgment upon that society will surely follow.

"Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people." Proverbs 14: 34

Where we are heading

We have men and women running for president of the United States, and every level of elected office, who have committed themselves to embracing the rights of homosexuals. This should be a warning to those who adhere to the Word of God that we will face increasing persecution in the days to come from religious "Christians" who profess Christ but deny Him by their actions. This false church is being spearheaded by the mainline ecumenical churches which have departed from belief in the Bible as God's word. Preceeding Christ's return there will be increasing persecution of those who hold to Biblical values and the offense of the Gospel message that Jesus Christ alone is the Savior. Biblical Christians, because of the "narrow way' they have embraced, will be labeled as mean-spirited, bigoted, prejudiced, divisive, and dangerous. "Politically correct" thinking in America will also encourage isolation and persecution of God's people who hold to His Word and the testimony of Jesus, and will lead ultimately into the revealing of the Anti-Christ and the false prophet. This final struggle between God's people and the Anti-Christ, and severe persecution of Christians, will precede the promised return of our Lord Jesus Christ for His followers. Christ will then pour out the wrath of God upon a world which rejected God's forgiveness, truth, and love expressed through the prophets, the Son of God, and His Bride, the church.

New Testament Scripture and Summaries

(Unless otherwise noted, the Scriptures are taken from the NIV and NAS translations of the Greek and Hebrew.)

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,... 'Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools... Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie,... Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 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." Rom 1:18, 21-22, 24-27

Summary: Homosexuality and lesbianism are described as godlessness, the suppression of the truth, wickedness, the action of a fool, sinful desire, sexual impurity, degrading of the body, a lie, shameful lust, unnatural, abandonment of natural relations, inflaming lust, indecent acts, and perversion.

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God." 1 Cor. 6: 9-11

Summary: Effeminates and homosexuals are called unrighteous and are categorized with unrepentant fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, the covetous, drunkards, revilers and swindlers who will not inherit the Kingdom of God. We are warned not to be deceived into thinking such can be saved without being washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of God.

"But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching..." 1 Tim. 1: 8-10

Summary: Homosexuals are listed in the Bible with those who are lawless, rebellious, ungodly, unholy, profane, sinners, murderers, those who kill their fathers and mothers, immoral men, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching.

"And don't forget the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, all full of lust of every kind, including lust of men for other men. Those cities were destroyed by fire and continue to be a warning to us that there is a hell in which sinners are punished." Jude 1:7 Living Bible

Summary: Homosexuality is named as the most extreme sin of lust bringing flaming judgment upon mankind.

Old Testament Scripture and Summaries

Historically given to Israel

Moral standards are still applicable to the church.

An example for all nations seeking to obey God.

"Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord... They called to Lot, 'Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them'... Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah-from the LORD out of the heavens." Gen. 13:13; 19:5, 24.

Summary: The first mention of homosexuality begins in Genesis with the description of an attempted Sodomite gang rape on God's servants (angels of the Lord). It was followed by the severe judgment of God upon the entire cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for their socially accepted perverse sexual sins.

"You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination. Also you shall not have intercourse with any animal to be defiled with it, nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it; it is a perversion. Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled. For the land has become defiled, therefore I have visited its punishment upon it, so the land has spewed out its inhabitants." Leviticus 18:22-25

Summary: Homosexuality and bestiality are sins so severe they are called abomination and perversion by God. These sins bring defilement to nations, including Israel, and always bring God's eventual judgment upon any nation that permits these sins.

"During his (Rehoboam-King of Judah) reign the people of Judah, like those in Israel, did wrong and angered the Lord with their sin, for it was even worse than that of their ancestors. They built shrines and obelisks and idols on every high hill and under every green tree. There was homosexuality throughout the land, and the people of Judah became as depraved as the heathen nations which the Lord drove out to make room for his people. In the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign, King Shishak of Egypt attacked and conquered Jerusalem". I Kings 14:22-25 Living Bible.

Summary: Homosexuality is specifically mentioned by God as a sin of depravity, the consequence of idolatry, with toleration of it contributing greatly to God's judgment upon Israel and those people called by His name.

"'If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.'" Lev 20:13

Summary: Homosexuality is called by God a detestable capital crime worthy of death.

"A woman shall not wear man's clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman's clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God." Deut. 22:5

Summary: Men and women are not to dress in clothes intended for the opposite sex. This too is an abomination to God.

"While they were enjoying themselves, some of the wicked men (they were Benjamites) of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they shouted to the old man who owned the house, 'Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him.'... (instead) "the man took his concubine and sent her outside to them, and they raped her and abused her throughout the night, and at dawn they let her go." (She later died) "So all the men of Israel got together and united as one man against the city. The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, 'What about this awful crime that was committed among you? Now surrender those wicked men of Gibeah so that we may put them to death and purge the evil from Israel.' But the Benjamites would not listen to their fellow Israelites... The LORD defeated Benjamin before Israel, and on that day the Israelites struck down 25,100 Benjamites, all armed with swords." Judges 19:22, 25; 20:11-13, 35

Summary: God's judgment will fall on people who protect homosexuals from punishment for their sins. When an Israelite tribe (the Benjamites) protected men in their midst who had first intended to homosexually gang rape a fellow Israelite, and instead raped and killed a woman, the Lord prompted the Israelite tribes to kill 25,100 Benjamites as judgment for their protection of the wicked men in their midst.

"The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves." Isaiah 3:9

Summary: Homosexuality brings arrogant defiance against the ways of God. This verse certainly speaks to the public shameless demands of acceptance by homosexuals, lesbians, etc., in recent years. - "they parade their sin like Sodom." Coming out of the closet, without shame, "they do not hide it."

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof,

for correction, for training in righteousness;..." 2 Tim. 3:16

"Let God be found true though every human being is false and a liar, as it is written, That You may be justified and shown to be upright in what You say, and prevail when You are judged [by sinful men]." Romans 3:4 (AMP)

By Court Wood

Published by In Jesus' Name Ministries

(copies of this article are available from our office)

Link to In Jesus' Name Ministries Website