What Does the Bible Really Say About Homosexuality?

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”  (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)

I would like to look at this subject a bit deeper than just a “pat” answer to a complex topic.  Rather than simply reading my post I would recommend you do further study on this issue and read the scriptures I have listed below.  Please consider carefully what I am saying here for I wish to speak not only of the things that make everyone feel good but help you to grasp the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) that you yourselves would become better equipped to read your Bibles intelligently and comprehensively.   

Homosexuality is one of the most divisive issues in American culture.  What does the Bible say on this controversial and emotional issue?  It is not my intention to treat fully the many biblical texts on the subject.  My goal is simply to review what the Bible says about homosexuality, as clearly and concisely as possible.  When considering the principles of biblical interpretation, we must seek the intended meaning of the text as understood in its original context.

June 27, 2003 was the day the Supreme Court made history and struck down the “sodomy laws” of the state of Texas.  The justices reversed course from a ruling that states could punish homosexuals for private consensual sex.  Such activity is typically called “sodomy.”  In some people’s minds, being homosexual is as much outside one’s control as the color of your skin and your height.  On the other hand, the Bible clearly and consistently declares that homosexual activity is a sin. (See Genesis 19:1–13; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9)  This disconnect leads to much controversy, debate, and even hostility.

When examining what the Bible says about homosexuality, it is important to distinguish between homosexual behavior and homosexual inclinations or attractions.  It is the difference between active sin and the passive condition of being tempted.  Homosexual behavior is sinful, but the Bible never says it is a sin to be tempted.  Simply stated, a struggle with temptation may lead to sin, but the struggle itself is not a sin.

A person may be born with a greater susceptibility to homosexuality, just as some people are born with a tendency to violence and other sins.  That does not excuse the person’s choosing to sin by giving in to sinful desires.  Just because a person is born with a greater susceptibility to fits of rage, that doesn’t make it right for him to give in to those desires and explode at every provocation.  The same is true with a susceptibility to homosexuality. 

The problem with homosexual attraction is that it is an attraction to something God has forbidden, and any desire for something sinful ultimately has its roots in sin.  So, homosexual attraction does not always result in active, willful sin—there may not be a conscious choice to sin—but it springs from the sinful nature.  Same-sex attraction is always, on some basic level, an expression of the fallen nature.

The temptation to engage in homosexual behavior is very real to many.  People may not always be able to control how or what they feel, but they can control what they do with those feelings. (See 1 Peter 1:5–8)  We all have the responsibility to resist temptation. (See Ephesians 6:13) We must all be, “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (See Romans 12:2) We must all “walk by the Spirit” so as not to “gratify the desires of the flesh.” (See Galatians 5:16)

Finally, the Bible does not describe homosexuality as a sin “greater” than any other.  All sin is offensive to God.  Without Christ, we are lost, whatever type of sin has entangled us.  According to the Bible, God’s forgiveness is available to the homosexual just as it is to the adulterer, idol worshiper, murderer, and thief.  

So, what does the Bible really say about homosexuality?

Allow me to list several scriptures about the subject.  Although not exhaustive, they will give a basic picture of how God looks at this topic.   All verses quoted here are from the NIV: 

“Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.” (Leviticus 18:22)

“If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable.” (Leviticus 20:13)

“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 6:9-10)

“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-- who is forever praised. Amen. 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.” (Romans 1:26-27)

Homosexuality is clearly condemned in the Bible.  It undermines God's created order where He made Adam and Eve, a man and a woman, to carry out His command to fill and subdue the earth. (See Genesis 1:28)  Homosexuality cannot fulfill that mandate.  Also, homosexuality undermines the basic family unit of husband and wife which is the God-ordained means of procreation.  Again, homosexuality cannot do that.

The only hope for all people who break God's laws, as well as the homosexual, is to turn to Christ.  The One who took our sins upon Himself on the cross (See 1 Peter 2:24), died and rose from the dead. (See 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)  Jesus made it possible for sinners to be saved from the righteous judgment of God.  They need only trust in what Jesus did on their behalf (See 2 Corinthians 5:21), so they can be forgiven of their sins. (See Ephesians 2:8)  This is done by receiving Christ (See John 1:12), by believing in Him and accepting His sacrifice that is a payment for our sins to God the Father. 

God promises the strength for victory over sin, including homosexuality, to all those who will believe in Jesus Christ for their salvation. (See 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 4:13)

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

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