What God Says About Homosexuality - Part-1

Due to the recent Catholic priest scandal and the Episcopal Church’s decision to ordain an openly gay bishop, the topic of sexual immorality has captivated the world’s attention. These two are high profile cases because they involve real people rather than simply church policy. The fact is many denominations are discussing the issues of same sex marriage and ordination of gays. The Gadsden Times Religious Briefs are full of stories every week regarding these topics.

Many opponents of homosexuality take their stand, not on the basis of the Word of God, but rather on the basis of prejudice and hatred. They disapprove of homosexuality because they personally believe its wrong, not because God says it is sin. Our personal opinions are not grounds enough to condemn any sin. Only the Word of God has that authority.

Therefore, if we are to confront any sin it must be on the basis of the Word of God. We don’t have to try to figure out or debate what is sin and what is not, for God has already judged what is sin. We would all do well to closely and honestly examine our own personal lives against the Word of God, because homosexuality is not the only sin that is detestable in the sight of God.

I encourage you to read Leviticus 18 in its entirety, for God has much to say in regard to all kinds of sexual immorality. One type is as sinful as another in the sight of God. But for the context of this article I will quote only the scriptures related to homosexuality. With this in mind let us now look to see what the Lord God Almighty has to say about homosexuality.

First, from the Old Testament the Lord gives this direct command in Leviticus 18:22 “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.”

Then, after a long list of sexual sin in Lev. 18:6-23 the Lord commands in verses 24-28, “Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways... The native-born and the aliens living among you must not do any of these detestable things, for all these things were done by the people who lived in the land before you, and the land became defiled…”

Finally, the Lord ends with this command in verses 29-30, “Everyone who does any of these detestable things—such persons must be cut off from their people. Keep my requirements and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practiced before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I am the LORD your God.”

Notice the words “detestable” and “defiled” are used repeatedly.

God is so serious about sexual sin that under the Old Covenant sexually immoral people were to be killed. For example; Leviticus 20:13 “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.”

But just because God no longer requires the death penalty for homosexual behavior doesn’t mean He now approves of it nor overlooks it. From the New Testament we read in 1Corinthians 6:9-11, “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. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

Notice the text says “that is what some of you were. But you were washed… sanctified… justified.” All sinners can be saved, and when they are, they leave their life of sin. God makes it clear in these verses that those who continue to practice homosexuality, and other sins, will not inherit the kingdom of God. He warns us not to be deceived about this.

He goes on to say in verses 13b-15, “The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. … Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself?”

And in verses 18-20 we are told to “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

Though God no longer requires the death penalty for sinful behavior, according to 2 Cor. 6:14-18, He does call His people to separate themselves from sin and sinful people.

In part two we will look further into what God says about homosexuality and what the church leadership’s responsibility is regarding those who persist in a sinful lifestyle. (Click NEXT below to read part two.)