What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?

Sodomy is sin!

The Bible consistently tells us that homosexual activity is sin. For example…

“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.”

-Leviticus 18:22

“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”

-Romans 1:26-27

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind (homosexual offenders), Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

-1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Romans, chapter 1, teaches specifically that homosexuality is a result of denying and disobeying God. When a person continues in sin and unbelief (a refusal to be convinced for selfish reasons), the Bible tells us that God “gives them over” to even more wicked and depraved sin in order to show them the futility and hopelessness of life apart from God.

Still, some pro-homosexual champions claim the Bible does not condemn homosexual acts. Yet, it does so from cover to cover. The Bible condemns homosexual acts in the strongest of terms and even by describing the acts themselves, such as in Leviticus 18:22: "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination." Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13 both graphically forbid sexual acts between two men. Romans 1:26 forbids sexual acts between two women, labeling "lesbianism" unnatural, saying that women who do those things "change" the natural for that which is "against nature." So much for the "born that way" argument. Romans 1:27 condemns sexual acts between men and men. Verse twenty-seven begins with "And likewise also the men . . ." I Corinthians 6:9-11 is a warning against the deception that one can live in open rebellion to God's law and still be a Christian headed for heaven. In that passage, sodomites are accurately and plainly called "abusers of themselves with mankind." I Timothy 1:8-11 instructs on the lawful use of the law to reprove/punish persons who commit acts such as murder, perjury, and sodomy. Here homosexuals are graphically described as "them that defile themselves with mankind." Both of those descriptive phrases, like all New Testament references to those guilty of committing sodomy, are faithfully translated from the word arsenokoites, the Greek word which describes homosexual sex acts. Greek was the language in which the New Testament was originally written. Of course, until recent times, no one attempted to claim that the Bible does not condemn and outlaw homosexual sex. That may be in part because one must play the fool to do so (Rom. 1:22).

So it is true; from cover to cover, the Word of God condemns homosexual acts such as sodomy. This should not be surprising since those acts are a complete repudiation of God's created order and represent a graphic rebellion against the Creator and Lawgiver of the universe. Homosexual acts go even beyond the sin which "is common to man" (I Cor. 10:13) and launch off into sin which is "unnatural" (Rom. 1:26-27). Consequently, homosexual acts are incredibly destructive to the individual who commits them (Rom. 1:27-28, Gal. 6:7) and to the nation which allows and condones them. With regard to the latter, God's Word has made it clear He will judge and destroy a nation which allows homosexual acts.

God does not create a person with homosexual desires. The Bible tells us that a person becomes a homosexual because of sin (John 8:34; Rom 1:24-27), and ultimately because of their own choice. True, a person may have a greater susceptibility to homosexuality than another, just as some people have a tendency to be violent as well as other sins. That does not excuse the person choosing to sin by giving into their sinful desires. If a person possesses a greater susceptibility to anger/rage, does that make it right for them to give into those desires? Of course not, and the same is true for homosexuality.

However, according to the Bible, God’s forgiveness and deliverance is just as available to a homosexual as it is to an adulterer, idol worshiper, murderer, thief, etc. God also promises the strength for victory over sin, including homosexuality, to all those who will repent and believe on Jesus Christ for their salvation.

Friend, if you have not been born-again and delivered from your wickedness you are yet in your sins (John 8:24). Tragically, if you commit sin, then sin has become your master (John 8:34). Hence, you are not only under the penalty of sin you are likewise under its spellbinding power. Dear sinner, the problem with man is not merely one of behavior but one of nature. Therefore, the Bible declares you must be utterly changed (John 3:3). However, it is impossible for you to deliver yourself (Jeremiah 13:23) as sin has rendered you helpless, shattered, and lost. You are not only in need of forgiveness but you are also in need of cleansing. What will you do? Is there any hope? Is there anyone who can help? The Bible alone offers you this good news…

If you will be saved from the power and penalty of your sin, you must repent (turn from all sin to serve and follow Jesus) and put your complete faith in Jesus Christ, God's Son. When Jesusdied on the cross, He became your sin-offering, dying to free you from thebondage of sin. He, once and for all,stepped into the courtroom of your judgment and pleaded your case before God. Then He rose from the dead, defeating death. If you want to be saved from sin and hell, confess and forsake your sin (Proverbs 28:13) and put your faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation. When you make Jesus your Lord (Romans 10:9) you will pass from death to life. Now, go and sin no more, read the Bible daily and obey what you read (see John 14:21). God will never fail you. -Pastor Britt Williams (adapted from a tract by Pastor Ralph Ovadal)