Much, today, is being said about homosexuality and so called "gay rights." "The Gay 90's," as it's now being called, has focused much of the world's attention on "gays" and homosexuals. From the media, to the "oval office," much has been said. Yet, it is time that we concern ourselves with what the Bible says about homosexuality! Does the Bible say anything about homosexuality? The answer is yes, and let me add, that everything it says is so!

How Should Men Regard The Bible?

Why are we making our appeal to the Bible? Is homosexuality to be declared right or good on the basis of public opinion? Our plea has always been, and must remain, that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and that it is our pattern for all that we do in his service. Just exactly how should men regard the Bible?

Men Should Regard the Bible as the

Divinely Inspired Word of God!

The apostle Paul said, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16). Men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21). Notice how the Thessalonians received the Word of God in 1 Thessalonians 2:13, "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."

Inspiration is that supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit on the writers of the Bible which guaranteed the total trustworthiness and authoritativeness of their productions. Such inspiration was both plenary (i.e., extended to all parts of the Bible) and verbal (i.e., extended not only to the thoughts of the writers but also to the very words they employed).

The implicit claim to inspiration is contained in many Bible statements. David said, "The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue" (2 Sam. 23:2).

Jeremiah said, "Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth" (Jer. 1:9). Paul told the Corinthians, "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual" (1 Cor. 2:12-13).

Let us come to regard the Bible properly, as the divinely inspired, final and authoritative Word of God  heaven's instrument to save and sanctify men. Let us approach the Bible with the attitude of Samuel, "Speak Lord; for thy servant heareth" (1 Sam. 3:9-10. May we say, as the Psalmist of old, "Teach me, 0 Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end" (Psa. 119:33).

What Does The Bible Say

About Homosexuality?

Now that we have learned to respect what the Bible has to say, let's see what it says about homosexuality.

Homosexuality is an Abomination!

The Lord told Moses, "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them" (Lev. 20:13). The word "abomination" suggests something "disgusting; an abhorrence." For a man to lie with a man to practice homosexuality is disgusting; it is something that God hates! The concept that God hates anything is foreign to some's concept of God. Yet, there are some things which are extremely abhorred by him (cf. Prov. 6:16-19). The punishment for this homosexual abomination, under the law, was death!

Homosexuality and Romans 1

In Romans 1 Paul is discussing the deplorable sinful condition of the heathen nations. In verse 18, he begins by saying, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness." In verses 21-22 we see that whenever God is rejected, people become foolish in their actions. Paul said, "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." When people cease to respect God, they will soon lose respect for their own bodies! Paul goes on to describe their actions in verses 26-27. He said, "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 recompense of their error which was meet." From Romans 1 we learn a number of things concerning homosexuality:

Homosexuality is Uncleanness, Impurity

(Rom. 1:24)

Uncleanness is a work of the flesh (Gal. 5:19), and Paul said, "they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal. 5:21). Under the law, to eat certain foods, touch a dead body, and certain body conditions and diseases, made one unclean or impure. Homosexuality is a sin that pervades the whole body and makes it unclean.

Homosexuality is a Passion or Dishonor

(Rom. 1:24)

The word "dishonor" suggests to despise, suffer shame, or entreat shamefully. To practice homosexuality is to shamefully treat one's body (cf. Rom. 1:28). Paul asked, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Rather than shamefully treating our bodies, by practicing homosexuality, we must glorify God in our body, which is God's! There are seemly and honorable indulgences of sexual affections (cf. 1 Thess. 4:4; Heb. 13:4).

Homosexuality is Against Nature (Rom. 1:26-27)

Homosexuality is contrary to the nature of man and against natural production. It is against man's instinctiveness. The natural, as from the beginning (Matt. 19:4-5), is a man with a woman, not a man with a man or a woman with a woman! Nature itself teaches us that homosexuality is wrong. The animal kingdom even knows better! Homosexuality being against natural production, rules out a person being born a homosexual!

Homosexuality is Unseemly; That is,

It is Indecent (Rom. 1:27)

Paul spoke of love in 1 Corinthians 13:5 and said that it "doth not behave itself unseemly." Homosexuality is unseemly, indecent, shameful behavior! To engage in homosexuality, as the heathen nations did, is to reject God and God in turn rejected them! (Rom. 1:28). Homosexuality has been called by some a sickness. Paul does not agree! He clearly views homosexuality as sin (Rom. 1:23), a transgression of God's law (1 John 3:4).

Homosexuality Violates God's

Plan for Marriage

Jesus spoke of God's plan for marriage in Matthew 19:4-5. "And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?" Jesus tells us that God's plan from the very beginning was for one man to marry one woman. When God said, "it is not good for man to be alone" (Gen. 2:18), he made a woman! (2:22). "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" (2:24). Paul, because of immoralities said, "Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband" (1 Cor. 7:2). God blessed Adam and Eve and said unto them, "Be fruitful, and multiply" (Gen. 1:28).

Homosexuality is Unrighteousness and Those

Who Practice Such Shall Not

Inherit the Kingdom of God

Paul told the Corinthians, "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, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:9-11). The phrase "abusers of themselves with mankind" is translated "homosexuals" in the NKJV. The unrighteous, like those guilty of homosexuality, shall not inherit the kingdom of God; that is, they will not be able to enter into heaven. You might also notice, from this reading, that homosexuality is an "abuse" or a misuse of the body.

Homosexuality is Defiling

Paul speaking of defilement said, "For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine" (1 Tim. 1:10). Not only is homosexuality defiling, but it is "contrary to sound doctrine." The word "defile" suggests to soil, desecrate, pollute, or stain. Paul's point is that homosexuality is defiling! We need men and women, boys and girls, today who are like Daniel of old, who "refused to defile himself' (Dan. 1:8). Daniel "purposed in his heart," that is he "put" it in his heart, or planned, not to defile himself! Jesus said of heaven, "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life" (Rev. 21:27).

To Practice Homosexuality is to

Go After "Strange Flesh"

Jude, speaking of Sodom, Gomorrah and other cities of immorality, "suffered the punishment of eternal fire" for "going after strange flesh" (Jude 7). These cities, in the condemnation which befell them, serve as examples of what happens to those who disobey God. "Strange flesh" suggests a departure from the law of nature, and refers to that which is contrary to nature; seeking after other or different flesh (cf. Rom. 1:27). The sons of Aaron offered "strange" fire, "which he commanded them not," and they died before the Lord (Lev. 10:1-2). The fire they offered was "strange," it was unauthorized fire! Homosexuality is unauthorized sexuality! The ashes of these ancient cities should serve as an example to those who live ungodly (2 Pet. 2:6).

The Sin of Homosexuality Can Be Forgiven

Some of the Corinthians were unrighteous, guilty of homosexuality, and such like (1 Cor. 6:11). Notice that Paul said, "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:11). A homosexual, like any other unrighteous person, can be saved. The remedy of evil passion, or lust, is provided in the gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16). Peter preached, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mk. 16:16). Notice how Paul addressed the Corinthians, who had been guilty of homosexuality, after their obedience to Christ. "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours" (1 Cor. 1:2).

Homosexuality and the Value

of Righteous Living

Solomon said, "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people" (Prov. 14:34). Ten righteous souls would have delivered the ancient city of Sodom (Gen. 18:23-32). Since less than ten righteous could be found, two angels went to Sodom to visit and warn Lot of the impending destruction (Gen. 19:1ff.) and "the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire ... and he overthrew those cities" (Gen. 19:24-28). You see, these cities were filled with homosexuality. Righteous living would have spared the now "lost" city of Sodom! Paul asked, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?" (1 Cor. 6:9) Homosexuals must leave their wicked ways, serve the God of heaven, and restore righteousness to our nation!

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 5 p. 12-14
March 2, 1995