By Tommy Glendol McClure
Many today are currently arguing that homosexuals have a moral “right” to be such. Some, in an at-tempt to justify homosexuals, reason they were “born that way” and have no choice regarding their sexual preference. I am persuaded that even some brethren, lacking either a basic knowledge of God’s word or lacking godly conviction, would agree with this false idea.
It would be profitable to briefly study several Scriptures from God’s Holy Book to determine his attitude toward the unholy, depraved conduct of those who practice homosexuality. It is needful to first consider the definition of homosexuality, as well as definitions of several other related words which will enable us to better understand God’s will toward such behavior, this being the goal of this brief article. It has often been said, a well defined proposition is half argued.
Definitions
Webster’s dictionary defines the word homosexuality as:
- The quality or state of being homosexual.
- Erotic activity with another of the same sex.
The word homosexual as defined by Webster means of, relating to, of characterized by a tendency to direct sexual desire toward another of the same sex (Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary).
When we consider the definition of the word fornication, it is clearly evident that “erotic activity with another of the same sex” (homosexuality) is included. Thayer defines fornication this way “prop. of illicit sexual intercourse in general” (p. 532). This definition would include at least homosexuality, lesbianism, incest, rape, pedophilia, whoredom, and adultery sins which, if practiced, will prohibit the ones practicing such from entering into the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3-5; Deb. 13:4; Rev. 21:8).
From the Beginning
The very first book of the Bible presents God’s truth concerning lawful sexual relationships, that being in the sphere of a lawful marriage as defined by God, not man. The man is to leave father and mother and cleave to his wife, thus becoming one flesh, for life (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2-3).
Looking back to the beginning, we note God created man “in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Gen. 1:27), to be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:28). God created man and woman fundamentally distinct and different but compatible and able to cleave to each other and become one flesh. Regarding being fruitful, the man needed woman and the woman needed man, in order to accomplish this charge. In Genesis 2:18 we find that the Lord saw that it was not good that man should be alone and he made woman (an help meet) for him. Thus from the beginning, the heterosexual relationship is the norm created and established by God. In Genesis 3:20 we read that “Adam called his wife Eve; because she was the mother of all living.” You will notice that for Adam the Lord made Eve, not Steve! Eve, is described as Adam’s wife (she), the mother (not the father) of all living!
Mankind was created “in the image and likeness of God” (Gen. 1:26), placed on earth to rule and subdue it, to have dominion over every living thing that moveth, thereby needing the God-given ability to make choices and intelligent decisions. In Genesis 3:1-6 we find recorded one of the first choices between right and wrong made by man, the decision whether or not to eat of the fruit of the forbidden tree. The woman (Eve) was first faced with the decision of believing the truth of God or being beguiled by the father of liars, the devil (in. 8:44), and “she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Gen. 3:6). Sadly, the majority of the world follows Eve’s pattern, making the wrong choice by believing a lie rather than accepting God’s Word (cf. 2 Cor. 4:3-4; 2 Thess. 2:10-13).
Preference and Choice
While it is true we did not have a choice regarding our sex (male or female) when we entered this world at birth, we do have a choice between the heterosexual versus homosexual behavior and relationships in later years. If one chooses the abnormal and sinful relationship (homosexuality), over the God ordained normal and lawful relationship (heterosexuality), then that person is in opposition to God, preferring and choosing an abnormal, depraved, unholy manner of life! More importantly, any heterosexual relationship entered into, must be within the bounds of God’s law on marriage, to be lawful. Just to say the heterosexual relationship is normal, is not enough, for many are engaged in heterosexual relationships which are adulterous, therefore sinful.
Are homosexuals born that way? No, they prefer to be that way and they themselves make the decision! Fornication is at the top of the fist of the works of the flesh which prohibit entrance into the kingdom (Gal. 5:19-20). Fornication is sin and man makes the choice to serve Satan or God. Man was created with the ability to choose the servant whom he will obey, either sin unto death or obedience into righteousness (Rom. 6:16). When it is argued that homosexuals are “born that way,” having no choice, then those who so argue, charge God the creator with being the root cause of homosexuality which is contrary to his own design, purpose and will. Such reasoning makes him the king of hypocrities and an unjust God creating “in his own image,” what he condemns in his word (Gen. 1:27; Lev. 20:13).
Considering Other Sins
The claim that some are born homosexuals can be shown to be false by asking a few reasonable questions. Are murderers born murderers? What about those “filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity, whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful” (Rom. 1:29-31)? Can we say those who practice these sins, are born that way? Without a doubt the answer is no! A careful reading of Romans 1 will shed light on the fact that men become sinners and are not born sinners. Men become enslaved to sin because of a love for the world (1 In. 2:15-17). Note the following quotations from Romans 1, with some contrasting statements
v. 21 “they became vain,” not born vain. v. 22 “they became fools,” not born fools.
v. 26 “God gave them up unto vile affections,” not created them with vile affections.
v. 26 “for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature,” not born against nature.
v. 27 “. . . 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,” not born in their lust one toward another.
Paul clearly states the truth about all of this in verse 28 of the same chapter those who practiced homosexuality and the other sins recorded, “did not like to retain God in their knowledge.”
Conclusion
After briefly studying this subject, the only conclusion that can be reached is that homosexuality is sinful and anyone who engages in such a sin will be rejected by God. The Corinthians were warned by Paul to flee the sin of fornication (1 Cor. 6:18)! No where does the apostle Paul reason that man is without choice in the realm of sexual relationships. No where does the Bible teach that man is in-capable of choosing between good or evil. Man has a choice, man makes a choice and all accountable people will some-day give an answer to God regarding their choice made between righteousness and unrighteousness (act. 12:13-14, 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 5:10). Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians indicates, in no uncertain terms, that choosing the sin of fornication is forbidden by God. He instructed them regarding the God approved choice: `flee fornication” (1 Cor. 6:18)!
The body of a Christian is to be “a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God,” used to the glory of God and not to the lusts of the flesh (Rom. 12:1). Christians must stand opposed to and teach the truth regarding this false idea that homosexuals are “born that way,” having no choice in the matter of their sexual preference. We must have the conviction of the apostle Paul and teach the truth delivered in his epistles or we risk ourselves being unholy, and unacceptable to God. Yes, those who choose homosexuality, choose to be servants of sin, they are not born that way! When those serving sin fail to come to the knowledge of the truth through obedience to his will, they will reap their just reward, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).
Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 9, p. 8-9
May 20, 1993