The Truth About Free Sex and the Gay Lifestyle

There are boundaries that God has placed around sex; unfortunately, we are well aware that there are many that have circumvented or ignored those boundaries. Sex is only permitted within marriage and between a man and a woman (husband and wife) (Hebrews 13:4). Sex of all types outside of marriage has contributed greatly to the destruction of families, our society, and even our nation. For those of us in a position to act and respond to what occurs around us, a decision must be made to support what is right and make a declaration when things are wrong. Unfortunately, Christians are often silent or quiet about lifestyle matters, especially pertaining to sex, with the false belief that we are not to speak the truth out of fear of offending someone. There is a tactful way to relate the truth, but we must remember that it is always God’s Word and its truth that challenges and convicts the hearts of men and women.

Homosexuality is sin in the same way that adultery is sin and fornication is sin. One cannot take a position that adultery is acceptable while condemning homosexuality. In all of these situations, sexual sins take an emotional toll on both the perpetrators and their families and relatives.

In all of these cases, a choice has to be made as to whether or not one is to live a sinful lifestyle. What you do sexually, with your body, is ultimately a choice. There are claims that some have made, in an effort to justify these lifestyle choices, where comparisons to lifestyle are made with civil rights. These claims are ultimately unfounded because one cannot choose what race he or she is born into, while lifestyles are clearly a matter of choice.

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own opinion and clever in their own sight. Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, who are fearless at mixing beer, who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice. Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes straw and as dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will become like something rotten and their blossoms will blow away like dust, for they have rejected the instruction of the Lord of Hosts, and they have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 5:20-24).

The term “homosexual” is derived from Latin to mean “human being” and the Greek word homos, meaning “same.” Homosexuality was, at one time, perceived as a clinical illness or disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder. This term is not well accepted today because of its implication of being a disorder, yet it is a sin that can be covered with forgiveness by the blood of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, this alternate lifestyle has been introduced as acceptable in today’s society. Many have embraced this behavior as a means of expression and justification to participate in both heterosexual and homosexual lifestyles (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, which refers to the acronym, LGBT).

The preference today is to use the term “gay” for the homosexual movement. It is an extension of being “carefree,” implying uninhibited behavior without any moral constraints. All of this behavior is rooted in sexual pleasure, which, in this form, is completely contrary to God’s Word and his intention for the enjoyment of sex. To participate in gay and lesbian sexual behavior indicates a willingness of its participants to disregard conventional or sexual morality, even the welfare of one’s family or our society. Note that, from a traditional perspective, it was well understood that behavior, such as adultery or homosexuality, was never tolerated and was even punishable to extremes. It was more than just being outside of God’s law…it was also because of the magnitude of the damage that could occur within the family and community.

It is important to note that one can call themselves “religious” and still participate in an alternative lifestyle. This way of thinking has been pervasive within today’s church, as there are many in leadership that have declared to live openly about their sexual lifestyles. This type of leadership implies that God permits gay lifestyles as acceptable within the congregation and within the body of Christ. Those in leadership who live this way are leading others in a deceitful way and are sending the wrong message to those who lack experience with the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. God has reserved His divine judgment for those in leadership that live contrary to the Scriptures (regardless of whether it is adultery or an alternative lifestyle):

“Among the prophets of Jerusalem also I saw a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, and none turns his back on evil. They are all like Sodom to Me; Jerusalem’s residents are like Gomorrah” (Jeremiah 23:14).

Pew Research notes that 4 in 10 black Protestant churches accept homosexuality as a way of life. Many Christians have concluded that the gay lifestyle should be deemed acceptable by society. As the biblical viewpoint is removed from this debate, there will be less and less opposition and a greater acceptance of this issue. Pastor E. Lynn Harris, author of Invisible Life, was asked about being gay and Christian. He responded with deep conviction, “I see no contradiction between my sexual orientation and my faith.” This rather common response to gay behavior and Christianity are evident in that God’s Word has been fully compromised and is clearly not being addressed. Homosexual sex was condemned according to the law (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13), and God judged Sodom and Gomorrah because there were none righteous in those cities and they performed wicked acts of homosexuality. In the New Testament, those who repented of their sin, including homosexuality (Romans 1:27), were covered by God’s grace under the saving blood of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:11). Those who chose to turn from God were condemning themselves (Romans 1:28-29; 1 Corinthians 6:9). Our position as believers remains important in that we are to love those who are in sin, and yet hate the sin itself. We have to make a decision as to who we are to obey.

“But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard’” (Acts 4:19).

“And because they did not think it worthwhile to have God in their knowledge, God delivered them over to a worthless mind to do what is morally wrong. They are filled with all unrighteousness, evil, greed, and wickedness” (Romans 1:28-29a).

God’s Word has clearly established boundaries as to how one is to live in holiness. How we live ultimately is a choice. We can choose to acknowledge God’s Word or cast it aside. God notes that there is a consequence for not paying attention to those boundaries that He has established.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8).  This Scripture notes that God loves everyone, even though there may be sin present in their lives (which is also why believers in Jesus Christ are to love those with sin in their lives in the same manner). Through the grace and kindness that God has shown each of us, we have the ability to repent and turn from our sins. God reveals His love to us through His forgiveness of sin, which promotes our healing. Just as we choose how we live of lives, it is also our choice to acknowledge God’s Word, His faithfulness, and His promises, and respond accordingly.