Advocating for the
Traditional Family, the Protection of Children and Proclaiming the Truth about
Homosexuality
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MODERN
DAY QUESTIONS
ABOUT
HOMOSEXUALITY
How can God
condemn two people just for “loving” each other?
First we must ask, what does the Bible say about love?
I Corinthians 13 is known as the "love
chapter." It contains the biblical definition of love. I Corinthians 13:5 states that love "thinketh no
evil." Further, verse 6 declares that love: "Rejoices not in iniquity
[unrighteousness, sin, wickedness], but rejoiceth in
the truth." We have examined passages that demonstrate homosexuality is unquestionably
and undeniably unrighteous and sinful.
Thus, it is biblically impossible for “true love” to be the basis for a
homosexual relationship. God does not condemn two people for loving each other;
He condemns the homosexual behavior because it is contrary to His created order
and His character.
Does upbringing have a bearing on one's
"sexual preference?"
It is the belief of Stephen Bennett Ministries that
you don't need to be a psychologist to see the common brokenness of families
and/or parental relationships in many homosexual men and women’s lives. While there are many factors we believe in
which a person can be lead down a homosexual path including broken
mother/father relationships, molestation, incest and a variety of other dynamics.
Our backgrounds and experiences can play a part in determining what specific
kinds of temptations we face, but are not a basis or license to act out on
those sinful desires or behavior, according to God’s Word.
Jesus said in Matthew 15:19: "For out of the
heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false
testimony, slander." James 1:14-15 makes the point again: "…but each
one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then,
after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is
full-grown, gives birth to death." The condition of our heart is the root
of both sinful desires and actions. We are born with a propensity for evil, and
only the life changing power of Christ can enable us to overcome that.
However, parents do play a critical role in the
spiritual development of their children. They need to lay a solid spiritual
foundation for their children by teaching them to know, apply, and love the
Word of God. And they should encourage their children to develop personal
relationships with the Lord – to seek God for them and listen for His
direction. Proverbs 22:6 says that a parent should "train up a child in
the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
How should
parents respond to a child who confesses to being a homosexual?
If a child confesses to his or her parents that they
are struggling with homosexuality, there are three primary actions parents
should take. First, parents should demonstrate unconditional love to their
children. As God has extended grace to us, parents must reflect that same grace
to their children.
Second, parents should instruct their children
regarding God’s plan for human relationships (one man, one woman in the
covenant union of marriage) and the biblical admonition against homosexuality.
In a loving but firm manner, parents need to express that they do not condone
their child’s involvement in homosexuality. Loving your child does not mean you
must approve of everything they do. Often parents warn young children not to
cross the busy street. The child may become upset, even throw a tantrum. But
the parent has correctly rendered his or her protective duty. Similarly,
parents who warn their children not to cross the line into homosexuality
fulfill their God-given parental responsibility. Sometimes, the hardest part of
being a parent is telling your children what they need to hear – even when they
don’t want to hear it. Love them enough to tell them the truth.
Third, parents should pray daily on behalf of their
children. They must entrust their children to a gracious heavenly Father – He
alone can change their heart.
Is it really
a "choice" to be, or not to be a homosexual?
This is an area where Christians need to be careful to
articulate truth carefully. We often say to the homosexual, "You chose to
be that way." Certainly we can all make foolish choices that may place us
in a position to be tempted in one way or another. However, while the
homosexual may have chosen to give into homosexual desires, few chose to struggle
with same-sex attraction any more than a heterosexual individual chose their
opposite sex attraction. Yet it is very clear: no one was born “gay.” It’s also
important to note that God does not hold us accountable for the temptations
that come our way but for how we respond to those temptations. That’s when choice becomes a factor.
I Corinthians 10:13 promises "that God is
faithful, [and] will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but
will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear
it." God’s grace is sufficient; His power made perfect in weakness. (II
Corinthians 12:9) God will enable the individual struggling with homosexuality
to withstand the temptation and to apply practical biblical principles to avoid
being in situations that might prove to make it more difficult to avoid being
tempted.
Scripture warns us that Satan’s desire is to exploit
our weaknesses. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil,
as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking
whom he may devour…" I Peter 5:8. If the enemy is seeking to devour us –
then we should not give him an inch by placing ourselves in danger of
temptation! We must be discerning. James 4:7 is clear on this point:
"Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." The individual who
struggles with pornography should stay off the Internet. Likewise, the
individual who struggles with homosexuality would be unwise to develop a circle
of homosexual friends. (II Corinthians 6:14-18)
Shouldn't we
be more tolerant of other people's differences?
Differences should be tolerated, but sin should never.
Jesus never tolerated sin. He confronted it
– in love. As Christians, we are not free to condemn individuals, but we
have the responsibility to address sinful behavior. Reproving sin in a loving
manner demonstrates true concern and compassion for the individual. Christians
are called to be salt and light to the world. As such, we must take a bold
stand for truth, reprove sin, and share the Gospel with everyone, including
those who are involved in homosexuality.
The question is often asked, "How can I witness
to homosexuals without offending them or seeming "intolerant." In
Jeremiah 6:10 the prophet asks, "To whom shall I speak, and give warning,
that they may hear? behold, their ear is
uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto
them a reproach; they have no delight in it." Fear of offending or seeming
"intolerant" should never move us to silence. Our presentation of
Bible truth should never be offensive in and of itself, but the word of God
will often cause offense to those who choose to reject it.
Is AIDS
God's judgment on homosexuality?
This question is generally asked in an historical
context. In the Old Testament, God used His prophets to warn the Israelites of judgment
for their sin. If the warnings went unheeded, the wrath of God fell on the
people. The judgments were nearly always pronounced for a defined period of
time. There is no indication that God is judging homosexuals corporately with
the AIDS virus in the same way that He judged Israel for her sin.
However, according
to the Center for Disease Control, upwards of 60-68% of all new HIV/AIDS cases
in America alone each year are due to men having sex with men.
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