What the Bible Says About Homosexuality

Homosexuality has become a very controversial and confusing topic. Some people claim that homosexuality is not sinful, and that same-sex relationships or marriage are seen as acceptable by God. This has become a belief in many churches and social groups, but that belief is unfounded, and is against what the Bible actually teaches. The Bible teaches that homosexual behavior goes against God's design for sexuality and relationships. While this may be difficult to hear in today's culture where it's become so normalized, it's important to understand God's word, and why His intended design is for our good.

Before I get too far into this topic, I want to emphasize a few things. I know for some this is a sensitive topic. I am not making this article to hate, shame, or condemn anyone. My goal is to speak the truth in love, and based on God's Word. I aim to approach this topic with compassion and clarity. Love doesn't mean affirming what is false, it means pointing people towards the truth, which is what I'm writing this article for. By writing this article I want to help bring understanding, challenge false teachings, and encourage us all to align our lives according to God's truth.

What Makes Homosexuality a Sin?

Before I specifically talk about homosexuality, I want to talk about what sin is and how we recognize it. The simple definition of sin is any breaking of God's law, will, or character. Anything that goes against God's design, nature, or intent is sin. At the end of the day, if the Bible calls something sin, then it is sin, but we can also look at why the Bible calls it that, and see how it conflicts with who God is, and His will.

If we look at a few examples like lying, fornication (sex outside of marriage), and pride, we can see how each one goes against who God is and what He intends for us. Lying is sinful because God is truth, and speaking anything but truth is against His very nature. Fornication is sinful because God designed sex to be experienced in the confines of marriage. Having sex outside of marriage is against His design. Pride is sinful because it puts us above God or leads us to believe we don't need Him, which is against His intent for us to follow and love Him above all, and to have humility.

Now, let's look at homosexuality. From the beginning we can see how God designed man and woman to be made for each other. God created woman from the rib of a man, showing that woman was uniquely formed to be companion to man. 

“So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to come over the man, and he slept. God took one of his ribs and closed the flesh at that place. Then the Lord God made the rib he had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man.” (Genesis 2:21-22)

This was purposeful design by God. God created two distinct genders, male and female, to reflect His image, and to come together in the covenant of marriage. 

"This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24)

“‘Haven’t you read,’ he replied, ‘that he who created them in the beginning made them male and female, and he also said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh”? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.’” (Matthew 19:4–6)

We see this repeated throughout scripture. In the verse from Matthew we see how Jesus Himself affirms that marriage is to be between man and woman. Just as man and woman were created for each other, they are designed to come together, both romantically and physically, within the covenant of marriage.

Therefore, in the same way that sins like pride, fornication, and lying go against God's will, so does homosexual behavior. It may seem unfair that God limits our relationships, but God's design isn't there to restrict us, but to lead us into a life that reflects His holiness, love, and purpose.

We also see homosexuality addressed many times throughout scripture. Here are a few of the main verses, and how they connect to this. 

"For this reason God delivered them over to disgraceful passions. Their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. The men in the same way also left natural relations with women and were inflamed in their lust for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the appropriate penalty of their error." (Romans 1:26-27)

"Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or males who have sex with males, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom." (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

These verses both mention homosexuality, and show that like the other sins listed there, homosexuality is against God's design. These verses explain that homosexual behavior is unnatural and unrighteous, which aligns with what we already talked about. Since homosexuality goes against God's intended design, its unnatural and unrighteous, making it sinful.

It's important to notice that in these verses we see homosexuality being mentioned along many other sins. This leads us to an important point to make, which is that God does not single out homosexuality. All sin is serious, and homosexuality is no worse than any other sin.

God doesn't think any less of somebody just because they are homosexual, and having same-sex attraction doesn't make you any less worthy of God's love. God wants us to turn away from all sin, because all sin separates us from Him. His forgiveness extends to someone struggling with homosexuality, just as it does with someone struggling with lust, pride, lying, or any other sin. 

Homosexual Attraction vs Homosexual Behavior. When Does It Become Sinful?

An important thing to do when talking about homosexuality is distinguishing homosexual temptation from homosexual sin. A common misconception is that the very act of being attracted to the same gender is sinful, but it's not that simple. Homosexual desires aren't inherently sinful, but instead are a temptation. Someone may feel tempted to be attracted to the same gender, or even feel like they are only attracted to the same gender. These attractions are a temptation, and not sinful unless acted on. Just like with any other sin or temptation, it's what we do with that temptation that matters.

What it means to act on these attractions gets a bit more confusing. We know that, at the very least homosexual marriage, lust, and sex are against God's design, making these things sinful. However, I think the sin starts a bit before these outward actions. When homosexual desires or temptations lead to intentional actions such as pursuing a same-sex relationship, things get more complex and dangerous, because you are actively pursuing what is against God's will and design. This is why it's important, just as with any other sin, to flee and resist temptation, and to not give into what is sinful.

It's also important to understand the difference between struggling with sin, and living in sin. Struggling means you're fighting it, and trying not to give in. It's not about being perfect, because you may stumble and give in at times, but it's about getting back up after stumbling and continuing to pursue what is righteous. This is how God wants us to be with all sin, not just homosexuality. God's not asking for perfection, but for an intentional effort to grow in your faith, and resist temptation. Even if we do fall, He still loves us just as much. 

Living in sin is where it gets dangerous, and is where many Christians reside. Living in sin means to embrace that desire, live in it without conviction or repentance, and willingly walking in sin that God calls unrighteous. Unfortunately with homosexuality this is where many people, including Christians reside. As Christians we shouldn't be labeling ourselves by, or walking in what God calls sinful. This is the same as with any sin, not just homosexuality. Many of us have wanted to give into temptation, and to live in what is sinful. The danger comes when we stop fighting, and start calling what is unrighteous good. 

If this is where you are today, just know it's not too late. God loves you and is calling you into a lifestyle that honors Him. God promises that we will always have a way out of temptation, and because of His grace we can be forgiven, no matter what we've done. God isn't done with you yet, and He will help you escape whatever sin you're going through.

A New Identity In Christ

Like previously stated, homosexuality is no worse a sin than stealing, lying, lusting, or any other sin. All sin separates us from God, and all sin needs repentance.

It's important to give God your whole heart, and not just what you're comfortable with. He doesn't ask for 90% of our heart, while we keep the 10% to ourselves. God is asking for all 100%. He's not asking for partial obedience, He's asking for our full surrendering relationship with Him.

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15–16)

This verse emphasizes that Jesus wants your full heart. He says that He wants us to either be fully devoted to Him, or not devoted at all, rather than being halfway in. This is why repentance matters for every sin. If we claim to follow Christ, but aren't willing to actually surrender our full hearts and lives to Him, then we are lukewarm in our faith. (Read Repentance for more).

God loves us more than we will ever realize, and because of this He is always open to forgive us, guide us, and receive our full hearts. Jesus doesn't just ask for what's easy to give up, but instead calls us to turn away from all evil, because he knows that our lives will be better because of it.

“No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

God promises us that we will never be tempted without a way out, including homosexual temptation. Through Him, you have the strength to overcome whatever temptation you may face, including homosexuality. It will take intentional effort to improve and change, but it will be worth it. When you give God your full heart, you step into the life He wants for you, a life filled with truth, freedom, and faithfulness. 

Many Christians have shared their personal testimonies on how they lived with same-sex attractions, but chosen not to act on it. Some pursue a life of celibacy (abstaining from relationships or sexual relations), while others find joy and fulfillment in Christ-centered heterosexual marriages. Stories like these are great examples of how we sometimes need to surrender what is unrighteous to best pursue God. Their lives are great examples of how God's strength can get us through anything, and how obedience to God is worth the eternal reward. 

If same-sex attraction is something you struggle with, I would highly recommend checking out many of the publicly available testimonies from fellow Christians who have had the same struggle. At the bottom of the article I have linked just a few of the many testimonies on how God delivered them from their same-sex struggles, and how they continued to live a God-honoring life with same-sex attraction.

Frequently Asked Questions and Defenses Of Homosexuality Explained

Can you be Gay and Christian?

Well the simple definition of being a Christian is believing that Jesus Christ is God. In that case, yes, someone who has same-sex attractions and believes in Christ is Christian. However, believing in Jesus isn't the same as following Him.

Being a Christian is more than just a label. It's living a life of faith, surrender, and obedience to God. We need to give Jesus our full heart and soul. Being a Christian means turning away from all sin, not just the ones we want to give up. This includes homosexual behavior, just as it does lust, pride, or any other sin. 

Will a Christian who is gay go to hell?

Ultimately whether you go to heaven or hell is God's decision, but we can look at what God says in the Bible to get a better idea.

When judgment day comes and God look back on your whole life, what is He gonna see? When He looks on your life is He going to see you repenting and following Him, and see that you completely left the ways of the world to follow Him? Or, will He look on your life, and see that you never fully committed to following Him, that you never fully departed from the ways of the world, and embraced and lived in sin? 

I can't speak for God, but if He looks on your life and sees that you stayed in some of your sinful ways with no remorse and no repentance, what will He think about your faith? 

“This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commands. The one who says, ‘I have come to know him,’ and yet doesn’t keep his commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the love of God is made complete. This is how we know we are in him: the one who says he remains in him should walk just as he walked.” (1 John 2:3-6)

This verse talks about the importance of obeying God and His commandments as evidence of truly loving Him. If we claim to know Jesus and have faith in Him, but continue to go against His commandments and live in disobedience, such as intentionally remaining in a homosexual lifestyle, that shows that we don't truly know and follow Him. Just as with any sin however, God promises forgiveness and grace to anyone. God calls all to repentance, and a Godly lifestyle that honors Him. 

"I was born with same-sex attraction, so if it's wrong why did God make me this way?"

This is a very common struggle among people who face same-sex attraction. Many feel that God made them that way, and believe that because of that, it's okay to live a homosexual lifestyle. While I can sympathize with those who feel that way, the truth is that God did not make anyone with same-sex attraction as part of His design.

We are all born into a sinful world, and because of that we are inherently sinful. As a result we may be more prone to certain temptations. Some people are born with strong inclinations towards certain sins. For example, some may struggle with compulsive lying, feeling the need to lie about almost everything. Others may have conditions that make them more prone to anger, aggression, or even harmful behavior. We all are born into a sinful world, and struggle with sin, but these struggles don't make you any less loved by God. 

Being born with a natural inclination towards sin does not excuse that sin. This applies to homosexuality just as it does any other temptation. Even if someone feels like they’ve had homosexual desires for their whole life, that doesn’t mean it’s how God intended them to live. God calls us into a life that reflects His truth, will, and design for us. We are all born into sin, which is why Jesus tells us we need to be born again in Him! 

"Jesus replied, 'Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'" (John 3:3)

"Homosexual love is still love. God's highest commandment is to love others. Even in a same-sex relationship, why isn't God ok with us loving each other?"

At a first glance this seems like a great argument since God's highest commandment in the Bible is to love each other, and to love others as you love yourself. However, while loving others is absolutely necessary, true Biblical love doesn't seek what is evil, and is not the same as romantic or emotional love. As 1 Corinthians 13:6 says "Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth". 

As previously talked about, homosexual relationships are unnatural and unrighteous. This means that pursuing a same-sex romantic relationship is not an act of Biblical and Godly love, but instead the opposite.

In my article "Love Vs. Affirmation" I talked about this. True love is not pursuing or affirming what is wrong, which is what you would be doing in a homosexual relationship. Instead, it's pursuing the truth and what is righteous, even when it's hard, or goes against our personal desires.

Testimonies

Below are some publicly shared testimonies from people who have struggled with same-sex attraction. I would highly recommend checking these out as they show how someone facing these desires, can still live a God-honoring life.

https://www.livehope.org/article/jesus-will-see-me-through/

https://wheregraceabounds.org/secret-pain-my-story-same-sex-attraction-wholeness-christ/

https://harvestusa.org/same-sex-attraction-and-change-is-it-possible-4-of-4-letting-go-of-a-gay-identity/

These are just a few of the amazing and powerful testimonies on this subject. I would highly recommend checking out some more online!