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THE BIBLE AND HOMOSEXUALITY July 8, 2004 Introduction:
The daily news often reminds us of the growing strength of the
homosexual movement in the world.
Corrupted and wicked world blindly promotes homosexuality as many gay
directors make a film that the leading role is a gay. Many famous homosexual
personalities around the world were being interviewed, lifted and applauded
in television. Frequently, many high rated television program and even well
financed pageant organizers held a gay beauty contest where the winner join
the worldwide gay competition.
For years there has been a movement around the world to present
homosexuality as simply an alternate life style. And whosoever who will
attempt to pronounce a matter as wrong is judgmental, uneducated, and
un-human.
Homosexuality was prevalent in ancient times -- in our day it is
making a comeback.
I- THE DEFINITION
a.
Homosexual. This term is not used in the Bible, but the concept is.
It refers to men or women having sexual relations with members of the same
sex. Sexual behavior among members of the same sex. Sexual desire or
attraction to the same sex. Sexual activity with a member of the same sex.
Homosexuals= malakos = soft, effeminate, "effeminate"- I Corinthians 6:9.
The "effeminate, of a catamite, a male who submits his body to
unnatural lewdness" (THAYER) The word translated as "sodomites" ("abusers of
themselves with mankind" in the KJV) is arsenokoitai (I Corinthians 6:9),
and is defined as: "one who lies with a male as with a female, a sodomite"
(THAYER). The first word (malakos) does properly speak of a male prostitute,
the second word (arsenokoitai) describes any sort of homosexual conduct.
b.
Sodomy. The term is connected with the sin of the city of Sodom and
Gomorrah and has come to be identified with homosexuality and moral
perversion in general.- Genesis 19; Jude 7.
The 1828 Webster dictionary defined "sodomy" as "a crime against
nature." The Webster's Deluxe Unabridged Dictionary of 1983 defines sodomy
as "any sexual intercourse regarded as abnormal, as between persons of the
same sex, especially males, or between a person and an animal."
Sodomy = male homosexuality. The sodomite of the Old Testament refers
to male prostitution and homosexual moral perversion practiced in connection
with idolatry (Deuteronomy 23:17; 1 Kings 14:24; 15:12; 22:46; 2 Kings
23:7). The same Hebrew word is translated "unclean" (Job 36:14).
c.
Lesbianism = female homosexuality.
d.
Bisexuality = sexual attraction to members of both sexes.
e.
Transvestism = dressing in the clothing of the opposite sex.
II- THE DESIGN
a.
God instituted marriage between a man and a woman God created man and woman (Gen. 1, 2). After God
created Adam he said, it is not good that man should be alone; I will make
him an help meet for him; (Gen. 2: 18). Help meet is from a Hebrew word
that means a counter-part or compliment. In other words, God intended to
provide Adam with a being ideally suited to meet Adam's social,
psychological, emotional, and sexual needs. In the following verses of
Genesis chapter 2, we read how God made a woman (ishshah, corresponding to
man) for Adam. The companion God presented to Adam was bone of my bones,
and flesh of my flesh (Gen. 2: 23). Adam (man) was then commanded to "leave
his father and his mother and cleave unto his wife" (vs. 24). and they
shall be one flesh,; we are told (vs. 24).
b.
The woman, not man, is ideally suited for man
1.
The Purpose of Woman's creation. In I Corinthians 11, the Apostle
Paul wrote, the woman is the glory of the man" (vs. 7). Moreover, he
penned: ;Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the
man" (vs. 9).
2.
The Production of Woman' s companionship. The woman is the perfect
companion for man, Woman is ideal for man emotionally, socially, and
sexually. One purpose of marriage is reproduction (Gen. 1: 28). There is no
other relation that can produce children other than the relationship of man
and woman. Marriage is to be only between man and woman.
Marriage between man and woman is sanctioned of God (Gen. 1, 2; Heb. 13: 4). Sexual relationships
between a man and woman outside of marriage are condemned (Heb. 13: 4).
1.
Marriage between Man and the Beast is forbidden. ManConjugal involvement of
man with beasts incur the express disapproval of God (Lev. 18: 23). Observe
the plainness of this prohibition: "Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to
defile thyself therewith" (Lev. 18: 23).
2.
Marriage between Man and Man is forbidden.
The "neither" is connected to the preceding prohibition, "Thou shalt
not lie with mankind, as with womankind; it is abomination" (Lev. 18: 22).
To "lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman" under God's theocratic
government meant that, "they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall
be upon them" (Lev. 20: 13).
III- DESCRIPTION Rampant homosexuality is an indication of serious
degradation in a society
a.
Great Wickedness described. The sin of homosexuality in Sodom and Gomorrah
reached the point where God said "their sin is very grievous" and "is waxen
great" (Gen. 18: 20, 19: 13). They were so depraved and steeped in
homosexuality that any male stranger was in danger (Gen. 19: 5, "may know
them" means to know sexually). Jude wrote that "Sodom and Gomorrah giving
themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth
for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire" (Jude 7).
The stench of their wickedness was so great that God destroyed these
people with brimstone and fire out of heaven (Gen. 19: 24, notice Jude's
statement regarding "eternal fire," Jude 7). The New Testament describes how wicked and sinful
the homosexuality by the strong words:
b. Gentile
world described. In describing the degenerate state of the Gentile world of
Paul's day, he described the sin of homosexuality. "Men with men working
that which is unseemly," Paul stated (Rom. 1: 27). "Even their women did
change the natural use into that which is against nature," Paul further
explained (vs. 26). Paul referred to such homosexual relationships as "vile
affections" (vs. 26). We are now living in that same evil Gentile world.
IV- THE DISHONOR 1. Contrary to the sound doctrine - 1 Timothy 1:10-11 2. Honor not God- Romans 1:18-31. In other words,
those who are not willing to honor God as God are simply allowed to
degenerate into moral decay! 3. They condemned the Messenger by avoiding the Word
of God.- Genesis 19:9. The reaction of sodomites in Lot' s day is somewhat
similar to many today who say to those who would dare point out sinful
conduct, "Who are you to judge?" People haven't really changed much, have
they? What such people fail to realize, is that when you point out what the
Word of God says about certain conduct, YOU are not judging them, it is the
WORD OF GOD that is judging them. In return, they themselves are trying to
avoid the condemnation of the MESSAGE of God by condemning the MESSENGER!
V- THE DESTRUCTION 1. It destroys the family as defined biblically, a
man and a woman united in holy matrimony rearing children to fear-God and to
be productive citizens. It would eventually destroy society. 2. It requires death penalty under the Mosaic Law
(Leviticus 18:22-29; 20:13; Romans 1:32). 3. It produce a morally reprobate mind (Romans
1:26-28) 4. It defiles the land (Leviticus 18:25) It was one
of the sins that justified God in giving the land of Canaan to the
Israelites, for the previous occupants were guilty of such sins. 5. It gives them transmitted diseases. (Romans 1:27)
An illusion to sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS? We cannot say for
certain, but none can dispute that those who are willing to follow God's
Word as to sexual conduct have less to fear about STD's than those who
choose to disregard Him! 6. It is worthy of the judgment of eternal fire
(Jude 7) 7. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was to
serve as an example for the ungodly (Genesis 19:24-28) as Peter explains- 2
Peter 2:6.
VI- THE DESTINY Paul wrote,
"do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind (nor homosexuals); shall
inherit the kingdom of God" (I Cor. 6: 9, 10). ARGUMENTS 1. Homosexuals cannot
help themselves because they were born the way they are. God would not hold
homosexuals responsible if they had a genetic aberration that they could not
help. Though there may be genetic factors that increase the likelihood of
one becoming a homosexual, these genetic factors alone do not produce
homosexuality The good news is that homosexuals, just as all sinners, can be
saved if they will repent of their sins and accept God's provision of grace
(I Cor. 6: 9-11). 2. Homosexuality is
not even mentioned in the Bible. Some contend that the Bible only condemns
prostitution but that sodomy, or homosexuality, in general, is not addressed
in the Word of God. Homosexuals= malakos = soft, and rendered "effeminate"
in I Corinthians 6:9 is a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness".
The word translated as "sodomites" ("abusers of themselves with mankind" is
arsenokoitai in the same verse I Corinthians 6:9, It is defined as: "one who
lies with a male as with a female, a sodomite". 3. Homosexual people
are made by God. No, God only created human as male and female (Genesis
1:27) and no impurity or gender mixture. Thus, God says, “it was very
good.” Genesis 1:31. 4. Homosexuality has
the same right to love and to be loved by people.
God loves sinners not their sins. Christ died for the sins of the
whole world. Not only He is the God of love but He is a Just and Holy God
who condemned and judged the ungodly, wicked and evil men. Homosexuality is
an abomination unto God (Leviticus 18:22) and a grievous sin-Gen.18:20. If
we love the person we will never tolerate and justify his homosexuality
because true love (agape) rejoiceth not in iniquity”1 Corinthians 13:6 5. Homosexual must be
given freedom to live and express themselves. The Bible says,..and the
truth shall make you free”John 8:32.
God calls people unto liberty (freedom); only use not liberty
(freedom) for an occasion to the flesh,”Galatians 5:13 The good news is that it can be forgiven and
cleansed in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God (1
Corinthians 6:9-11)
The Components For Developing A Predisposition To
Homosexuality Please carefully note that the components listed
below DO NOT CAUSE ONE TO BECOME A HOMOSEXUAL. Rather, they can contribute
to the development of a PREDISPOSITION TOWARDS HOMOSEXUALITY. A person can
(and many do) have all these components and still not be a homosexual. As
listed and describe by LaHaye, these components include: 1. A Melancholy
Temperament 2. Inadequate
Parental Relationships 3. Permissive
Childhood Training 4. Insecurity About
Sexual Identity 5. Childhood Sexual
Trauma 6. Early Interest In
Sex 7. Youthful
Masturbator And Sexual Fantasizer 8. Childhood
Associates And Peer Pressure The
Formula For Producing A Homosexual A Predisposition Toward Homosexuality
Plus That First Homosexual Experience
Multiplied By Pleasurable and Positive Homosexual Thoughts
To Which Is Added More Homosexual Experiences
Multiplied By More Pleasurable Thoughts
A HOMOSEXUAL | |||||||||||