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What The Bible Does... And Doesn't... Say About Homosexuality

Dan Lankford
04/10/16 - Sunday PM

This issue is one of the most emotionally charged discussions in our current culture. And many believers have a surprisingly misguided understanding of the true Bible perspective on it. This lesson attempts to shed light on some commonly-held false assumptions about sexual orientation, Christian attitudes, and temptation.

*The following outline was provided to all Eastland members at the time this message was preached. We hope it will help in following along as you listen to this message.*

What The Bible Does Say

The Old Testament

• Gen. 19:15 – homosexual acts in city of Sodom condemned
• Lev. 18:22 – homosexual acts strictly forbidden for Hebrews
  • “Abomination” (cf. Deut. 17:1, 17:4-5, 18:10-12)
• Lev. 20:13 – homosexual acts strictly forbidden for Hebrews
  • Assigned death penalty (cf. Lev. 20:1-16)

The New Testament

• 1 Cor. 6:9-10 – “men who practice homosexuality" condemned
• 1 Tim. 1:10 – “men who practice homosexuality” condemned
• Rom. 1:26-32 – homosexual acts contrary to human nature
  • The nature of our creation = in God’s image.
  • Sin is against God’s/our nature. Homosexual activity is sin.

Things The Bible Doesn’t Say

• “Everyone with same-sex attractions (temptations) will automatically go to Hell.”
• “It’s not problem for you to focus on those desires as long as you don’t act on them.”
• “You have to be in a committed romantic relationship to please God.”
• “Christians should hate those who believe differently than they do on this (or any other) spiritual topic.”
• “If you’re a Christian and you struggle with same-sex attractions, you’re on your own. Deal with it.”
• “If you pray hard enough, God will remove your temptations and you’ll henceforth always feel like a ‘normal’ straight person.”

Faulty Assumptions

• Your sexual desires define your identity (God never talks about a person's "sexual orientation").
• The most important thing is to be yourself.
• Marriage is for those who fall in love.
• Disagreement with a principle is equivalent to an attack on a person.
• God wants you to be happy.
  • Alt: “If it causes pain, it must be wrong.”