Dear Young People,

In this issue we will talk about another very disturbing trend—Homosexuality.

In the beginning, God made man, and He made woman. He then brought them together in marriage. God wanted the husband and wife to have a loving and intimate relationship. This is natural and right. But because of Satan and because of man’s sinful nature, sin increased and men broke the bounds set in nature. Some men started having intimate sexual relationships with other men and so also some women with women.

People who practice this kind of relationships are referred to as being homosexual or gay. (Women who are gay are known as lesbians). In Sodom and Gomorrah of old, the men were homosexuals. God could not tolerate the extent of their sinfulness and so He destroyed those cities. Even today their sin is called Sodomy. The sin of homosexuality is ancient but was always regarded as abnormal and wrong. Today, some governments and religious leaders have made such a lifestyle legitimate and OK. Recently many gay couples flocked to California because gay marriages were being legally performed there. Many of these same-sex couples adopt babies and imagine that they are a family!

It is more difficult to understand the sinfulness of homosexuality today than it was a century ago. Many modern psychologists mislead people by quoting inconclusive data to prove that homosexuality is genetic. They take great care to make homosexuals feel that they are normal and that it is OK to be gay.

An increasing number of people argue that gay couples must be allowed to marry so that they can also have a secure life. Some so-called churches have even performed such marriages. Some so-called churches even have priests and bishops who are gay. Shall we call this ignorance or shameful connivance with the evil one?

Because of all this chaos, homosexuality does not stand out as a terrible sin anymore. However, the Bible is very clear that homosexuality is a terrible sin. It may be that gay people really feel more comfortable with same-sex partners. According to the Bible, homosexuality is sin and homosexuals must repent and stay away from that sin.

For believers who believe that the Bible is the word of God and want to follow it strictly, there is no other way of looking at homosexuality. From the Bible we see that God abhors this kind of sin. (Remember, God abhors sexual immorality of any kind.) It does not matter if the world accepts it, or even if religious leaders permit it; we cannot accept it because the Bible is clear that it is a sin that God hates. Let us stay close to the teachings of the Bible and protect ourselves from the snares of the world.

One reason the Bible gives for this sin is that people do not want to acknowledge the true God.

because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man– and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; (Rom 1:21-28 )

If you are weak minded and insecure, a homosexual person could introduce you to this sin. This does not mean that you must look at everyone with suspicion. Move with boys and girls in a clean and wholesome way but always maintaining a certain distance. There is no need for long embraces. If you live in a hostel, you need to be a bit more careful. Always be with a group of good friends as far as possible instead of being alone. This will keep you safe from many dangers.

Above all, pray everyday that God should help you stay pure and keep you away from this and other temptations. You must also use your God-given intelligence and be aware of what is going on around you. Be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. If you feel you have a problem related to homosexuality, speak to the pastor, or someone you feel comfortable with in the church.

But remember that as Christians we cannot hate a gay person. How can we hate any sinner; were we all not sinners who Christ forgave? We were all sinners and Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. But we all repented and continuously make a conscious effort to stay away from sin. So too also we long for all sinners to repent and come to God. We must hate the sin but not the sinner.

If you have understood this lesson, you will be able to fill in the blanks:
Marriage is a relationship that is possible only between a ________ and a __________.
According to the Bible, homosexuality is a terrible _________.
We must hate the _________ but not the ____________.

(Nahomi Dhinakar; Published in Youth Column of Dhyanamlar Feb II 2004) Click here for other Youth Column articles