Born That Way?

In attempts to justify homosexuality, you will hear some today argue that homosexuals have a moral “right” to be “gay” and they were just “born that way” and have no choice regarding their sexual preference. I am persuaded that even some brethren lacking either a basic knowledge of God’s Word or lacking Godly conviction would agree with this false idea.

We can profit by a brief study of several scriptures from God’s Holy Book to determine His attitude toward the unholy, depraved conduct of those who practice homosexuality. First, it is needful to consider the definition of HOMOSEXUALITY and other related words that will enable us to better understand God’s will toward such detestable behavior.

Definitions

Webster’s Dictionary defines HOMOSEXUALITY as: 1) the quality or state of being homosexual. 2) Erotic activity with another of the same sex. The word HOMOSEXUAL as defined by Webster means: “of, relating to, or characterized by a tendency to direct sexual desire toward another of the same sex” (Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary).

When we consider the definition of the word FORNICATION, it is evident that “erotic activity with another of the same sex” (homosexuality) is included. Thayer defines FORNICATION this way –“prop. of illicit sexual intercourse in general” (p. 532). This definition would include homosexuality, lesbianism, incest, rape, pedophilia, bestiality, whoredom, and adultery – all sexual immorality which if practiced, will prohibit the ones so practicing from entering the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3-5; Heb. 13:4; Rev. 21:8).

From The Beginning

The very first book of the Bible presents God’s Truth concerning lawful sexual relationships, that being in the sphere of a lawful marriage as defined by God, not man. The man is to leave father and mother and cleave to his wife and they become one flesh for life (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2-3).

Looking back to the beginning, we note God created man “in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” to be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:27, 28). God created man and woman fundamentally distinct and different but compatible and able to cleave to each other and become one flesh. To be fruitful and multiply, the man needed the woman, and the woman needed the man in order to accomplish this charge. In Genesis 2:18 we find that the Lord saw that it was not good that man should be alone, and he made woman (a help meet) for him. Thus, from the beginning, the heterosexual relationship is the norm created and established by God. In Genesis 3:20 we read that “Adam called his wife Eve; because she was the mother of all living” (Emp. TGM). You will notice that for Adam the Lord made Eve, NOT ANOTHER MAN! Eve is described as Adam’s wife (she), the mother (not the father) of all living!

Mankind was created “in the image and likeness of God” (Gen. 1:26), placed on earth to rule and subdue it and given “dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth” (Gen. 1:26);  thereby needing the God given ability to make choices and intelligent decisions. In Genesis 3:1-6 we find recorded one of the first choices between right and wrong made by man, the decision, whether or not, to eat of the fruit of the forbidden tree. The woman (Eve) was first faced with the decision of believing the Truth of God or being beguiled by the father of liars, the devil (Jn. 8:44), and “she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Gen. 3:6). Sadly, the majority of the world follows Eve’s pattern, making the wrong choice by believing a lie rather than accepting God’s Word (cf. 2 Cor. 4:3-4; 2 Thess. 2:10-13).

Preference And Choice

While it is true that we did not have a choice regarding our sex (male or female) when we entered this world at birth, we DO have a choice between the heterosexual versus homosexual behavior and relationship in later years. If one chooses the abnormal and sinful relationship of homosexuality over the God ordained normal and lawful relationship of heterosexuality, then that person is in opposition to God, preferring and choosing an abnormal, depraved, unholy manner of life! More important, any heterosexual relationship must be within the bounds of God’s law on marriage to be lawful. Just to say the heterosexual relationship is normal is not enough, for many are engaged in heterosexual relationships which are adulterous, therefore sinful.

Are homosexuals born that way? No, they desire to be that way and they themselves make the choice! Fornication is at the top of the list of the works of the flesh which prohibit entrance into the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-20). Man was created with the ability to choose the servant whom he will obey, either “sin unto death or obedience unto righteousness” (Rom. 6:16). When it is argued that homosexuals are born that way, having no choice, then those who so argue charge God our creator of being the root cause of homosexuality which is contrary to His own design, purpose, and will. Such reasoning makes Him the king of hypocrites and an unjust God — creating “in His own image” what He condemns in His Word (Gen. 1:27; Lev. 20:13).

Considering Other Sins

The claim that homosexuals are born that way can be shown to be false by asking a few reasonable questions. Are murders born murderers? What about those “filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity, whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful” (Rom. 1:29-31)? Can we say those who practice these sins are born that way? Without a doubt the answer is NO! A careful reading of Romans chapter 1 will shed light on the fact that men become sinners and are not born sinners. Men become enslaved to sin because of a love for the world (1 Jn. 2:15-17). Note the following quotations from Romans chapter 1, with some contrasting statements – vs. 21 –  “they became vain,” NOT born vain; vs. 22 – “they became fools,” NOT born fools; vs. 26 – “God gave them up unto vile affections,” NOT created them with vile affections; vs. 26 – “for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature,” NOT born against nature; vs. 27 – also “the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly,” NOT born by nature or born in their lust one toward another (Emp. tgmc)!

Paul clearly states the Truth in verse 28 of this chapter – those who practiced homosexuality and the other sins listed by Paul did so because “they did not like to retain God in their knowledge” (Rom. 1:28).

Conclusion

After briefly studying this subject, the only conclusion that can be reached is that homosexuality is sinful and anyone who engages in such a sin will be rejected by God. The Corinthians were warned by Paul to flee the sin of FORNICATION! No where does the apostle Paul reason that man is without a choice in the realm of sexual relationships. No where does the Bible teach that man is not capable of choosing between good or evil. Man has a choice, man makes a choice, and all accountable people will give an answer to God for choices they make – righteousness or unrighteousness (Eccl. 12:13-14; Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10). Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians indicate in no uncertain terms that involvement in the sin of FORNICATION is forbidden by God. He instructed them regarding the God approved choice: “FLEE FORNICATION” (1 Cor. 6:18)!

The body of a Christian is to be “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God” used to the glory of God and not to the lusts of the flesh (Rom. 12:1, 2). Christians must stand opposed to and teach the truth regarding this false idea that homosexuals are born that way and have no choice in the matter of their sexual preference. We must have the conviction of the apostle Paul and teach the Truth delivered in his epistles or we risk ourselves being unholy and unacceptable to God. Yes, those who choose homosexuality choose to be servants of sin and THEY ARE NOT BORN THAT WAY! Those who desire to serve sin rather than come to the knowledge of the Truth through obedience to His Word will reap their just reward – “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). — tgmc