The Bible and Pride Month
Then we will no longer be little children, tossed and carried about by all kinds of teachings that change like the wind. We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead us astray. Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head. ~ Ephesians 4:14-15
Speaking the truth in love sounds easy, but in practice it can be really hard. It can be hard to speak truth, fearful of how it will be received, and it can be hard to speak in a loving fashion when the truth can seem so obvious or when it’s being casually disregarded. But God made us to live in truth and love, to speak truth to others with love in our hearts. As I wrote this, I felt concern that my words could hurt people I care about: friends, colleagues and relatives. I don’t want to bludgeon anyone with the truth, but I don’t want to be unclear about the whole truth, explained if you read through to the end.
There are many modern arguments for how the Bible supports homosexual love relationships, including assertions that David and Jonathan were romantically intimate, or that Ruth and Naomi were lovers. I even read a long post on how the Bible says nothing about homosexuality and that the only commentary is against rape, whether homosexual or heterosexual.
These are elaborate lies. In truth while the Bible doesn’t have long dissertations on the subject of homosexual behavior, it very clearly explains God viewpoint. So rather than trying to create implied approval of same-sex behavior based on a cognitive bias that contradicts Scripture, we should just take the Bible at face value when it states what is good and bad in God’s eyes.
So I’ll let my words be few and allow the Bible to show how God views what is celebrated during Pride Month.
Same-Sex Intercourse
Never have sexual intercourse with a man as with a woman. It is disgusting. Leviticus 18:22 GW
When a man has sexual intercourse with another man as with a woman, both men are doing something disgusting and must be put to death. They deserve to die. Leviticus 20:13 GW
And in case you think this is only one biblical interpretation, you should compare with other versions. For example:
If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. Leviticus 20:13 ESV
Finally, it’s not simply an Old Testament interpretation. Some people have argued that the Gospel of Grace allows us to act however we feel led, but here’s what Paul wrote in Romans, the very same book that outlines the doctrine of God’s Grace:
For this reason God allowed their lusts to control them. As a result, they dishonor their bodies by sexual perversion with each other. These people have exchanged God’s truth for a lie. So they have become ungodly and serve what is created rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen!For this reason God allowed their shameful passions to control them. Their women have exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. Likewise, their men have given up natural sexual relations with women and burn with lust for each other. Men commit indecent acts with men, so they experience among themselves the punishment they deserve for their perversion.
Trans Behavior
I could not find anything that explicitly said: “Thou shalt not have a sex change operation” But who would have thought that necessary? Given the fact that a person’s sex is established by God at a cellular level and in the context of a Scripture verse like Deuteronomy 22:5 below, I believe the Bible is clear about God's perspective.
A woman must never wear anything men would wear, and a man must never wear women’s clothes. Whoever does this is disgusting to the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 22:5
There is nothing fluid about gender; God assigned a sex to a person at conception and the Psalmist declares:
You alone created my inner being.You knitted me together inside my mother.I will give thanks to Youbecause I have been so amazingly and miraculously made.Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this.My bones were not hidden from Youwhen I was being made in secret,when I was being skillfully woven in an underground workshop.
Similar Punishments
In truth, same-sex and cross-dressing behavior is like bestiality in God’s eyes. Consider how God views LGBTQ behavior as compared with other sexual explorations:
“Whoever has sexual intercourse with any animal will be cursed.” Then all the people will say amen. Deuteronomy 27:21
Never have sexual intercourse with any animal and become unclean with it. A woman must never offer herself to an animal for sexual intercourse. It is unnatural. Leviticus 18:23
A man who has sexual intercourse with an animal must be put to death. You must kill the animal, too. When a woman offers herself sexually to any animal, you must kill both the woman and the animal. They must be put to death. They deserve to die. Leviticus 20:15-16
But don't be too quick to say: "These people should be put to death!" This is where the New Testament clarifies something. The truth is that we've all sinned and have earned an undesired payment:
The payment for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives is everlasting life found in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
Didn’t Jesus nullify the Law?
People are quick to say that we’re no longer under the Law, which is true. The free gift of salvation is available to anyone who calls upon the name of God; they will be saved! (Romans 10:13) But asking if we’re under the law isn’t the right question. Instead, we should ask if the Law correctly identifies what God sees as wrong, and if does, then how are we to respond? We don’t need to look past what Jesus Himself said about the Law to know if Jesus nullified the Old Testament Law:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matthew 5:17
The full truth is that if we have ever done what is wrong in God’s eyes, then we deserve the death penalty, and I don’t know anyone other than Jesus who has led a sin-free life. (Romans 3:23) Fortunately for all of us, Jesus came to pay the price for us. Where the Bible says that “you should be killed”, Jesus responds with: “I was killed so you don’t have to pay the price.” His love and Grace did not nullify the Law. No, the Law was not disassembled by Christ; rather, He fulfilled the Law on our behalf. Death was the price that fulfilled the requirement, but He was the One Who paid that price.
But just so we’re clear that heterosexual sin is equally unacceptable to God, let’s look at the high standard Jesus established:
But I can guarantee that whoever looks with lust at a woman has already committed adultery in his heart. Matthew 5:28
So the Law is good and true. Whether Old or New Testament, God and His Law have not changed. The question is: will we let go of our “Pride” and humbly accept God’s grace, asking Him to transform us so that we can live in a way that pleases Him? Rather than arguing against what God has clearly stated, isn’t it better to focus our efforts on aligning with His good and perfect will, accepting the grace and power to be transformed into the people He wants us to be, knowing that His desire for us is for our own good?
Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God’s compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you.
Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.
God loves each of us. He loves us too much to see us remain in sexual sin, whether heterosexual or homosexual in nature. If we are His, we will come in line with His truth, forsaking the lies that lead to destruction. Please hear His loving plea! We are quickly approaching a time when all unrepentant fornicators will experience the wrath that they will have brought upon themselves.
copyright ©2023 Mitchell Malloy (http://mitchellmalloyblogspot.com/)
