What does the Bible reveal about God’s attitude toward homosexuality?
The Bible is very clear regarding God’s view of homosexuality and the modern LGBTQ+ lifestyles. Let’s start in Genesis:
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24
God’s original plan for man established marriage between one man and one woman. They were to be joined together in marriage as one spiritual unit. Due to sin, the sexual lines became blurred over time. So God gave more counsel and commands regarding certain sexually immoral practices:
“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.” Leviticus 18:22
“If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.” Leviticus 20:13
These texts make it clear that God considers the act or practice of homosexuality an abomination. Consider what Paul writes in the New testament (emphasis supplied throughout):
“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; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:26–32
This passage makes it clear that God deems homosexuality and any form of sexual immorality deserving of death. This makes sense, due to the fact that sin brings death (Romans 6:23).
Consider the following passages:
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 (NIV)
“We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God….” 1 Timothy 1:9–11 (NIV)
If we allow God’s Word to speak for itself, then we know God clearly does not accept thoughts, actions, or choices toward homosexuality. However, it must also be made clear that in many of these texts, God equally calls out sin in all its other forms, as well. So, while many isolate homosexuality and make it out to be a more heinous than many other sins, we must note that God does not leave out all the other sins of equal status: sexual immortality, covetousness, maliciousness, envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness, backbiting, whispering, hating God, violence, pride, boasting, inventing evil things, disobeying parents, being undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful, idolatry, adultery, stealing, greed, drunkenness, slander, swindling, slave trading, lying, and perjury (Romans 1:29–31; 1 Corinthians 10, 1 Timothy 1:10). It’s important we see sin through the eyes and heart of a God who loves us enough to die for our sin, so that anyone who will ask may have forgiveness, cleansing, and salvation from sin!