The Bible on Same Sex Relations

Even dressing up like a member of the opposite sex is a sin. This is a violation of God’s intent for you. God made us to be either male or female. He made no mistakes in our physical appearance since He created us while we were in our mother’s womb.

For You formed my inward parts; you wove me in my mother’s womb. (NASB) Psalm 139:13

For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened . . . Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper . . . (NASB) Romans 1:21-28

This passage is significant. God calls homosexuality a “degrading passion” or a “dishonoring passion” according to the Greek. It is clear this passage refers to homosexuality since the Greek says “males with males” and females toward one another. Homosexuality is unnatural. God’s divine principle is males with females.

Why are some men and women homosexuals? This passage gives us the answer at the beginning of the passage. They have rejected God, truth, and do not honor God! Consequently, God gives them “over” to same sex relationships. The implication is the individual actively at some point in life rejected truth. The Greek word for “gave over” has the sense of “to deliver”, ”to give up to” (as one is given over to police), and “to commit.” When God lets an individual go his or her own way, it appears from verses 29-32 each one is inclined to a different type of sin. Each man or woman is released to follow his or her own sinful desires. It appears God was holding them back. The last verse describes what we are seeing today, not just with homosexuals and lesbians, but with anyone who ultimately rejects God.

. . . . those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. (NASB) Romans 1:32

Same sex relationships are sin. Romans implies that at some point in their lives homosexuals have rejected God and God has allowed this sin to control them. Can they have their sins forgiven? The answer starts with them. Do they want to be forgiven? If so, they can be saved.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (NASB) 1 Corinthians 6:9

Same sex sins are listed along with other sins such as fornication, idolatry, covetousness and drunkenness. Same sex sins are dishonoring, repugnant sins but they are still forgivable. Surely, we have all been covetous at some point in our life, but that does not mean we are automatically going to hell. Scripture is not talking about a single event or many acts of sin, but an ongoing pattern of sin. God is talking about those who never come to Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit turn from their sin. We cannot do this on our own. We are totally dependent on God to stop.