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Is Homosexuality a Sin?

Question: What does the Bible say about being gay? Is it a sin to be gay? Are people born gay?

The Bible is very clear that homosexuality is a sin, "Or don't you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Don't be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortioners, will inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 WEB)

Like theft, adultery, and murder, homosexuality is also considered to be a sin. So then if homosexuality is a sin according to the Bible, what about those who claim they were born gay?

Homosexuality: Are People Born Gay?

There are many who argue that homosexuals are born gay, so they cannot help it. However, according to the Bible, "Let no man say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God,' for God can't be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death." (James 1:13-15 WEB)

God created everyone, so claiming that someone who is homosexual was born gay is like saying that God is tempting them.

In fact, anyone who claims that their sin is a result of how they are made is claiming that it's God's fault (for example, "I can't help my bursts of anger, it's just how I am"). On the contrary, the Bible instructs everyone to take responsibility for their own lusts and temptations, understanding that we tempt ourselves when we allow our lust to entice us.

Additional verses that indicate that homosexuality is a sin include: Romans 1:26-27, Genesis 19:1-13, Leviticus 18:22; 20:13.

Why Do People Deviate Sexually?

If you speak to enough people who deviate sexually and learn their stories, you will find that their is a common theme to their sexual deviations.

Typically, there is some sort of sexual-related experience prior to puberty or a sexual-related trauma in their life, such as:

Exposed to sexual images at a young age.

Exposed to sex at a young age.

Being inappropriately touched or molested at a young age.

Being raped at any age.

Being unable to experience sex with the opposite gender at any age.

In one instance, a once gay man recalled being approached by a grown man in a public restroom at the age of 4 years old. Nothing happened, but he remembers thinking all his life, starting at the young age of 4, "What would make this man think to approach me like this?"

After struggling with homosexuality most of his life, he found redemption and freedom in Christ.

It is also not uncommon for someone who has been raped to lose trust in the opposite sex and become attracted to the same sex, especially if they lack a strong support system.

In situations where grown adults are segregated for long periods of time against their will, such as jail, it is not uncommon to find homosexual behavior, although additional characteristics from the above list are often present too.

Sin and Repentance

Like any sin, we are instructed to turn away from our sin, repent, and return to obeying God. Anyone who repents can be saved. For more information, read about The Meaning of Repentance and Salvation.

For an intellectual debate on this topic, read the Homosexuality Debate between an Atheist Lawyer vs Christian Lawyer

Read this insightful article about Why Homosexuality is Not Like Other Sins