#repost

DEALING WITH HOMOSEXUALITY

(Should We support the SOGIE BILL?)

(My Personal Reflection-FAZ)

As believers, how should we deal and treat the homosexuals? Should the government give them equal
rights with heterosexuals and special privileges under the banner of equality and freedom? Should we
support or oppose the SOGIE bill being passed by our legislators so that they will not be discriminated
against or they will be protected under the law? Is there still hope for homosexuals to live the kind of life
God wants them to live? What does the Bible say about homosexuality?

Before we answer those questions, we need first to understand the MEANING, THE LEVEL OF
STRUGGLES, THE CAUSES and the BIBLICAL TRUTH OF HOMOSEXUALITY.

Who is a homosexual? This term applies to either a man or woman who is erotically attracted toward
members of their own sex. The word “lesbian” is used to designate a female homosexual. Most
homosexuals call themselves “gays” conveying the impression of a carefree, pleasurable lifestyle.

There are LEVELS of homosexual STRUGGLES:

(1) Confusion of Sexual Identity - this person has an attraction to the same sex but he fears that he might
be a homosexual. He is not yet locked into homosexual fantasies and experience but fears that he might
be one in the future.

(2) Bi-sexual feelings - he is the person who feels attraction to both sexes. His sexual bent will be
determined by his choice and not some prior inborn disposition. But this sexual identity may develop
according to fantasies and behavior he adopts.

(3) Practicing homosexual – he is a person who has experienced homosexual encounters and has come
to enjoy the relationship however unnatural at first. But after the line has been crossed, those
experiences begin to occupy his mind, he initially wished he could change. In some degree, he feels guilt.
He continues to hope that perhaps someday he will be able to walk away from it. He is open to change.

(4) Lifestyle homosexual – he is a person who wholeheartedly accepts homosexuality and does not
desire to change. He feels no guilt. He believes that homosexuality is morally equivalent to
heterosexuality or perhaps even superior. He does not care what the Bible says or will re-interpret the
Bible to suit his preference. Leaving homosexuality for him is not an option. He even believes that he
was created by God that way.

What are the CAUSES of homosexuality?

(1) Misguided family – when fathers of homosexual sons are most often described as being aloof, hostile
and rejecting. When fathers were physically or psychologically absent from homes while they were
growing up according to Dr. George Rekers. These young men lack strong, healthy male role models;
consequently their sexual identity became confused. They simply cannot relate meaningfully with the
opposite sex. Or, passive or absentee father accompanies an over protective, dominant mother at home.
The boy identifies with his mother and assumes her sexual role. If the mother hates men and
communicates to her son, she may make the boy vulnerable to homosexual temptations.

(2) Child abuse – contributes to the reversal of sex roles. If a girl is molested by her father, she may
develop an aversion towards men that may drive her into lesbianism.

(3) Sexual exploitation – feelings of sexual exploitation may persist and develop into a homosexual
orientation. Psychologists say that at the age of puberty a child is particularly impressionable, and if he
or she begins to focus on the same sex, homosexual desires are intensified. Homosexual pornography
contributes to inflaming those desires and helps solidify the direction of the victim’s sexual preferences.

(4) Dysfunctional families - make up a soil in which homosexuality most easily grows. Teenagers who do
not have the benefit of a family with strong sense of personal identity often withdraw from pursuing
normal relationship and gravitate to the same sex, where they do not feel threatened.

Thus, people who struggle with homosexual orientation are particularly driven by the need to be loved
and accepted. Because they cannot relate to the opposite sex, they pursue same-sex relationship. That is
why there is no freedom from homosexuality without the LOVE and SUPPORT of others. They
desperately need our love and acceptance WITHOUT CONDONING THE LIFESTYLE.

But what does the BIBLE say about homosexuality?

The Bible clearly teaches that homosexuality is SIN (1 Cor. 6:9) but it is equally clear that DELIVERANCE is
POSSIBLE.

In the Old Testament, a number of offenses were punishable by death. Among them were adultery and
homosexuality.

Specifically, God says, “IF THERE IS A MAN WHO LIES WITH A MALE AS THOSE WHO LIE WITH WOMAN,
BOTH OF THEM HAVE COMMITTED DETESTABLE ACT; THEY SHALL BE PUT TO DEATH. THEIR GUILTINESS
IS UPON THEM.” (Leviticus 20:13)

In the New Testament, God says in Romans 1:26-27, “FOR THIS REASON GOD GAVE THEM OVER TO THE
DEGRADING PASSIONS; FOR THEIR WOMEN EXCHANGED THE NATURAL FUNCTION FOR THAT WHICH IS
NATURAL, AND IN THE SAME WAY ALSO 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 BODIES THE DUE PENALTY OF THEIR ERROR.”

You will note that in the said passage, Paul is saying that a homosexual is fighting AGAINST THE NATURE
OF HIS OWN BODY. If God created them as male, they should live as male. Or, God created them female,
they should live as female. For me, it is God who has the PREFERENCE FOR OUR SEX and NOT MEN. We
cannot choose to be a woman if God created us as man, and vice versa. St. Paul confirms that we cannot
EXCHANGE OR ABANDON our sexuality. If man will persist on changing his sexuality, Paul says, “God gave
them over” meaning, God will deliver that person over to sin by intensifying the guilt and desire in a
person’s life. At this point, he/she will either be brought to complete repentance or will be driven even
more intensely by passions.

Therefore, homosexuality must not be accepted as an alternate sexual preference. If a man chooses his
sexual preferences, he/she is accountable to God for that preference.
The Bible is clear that both homosexual acts and homosexual lusts are sinful (1 Tim. 1:10) and a
perversion of God’s will for men and women. Even homosexuals themselves admit their desires are
contrary to nature.

But God loves the homosexuals because they are wounded people. Our Lord Jesus can heal them and
deliver them from their homosexual lifestyles. They too need our love and support but without
condoning their lifestyle.

Friends, if you want to be delivered from these homosexual desires and actions, you may do the
following:

a) Come to Christ as you are - we are all unworthy to come to God but we can bask in the love of God.
Let us be willing to open our lives to His grace, for He sees our deceitful heart. God will not turn his back
on you if you believe in Him.

b) Be willing to let God change you – Christ can make you whole again. He can change your lifestyle and
there is nothing impossible for God to do to change you.

c) Repent of any bitterness towards God or others. If you have deep seated bitterness towards your
family for the broken relationship that caused your homosexual lifestyle, forgive them. And repent from
that sin and God will surely forgive and change you.

d) Break the power of illicit sexual experiences. The power of memories must be broken so that the
obligation to repeat the behavior is erased. Renounce that sin and ask God to purify your memories.

e) Find a support group. You need the help of others. Your family and your brothers and sisters in your
local church. Look for a trusted friend or confidant who can provide encouragement and hope in the
midst of your failure.

f) Lastly, fight the temptation in the same way Jesus fought the devil in the wilderness.
Brethren, let us pray for our legislators to rethink their position on this critical issue. This SOGIE bill will
not help our homosexual friends. They are already amply protected by our existing laws and
Constitution. They will only sink deeper into the quagmire of sin of homosexuality with this bill. What
we need are laws that will protect, strengthen and solidify the institution of marriage. On top of all, let
us obey the will of God in the Bible so that He can heal our land. God bless us all!