The bible says "All sin separates us from the love of God." All sin. The topic of same-sex sin isn't being isolated here, it just happens to be the topic of today's post.
Thus, the term 'same-sex sin' is used very intentionally. Why? Because it bears no difference to heterosexual sin. God doesn't differentiate in His tolerance of either in scripture, since sexual sin is sin. Nothing makes same-sex sin and more special or unique than that of heterosexual sin.
For the purposes of this article though, let's take a deeper look at same sex sin, in an effort to hopefully offer some information and clarity.
The Bible addresses homosexuality directly, consistently, and within a broader framework of sexual ethics, not as an isolated topic but as part of God’s design for humanity, marriage, holiness, and redemption. Please allow me to explain, without judgement, condemnation, or hostility of any kind; for we are ALL sinners and fall short of the glory (and expectation) of God.
HARD QUESTION: It wasn't like I had a choice, so why would homosexuality be a sin, since God "made me" this way?
This question is completely fair. All questions are fair when genuinely pursing Christ. And, finding an earnest answer is a God-given right for us all.
But this difficult question is not explicit to homosexuality. For example, why would a child be born with a heart defect? Or with cancer? Another with a physical deformity? Another blind or with mental illness? Yet each of these are crosses that each must bear, regardless of their desire to have been born a certain way.
Some people are born into a great family environment, while others into a life of abuse and poverty. Is that fair? I suppose it depends on what understanding you lean into for the definition of fair. But I do believe that each case supports a purpose, ordained by God.
Let's take a look at truths revealed in scripture. And before we dive in, please remember this... God is the creator of the universe. He IS the law. He IS the truth. It is His design, His rules. How I feel, you feel, what we choose to believe... none of this affects the design of our universe and the laws and truths set in place to govern it. As such, this article has nothing to do with my personal opinion whatsoever, I am simply deferring to the very Word of God. His plan also included the freedom to choose to do as we wish with the information that is provided to us.
God's creation was purpose-built. Man + woman = offspring, purposely designed to populate the earth. The biblical view of sexuality began, even before sin had occurred, not after the fact.
• Genesis 1:27–28 – God creates humanity male and female and blesses their union.
• Genesis 2:24 – Sexual union is defined within one man and one woman in covenant marriage.
The design of sexual purpose is presented as intentional, not something to become accidental or chosen. This early design noted in scripture becomes the measuring standard for all sexual behavior throughout later scripture. And, throughout, homosexual acts are explicitly addressed as outside of God’s design, not framed as cultural preference but as moral boundary. Two books later into the Old Testament:
• Leviticus 18:22 – “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.”
• Leviticus 20:13 – Reiterates the prohibition within Israel’s moral law.
Here's some important context about these verses; these passages address behavior, not temptation or inclination. The same moral framework also forbids adultery, incest, and bestiality, issuing expectation for both hetero and homosexual dispositions.
The Bible also offers warnings of consequence for such behavior.
• Genesis 19 (Sodom and Gomorrah) – This is often misrepresented as being more specifically about inhospitality, but later Scripture clarifies the sexual sin involved.
• Judges 19 – A parallel account reinforcing moral collapse when sexual boundaries are erased.
These stories function as legitimate warnings about the result of sin, not simply spectacle for storytelling.
So that's Old Testament though, right? An old covenant. What does the new covenant say?
Jesus Himself never redefined sexual ethics, rather He reinforced the Genesis model:
• Matthew 19:4–6 - Jesus affirms marriage as male–female and rooted in creation.
• Jesus speaks often about sexual sin, repentance, and transformation, even when not listing every category.
Other areas of The New Testament directly addresses homosexual behavior multiple times also-
- Romans 1:26–27 - Same-sex relations described as contrary to nature (creation order).
- 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 - Includes homosexual practice among behaviors inconsistent with the Kingdom of God.
- 1 Timothy 1:9–10 - Lists it among violations of God’s moral law.
“And such were some of you. But you were washed, sanctified, and justified…” (1 Cor 6:11)
I actually love this last verse in context, because it reiterates that this is not condemnation, rather it is transformative language.
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Another very pertinent part of this dialogue should shed light on temptation vs. identity, in which there is a crucial distinction.
The Bible does not define people by temptation.
• Temptation itself is not sin (James 1:14–15).
• Identity is rooted in creation and redemption, not desire. We all have desires that are contradictory to God's commands. We all have thoughts, which are not a sin either. Dwelling on either becomes dangerous though, because this is where our energy flows and where things begin to come to fruition.
Scripture never frames homosexuality as identity or reason of unforgivable condemnation. Like heterosexual sin, iit addresses acts, behaviors, and practices, not a preference toward sin.
The Bible holds onto a few truths simultaneously: (1) Homosexual behavior is outside God’s design; (2) Heterosexual sin is no different; (3) God’s grace is available to ALL sinners. Jesus always shows mercy without redefining sin (John 8:11). Forgiveness is always granted to those who ask in earnest and repent (turn away from sin).
Somewhere along the way, the Church and its representatives have inappropriately created this 'hierarchy' of sin. And some of these sins seem to have wrongly garnered more aggression, less tolerance, and unjust focus, using tactics to confront people rather than the sin that they struggle with. SHAME ON THE CHURCH for this!! This is NOT justified, is unholy, and very misrepresentative of Christ and His Kingdom. As Christians, our role is to speak truths without judgement, hatred, arrogance, or cruelty. The Gospel is calls to everyone, all of which sin and fail daily in perfection, to repentance and new life.
To summarize things, the truth... popular or not... liked or not... accepted or not.. the truth is, the Bible clearly teaches that homosexual behavior is sinful. So is drunkenness. I'm sure that fails to sit right with many people also.
No where ever, not once, even in context does the Bible EVER teach hatred, violence, or rejection of people; rather, it calls all people- heterosexual and homosexual alike- to repentance, holiness, and transformation in Christ. The standard is not orientation, but obedience to God’s design. God has the unique attribute of being able to see a person and their sins as two very different things, which is what makes forgiveness possible. In the eyes of a living Savior, you are not the sum of your sins, which can be eternally separated from you, as far is the east is from the west.
Sometimes, the truth hurts, regardless of what the struggle may be. But truth alone can set us free. You were the only thing in creation that was formed by the very hand of God, everything else was spoken into existence. You were beautifully and wonderfully made, in His very image. He knew you before you were even born! He knows the very number of hairs on your head at this very moment. It is He that breathed life into you, literally. The breath of life is what allows us to live, to exist.
Regardless of where you find yourself at this very moment, you are worthy. You are capable. You are accepted. You are loved. God is waiting to open the door to life you never could have imagined for yourself, all you have to do is agree.
We are always here for discussion, for prayer, as a sounding board... feel free to reach out anytime. We aren't perfect either, but we detest the same things that non-believers do from religious people who unjustly see themselves elevated above others. We recognize our place in God's plan and pledge to be judgement free. Send us a note anytime!!! https://escapingnod.com/the-war-room
~ Devin
Devin Osborne
