What does the bible say about homosexuality? This is a very sensitive subject, but one I have not seen tackled using scriptures. In this guide I’ll be using scriptures to put the term Homosexuality in perspective.
At the time the scriptures were written there was no such word as homosexuality. But there were practices that took place which were clearly homosexual in nature.
I will be looking at what the scriptures say about homosexuality and what they call it.
If you’re a homosexual read on… you will be pleasantly surprised, if you’re seeking salvation…
Homosexuality Definitions And Overview
Let’s start with the word homosexuality and how the dictionary defines it.
So, looking at the definition above, a homosexual is somebody that has a relationship with somebody that is of the same sex as them.
Another popular word used to describe somebody that is homosexual is Gay. I’m sure you know the term originally meant “happy” or “Merry”. If you didn’t. It did.
As early as the 17th century it began to be connected with act of two people of the same sex having a relationship i.e. Homosexuality.
Today the word Gay is commonly used when referring to a person that is Homosexual.
If you’re a homosexual (Gay) person reading this, It’s important you understand that these terms were not created by the Most High.
These are man made words, used to categorise your behaviour. The scriptures give more clarity on homosexuality, so keep reading there’s hope…
Homosexuality In The Hebrew Bible
The bible addresses the act of two people of the same sex having a relationship, but it does so differently to sociey.
It’s important to undertsand the bible doesn’t assume that a person is homosexual because of their behaviours alone, as the world does.
For example if two people of the same sex have a non physical relationship, they’re not automatically categorised as being homosexuals.
The bible tells us how we should act as men and as women.
The first thing to look at is that the bible addressees the actions of how a man or woman should act and dress.
Secondly it addresses how the act of sexual intercourse should and shouldn’t be done.
So let’s deal with these two things i.e. behaviour and sexual relations.
The Bible’s Dress Code
I will start with how the Most High expects us to behave.
In today’s society people wrongly believe that because a person behaves a certain way, they must be gay (i.e. sleeping with a person of the same sex).
So let’s begin with conduct that the Most High expects of man and woman:
Deuteronomy 22:5
5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.
Above we see that cross-dressing is out! As you can see the Most High says in Deuteronomy 22:5, that it is an abomination in his eyes for men and women to wear each others clothes.
We know in today’s society that a man that is in the habit of wearing women’s clothing is very likely to act effeminate i.e. in a feminine manner.
It should also be noted that the Most High doesn’t condone women wearing men’s clothing, either. So being a “tom boy” is also out of the question.
All of this highlights the wisdom of the Most High. It shows that effeminate behaviour and cross dressing aka being a transvestite doesn’t necessarily mean you’re homosexual.
There are people that just like to dress in the clothes of the opposite sex and this behaviour is not condoned in the bible either.
What The Bible Says About Sexual Relations
It’s important to talk about sexual relations, because this is really what is most important to the Most High. Because the act of having sex holds great significance to our relationship’s.
The Paul tells us to flee fornication because it is a sin that we commit against our bodies. As you may or not know our bodies are the temple of God.
1 Corinthians 6:18
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
In the preceding verse the importance of the our bodies is explained also:
1 Corinthians 6:15-16
15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
The Most high gives us clear instructions in this area, about who our sexual preference should be. And we are told to have relations with the opposite sex.
Scriptures confirming this and tell us that a man should not lie with a woman a man as he lies with a woman.
Leviticus 18:22
22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
When sexual relations take place, this is when the bible says the act of homosexuality takes place. The bible refers to it as an abomination.
If you are somebody that has felt like you’re a homosexual you need to undertsand that you’re not. Being homosexual is not a feeling as the worl likes to have people believe.
Any perverse thoughts and mannerism can be dealt with by fasting an praying. Read my post here.
Does Homosexuality Exist In The Bible?
When we read the scriptures, we see homosexuality (same sex relations) first in the Book of Genesis 19, with the story of Lot, Abraham’s brother’s son i.e. his nephew (Genesis 14:12).
In the scriptures Homosexuality is called Sodomy…
Here we see acts of homosexuality in the land of Sodom and Gomorrah. And from that point on wards the word Sodom which mean burnt becomes synonymous with what is homosexuality in modern terms.
The Story of Sodom and Gomorrah which is a place in the east, explains how the Most High sent Angels to be Lot’s guests to find out how bad the sodomy was there.
Unfortunately the angels that were sent in human male form, became the preferred sexual preference of the men in Sodom and Gomorrah.
Lot even attempts to offer his daughters to them, in an attempt to prevent this sin of sodomy.
Genesis 19:1-11
1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:
5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.
6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,
7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.
8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.
11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.
In verse 5 it specifically says that the men of Sodom and Gomarrah wanted to “Know them” (meaning have sexual relations). And the “them” referring to the Angels the Most High sent to Lot as guests in his home.
These scriptures are clearly talking specifically about sexual acts between men (Genesis 19:4-5) when Sodomy is mentioned.
Sodomy only relates to men in the scriptures and not women (Deuteronomy 23:17).
“Strange Flesh” The Bible And Homosexuality?
So is being Homosexual a reality and how has it come about? Well the answer is yes, being homosexual is a reality…
The question is why? Lets see…
Romans 1:25-29
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
So we see above that the Most High has allowed people to continue blindly in their sins when they choose not to acknowledge him.
But more specifically these sins can result in people of the same sex coming together. The bible calls this “vile affections“, and the act of “burning in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly“.
Here we see that yes! It is possible to be homosexual, but it’s due to our ignorance, disobedience and unwillingness to keep the Most High’s commands.
And the deal breaker, or height of this sin is having physical sexual relations with a person of the same sex. If you’ve already fallen victim to such acts remember that you can still repent.
Remember there is always hope…
When you accept the Messiah as your saviour you past sins will be forgotten and you will become a new creature.
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Amen!
Conclusion
The aim of this post, is not to shame anybody that maybe feeling like they are homosexual. But it is to give you understanding about the terms that the world uses and what God actually says.
A person can be effeminate, and not a homosexual, feelings should be combated in the mind.
Just because you feel a certain way, it doesn’t mean that you have to act upon those feelings.
These are the lessons that the scriptures teach us. Feeling attracted to the same sex, and acting upon it are two different things.
When you have feelings these can be dealt with with fasting and praying. And if you have already acted upon your feelings you still have the chance to re-frame from such actions and fast and pray.
Shalom! And share this with someone that needs it.