The question of sexual orientation

I'm writing this based on a comment made from my post entitled, "The Color of My Skin." First of all, the Bible does not condemn someone for the color of their skin, or other things we cannot control. However, it does condemn sinful sexual practices. The subject of sexual orientation is a very hot topic, and I think many fear to talk about it because when they do they are verbally abused and victimized for exercising their freedom of speech and religion.  However, I am going to respond to this comment because I believe it brings up a good question, and needs clarification. I believe that the reason the momentum has swung to the side of favoring homosexuality and gay marriage in our nation is because of a misunderstanding about sexual orientation. I mean no one disrespect in my reply. Please hear my explanation. My book Fully Persuaded, which will be released later this year, goes into much more detail.

1 John 2:16-17: "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."  What a promise! That's great news if you're in the will of God!

All sin comes down to 3 basic foundational problems: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Just because people are ATTRACTED to something, WANT something, DESIRE something, that does not mean they can or should have it. If someone is married and desires someone else, it's not OK. If someone lusts after an expensive piece of art, it's not OK to steal it.  If someone wants to sit down and eat until they're throwing up, that's gluttony and not healthy; it's just fulfilling the lust of the flesh and abusing their body, the temple of God. If someone desires to have sex with someone of the same gender, it's not OK. Just because you want to do something doesn't make it right. Pride says I should have whatever I want, and mind your own business, don't tell me what to do or what not to do. We might not want others to boss us around, but what about God? Where does He stand in your life? The Bible says that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. Saul was rebuked in the same manner in 1 Samuel 15:23: "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king."  I don't know about you, but I don't want God to reject me from blessings He has in store for me!

Just because someone is depressed or anxious or angry, or addicted to food, sex, drugs or alcohol, that doesn't mean we celebrate those things. They are based on emotions, and yes - are natural because it is in our nature to feed the flesh, to worry and fret, to let our emotions get out of control at times, and to sin. We have to just work harder at them. God's laws for His creation still apply. We have to reign in these things. We may always battle with certain weaknesses and tendencies, but we are not bound to them. Through Christ we can have the victory, and that's what America (and the whole world!) needs to know.  We need to help each other through our problems, not pretend the problems aren't there. And because we are made in the image of God, we have positive things in us as well, such as a caring heart, ambition, desire for life, courage, etc. Dwell on those positives.

Love and attraction are linked to emotions as well.  Love that was meant to be pure can be tainted with disobedience and rebellion, desiring the FORBIDDEN (which for many is very attractive!). We then love and lust after things that are sinful. There is no gay gene, but certainly there are complex factors involved with those who are battling with same sex attractions, including environmental, certain genetic tendencies (just as bullies and victims of bullies, those who suffer mental illness, depression, anxiety, addictions, etc. also have genetic tendencies), social, cognitive, familial, behavioral factors, etc. God made you very special; strive to embrace your masculinity as a man and your femininity as a woman, and be the wonderful person you are, but in obedience to God and His intent for your life, which will never contradict His Word, the Bible.  God will bless you when you obey Him, and your life will be so fulfilled when you are in the center of His will. Don't be deceived by what people say, even when it's the majority. The majority thought the world was flat at one time. Find truth. Jesus prayed in John 17:17: "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."

AND...hate is an emotion of God, and as we were created in His image, so it is OK to hate certain things. Not people, but we can and should hate sin and its effects on our society, and hate the pain that is a result of sin. Here is a list of what God hates. Proverbs 6:16-19: "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." Do you hate these things also?

When we reject God's design for marriage, where does it end?  If gay marriage is OK, then is being married to 3 people OK? Is marrying your daughter OK? Your pet? What if all parties are in love, and can consent legally? The same issues applies to transgender issues. How do you know if you're a girl or boy if it's OK to choose your own gender? What moral authority are you claiming? If you just go by what the majority thinks is right, or what is legal today in your particular culture, it will constantly change like shifting sands. There will be no stability in that society. People are fickle and change their minds often. Sinful natures cause us to desire our own best, and not always the best of others or what is the right thing.

Civil law that is based on God's moral law works. You have to legislate law, and it needs to be based on a solid foundation of what is right and wrong.  Preferences can change, but not moral law. Why should we obey God's moral law rather than man's? Because He created us and this is His world. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He designed us. Many people desperately want to convince themselves there is no God, because then there is no accountability for their sin, and they can make their own moral law. If there is no God, then there is no Word of God. If there is no Word of God, there is no sacred standard. And if no sacred standard, then no eternal consequences, such as heaven or hell. We just live and do what we all want, and if the majority doesn't agree, we manipulate and pressure them until they do, and then we can make laws that allow us to have our way. Sadly, this line of reasoning often leads to despair. In our core we need meaning and purpose, and the good news is we do have that through Christ. We have a future and a hope. There is a God who loves us and cares about us. Don't let your selfish desires sacrifice that truth. It's just not worth it.

Truth is so important to God. Do you want to know what makes God extremely angry? Suppressing truth.
Romans 1:18-20: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse."  God is not hiding. He is real, and He is not only known by us in our own conscience and in viewing the world around us, but we clearly understand! Yes, to the point that we are without excuse. If someone were to stand before God one day and say, "God, if you only made yourself more clear, I would have believed in you! I would have understood!" His response will be: "It was clear, you did know, you did understand, and you are without excuse." It's not difficult to look around, even seeing the intricacies of our own bodies, to know God exists. The matter of the existence of God is not a philosophical or intellectual debate, but rather an act of the will.

The truth about lust is that it has a terrible destination: death. James 1:15: "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." 
Hebrews 13:4: "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers [fornicators] and adulterers God will judge."

There may be powerful and wealthy organizations and businesses trying to sway the minds of people to believe that sexual orientation is something that cannot be changed, but it is simply not true, and does not apply to the same characteristics as the color of your skin. Search for truth, find it, hold onto it, and teach others the same. Do not be bullied. Remember the things you were taught from the Bible and stand for what is truth. It is a slippery slope to start redefining genders, marriage, and the sanctity of human life. Choose life, grasp truth, and obey the One who is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE (John 14:6).

"Have ye not read (see Genesis 1:27; 2:23-24) that He who made them at the beginning, made them male and female; and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh" (Matthew 19:4-5).