Homosexuality is a much debated topic in Christianity and in the world today. Is it considered a sin? Why would God view it as a sin if that’s how I feel? Are there exceptions? There are all sorts of questions surrounding the idea of homosexuality and we are going to tackle some of those questions in this article. The goal of this article is to simply state what the Bible says about homosexuality and the practice of it. No opinions, not assumptions, just facts about what the Bible states. Let’s begin. 

When talking about homosexuality, it’s important to understand what we mean by that word and the context we use it in. Merriam-Webster defines homosexuality one of two ways, “sexual activity with another of the same sex” or “sexual attraction or the tendency to direct sexual desire toward another of the same sex”. This is the definition I am using when we refer to homosexuality in light of the Scriptures. So, let’s see what Scripture has to say. 

There are a few times in the Bible when the word “homosexuality” appears in our English Bibles. The first one we will look at is 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 which says, “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.” Here we see that “men who practice homosexuality” is on the list of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God. Does this mean that they are lost forever? No. Paul is simply stating here that because of that practice, and all the others listed here, they cannot enter God’s kingdom because they are sins and this is assuming they have not received the grace of Jesus. 

There are also other verses that describe the practice of homosexuality, without saying “homosexuality” that cannot be ignored or disregarded. In Leviticus 20:13 it states, “If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable”. Leviticus is describing homosexuality, just as Merriam-Webster has described it, and it is considered detestable or a sin. 

Here is another example of describing homosexuality without using the word. Romans 1:26-27. This passage reads, “Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.” In this passage, Paul comes right out and describes homosexuality in both scenarios. Women were having sex with women and men were having sex with men. There is no exception for either party. It is not a case of being acceptable for one or the other, it is simply unacceptable for both. 

The bottom line here is that homosexuality, the act of having sexual relations with the same sex is a sin. It is wrong in the eyes of God as stated in these verses (1 Corinthians 6:9, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-27). 

So here is a question that could surround this topic: Even if committing the act of homosexuality is wrong, is it wrong to have those desires? Is it a sin to even think about? Here is the way I think about this question. In the last verse we read, Romans 1:26-27, we read that the men “were inflamed with lust for one another” and this is the desire we’re talking about here. Jesus taught on this idea of even “thinking about it” in Matthew 5:28. Now, Jesus in this context was referring to a man’s lust towards a woman but let’s look at what he says, “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” What Jesus is saying here is that even if it’s just an intention and no act was actually done, the intent is enough to say that he has committed the act in his heart. Even if nothing was actually done, but you had the intent of the act in mind and your heart’s desire was there, it is considered having done the act in the heart. Why? Because Jesus was making a statement about how important our heart and our desire is. Just because we don’t actually do something, doesn’t mean we aren’t guilty of some conscious thought that was not good. Jesus wants us to see that it’s our thoughts and feelings that proceed the actions and it’s these evil desires that we are at war against. I think this same mindset can be applied to homosexual lust. Just the lust itself, reflects that our hearts are not in the right place as well. 

Now, this does not mean that homosexuality is a “top sin” and we should judge those who practice homosexuality with any more scrutiny than anyone else. Remember the list that Paul gave in 1 Corinthians 6 that we looked at earlier. Homosexuality was not the only sin on that list. There were many sins on that list that we wouldn’t think are as “shameful” as homosexuality but they were all mentioned together. They all hold the same weight in rebellion against God. 

If you or someone you know struggles with homosexuality, the first thing to realize is that yes, it is a sin, no matter how we look at it. However, it does not mean that God hates you and you are lost forever. Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but to save it (John 3:17) and He wants you more than anything. I encourage you to pray about your situation and your desires and turn to Jesus. Then, you will have the Holy Spirit who will fight for you against the desires of the flesh and you will be able to overcome anything with the power of Jesus.