Chi Posted April 8, 2018 Group: Junior Member Followers: 6 Topic Count: 6 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 123 Content Per Day: 0.06 Reputation: 151 Days Won: 0 Joined: 04/05/2018 Status: Offline Birthday: 07/22/1988 Share Posted April 8, 2018 Hey everyone Iv'e had a couple of questions about homosexuality for a while now. Some history in my life: I had a male flatmate for quite a while and he cam out as gay just before we moved in together, I was kind of OK with it, but my relationship with God grew immensely and eventually I decided to move into my own place. I could not tolerate having his boyfriend stay over. However, I have been friends with this person for more than 10 years and I felt like I couldn't abandon him. It has now been a couple of years since then and they are talking about getting married, and although they know that I do not condone their behavior, I love them because I believe we should love the sinner and not the sin. I believe we should exert grace as much as possible, because if God did not work in our hearts with grace, we would all have been in trouble (well most people i know anyway). I am now in a situation where I serve young adult woman, I pray for them and console them. It can be tough sometimes and it breaks my heart when I work with some of these very very broken woman, however, it delights me when I see how God changes their lives and they start healing! Recently, one of the woman I started counseling told me that she is a lesbian, she has been a lesbian since she can remember and she lives with her partner, they are planning on getting married, they have been together for more than 5 years. This lady and her partner are both Christians, they serve well and are very active in the church, a few people at church know that they are a couple, the rest of the community believe that they are just friends because they keep their relationship secret. I am aware that we need to keep each other accountable, James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. But I have no idea if or how i should tel her that their lifestyle is a sin, and the first thought that pops up in that case is "who am I to tell them they are wrong, I need to focus on my own sins and just keep my head down". Matthew 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. My questions therefore are: 1. Should we be going about and telling homosexual people that their lifestyle is a sin? (I don't want to offend people, even typing this makes me uncomfortable) 2. Are people born homosexual? As in, it is encoded in their DNA to be homosexual? (I don't believe it is, I believe your situations shape you and dictates sexuality) Please keep in mind, I truly believe that God has told me that I need to love people unconditionally and with more grace than I believe is possible. Thank you 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GandalfTheWise Posted April 8, 2018 Group: Royal Member Followers: 24 Topic Count: 40 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 1,459 Content Per Day: 0.60 Reputation: 2,377 Days Won: 2 Joined: 08/23/2017 Status: Offline Share Posted April 8, 2018 20 minutes ago, Chi said: My questions therefore are: 1. Should we be going about and telling homosexual people that their lifestyle is a sin? (I don't want to offend people, even typing this makes me uncomfortable) 2. Are people born homosexual? As in, it is encoded in their DNA to be homosexual? (I don't believe it is, I believe your situations shape you and dictates sexuality) The way I view people is that much of the behavior we see are symptoms, some of which are much more obvious than others. Pointing out that a person with a broken leg cannot run very well seems rather pointless to me. Before I say anything about things to people, I try to discern what the real root issues are that God wants to deal with in their lives. I don't want to distract people away from what God really wants to be doing in their lives. So, my indirect answer to question 1 is that I would treat it like anything else in someone's life. I want to understand what God's priority is for them at the moment so that I don't distract them with mine. My observation is that frequently addictive, compulsive, and overpowering behaviors and feelings in people's lives are due to deeply embedded spiritual and emotional things that God needs to deal with. No amount of trying to convince someone to change is going to work if there is something that God needs to deal with first. With regard to question 2, my sense is that there is a mixture of things going on. My understanding is that sexual reactions to various situations and stimuli can be imprinted (or whatever the word is) onto people in a way that becomes embedded (or whatever the word is). However, having said that, human beings have a wide range of different body chemistries (including a range of testosterone, estrogen, and other hormone levels) that result in different types of behaviors and susceptibility to different things. Also, one's upbringing (both physical and emotional) can effect how our bodies and personalities turn out. I'd expect to see statistical correlations between people with some types of body chemistries and some types of behaviors. Of course, correlation is not a 100% determiner but can indicate tendencies. As part of a bigger picture, I see us each as unique individuals created by God to reflect His glory in some way unique to each of us. When we become Christians, God works on transforming us into the unique person He intends for us to be. I'd liken this to growing a garden. If our life is a garden, there are the seeds and plants that God put there to grow and bear fruit; then there are the weeds that do nothing except draw resources away from the good seeds and plants. What we get out of life is related to which of the plants we tend the most. If we spend our effort watering, fertilizing, and tending weeds, that's what will grow well but we'll not get anything from it. If we spend our effort watering, fertilizing, and tending the good plants, we'll eventually see a harvest. We need to be careful that all those bright green growing plants we are seeing are really going to produce something worthwhile. I've seen many Christians try to define themselves by labels of various groups and cling to things in their life with the excuse that "this is how God made me." To the extent that those things in our lives are indeed good seed and plants that God put there for us to become, then tending those things causes us to grow into the person God created us to be. To the extent things in our lives are not from God, and might be due to spiritual, physical, or emotional trauma, being deceived, our own imperfections and sin, and the like, tending those things is a waste of time and resources. My sense is that many people who primarily define themselves as having meaning and value on the basis of various relationships or behaviors are often missing a sense of identity as to who God really made them to be. Whenever anyone says, "this is the way God made me", I often look very closely as to whether they are using that to describe their God-given uniqueness that makes them one-of-a-kind or if they are using it to claim membership in some demographic or point to uncontrollable behaviors or urges as necessarily all being what God wants and intends. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Behold Posted April 8, 2018 Group: Mars Hill Followers: 7 Topic Count: 87 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 3,795 Content Per Day: 1.34 Reputation: 6 Days Won: 3 Joined: 07/30/2016 Status: Offline Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2018 (edited) - We live in a country that is absolutely consumed this last 25 yrs with the idea of tolerating everything, as some sort of proof we are "good" if we allow everything. So......I have something for you to think about...... reader. 1. ) Satan loves sexual perversion, as He happens to be one, and...... any sex that Is outside of a man and a woman's marriage relationship is fornication, and any "marriage" or sexuality that is outside of this, is sexual perversion. Bottom Line, period. Its not "gay love", its not "homosexual marriage rights", its not OK for Gays to Adopt.......all of this is twisted, immoral, harmful, sinful, and perverse. Sodomy is not a "civil right", it is a perverted sex act between 2 sexually perverted people. Here is something else for you to think about. 2.) Grace does not mean "acceptance'", it means "mercy". So, we are to have mercy on sinners, as God has mercy on us and them, but we are not to accept their perverted sexual lifestyle sin, as He does not. If you need proof of this, regarding this Thread's topic, then go to the area in Israel that is referred to as "Sodom and Gomorrah". This is a literal place, I have been to this area, its where the actual Genesis event occurred, and you'll find the remains of the event that are a fact of God not accepting this lifestyle. Here is something else you can understand as a FACT about homosexuals...... They do not reproduce, they RECRUIT. And God does not make Homosexuals, and they are not "born this way". All of this is Media Driven Gay Agenda propaganda that is designed to influence your feelings, so that you are led by them instead of by Truth. So, let me assure any believer here who has been falsely led to feel guilty about the fact that gay sex, gay marriage, transgender, gay adoption, makes you feel not only uneasy in your spirit but sick to your stomach... this is exactly how you should FEEL about all of this, and never should you feel that its "ok to be gay". God hates it, Romans 1 exposes it and castigates it, and you should never feel anything but appalled by anything that has to do with Gay Rights or Gay Sexual Lifestyle. Now, having said all that, we must realize that we are Children of the Light and Jesus is the Light of the World and the Bible is Light for life, and the BLOOD of Jesus is shed for all, and the mercy of Jesus is extended to all. Homosexuals and similar are darkly deceived people who practice perverted sexuality, but they are also eternal beings whom Jesus loves so much that he bled and died to forgive them and help them change back to normal and live a life that is pleasing to God. So, love them, help them, and show them the mercy of the Cross and the Love of Jesus, but never give them the impression that you agree with their SEXUAL LIFESTYLE. NEVER EVER. Edited April 9, 2018 by Behold 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Adams Posted April 9, 2018 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 25 Topic Count: 61 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 9,606 Content Per Day: 3.96 Reputation: 7,795 Days Won: 21 Joined: 09/11/2017 Status: Offline Share Posted April 9, 2018 I think Leanne Payne's ministry has some great answers for this. Please refer to some of her excellent books. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frienduff thaylorde Posted April 9, 2018 Group: Mars Hill Followers: 17 Topic Count: 18 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 13,256 Content Per Day: 5.32 Reputation: 1 Days Won: 62 Joined: 07/07/2017 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/25/1972 Share Posted April 9, 2018 Behold has answered the best by far of all of them. The thing is the agenda did its job. first was to get them into media and always play the VICTIM . also humor , not to ever show scenes of the action , but rather just the two being funny kind people . it worked . the churches under seeker friendly , again it worked . instead of correcting as the early church taught , it turned into lets just love them to JESUS don't run them off. and that led to ACCEPTING it . see a lil leaven will leaven the whole FLOCK . The pattern JESUS SET , for all things ,including correction SHOULD never have been abandoned . but it was . and this is how folks fall away. see satan knew something , he knew if he could get the church to accept them in , AND Not focuse on correcting but just hugs , that people would over time begin to see their prayers as genuine , their good works as proof , and the assumption would be , well GOD must be in them . Satan has not been sleeping , he has infected so many churches from WITHIN . and its only going to get worse . WE have to return to the pattern JESUS set and the apostels set or fall away only and worse and worse it does get . WE first have to kick the pride out and realize something . IF GOD says something , ITS CAUSE HE KNOWS . and be not unequally yoked HAS CONSEQUENCES if we heed it not ....................................GOD IS WISER THAN US FOLKS , HOW BOUT we return to HIS PATTERN. and FAST . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BacKaran Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 What does the Bible say? Homosexuality is a sin. My neice celebrated her partnership with another homosexual and I love them both from a far. I will not accept them in my home or attend family gatherings as this would be seen as approval for their sin by everyone, family or friend. Every family member knew of this ongoing homosexual relationship for decades and not me, I also was not invited to celebrate them damning themselves to hell. I wouldnt have gone anyway, they know where I stand with God, firm and strong on His Word. God offends, Jesus offends, the Holy Spirit offends....those who will be born again will no longer live in their sin but live for God. A true born again Christian will witness the Truth to family and friends and if they choose to move away or terminate the relationship, so be it. Jesus has told us this would happen in the Bible to those who follow Him. I have nothing in common with my neice nor my Roman Catholics siblings and my son disowned me, dont know how he thinks that works, but they all have called me tons of names and I’m a Jesus freak in a cult as I have found Jesus in a nondenominational church. My biblical response to anyone claiming This is how god made me is ME TOO! God knew I would be born with a sinful nature and I needed Jesus to save me. DNA is either male or female. Bruce Jenner can do whatever he wants to his physical body, he’s still a man pretending to be a woman. Chastity Bono is still a woman although she takes drugs to grow a beard. Living for Jesus is a radical change from the family norm these days. I will be kind to homos but I will not have anything to do with them as they reject Jesus corrections and flaunt their sin in front of everyone. There is only a REMNANT that will be living for Jesus, not billions as some man made religions keep telling its members. Jesus died for all BUT ALL WILL NOT choose Jesus. God hates the sin and the unrepentant sinner so we too are not to love the sinner unless s/he is repentant and they choose to change their life for Christ. God cannot be in the presence of sin, ever. Emotions come and go which is why God encourages and exhorts us as His born again Children to stay strong in His Word and faith. We will be hated by the world because they reject the One Triune God. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BacKaran Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 Is it love to let sinners live in sin and heading to hell without telling them Gods Truth? There is no such thing as a CHRISTIAN homosexual, they are pretenders with their hearts seared with their sin, they are tares amount the wheat. BORN AGAIN CHRISITIANS will be compelled by the Holy Spirit to change the focus of their lives from their sins and sinful desires to obeying and pleasing God. My Roman Catholic siblings believe abortion is ok...rilly? When did God change His Word about tha? OH HE DIDNT! and if they say “my god would never. ...or my god loves them.....they have broken the 2nd commandment making a god for themselves so they can feel good while in their sin and still “claim” to know god.... Once I witness to a lost soul, its up to them to choose the message from Jesus or not. Ive done my job and the Holy Spirit will change them is they seek Jesus and truly get born again. Know God know peace no god no peace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Adams Posted April 13, 2018 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 25 Topic Count: 61 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 9,606 Content Per Day: 3.96 Reputation: 7,795 Days Won: 21 Joined: 09/11/2017 Status: Offline Share Posted April 13, 2018 It is a sad world in which we live. Back-biting, false witness, dishonor to wife or husband, gossip, sexual wrongs, unfettered desire, envy, jealousy, evil imagination, lewd jokes, stealing (even paper-clips), speaking defamation of authority (authority comes directly from the Lord), coveting, arguments, drunkenness, self-satisfaction, substance abuse, teaching kids to dishonor parents, breaking the Ten Commandments... There are a slew of problem sins that face everyone, and if you fail in one, you fail in all of them. They are all indicative of fallen humans. They all need forgiveness. They are all of us mostly all of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Behold Posted April 14, 2018 Group: Mars Hill Followers: 7 Topic Count: 87 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 3,795 Content Per Day: 1.34 Reputation: 6 Days Won: 3 Joined: 07/30/2016 Status: Offline Share Posted April 14, 2018 (edited) On 4/13/2018 at 12:20 PM, Justin Adams said: It is a sad world in which we live. Back-biting, false witness, dishonor to wife or husband, gossip, sexual wrongs, unfettered desire, envy, jealousy, evil imagination, lewd jokes, stealing (even paper-clips), speaking defamation of authority (authority comes directly from the Lord), coveting, arguments, drunkenness, self-satisfaction, substance abuse, teaching kids to dishonor parents, breaking the Ten Commandments... There are a slew of problem sins that face everyone, and if you fail in one, you fail in all of them. They are all indicative of fallen humans. They all need forgiveness. They are all of us mostly all of the time. :Yes. If we didn't need continual forgiveness, then there would be no need for the eternal blood of God to have been shed. Amazing is its power to reach our sin and continually continue to pay for them all, 2000+ yrs after it was shed. Edited April 14, 2018 by Behold 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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