Homosexuality & Holiness

Sexuality was never meant to be the foundation of our identity — holiness was. God created sex as a covenantal gift between one man and one woman in marriage, a reflection of Christ’s faithful love for His church. When desire is elevated above design, it becomes an idol, promising fulfillment but leading to emptiness.

Homosexual practice, like all sexual sin, departs from God’s good boundaries. To call it good is to exchange the truth of God for a lie (Romans 1:25). Sin always offers belonging and freedom but delivers shame and brokenness. Scripture does not single out homosexuality as the only sin, but it is clear that such a distortion of God’s design dishonors Him and harms us.

The good news is that holiness is possible. Some in the Corinthian church once lived in homosexual practice, but they were washed and sanctified (1 Corinthians 6:11). The same gospel hope is offered today: forgiveness for the past, transformation in the present, and joy in walking in obedience to Christ.

1. Trends – What the Culture Is Teaching

• Homosexuality as Identity – Desire is treated as identity; sexual preference is seen as who someone is at their core.
• Love as Redefined – Love is equated with affirmation of desire, not alignment with God’s holiness.
• Celebration and Normalization – Same-sex attraction and practice are portrayed not as exceptions but as virtues to be celebrated.
• Silencing Dissent – Biblical convictions are labeled hateful, and cultural pressure demands affirmation.

2. Truths – What Scripture Says

• God’s design for sexuality – Genesis 2:24: “This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh.”
• God calls homosexual practice sin – Leviticus 18:22: “Do not have sexual relations with a man as with a woman; it is detestable.”
• God identifies same-sex acts as contrary to nature – Romans 1:26–27: “Males committed shameless acts with males, and received in their own persons the appropriate penalty of their error.”
• God warns against ongoing practice of sin – 1 Corinthians 6:9–10: “Do not be deceived: no sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or males who have sex with males… will inherit God’s kingdom.”
• God transforms sinners by His grace – 1 Corinthians 6:11: “And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

3. Transfers – How to Communicate Truth to Others

• Hold conviction without cruelty – Speak the truth clearly, but without hatred or mockery.
• Point to holiness, not just prohibition – Frame the conversation around what we are called to (holiness) rather than just what we are called from.
• Offer testimonies of transformation – Share stories of believers who have been changed by the gospel, demonstrating that change is possible.
• Extend grace to strugglers – Recognize that temptation is not the same as sin; provide discipleship and community for those who wrestle.

Ask redemptive questions – “What if true love is not affirming every desire but aligning with God’s design?” “How could holiness lead to deeper freedom and joy?”