LGBTIQ?!

Examining the Issues 4

There are many misconceptions about homosexuality and the LGBTIQ issues.  Too many Christians and churches have not made enough effort to gain an adequate understanding of these matters.  As a result, we are not able to effectively reach out to homosexual people outside the church, as well as to help Christians with homosexual struggles and tendencies within the church.

It is not the intention of this article to comprehensively deal with all the wrong ideas and/or myths related to homosexuality.  Only three core misconceptions are dealt with here.  Clarifying the issues here should be helpful for us to take our first steps towards understanding, loving and helping people with homosexual struggles.

MYTH #1:

HOMOSEXUALITY IS A WORSE SIN THAN OTHERS

People like to grade sins.  We like to think that some sins are really bad, and some are not so.  We have become comfortable with lying, gluttony and the love of money.  We may have even “accepted” these sins are “normal”.  But at the top of the hierarchy of sin that we have formulated (either consciously or unconsciously) are the stuff that we think are really horrendous and deplorable like pedophilia, sorcery and homosexuality.

There is no evidence in Scriptures to endorse such a rating of sins.  On the contrary, the Bible grouped cowardice, unfaithfulness, murder, sexual immorality, witchcraft, idolatry and lying altogether in the same one statement (Rev 21:8); and pronounced the common judgment for all such deeds.

This misconception will inevitably promote an attitude of “I am holier than those people…” or the thought that “My sins are too terrible for God to forgive…”.  Such attitudes or thoughts need to be eliminated.

MYTH #2:

HOMOSEXUALITY IS ALL ABOUT SEX

Many people have the mistaken idea that homosexuality is all about sexual attraction to people of the same gender and acting out all those lustful desires.  No!  Even though SEX is right in the middle of the word homoSEXuality, sex is not the core issue of homosexuality.  The fact is that many people in their early stages of struggling with homosexuality (often as young as 11 or 12 years old) were not looking for sexual encounters or satisfaction in the first place.

In reality, homosexuality is essentially the wrong reactions and responses to a legitimate need; the need for love, acceptance, affirmation and identity.  These wrong reactions and responses are the results of sexual disorientation or confusion regarding a person’s masculinity and/or femininity in the context of circumstantial conditionings, traumatic experiences, spiritual/demonic and/or genetic factors.  (Please refer to previous related articles.)

It is so easy to misconceive sex to be the core issue in homosexuality.  Just like other sexual immoralities such as pre-marital sex and adultery, sex is a very convincing counterfeit to love, acceptance and intimacy.  This misconception need to be dispelled because it will distract us from effectively ministering to the real needs of LGBTIQ people.

MYTH #3:

MARRIAGE WILL FIX HOMOSEXUALITY

Biblically and theologically, the opposite of homosexuality is NOT heterosexuality.  The opposite of sex between same genders is NOT sex between opposite genders.  As much as sex between same genders is definitely sinful, sex between opposite genders is not necessarily “not sinful”.  Pre-marital sex, adultery and rape (involving people of the opposite sex) are all sinful.  We need to understand this.

Therefore, the concept that heterosexuality is the opposite of homosexuality is a misconception that arises from shallow and simplistic thinking.  Such a misconception makes us think that a heterosexual romantic relationship and ultimately marriage; would help someone overcome homosexuality.  And this misconception also causes us to expect that when a homosexual person comes before God and is “set free”; he or she would become “straight” and attraction to people of the opposite sex would immediately kick in, and that person would/should automatically start dating someone.  And, we think erroneously that everything is now settled, good and well.

NO!!!  Rather, the opposite of homosexuality is actually HOLINESS.  Holiness would be something that the repentant homosexual (as with all other sinners) should be hungering for.  In many cases, this will be a process, a journey of sanctification; in the context of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, dependence on the grace of God Almighty, and active obedience to the commandments in the Scriptures through the power of the Holy Spirit.

It is important to know that such misconceptions about homosexuality have negatively influenced and shaped the attitudes, words and deeds of the churches and Christians towards the LGBTIQ people.  And similarly, we need to know too that the LGBTIQ community has their own misconceptions about Christ, Christianity and the Church largely due to our prejudices.

“Hate the sin but love the sinner…” though fundamentally true, may be too simplistic an approach for us to effectively reach and help people with LGBTIQ issues.  We need to unpack this statement, and ask ourselves how we can truly love our LGBTIQ neighbors.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

This is the fourth article of a series of postings that Jason Fong hopes to write on various issues related to the LGBTIQ matter.  The book, GOD’S GRACE AND THE HOMOSEXUAL NEXT DOOR (Harvest House Publishers) has significantly helped shaped Jason’s thoughts expressed above.  He recommends this book, which is written by Alan Chambers and the Leadership Team at EXODUS INTERNATIONAL (a ministry helping people overcome homosexuality), to people who are interested to read/study more.

If this article has blessed you, or if you think this article will bless someone; please feel free to forward it or used it in any way that would bring glory to God.  If appropriate, please acknowledge the source when quoting this material.  Jason Fong also welcomes your thoughts and comments for mutually edifying interactions.

Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this article may not necessarily reflect those of the Christian organization Jason works in, nor the church or denomination he belongs to.