The LGBTQ Movement and Christianity (Its Threat and Our Response): Part 1
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) movement represents a clear and present danger to the culture, to the Church, and to eternal salvation of millions because of its active rebellion against God’s design of gender, marriage, family, and purpose of sexual relations.
This four-part article 1) clearly defines the dangerous threat inherent to the LGBTQ movement on the Church and the culture, 2) looks the current failure and corruption within the Christian church, 3) reviews the enemies game plan to date and how Satan is successfully using the LGBTQ lifestyle to further his goal of separating man from God, and 4) identifies how Christians should respond to the enemies actions while simultaneously lovingly leading people to Jesus Christ.
Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/NiklasEmmoth
Defining the Danger
The focus of the LGBTQ movement is nothing less than the utter destruction of the God-ordained equal, but distinct design of men and women; the corruption of the sanctity of marriage; and the obliteration of God’s design of a family consisting of one man, one women, joined together to have and raise Godly children. It also seeks to normalize sexual immorality. In short, it seeks to normalize and celebrate sin.
The LGBTQ movement, contrary to what it portrays, is NOT about tolerant acceptance. The movement seeks to normalize–even celebrate–its lifestyles while seeking to silence anyone who disagrees. Furthermore, this movement is aggressively active in the areas of policy, legislation, education, and litigation to achieve their goals—make no mistake, they are succeeding.
Here are just a few headlines to appear in the span of one week:
“Christian parents lose custody of daughter after refusing to support her ‘transition’ to male[1]”
“Catholic school fires teacher for ‘marrying’ lesbian partner, breaking moral contract”[2] – And the school is facing severe public backlash.
“Michigan Pastor Facing Death Threats for Offering Workshops to Teens Struggling with Homosexuality”[3]
“Openly gay Olympic athlete Gus Kenworthy: “Eat your heart out, Mike Pence.”[4] – An LGBTQ activist is openly picking a public fight with Vice President Mike Pence using the Olympics as a platform.
Photo courtesy: Religion News Service
Photo courtesy: Religion News Service
God’s Design is Clear and Specific.
Before one can understand the threat of the LGBTQ movement one must first accept God’s design as revealed in the Bible; His design and purpose are crystal clear when it comes to gender, gender roles, marriage, family, and acceptable sexual behavior.
God’s standard is revealed in Genesis and does not change throughout the Bible. “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” He then told them “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule…” God’s design for male and female was to be complimentary “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” God established the unifying institution of marriage by declaring, even before the first wedding, “For this reason a man shall leave this father and mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” Lastly, all sexual relationship was designed to be confined to the marriage relationship.
God creation of mankind was intentional—based upon two different yet complimentary genders, a marriage union between a man and woman to create a family structure with a specific purpose to “fill the earth” through pure sexual intercourse and “subdue and rule” the rest of God’s creation.
I encourage you to study the scriptures yourself. There is an extensive, but not all inclusive, list of supporting scriptures relating to LGBTQ behaviors at the end of the article.
Photo courtesy: Unsplash/Rod Long
We Are All Sinners, All in Need of a Savior.
I do not seek to condemn or declare individuals who succumb to LGBTQ temptations as being any worse of a sinner or person than this author. I am a sinner saved by grace who can relate to the Apostle Paul when he declares that he felt like the “chief of sinners”. Those dealing with LGBTQ temptations are no worse than somebody dealing with pornography, greed, rage, drugs, lies, or any other host of actions that fall short of God’s perfection.
The fact is we all have fallen short of God’s holiness and sought our own ways. Everyone has the need to repent from our sinful lifestyles. Each of us needs a savior, who is Jesus Christ our Lord. We have access to total forgiveness and eternal life through genuine repentance of our sinful actions and open confession and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. I, like God, wish to see everyone come into this relationship; hence the motivation to address this highly divisive issue.
The intent of the article is to call out those who seek to normalize and encourage unbiblical lifestyles–in this case those who advocate for LGBTQ-normalization and acceptance.
Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstockphotos.com
Responses to Temptation and Sin
This topic is sufficiently controversial that it is necessary to look at how people can respond to temptation and sin.
In the Bible, James tells us, “And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, ‘God is tempting me.’ God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death” (James 1: 13-15, NLT).
Fact 1: Everyone experiences temptation.
Fact 2: No, it is not God who tempts you. Therefore, it is impossible to claim God made somebody with LGBTQ-traits. Our fallen nature may well have certain sinful tendencies, but they are not God-given.
Fact 3: Temptation results from our self-centered desires.
Fact 4: Our choices are our responsibility.
Fact 5: Sin is real.
Choice 1: We can choose to resist or surrender to temptation.
Choice 2: If we choice to surrender, we also can choose to repent (turn away from sin) or continue in sin.
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Difference Between Struggling with Temptation and Advocating for Sin
We do not condemn those who struggle with temptation or sin and are seeking to overcome (or are overcoming) the temptations of the LGBTQ lifestyle. We celebrate the bravery and fortitude of those who have repented of that lifestyle and have placed their lives into the hands of Jesus Christ, we celebrate your bravery and fortitude to overcome and look forward to spending eternity with you serving our Lord.
We do stand in opposition of those who operate in the area outlined in red in the above diagram. Those whom have chosen to rebel against God by justifying, rationalizing, advocating, and/or encouraging the LGBTQ-lifestyle.
There is a stark difference between someone struggling with temptation and sin and someone who embraces and advocates for sin. The later have chosen to become enemies of God because “They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too” Romans 1:32 (NLT).
There can be no argument that the LGBTQ movement’s goal is the normalize, celebrate, and even encourage people to participate in sin. Christians are called to stand against such movements while simultaneously being called to lovingly lead people to Jesus Christ.
Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/Design Pics
Scriptural Support from the Old Testament
LGBTQ activists include wolves in sheep’s clothing within the church (more on this topic in Part II). Liberal theologians and pastors interpret and twist scripture in ways that boggles the mind; they are master manipulators and lairs, but they are just that, lairs.
We encourage you to dig into scripture and have provided scriptures for reference and study that are specifically chosen to: reveal God’s design; His standard He has called us to aim for; and scriptures addressing willful sin and its consequences. This is by no means an all-inclusive list.
Genesis 1:27 – Design of gender.
So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (NLT)
Genesis 1:28 – Purpose
Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” (NLT)
Genesis 2:24 – Design of marriage
This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. (NLT)
Genesis 19: 4-9 Tragic Consequences of Sexual Immorality (specifically homosexuality in this case)
But before they retired for the night, all the men of Sodom, young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house. They shouted to Lot, “Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them!”
So Lot stepped outside to talk to them, shutting the door behind him. “Please, my brothers,” he begged, “don’t do such a wicked thing. Look, I have two virgin daughters. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do with them as you wish. But please, leave these men alone, for they are my guests and are under my protection.”
“Stand back!” they shouted. “This fellow came to town as an outsider, and now he’s acting like our judge! We’ll treat you far worse than those other men!” And they lunged toward Lot to break down the door. (NLT)
Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/aradphotography
More Scriptural Support from the Old Testament
Leviticus 18:22 – Homosexuality Declared Immoral
Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin. (NLT)
Deuteronomy 22:5 – Transgender, Cross Dressing Declared Immoral
A woman must not put on men’s clothing, and a man must not wear women’s clothing. Anyone who does this is detestable in the sight of the Lord your God. (NLT)
Deuteronomy 23:18 – Prostitution
When you are bringing an offering to fulfill a vow, you must not bring to the house of the Lord your God any offering from the earnings of a prostitute, whether a man or a woman, for both are detestable to the Lord your God. (NLT)
Isaiah 1: 16-17 – Clean Living
Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from My sight.
Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. (NASB)
Malachi 2: 14-16 – Marriage, Divorce, and Adultery
You cry out, “Why doesn’t the Lord accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows.
Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. “For I hate divorce!” says the Lord, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.” (NLT)
Photo courtesy: Unsplash/tamara menzi
Scriptural Support from the New Testament
Matthew 5: 27-28 – Adultery
You have heard the commandment that says, “You must not commit adultery.” But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (NLT)
Mark 10: 2-12 – Marriage and Gender (also Matthew 19: 3-9)
Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?”
Jesus answered them with a question: “What did Moses say in the law about divorce?”
“Well, he permitted it,” they replied. “He said a man can give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away.”
But Jesus responded, “He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts. But ‘God made them male and female’ from the beginning of creation. ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
Later, when he was alone with his disciples in the house, they brought up the subject again. He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery.” (NLT)
Romans 1: 24-27 – Sinful Nature
So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.
That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. (NLT)
Romans 6:16 – Slaves to whom you obey
Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. (NLT)
Romans 8: 12-13 – Live by sin or Spirit; it is your choice
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. (NLT)
Romans 12: 1-2 – Transformed lives, no longer conformed to the world
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (NASB)
Romans 13:13 – Sexual immoral
Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. (NLT)
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – Sexual sin, homosexuality, etc.
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. (NLT)
1 Corinthians 6:18 – Sexual Sin and Sexual Immorality
Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. (NLT)
1 Corinthians 10:13 – Temptations are common and avoidable
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. (NASB)
Philippians 3: 18-19 – Worldly minded warning
For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. (NLT)
Ephesians 4: 19-24 – Living for or throwing off lustful pleasure
They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.
But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. (NLT)
Ephesians 5: 1-3 – Love without the Sexual immorality
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. (NLT)
Galatians 5: 19-21
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. (NLT)
Photo courtesy: Unsplash/Ben White
More Scriptural Support from the New Testament
1 Thessalonians 4:3 – Sexual Sins
God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. (NLT)
1 Timothy 1: 8-11 – Law, Sexual Immorality, Homosexuality
We know that the law is good when used correctly. For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God. (NLT)
2 Timothy 2:19 – Need for Repentance
But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” (NLT)
2 Timothy 3: 1-5 – Warning to Us
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! (NLT)
Hebrews 2:18 – Jesus was tempted and can help us being tempted
For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. (NASB)
Hebrews 10: 26-17 – Deliberate sin and Backsliding after Committing to Jesus
Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. (NLT)
Hebrews 13:4 – Honor marriage
Give honor to marriage and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery. (NLT)
Revelation 21:8
But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. (NLT)
Revelation 22:15
Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie. (NLT)
Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstockphotos.com
To be Continued…
Part II: The Corruption and Failure of the Church
Part III: Enemies Schemes and the LGBTQ Movement
Part IV: The Christian Response
[1] https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/christian-parents-lose-custody-of-daughter-after-refusing-to-support-her-tr?utm_source=LifeSiteNews.com
[2] https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/catholic-school-fires-first-grade-teacher-after-her-lesbian-wedding
[3] https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2018/february/michigan-pastor-facing-death-threats-for-offering-workshops-to-teens-struggling-with-homosexuality
[4] https://mic.com/articles/187904/openly-gay-olympic-athlete-gus-kenworthy-eat-your-heart-out-mike-pence#.tjxon9OVb
Based on the Center for Christian Civic Engagement article "The LGBTQ Movement and Christianity (Its Threat and our Respons) - Part 1 (Definding the Danger)." Used with permission.
Ric is the President and Director of the Center for Christian Civic Engagement (C3E). His passion is to see Christians once again influence the world and culture by applying a biblical worldview to the pressing issues of the day. He has a unique background that qualifies him for C3Es mission. He is a licensed Pastor, he has previously held an elected office, and has served in a senior administrative position on a legislative council providing him behind the scenes knowledge of policy making. He is a retired Air Force veteran, holds an MBA. Most proudly he is a husband, father, and grandfather.
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