Some years back, I was watching a video online about a man who previously lived a homosexual lifestyle. And how he found God and got saved. At that moment I felt the love of God well up in me as he shared his story. Indeed God`s grace is available to all. After this, I decided to go through the comments only to be met by some heartbreaking statements like, ‘you can be both, gay and Christian’.
I was stunned at how the devil has deceived many to think that this statement is true and realized how it spoke volumes to the verse in 2 Corinthians 4:4: ‘Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.’
Remember, the enemy’s purpose is to taint God’s plan, and purpose for human beings. 2 Corinth 4:4 lets us know how he blinds the minds of unbelievers so they can stay where they are, with this skewed view of themselves, people around them, the world and God. Although it’s sad to comprehend the gravity of the deception of people who are dead set on this lifestyle, it’s a reminder to believers of our mission here on this earth. It challenges us to minister love and bring our brothers and sisters to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
In this post, I would like to address this notion from a different perspective. Most of us are broken, and our response to that brokenness differs. Some broken people abuse others, others will control, while others break down or become anxious or easily stressed, and others simply believe otherwise about their identity. Homosexuality is a coping mechanism that the devil uses just like drugs or alcohol or any other addiction. It introduces the enemy and demonic spirits that take control of your life and gives the enemy legal access.
Having studied a number of people who no longer identify as LGBTQ, I have come to realize that this identity is as a result of trauma. Most of these individuals have experienced some level of trauma that has caused them to identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc. Whilst we usually think of obvious trauma such as abuse, violence, loss of a loved one, what we do not realize is trauma can also come from other sources such as bullying, being reprimanded by a parent, and an overly strict upbringing or even severe illness.
Our perspective of self can change because of that trauma. Even the not-so-obvious traumas as well. So what you will discover is as a coping mechanism our minds adopt an identity that looks safe. Because of the nature of trauma, the effects differ from person to person. So people take the relief route that the enemy introduces that has nothing to do with God. If one is not founded on the truth of God’s word, there is a tendency to explore other avenues that seem to make more sense.
The enemy introduces an unnatural affinity that reshapes our identity. This is not new. The devil is not creative but deceptive. We see in the bible where people’s identity became what they experienced or did in their past 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. If there is no God and His Word, people will turn to the alternative. The counterfeit of love, stress relief, comfort, joy, and peace. The alternatives of the fruit of the spirit.
Here is where it gets worse. Any form of relief outside of God’s word gives the enemy access and authority in our lives. This then introduces demonic spirits that possess and oppress an individual causing all sorts of problems in their lives. So those wounds become open doors that give the enemy access to build warped belief systems about yourself, others, the world, and God.
Who is a Christian?
The word Christian comes from the English translation of the greek word Christos meaning ‘the anointed one’. It is given toany who has surrendered their life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. And surrender means living by His standards clearly stated in His Word!
What does being gay and Christian really mean?
Now that we know what being a Christian means, what does being gay and Christian really mean? That’s a question we all want answers to. An attack on identity, relationship with God, and authority is an obvious trick of the devil that he even used on Jesus. It’s not new. He knows if he plants thoughts about your identity it will move you away from God and strip you of the authority you have as an heir in the Kingdom of God. See how the enemy tried to get to Jesus’ purpose through his identity.
You might say that LGBTQ+ is a sexual orientation, not an identity issue. However, anything that supersedes the words I AM describing how you perceive self is an identity of sorts. Identity cannot be separated from the spiritual because of its association with God or the enemy. The root of identity is spiritual. Salvation, and redemption are all spiritual miracles.
This explains how there is still a void even with the assurance of your identity being true. Unless your identity is in Christ the bible says we shall always thirst and hunger for more. Jesus Christ is the bread that fills us up and the living water that quenches our thirst, whatever that may be.
What does the bible say about homosexuality?
In as much as many people have mentioned how silent the bible is on homosexuality, tha is completely untrue. The bible is very clear in this. First the most profoud statement God gives in support to this is He created them male and female Genesis 5:2. There is no further evidence of any other gender being created, nor is there example of someone you transitioned.
‘“If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense.’ Leviticus 20:13. Its very clear, homosexuality is not an identity, its a sin! Instead of death under the law, God sent His Son for our redemption. He gives you an opportunity to turn to Him and be made new.
As I continued to watch this video, I realised how this man was very much aware of how God and homosexuality did not go hand in hand. To him, God was the enemy. He knew the two ddn’t have any relationship. So he stayed away from Christianity, from God, and from the church. If you identify as homosexual, something in you tells you how wrong this is.
One will tell you it comes naturally to them as opposite-sex attraction. However, in Romans 1:26-32, the bible calls these unnatural desires It’s even more sad to see people who feel condemned and think this whole ‘Jesus’ thing is a way to snatch their freedom, when in actual fact Jesus is that freedom. John 8:36 It’s sad to see how people reverence(fear, rather) one sin over the other. It’s sad when we fall prey to short term pleasure and suffer long term pain. It’s sad to see how our views of God’s word have been tainted to evolve with the modern age.
Therefore, the answer is no you can not be gay and Christian. You cannot identify as LGBTQ and Christian. The scriptures do not adapt or evolve to suit the modern culture. God is clear on that. He does not change the thing He spoken because He keeps saying the same words. The scriptures are timeless and applicable all the time, otherwise it will only make God archaic and irrelavant in todays world.
It is abomination to say the creator of the world and all life in it is out of touch with our world today. We may change but God doesn’t. And our change mostly drives us away from God. The word of God defies systems, time, culture and tradition.
We drift from Gods commands and give the flesh room to sit on the throne of our lives. But what’s sad is also how we suffer at the hand of the enemy through the beautiful gift of sex. An act that allows us to experience a level of intimacy, a union that is not only natural, but spiritual. And yet that same gift has made us selfish…. So that we seek self satisfaction through adultery, fornication, homosexuality, masturbation and pornography. This is a very sensitive issue, however I’ll say this. We need to pray for each other, our brothers and sisters who suffer in silence.
I was born this way is a lie from the pit of hell
Whether it has to do with behavioral characteristics such as anger, or sexual orientation, at the root are wounds that need healing. If you consider yourself LGBTQ, but feel as though something ain’t right, it’s not because the world is against you. Even in communities that support this identity, some people still feel as though something is wrong deep down. It’s because you are broken. The nature of God, the nature in mankind opposes this identity.
If you have felt an urge to give up this identity and walk in your true identity in Christ, I would like you to take this opportunity to pray with me now so you can become a follower of Christ(not a listener, not a church goer,) but someone who embodies the nature, character, and life of Jesus Christ. You will need to go through deliverance from the demonic forces over your life and inner healing so your mindset can shift to a new narration about yourself.
Here is the something about Jesus you probably never heard. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17 NLT. Jesus Christ came to save you where He says I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken John 12:47-48 NLT. Therefore, you need to make the decision to break out of the bondage in which the enemy has kept you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I repent of all my sins. Forgive me Lord. I believe in your Son Jesus Christ who died nd resurrected to deliver me from my sins. I surrender my life to you in Jesus Name I pray, Amen
Congratulations you just surrender your life to Jesus Christ. He will heal you and start to teach you about who He is and what he has created you to be.
The responsibility of every believer
As a believer of Jesus Christ reading this, I’d like to let you know it is our responsibility to, as the bible says, Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. Jude 1:23 NLT. Most people who identify as LGBTQ feel condemned rather than see their brokenness and heal it.
Therefore, do not be quick to judge, condemn or point fingers, that’s not the character of God. Call out the sin, do not condone it. God is redemptive and wants all man to come to the knowledge of Him and not to perish. Our job is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and let the Holy Spirit do His work.
We need to pray for the deliverance of our brothers and sisters who have believed the lies about God. It’s unfortunate that those who haven’t come to the knowledge of God see Christians as the only God they know. So their knowledge and experience of God is summed up by you and me. It’s either by some religious folk whose knowledge of God is also tainted or by someone who has experienced the grace and love of God first hand.
In summary I say this, we need to pray, not only that, but we need to submit to the vision of the body of Christ. So what’s the vision and mission?
Vision: To make disciples of all nations. Mission: Go into the world and preach the gospel.
Prayer is not enough, we need to take action. I always say this, ministry is an everyday interaction with the people you meet. Let’s go out and bring our brothers and sisters home.
