“I Was Born This Way”
[Editor’s Note: Today’s article is a guest post from Jonathan Medley from the Pippen church of Christ. We are grateful for his willingness to share this article with our readers.]
At one time, society considered the admission of being homosexual extremely taboo, and it ruined the reputation and careers of many high-profile individuals. More importantly, society considered it sinful. However, society has changed. Today, it almost seems “fashionable” to some to be homosexual, and there are many who unashamedly proclaim it to the world. Along with the change in society has come the concept of thinking that someone is “born this way.” By that, they claim that being homosexual is encoded into the person’s genetic makeup, meaning there is nothing he or she can do about it.
Many in the scientific community have spent countless hours (and untold amounts of money) trying to determine if genetics has anything to do with someone being homosexual. In a nutshell, they are trying to determine if homosexuality is a “choice.” Some scientists claim they have proven you can be born homosexual. Some scientists claim there is no evidence for such a claim. A quick Google search will show that there is no consensus on this study.
But this short article is not scientific in nature, and that’s for one very good reason. I’m not a scientist. I won’t even venture to claim that I fully understand these studies. I’ve tried to read a few of them, but some of the lingo simply goes over my head. However, there is one thing that I understand, and it’s impossible to misinterpret:
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” [I Corinthians 6:9-10] (emphasis added)
Far too often, we as Christians seem to get wrapped up in arguments that pull us away from Scripture. Just recently, I had someone ask me if I believed that you could be born a homosexual. My response was simple: “It’s irrelevant.” Knowing that I was a Christian, this individual was shocked that I didn’t immediately criticize such a claim. Instead, it opened up the opportunity for a conversation. I explained to this individual that the answer to that question really doesn’t matter. Instead, the question should be, “If I am born with a desire to commit sin, does that mean I have the right to commit that sin and stand justified before God?” The answer to that question is emphatically NO!
Homosexuality is sin. There is no question about it. Anyone who claims otherwise is either dismissing Scripture altogether or ignoring many parts of it (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-5; Romans 1:26-28; I Timothy 1:8-11; I Corinthians 7:2). Having a strong temptation to commit an act that is sinful does not mean that I’m not required to stand up to that temptation. For years, some have claimed that serial killers are more prone to commit murder than others due to their genetic makeup. Let’s say for a moment that is true. Does that mean that God will turn a blind eye to this person’s act of murder? Absolutely not!
So what do you say to someone who claims he or she has the desire to be a homosexual and there’s nothing that can be done about it? I would begin by sharing with that person the same thing that Paul shared with the congregation in Corinth:
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” [I Corinthians 10:13]
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Guest Author: Jonathan Medley
