What’s Wrong With Gay Marriage
By Chris Losey
Gay bashing is wrong!
At the beginning of this article it is important to make a few foundational observations. First, God loves those involved in the homosexual lifestyle; He loves all people! Second, gay bashing is a criminal act and should be punished just like any other crime. People do not have the right to harm gays, adulterers, drunks, or anyone else they believe is involved in inappropriate behavior. It is the government’s responsibility to make and enforce laws that deal with various aspects of society including harmful behavior. To the extent that the laws of a country are brought in line with Biblical principles, that country will experience God’s blessing. If a government fails to do its part in passing and enforcing ethical laws, society will suffer. It is then up to individual citizens to change the laws through appropriate processes, not by taking the law into their own hands.
Who’s homophobic?
Today it seems that anyone who dares say homosexuality or gay marriage is wrong is labeled homophobic, a gay-basher, a bigot, a hate-criminal or something worse. These are grossly distorted accusations. The word homophobic simply means fear of gays. Those who oppose homosexuality and/or gay marriage on biblical or other grounds are not afraid of homosexuals; they simply believe the gay lifestyle is wrong. To call them homophobic or some other derogatory term is inaccurate and shows the prejudicial nature of those who make such accusations.
There are many activities the Bible condemns. Those who engage in these practices are not hated by God nor should they be hated by true Christians. Instead they should be loved. It is the goal of the Christian church to help people abandon destructive behaviors and lifestyles, and live for God. The phrase love the sinner, hate the sin should be the motto of all who claim the name of Christ. Those so-called Christians who hate the sinner have stepped away from the clear teaching of Scripture and need to change.
Does the Bible matter?
The question arises, “Is the Bible relevant in determining whether or not homosexuality is an appropriate lifestyle?” Absolutely! Here’s why. If the Bible is not God’s Word, its moral and ethical standards are nothing more than man’s opinion. Standards of morality are then up for grabs, and people are free to adopt whatever lifestyle seems appropriate. In this case, any morality would be as ethical as any other morality. If, however, the Bible is God’s Word, it speaks with authority and needs to be obeyed. This means embracing what God embraces and rejecting what He rejects.
There is not enough room in this short booklet to adequately demonstrate that the Bible is the Word of God. There is another paper, however, that clearly answers this question in the affirmative. The title of that article is “Is the Bible God’s Word or Just Another Book?” Copies are available upon request. For the sake of argument, this paper assumes that the Bible is God’s Word. Thus, whatever is said in the Bible on a subject (including homosexuality) must be accepted as true and authoritative, provided it is properly understood in its textual, historical and cultural context.
For those who believe the Bible is God’s Word, the real question is not, “How do I feel about homosexuality?” but rather, “What does God say?” If God condones homosexuality, Christians should, too. If He condemns it, so should they. If God condones homosexuality and Christians condemn it, then they are wrong and deserve whatever ridicule they receive. If on the other hand, God condemns homosexuality, Christians must agree with Him and take a firm stand against it, realizing that those who hold a different view are wrong, no matter how loud they yell or what arguments they use. There is a third option: If the Bible is unclear, Christians should not take a stand either way.
Those who reject the Bible must realize that they have no authority for what they believe other than their own opinion or the opinions of others. On the other hand, those who believe the Bible have God’s backing, provided the Bible is true.
Why people get involved in homosexuality
Many people are lured into the homosexual lifestyle because they long for acceptance and a place to fit in. Some have experienced broken childhood relationships with parents. Some have had childhood exposure to pornography or been sexually molested. Others lack strong same-sex role models. Still others are just looking for excitement…
When seeking to be part of the in-crowd, young people are sometimes willing to experiment with new things. They are told by society that gay is good and that people are born gay. Their minds are prepared to see homosexuality as an acceptable, alternate lifestyle. They sometimes go to parties or clubs where everything seems cool, exciting and freewheeling. All of these ingredients can lead to a same-sex sexual encounter. The move into homosexuality may be a slow process that appears quite innocent.
Young men can view homosexuality as a win-win proposition. They can have their sexual urges met with no apparent negative consequences. After all, sex relationships produce no babies, and there is never a need for abortion. Sexual desires can be fulfilled basically whenever, and wherever a person wants. But the truth is, there are consequences, dire ones.
Two perspectives
With that said, gay marriage will be investigated from two perspectives. First, we will look at what’s wrong with gay marriage from a Biblical Perspective. As Christians, this always should be our starting point. If something new comes along, it must first be evaluated in light of Scripture. Second, gay marriage will be investigated from a societal perspective. Not surprising, gay marriage fails on both counts...
What’s wrong with gay marriage from a biblical perspective
1. It violates God’s design for marriage
The first book of the Bible is Genesis. Genesis 2:18 states, “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”
God then fashioned all of the animals and brought them to Adam, and Adam gave them names. Genesis 2:20 records the scene, “And the man (Adam) gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.”
God did not bring all of the animals to Adam because He thought one would be a suitable helper. He did it to show Adam his need for someone other than the animals to be a companion and mate. God knew Adam’s need. Adam did not. It was up to God to open Adam’s eyes. Soon Adam realized that none of the animals was a suitable helper. Genesis 2:21-23 then states,
[21] So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man (Adam), and he slept; then He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh of that place. [22] And the Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. [23] And the man said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man.”
Genesis 2:24,25 then gives one of the classic biblical teachings on marriage,
[24] For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. [25] And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
For the cause of marriage a man was to leave his father and his mother, and cleave to his wife. To cleave means to hold on to something tightly. The phrase one flesh refers to sexual intercourse. Men and women were and still are to consummate marriage in the marriage bed. In the New Testament, Hebrews 13:4 states, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”
The word marriage-bed is the Greek word koite from which we get the English word coitus meaning sexual intercourse. Notice that Hebrews 13:4 states that the marriage-bed is undefiled. To defile something means to make it dirty or corrupt. Thus, undefiled means not dirty or corrupt. For the marriage-bed to be undefiled means that sex in marriage is good, clean and right. On the other hand, sex outside of marriage is defiled and will be judged, “...for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Those who accuse the Bible of being against sex are mistaken. God created sex to be enjoyed in the context of marriage. It is a wonderful gift for a husband and wife to “delight in” to the fullest!
Notice, too, that God designed marriage for Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. God’s perfect design was the union of one man and one woman for life. Anything else defiles the marriage bed.
Listen again to Hebrews 13:4, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” The word fornicator is translated whoremonger in the King James Version of the Bible. The root Hebrew word means a male prostitute or one who sells himself sexually or engages in unlawful sexual activity. Any sexual activity outside of marriage is forbidden and therefore unlawful. Homosexual behavior falls into this category, and is thus fornication because it is not one man and one woman, but instead one man with another man, or one woman with another woman.
Rather than being the union of one man and one woman, gay marriage is the union of two men or two women. This violates God’s design for marriage and thus must be rejected.
2. It cannot fulfill God’s command for procreation
Genesis 1:27, 28 records the short account of God’s creation of man and woman. It gives further insight into the marital relationship and the subject of homosexuality.
“27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’”
Notice the commands that God gave to Adam and Eve. He told them to be fruitful and multiply and to fill the earth. In other words He said, “Enjoy your physical relationship, have babies and fill the earth with people.” Homosexual behavior cannot fulfill God’s plan for procreation. Instead, such relationships have, to a large extent, filled the earth with disease and broken lives, just like other unlawful sexual practices like adultery and molestation.
Anatomically speaking, men and women are made to have sexual relations with the opposite sex. God did not create men to have sex with men, or women with women. Not only can they not procreate, but such union (including “fisting” – the practice of cramming ones fist into another person’s anus) often causes physical harm such as torn rectal tissue which can lead to problems like dribbling stool.
God’s designs for marriage and procreation both cry out against homosexuality.
3. It promotes a lifestyle that is sinful
An area of Scripture that speaks directly to the issue of homosexual behavior is the Old Testament law. The book of Leviticus is the book of the law. There are different kinds of laws in the book of Leviticus; some are cultural, some dietary, and some moral. Today, through the teaching of the New Testament, some of the laws, like the dietary ones, have been done away with. For example, it is OK now for Christians to eat pork. In Old Testament times it was forbidden to eat port, perhaps because of the danger of trichinosis. The moral laws, however, have not changed. Homosexual behavior falls into the moral category. Leviticus 18:22-25 states,
“22 'You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination. 23 'Also you shall not have intercourse with any animal to be defiled with it, nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it; it is a perversion. 24 'Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled.
Scripture calls homosexual behavior an abomination. The word abomination means disgusting, unethical, unclean and wicked. Thus, homosexual behavior is all of these things. In addition, the verses place homosexuality on the same level as bestiality (humans having sex with animals). It is perverse and defiles those who do it. God gives a strong warning to those who engage in such activities. Because of these practices God visits punishment upon people, cities and nations. Leviticus 20:13 further states, “If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them.”
God sees the appropriate punishment for homosexual behavior the same as He sees it for adultery. It is a capital offense, worthy of death. Leviticus 20:10 states, “If there is a man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, one who commits adultery with his friend’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.”
It must be remembered that it was up to the government in Old Testament times, not free-wheeling individuals, to mete out punishment on those who violated the moral law. So it should be today. The government should take a strong stand against those involved in sexual sin. The current divorce rate, the STD (sexually transmitted disease) epidemic, and the breakdown of morals in society are partially a result of our nation’s failure to take firm action against those involved in sexual sin. People, for the most part, no longer respect authority nor have reverence for the things of God. We are a society that is careening out of control. It is quite possible that God’s judgment is right around the corner.
What about male cult prostitutes?
Another passage in the Old Testament that condemns homosexual behavior is 1 Kings 14:22-24. When Rehoboam, the son of Solomon became king of the southern portion of the Jewish kingdom known as Judah, Scripture teaches that the inhabitants of Judah were involved in abominable practices. Listen to the text:
[22] And Judah (the inhabitants of Judah) did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they provoked Him (God) to jealousy more than all that their fathers had done, with the sins which they committed. [23] For they also built for themselves high places and sacred pillars and Asherim on every high hill and beneath every luxuriant tree. [24] And there were also male cult prostitutes (translated Sodomites in the King James Version) in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which the Lord dispossessed before the sons of Israel.
This passage clearly condemns male cult prostitutes. These men were involved in sex-for-hire, and specifically homosexual sex. The present-day word sodomy, which primarily means sexual intercourse between males, comes from the word Sodomite used in this passage in the King James Version for male cult prostitutes. It refers back to what went on in the city of Sodom.
Later on in Jewish history, Josiah came to the throne of Judah. He made many positive, godly reforms in the land including destroying the houses of the male cult prostitutes. 2 Kings 23:7 states, “He (Josiah) also broke down the houses of the male cult prostitutes (Sodomites) which were in the house of the Lord, where the women were weaving hangings for the Asherah.”
For this and other reforms Josiah was commended by God. 2 Kings 23:25 states, “And before him (Josiah) there was no king like him who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him.”
What would Jesus do?
In the New Testament, Christ showed that mercy is sometimes appropriate when dealing with sexual sin. In the book of John, chapter eight, the story is told of a woman caught in adultery. Listen to how Jesus handled the situation:
[3] And the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the midst, [4] they said to Him (Jesus), "Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. [5] Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?" [6] And they were saying this, testing Him, in order that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground. [7] But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." [8] And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground. [9] And when they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the midst. [10] And straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?" [11] And she said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go your way. From now on sin no more."
Notice that the religious leaders knew the Old Testament law called for the woman’s death. Jesus, however, invited those without sin to cast the first stone. Since no one was without sin, no one was willing to cast a stone. Jesus then said to the woman to go her way and sin no more. Being omniscient, Jesus knew the woman’s thoughts. She was undoubtedly sorry for her sin and desired to sin no more. I believe that this is why the Lord showed mercy and did not demand her death.
There are times when mercy is appropriate when dealing with sexual sin. Those times are when those persons involved are truly repentant and desire to change. Since humans are not omniscient and thus unable to know when another person desires to change, it should be up to a court of law to decide when mercy is best. If a person involved in sexual sin shows no remorse and fails to repent, or is a repeat offender, mercy may be inappropriate.
Why such strong penalties for sexual sin?
The question arises, “Why would a loving God give such a severe penalty for sexual sin?” Perhaps the reason is because of the damage done to society. Sexual sin is the major cause of the horrendous spread of sexually transmitted diseases. If all sex was monogamous, there would be little or no STDs. If somehow a person contracted a disease and transmitted it sexually to his spouse, a monogamous relationship would ensure that the disease spread no further.
In biblical times the medical profession did not have all of the wonder-drugs available today. By having such harsh penalties for sexual sin, the Jewish people were spared the ravages of many diseases. This may be one reason that God had the Jews wipe out the people they conquered when entering the Promised Land. Because of sexual promiscuity, the nations were undoubtedly racked with disease. If the Jews had allowed them to stay in the land, eventually there would have been intermarriage and the spread of infection.
Sadly, in our promiscuous society, the once effective wonder-drugs are becoming less and less potent against the onslaught of new drug-resistant STD strains. The day may come when many sexually transmitted diseases will be essentially incurable.
4. It promotes a lifestyle that is openly rebellious against God
Romans 1:18-32 shows the rebellious nature of those involved in homosexual behavior, and gives a stern warning. Listen to the text:
[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, [19] because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. [20] For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. [21] For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing to be wise, they became fools, [23] and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. [24] Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them. [25] For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. [26] For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, [27] and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. [28] And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, [29] being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, [30] slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, [31] without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; [32] and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
In summary, the passage states that God reveals His wrath against all unrighteousness. The unrighteousness of mankind exhibits itself in rebellious acts like rejection of God and suppression of truth. The fact of God’s existence is obvious to mankind, but many people refuse to accept it. Subsequently, God allows people to go their own sinful way. He gives them over to degrading passions and depraved minds which lead them into every imaginable sin, including homosexuality. They give up the natural sexual function in order to burn in their desire for members of the same sex; a clear description of homosexual behavior. The result is that they receive in their persons the penalty of their error - probably referring to venereal disease and physical problems related to homosexual practices, as well as the loss of proper identity. The sad commentary is that these people not only flaunt their sin, but also give hearty approval to others who do the same, even though they know such behavior is worthy of death. In this depraved and confused state they may seem confident, happy, and content on the outside, but many are dying emotionally and spiritually on the inside. Unfortunately this drives many homosexuals to commit suicide.
From this and other passages it is clear that God not only condemns homosexual behavior, but also homosexual desires. It is the desires in one’s heart that lead to homosexual acts. Jesus clearly taught that sin starts in the heart and expresses itself in actions. This is not to say that temptation is sin; it is not. But if a person dwells on lustful thoughts, the temptation becomes sin even before the act is done. Listen to Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:27-28, “You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Romans 1:18,19 - They suppress the truth.
Listen again to the verses, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.”
It is true that many homosexuals and homosexual groups suppress the truth. They take Scripture and twist the proper meaning. For example, they say the main point of the account of Sodom and Gomorrah is inhospitality rather than homosexuality. They say the Old Testament Law does not apply to homosexuality when it certainly does! They say anyone who takes a stand against the homosexual lifestyle is mean-spirited, when in fact, taking a moral stand is the most loving thing a person can do. Militant homosexuals do and say anything to squelch opposition in order to support, justify and encourage their dangerous lifestyle. Proverbs 17:15 gives them a strong warning, “He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.” Isaiah 5:20 (NASB) “20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”
Romans 1:25 - They worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator…
Romans 1:25 states, “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
Whether they know it or not, homosexuals are obsessed with worshipping the creature (man) rather than the Creator (God). They have become emotionally and physically consumed with each other and defy anyone who challenges their behavior. They risk getting AIDS in order to have their next sexual encounter. Some who have AIDS willingly engage in unprotected sex. They know they will die and don’t care who they hurt. Such behavior is twisted and sad. Fortunately the AIDS epidemic has caused some to think twice, but many continue on, hoping to avoid the inevitable.
Sadly, many heterosexuals are also out of control. They, worship the human body and its pleasures, rather than giving God His rightful place in their lives. Both homosexual and heterosexual sin are abhorrent to God.
Romans 1:32 - They openly rebel against God and encourage others to do so
Romans 1:32 states, “and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”
The open rebellion of the homosexual movement is astounding. It is accurately said that many homosexuals have no shame. Their dress and actions at gay parades and other events is ample evidence of this fact. And many are openly militant and aggressive against anyone who stands in their way. One church in San Francisco which spoke openly against homosexuality was trashed by militant gays.
5. It promotes a lifestyle that invites God’s judgment
Leviticus 18:22-30 (NASB) states,
22 'You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination. 23 'Also you shall not have intercourse with any animal to be defiled with it, nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it; it is a perversion. 24 'Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled. 25 'For the land has become defiled, therefore I have brought its punishment upon it, so the land has spewed out its inhabitants. 26 'But as for you, you are to keep My statutes and My judgments and shall not do any of these abominations, neither the native, nor the alien who sojourns among you 27 (for the men of the land who have been before you have done all these abominations, and the land has become defiled); 28 so that the land will not spew you out, should you defile it, as it has spewed out the nation which has been before you. 29 'For whoever does any of these abominations, those persons who do so shall be cut off from among their people. 30 'Thus you are to keep My charge, that you do not practice any of the abominable customs which have been practiced before you, so as not to defile yourselves with them; I am the Lord your God.'"
Another important Old Testament passage regarding homosexuality is found in Genesis 19. It tells the story of the inhabitants of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. The homosexual community has told people that the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was inhospitality. In other words they say that the people of the two cities were inhospitable to their angelic visitors. Indeed they were inhospitable, but this was undoubtedly the least of their sins. Even a casual reading or in-depth study of the account in Genesis reveals the main sin of Sodom and Gomorrah to be none other than homosexuality. Listen to Genesis 19:1-17,24,25:
[1] Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. [2] And he said, "Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant's house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way." They said however, "No, but we shall spend the night in the square." [3] Yet he urged them strongly, so they turned aside to him and entered his house; and he prepared a feast for them, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. [4] Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; [5] and they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them." [6] But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him, [7] and said, "Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly. [8] "Now behold, I have two daughters who have not had relations with man; please let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you like; only do nothing to these men, inasmuch as they have come under the shelter of my roof." [9] But they said, "Stand aside." Furthermore, they said, "This one came in as an alien, and already he is acting like a judge; now we will treat you worse than them." So they pressed hard against Lot and came near to break the door. [10] But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. [11] And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the doorway. [12] Then the men said to Lot, "Whom else have you here? A son-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; [13] for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the LORD that the LORD has sent us to destroy it." [14] And Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, and said, "Up, get out of this place, for the LORD will destroy the city." But he appeared to his sons-in-law to be jesting. [15] And when morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Up, take your wife and your two daughters, who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city." [16] But he hesitated. So the men seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for the compassion of the LORD was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city. [17] And it came about when they had brought them outside, that one said, "Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stay anywhere in the valley; escape to the mountains, lest you be swept away..."
... [24] Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven, [25] and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.
The story may be summarized as follows. Two angels came to Sodom and Gomorrah to destroy the cities because of the sin of the people who lived there. While the angels stayed overnight in the house of Lot, the men of the city came and demanded that Lot send out the visitors to have relations with them. It is clear from the context of the passage that the men of the city meant sexual relations.
In those days it was imperative that hosts protect the guests in their house. Unfortunately Lot tried to guard his guests by compromising with the men of the city and offering his two daughters. Perhaps he thought this was safe because the men were gay. Perhaps he did it out of desperation. In any event, the men refused the offer and threatened Lot. The angels then pulled Lot inside the house and struck the men of the city with blindness.
It would seem logical that people struck with blindness would fall on their knees and repent. Quite the contrary here! The men wearied themselves trying to find the door. This speaks of the intense lust in these men’s hearts. The incident also speaks of the great love of God. The men deserved to be put to death, but the angels only blinded them, giving them the opportunity to repent. Because the men of the city did not repent, God ultimately destroyed them.
For anyone to say that the main sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was the sin of inhospitality, shows a clear lack of understanding or a desperate attempt to hide the straightforward teaching of Scripture. It is true that the men of Sodom were inhospitable to their angelic guests, but it was their lust that brought them to Lot’s door. Scripture makes it clear that lust in one’s heart is equivalent to sin (Matthew 5:28). The rampant practice of homosexual behavior is undoubtedly the reason why the angels came to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah in the first place. Genesis 13:13 talks about the sin of Sodom by saying, “Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD.”
Another confirmation that the sin of Sodom was the sin of homosexuality is found in the New Testament in 2 Peter 2:6-10. The passage states,
[6] and if He (God) condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly thereafter; [7] and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men [8] (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day with their lawless deeds), [9] then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, [10] and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority...
This passage describes the conduct of the men of Sodom and Gomorrah as ungodly, sensual, lawless and indulging the corrupt desires of the flesh. This description has nothing to do with inhospitality and everything to do with immorality.
People sometimes ask, “Why would God wipe out two cities because of the sin of homosexuality? Why didn’t He wipe out other cities for the sin of adultery? Is one sin worse than the other?” All sin is heinous in the eyes of God, but it may be that homosexuality is especially heinous because it perverts God’s natural order. God created men to be attracted to women and visa versa. Adultery, even though it is a terrible sin punishable by death, falls within this natural order. Homosexuality on the other hand, perverts the natural order; it is people desiring sexual relations with those of the same gender.
6. It promotes a lifestyle that God "can" and "desires to" change
The homosexual community tries to convince people that gays can’t change. To admit they could change is to admit that being gay is not genetic. If it is not genetic, then it is a choice. If it is a choice, then it may be a sin. If it is sin, then it is wrong. If it is wrong, it needs to stop. No wonder gays try so hard to convince everyone that being gay is unchangeable. Gays like to say, “Once gay - always gay.” Again, this simply is not true. Listen to the words of 1 Corinthians 6:9-11,
[9] Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, [10] nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. [11] And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.
This passage lists those who will not inherit the kingdom of God. Gays are on the list. Notice that verse 11 states, “And such were some of you...” In other words, some of the Christians in Corinth used to be thieves, drunkards, swindlers, and homosexuals, but not any more! That was in the past. They are now free from the past through God’s power. They have been washed, sanctified and justified! All of these terms express part of what happens when a person gets saved. Their old lives of slavery to sin are gone, and they now are free to live for Christ. Thieves don’t have to steal, they can become honest men. Coveters don’t have to covet. Drunkards don’t have to be drunk. Homosexuals don’t have to live a homosexual lifestyle, they can become what God made them, heterosexuals! Praise God that His power can break the bonds of sin!
By the way, this promise of deliverance from sin is not just words in the Bible. It is reality. There are many people who have come out of the homosexual lifestyle after receiving Christ as Savior and Lord. Coming out of homosexuality is not easy, even as a Christian, because old habits and choices die hard, but it is possible through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. There are many ex-homosexuals who are living-proof of this fact.
Today across America there are many different ministries aimed at helping people come out of the homosexual lifestyle. Two are New Hope Ministries (www.newhope123.org) and Exodus International (www.exodus-international.org). Homosexuals wanting to come out of the lifestyle often contact these ministries for help. Many of those wanting out of the lifestyle hav
