Is homosexuality a sin?

The Bible makes clear statements about the practice of homosexuality. The apostle Paul writes, “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due” (Romans 1:26, 27).

In the Old Testament, we find laws about practicing homosexual behavior. “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22). The Bible outlines many sexual perversions and teaches that the only pure sexual relationship is between a husband and a wife. All else is a form of adultery.

There are two important points that get lost in the discussion about homosexuality. First, the Bible does not condemn people for having same-sex attractions, but it does condemn the act of homosexual behavior. Being tempted is not sin, but acting on that temptation is sin. Like any other sinful behavior, the Lord asks us to repent and promises to forgive us.

This leads to a final point. There is hope for the person practicing homosexual behavior. God promises to give us power to stop all sinful actions. In 1 Corinthians 6:9, Paul describes different types of sinful activities, including homosexuality. He then states, “Such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).

We should treat all people with respect and kindness, regardless of their sexual orientation. At the same time, we can remember, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Key Bible Texts

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, (1 Corinthians 6:9 KJV)