What the Bible Says About Homosexuality

Often people speak of a biblical subject as though everyone knows what the Bible says. They may not know, however, and may have never taken the time or do not know how to look up the biblical teaching. 

Since the Bible is God’s holy, inspired, inerrant Word, we should approach it with reverence and as our final rule for faith and practice. It is God’s manual for how we are to live our lives.

While one should read them in context, following are the major Scriptures that deal with homosexuality and same-sex marriage:

Sodom and Gomorrah
Homosexuality is first mentioned in the Bible in connection with Sodom and Gomorrah. This was not their only sin, but it was certainly a prominent one, and a reason God judged these cities.

But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord. -Genesis 13:13

And the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave. -Genesis 18:20

4 Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. 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 know them carnally.” -Genesis 19:4-5

Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens. -Genesis 19:24

The look on their countenance witnesses against them, And they declare their sin as Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have brought evil upon themselves. -Isaiah 3:9

Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city! -Jesus Christ; Matthew 10:15

And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly. -2 Peter 2:6

As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. -Jude 7


Other Scripture
You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. -Leviticus 18:22

If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them. -Leviticus 20:13

No one is asking for this penalty of death today, but this Scripture shows the seriousness with which God viewed this sin. What a contrast to our present day culture in entertainment and pornography where most any deviant practice is acceptable. Some things are an abomination (abhorrent, disgusting) to a holy God.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 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. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting. -Romans 1:26-28

9 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, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will 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 and by the Spirit of our God. -1 Corinthians 6:9-11

This is perhaps the most important Scripture about homosexuality. Notice that some of the saints were involved in immorality, but they were saved by faith in Jesus. Whether this sin or any other sin, after all we are all sinners (Romans 3:23), Jesus blood can make the vilest sinner clean.

For fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine. -1 Timothy 1:10

Jesus’ View on Marriage
6 But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” -Jesus Christ; Mark 10:6-9 (Jesus is referring to Bible passages in Genesis 1:27; 2:24; 5:2).

Forgiveness of Sin
We are all sinners. But if we repent (turn from) our sins and ask God’s forgiveness, He will forgive and cleanse us of all sin.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. -1 John 1:9

God has a Plan A and a Plan B. 
2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. -1 John 2:1-2

God’s Plan A is that you do not sin in the first place. That is always the best practice. It is easier to not start in a particular sin, than to start and then struggle to stop. Some sinful practices will grab you and not let you go. So stay far away.

But we are human and sometimes fall. God still loves us and has a Plan B. If we sin, we may still have to deal with the consequences, but if we repent and come back to God, He will forgive us. Jesus loves you, and He died for you. Trust in Him. Stay close to Jesus, His Word, and His church. Stay far from sin.

-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 9, AD 2013. 

　
Jesus Christ on Same-Sex Marriage
Why Wait?
Other articles in lower right margin.