It's June...

...that time of year when rainbow tinted reminders flood my device: it's "Pride Month."

The issue of gender ideology intrigues me. It intrigues me because the LGBTQIA+ community is so open about their beliefs, and yet Christians are so scared to share the Truth with them. We are nervous, perhaps, that we will be scorned, rejected, or labeled a "homophobe". And yet, the Truth we have as Believers is the very thing these searching people need to heal from their hurts and traumas.

Our fear is keeping hope away from those who need it most.

I have several people in my life who have fallen prey to the LGBTQIA+ ideology. I have been blessed with opportunities to talk with several of them about why I believe living within the lifestyle is not only unbiblical, but physically and emotionally harmful as well. I have always come away from those conversations convicted and deeply grateful for the saving grace of God.

Today I would like to address some of the key points that I have encountered personally, or that I hear often in the conversations of others. I'd like to challenge us to dig deep into the Bible for the Truth that sets us free. My desire is that we, as Christians, go into the world without fear to show the love and hope of God to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Ready? Let's dive in!

1. Can a Christian biblically live the LGBTQIA+ lifestyle?

There are many people I have met and listened to who claim that the Christian lifestyle and the LGBTQIA+ lifestyle can co-exist. They have various arguments for this. However, at the end of the day, this is simply not the case.

As a Christian, I believe that the entire Bible is the Word of God, and all the events in it are actual, factual, historic events. I also believe that the Bible contains the clearest picture of God's character, design for creation, and sacrificial love. Because of that, the words of Scripture must be at the very center of my life to determine what would best glorify God and show His love to those He places in my life.

In the very beginning of the Bible God created mankind. He created them with a purpose: to be His image bearers. Because of this, he made male and female, and he created them for a unified, covenant relationship with one another.

And God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..."

So God created man in his own image. in the image of God he created he him. In the image of God he created he them.

- Genesis 1:26, 27

We are told in the Bible that we serve One God in Three Persons--the Trinity. This is an incredible concept...and one that we cannot fully grasp this side of eternity! However, God, in His graciousness, gave us the biblical institution of marriage to be a constant reminder of that truth. A man and a woman are two very different beings, but marriage unifies them into one person. Entering into a godly marriage is an opportunity to show a piece of who God is to the rest of the world!

When we live out sexual and romantic relationships outside of God's intended purpose, then we are presenting a confused picture of who God is to the world. Our God is a God of order, unity, and peace. Thus, confusion and disorder have no place in His Church.

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

- 2 Thessalonians 3:6

2. Why do you care about how I live my life anyway?

We are told in the Bible that God creates each of us with intentionality, and designed us to follow His commandments.

Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

- Psalm 119:73

Why is it important for people to live within the boundaries and design God placed in their lives? Because living outside those boundaries will lead to their hurt in this life, and eternal separation from God in the life to come.

Even looking at this from a purely scientific/medical point of view, there are many illnesses and injuries linked to engaging in sexual acts outside of God's intent for them. HIVs, STDs, STIs, and infections of open wounds (from major surgeries) are just a few examples. There are also high levels of anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicidal attempts within the LGBTQIA+ community.

Why? Is God so hateful and intolerant of people fulfilling their deepest desires? On the contrary, God lovingly made us for a purpose. He also made us with a great gift: the gift of choice.

When we choose to live in ways for which we were not made, of course there will be natural consequences. This is true in every area of life, not just our sexual and relational lives. If we try to use even a simple tool for a job it was not made to do, then we risk breaking the tool and causing injury to ourselves. When we try to live out relationships in ways they were never meant to be lived, then hurt (physical, emotional, and spiritual) will be the outcome.

3. Is sexual sin the "worst" sin?

Living our lives apart from the grace of God is sin. It's sin because we are trying to control our own lives rather than willingly submitting to our Good Father who made us, loves us, and knows what is best for us.

That being said, anything that we do to try to rule our own lives and live apart from God is a sin. Eating to try and cope with stress or anxiety is a sin. Resting in bitterness rather than the power of God's forgiveness is a sin. Acting out in anger is a sin. They are all "just as bad" as engaging in sexual and any other sin...and I'm guilty of all of them (and more).

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

- Romans 5:12

When sharing the truth of the Bible--that sexual and romantic relationships outside God's design, (and that includes a lot more than queer/gay/lesbian sex and romance, by the way), is wrong and separates us from God--our goal should not be to condemn others. Rather, by sharing how God has given victory over our own sin, we can spread hope to others who desperately need it too. I can confidently proclaim that the saving power of God is enough to conquer any sin because the sin in my life is not lesser than the sin in anyone else's...the ground is even at the foot of the cross.

And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

- 1 John 2:1-2

4. Does God make people broken?

God does not make broken people. However, when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, they chose a life apart from God. This introduced brokenness into the world and humanity because life apart from God unravels at the seams.

God never chose imperfection, hurt, or brokenness for us...we did. And now God allows suffering to remind us of our need for Him. He doesn't delight in our hurt, and He gave us a way back to Him: He gave each of us a chance to choose Him for ourselves. If we were allowed to live this life without experiencing the consequences of our separation from God, we would never recognize the need for God, and we would stay separated from Him for all eternity.

Some people are born truly uncomfortable in the body they've been given. Some people are genuinely attracted to the same or both sexes. However, I also know that I was born with tendencies and desires that are not aligned with God's design for me.

I was born with a tendency towards anger and rage, but that does not mean I should live a rage-filled life. I was born with a desire to be bitter and resentful of hurts towards me, but that does not mean I should seek revenge for every wrong done to me...because that is not how a citizen of the Kingdom of God would act.

The desire or tendency is not sin in itself: it's a symptom of the sickness of sin that I need salvation and healing from. However, if I choose to cling to God for salvation, then I ought to let the presence of His Holy Spirit to change me into the Child of God that He wants me to be. That includes my choices, actions, and lifestyle.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

- Romans 12:1

Self-denial is the way to Christlikeness. It looks different for each person, and it is hard for each person...but God will always give grace to live according to His calling. The promise of the Kingdom coming, the Kingdom that we will inherit, makes every struggle, sacrifice, and act of self-deinal worth it for me.

And that's a choice each of us individually must make.