The question of whether homosexuals are born with their sexual orientation is a topic of intense debate. Many who identify as homosexual argue that their sexual preferences are inherent, something they were born with. However, the Bible provides a different perspective on the origins of homosexuality, suggesting that it is a result of humanity’s departure from God’s design. This article explores the Biblical account of homosexuality, mainly drawing on the teachings of the Apostle Paul in Romans 1:24–27, to understand the spiritual and moral genesis of homosexual behavior.
The Biblical Account of Homosexuality
Romans 1:24–27: A Key Passage
The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans is fundamental to understanding the Christian perspective on human sinfulness and God’s righteousness. Romans 1:24–27 is particularly critical in discussing the issue of homosexuality:
“Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. 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.”
The Context of Paul’s Teaching
In Romans 1, Paul addresses the broader issue of humanity’s rebellion against God. He argues that although God’s existence and attributes are evident through creation, people choose to reject Him and follow their desires. This rejection leads to various forms of sin, including idolatry and sexual immorality.
Paul’s use of the phrase “God gave them up” is significant. It indicates that as people persist in their sins, God allows them to follow their sinful inclinations, resulting in further moral degradation. “Giving up,” or “God gave them up,” is not a passive act but a judicial decision to let people suffer the consequences of disobedience.
Homosexuality as a Result of Rebellion
Paul identifies homosexuality as a specific manifestation of humanity’s rejection of God. By “exchanging the truth of God for a lie” and “worshiping and serving the creature rather than the Creator,” people disrupt the natural order that God established. This disruption leads to “vile passions,” where both men and women engage in homosexual acts, which Paul describes as “against nature.”
The passage emphasizes that homosexuality is not a result of humanity’s deliberate decision to reject God’s truth but rather a consequence of that choice. Therefore, according to Paul, homosexuality is a result of sin and a sign of more profound spiritual rebellion.
The Broader Biblical Context
Old Testament Prohibitions
The Old Testament explicitly condemns homosexual acts. Leviticus 18:22 states, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” Leviticus 20:13 reinforces this prohibition by stating, “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination.”They will surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.”The expression of human sexuality that God created is intended to be within the framework of heterosexual marriage, as these verses illustrate.
New Testament Continuity
The New Testament continues the Old Testament’s prohibitions against homosexuality. 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 warns, “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.” Similarly, 1 Timothy 1:9–10 includes “those who practice homosexuality” among those who are “lawless and disobedient.”
Understanding the Claim: “Born This Way”
Theological Implications
Many homosexuals argue that they were born with their sexual orientation, suggesting that it is an intrinsic part of their identity. This claim can be partly understood from a biblical perspective through the concept of original sin. According to Christian theology, all humans are born with a sinful nature due to the fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). This sinful nature manifests in various ways, including sexual desires that deviate from God’s design.
The Role of Free Will and Choice
While people may have inclinations or desires that they feel they were born with, the Bible emphasizes the importance of free will and moral responsibility. According to Romans 1:24–27, more profound spiritual rebellion may be the driving force behind homosexual behavior. Even if someone feels an innate attraction to the same sex, the Bible calls for resisting sinful desires and living by God’s commandments.
The Possibility of Change
The Bible also offers hope for those struggling with homosexual desires. 1 Corinthians 6:11 states, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” This verse highlights that some members of the Corinthian church had formerly practiced homosexuality but had experienced transformation through Jesus Christ.
The Consequences of Embracing Homosexuality
Spiritual Consequences
The Bible is clear that practicing homosexuality has severe spiritual consequences. Romans 1:27 mentions that those who engage in homosexual acts “receive in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.” This penalty is physical and spiritual, leading to separation from God.
Social and Moral Decay
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 illustrates the social and moral decay that accompanies the widespread acceptance of homosexuality. The men of Sodom sought to rape the angels visiting Lot, highlighting the extent of their depravity. God’s judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah was destruction, serving as a warning to future generations.
Eternal Consequences
Revelation 21:8 lists “the sexually immoral” among those who will face the second death in the lake of fire. This eternal consequence underscores the seriousness with which God views sexual sin, including homosexuality. Hebrews 10:31 warns, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God,” emphasizing the eternal peril of living in defiance of God’s commands.
The Call to Repentance and Transformation
God’s Desire for Repentance
Despite the severity of the warnings, the Bible consistently offers the possibility of repentance and transformation. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” God’s desire is for all people, including those with homosexual inclinations, to repent and turn to Him.
The Power of the Gospel
The Gospel of Jesus Christ offers hope and transformation for all sinners. Romans 1:16–17 declares, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” Through faith in Jesus, individuals can experience forgiveness, renewal, and the power to live according to God’s design.
Conclusion
The debate over the origins of homosexuality and the claim that individuals are born with this orientation is complex.
However, the Bible provides a clear perspective: homosexuality is a result of humanity’s rebellion against God, and it is considered a grievous sin. Romans 1:24–27 highlights that God allows those who reject His truth to follow their sinful desires, leading to moral and spiritual decay.
Christians are called to uphold biblical truths, resist sinful inclinations, and seek spiritual transformation through Jesus Christ. Although the biblical warnings against homosexuality are strong, they come with a profound promise of redemption for those who sincerely repent and turn to God.
In a world that increasingly embraces practices contrary to God’s design, believers must stand firm in their faith, offer hope to those struggling with sin, and obey God’s commandments.
