From Skid Row to the Pulpit; Ministering to Homosexuals

Is a person who practices homosexuality a born homosexual? Is a genetic defect responsible for his lifestyle? Or is it a choice made by that person? Is he or she doomed to a lifetime as a homosexual or is there relief? Controversy rages over these issues—with proponents on each side sure that they have the truth.

As a former homosexual, I know that homosexual behavior is a choice, which can be reversed. The Bible teaches that we are made in the image of God: "At the beginning the Creator made them male and female." (Matt. 19:4 NIV) When God created mankind male and female, He placed His blessing on them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply." (Gen. 1:28 NIV) However, in recent years, demand for homosexual marriages and the desire of homosexuals to be treated as normal has escalated. They claim discrimination because of what they call their "sexual orientation." They profess that this is a God-given orientation, even though the Bible does not support this idea. "Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desire of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged the natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion." (Rom. 1:24, 26, 27 NIV)

The Bible Calls It Sin

When we look at homosexuality in the light of the Bible, we find it is called sin. "Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders... will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Cor. 6:9 - 11 NIV) Because people are not born as homosexuals, how and why do they become involved in this lifestyle? While many reasons affect this complex issue, one cause is deep pain stemming from a dysfunctional family environment. This pain often results in a lack of self-esteem, anger, guilt, unforgiveness, depression, and shame. People suffering from pain caused by any one of these negatives are susceptible to a number of addictions. Homosexuality is one of them. The smothering of an overly dominant mother and having a father who was physically present but emotionally absent led directly to my involvement in the homosexual lifestyle for seventeen years. Trying to cope with emotional pain often leads to involvement in sexual relationships—homosexual and heterosexual. [For that reason, both are sinful]

They Must Want Out of the Trap

Those who are caught in this trap must want to be free before they can change their lifestyle. Salvation, of course, is the first step. After I became a Christian, I began to attend a Christian support group where, because I realized I wasn't the only one trying to come out of that lifestyle, I was able to be honest with myself, share my pain with others, and find true freedom. I also received personal counseling from the support group leader. Openness and honesty in the group, both with oneself and with others, is necessary, as well as becoming accountable to the group and being responsible for one's own actions. It is important not to justify the behavior.

Scripture says "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves..." (Rom. 15:1 NIV) and that we are to be "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matt. 28:20 NIV) We must not avoid ministering to those caught in homosexuality. Scripture promises healing. The Lord is the one who "heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds." (Psa. 147:3 NIV) Homosexuality can be overcome through Christ. The church is Christ's hands extended to these people.

Ideal is Not Lived Up To

This is the ideal. In reality, ex-gay ministries report that eighty-five percent of their clientele comes from the church. Not only are many churches not properly equipped to minister in this area, often fellow believers are not careful in their choice of words when referring to those caught in the homosexual lifestyle. Such attitudes not only make struggling believers hesitate to share their feelings with the local congregation. Those attitudes also create a barrier which shuts out those who desperately need the church's help and support.

The church must open its eyes to the problem and be willing to reach out in forgiveness. If we proclaim only the sin of homosexuality and not the answer that is found in Jesus Christ, we are not fulfilling the Great Commission, "teaching them to observe everything" that Jesus commanded.

About the Author
Pastor Bob McKigney has been enabled by Christ Jesus to overcome not only homosexuality, but also drug and alcohol addictions, an early diagnosis as being mentally retarded and unteachable, and severe stuttering, as well as an unhappy home life as a child. He conducts Addiction Recovery Crusades, ministering in seminars, men's retreats, and school assemblies.