How do you convince someone that being homosexual is wrong?
First, a lot of the people we work with are already convinced that homosexuality is wrong.
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A Christian's job is to convince homosexual men & women that God still loves them and wants to have a personal relationship with them. |
Second, we try to convince people that God, as he has revealed himself in the Bible, is right, and that God, who is right, says that all of us are wrong in all kinds of ways. We aren't picking on homosexuality when we say being this way is wrong; we are saying that all of God's word is true and good, and this means that what it says about homosexuality is also true and good, contrary to whatever the world may think or say. If you can accept the Bible to be God's truth, then it's relatively easy to conclude that those desires and behaviors that it condemns are truly wrong. However, if you don't believe the Bible to be true, there's really not much of a basis for convincing anyone that anything, homosexuality included, is wrong.
Third, we don't aim to convince or convert people by our own wisdom or ability. We don't try to recruit people to affirm our ideology. We try to speak and apply God's truth as a part of God's convincing people, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that he is who he says he is in his word, and that we are who he says we are as well.
So, it is not your job to convince people that being homosexual is wrong. It is your job to convince people that God still loves homosexual men and women. And that they can have real hope because God not only loves them, He has a realistic plan and a firm committment to bring trasformation and change into their lives.
What can I do to make a gay person change?
You cannot make anyone change. They must be motivated for themselves to want to change. But you definitely can play a very important part in assisting someone to overcome homosexuality or lesbianism.
First, you can pray for an unsaved homosexual person and share the gospel with them. If you are relating with a Christian struggling with this issue, you can pray for them, too. Pray God will give them the courage and perseverance to achieve sexual abstinence. Sexual activity usually covers deep wounds. Once activity stops, the "pain-killer" of sex wears off and underlying emotional pain can surface. Be there to listen and support them in this process.
Pray God will help them see and find biblical solutions to underlying issues that led to their homosexual orientation. Learn what you can about these problems and find someone with expertise that can counsel your friend. Pray the Lord will help them re-connect with His original design and purpose for them as a man or woman. If you are the same gender as your friend, you can play a tremendous part in his or her healing just by being a role model of what a godly man or godly woman is like. That means being vulnerable about your weaknesses, aggressively pursuing personal maturity, and above all, seeking to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ.
Don't discount your ability to help someone leave homosexuality and into all that God plans for their lives. Be a friend: encourage, confront, listen, share. Go side-by-side with them through the challenging adventure ahead.
If I have anything to do with a gay person socially, aren't I condoning his or her lifestyle?
Oddly, few if any people ask this question about socializing with gossipers, liars, people from non-Christian religious backgrounds, etc. The Bible repeatedly tells us God is shows neither favoritism for nor prejudice against anyone. Jesus considered himself “a friend of sinners” and was called the same by others because he socialized with tax collectors, prostitutes and others. Yet Scripture never says that by doing this He condoned their lifestyle. Instead Scripture says that they became His followers and disciples, largely because He offered them Godly love and grace rather than religious condemnation and rejection. Wouldn't it be better for Christians to view a gay person as just another sinner, in need of the same things that we all need - the good news of redemption from our sins by the work of Jesus Christ on the cross? If you know the truth and do not show favoritism or prejudice, interacting with someone gay shouldn't shake you or your faith, whether in a social or work setting. Neither will it condone their lifestyle.
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