Different, not DEADLY
Right off the bat, lets build this case straight from scripture. The first way to end up confused is to exclude Gods Word when processing the complexities of human sexuality.
“The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].” Proverbs 4:7 AMP
One of the worst habits that many in our culture, many times those claiming to be Christians, is lacking a spirit of understanding. On the subject of sexuality, these bad habits reveal themselves the most frequently. As a devote Christian, committed to the authority of Gods Holy Scripture, I recognize the importance of keeping Gods Word on the forefront of how I both see our world and judge right and wrong. That being said, no matter how right we may be biblically, we as Christians can and consistently do regarding sexuality, use the word of God in a way that abuses people. We can have an understanding heart and spirit, without rejecting the word of God! You don’t have to choose! GRACE and TRUTH = JESUS. Case in point, it’s all about acknowledging and showing humanity with dignity while fully embracing Gods Divinity and Authority.
Same sex attraction, homosexuality, lesbianism, pedofilic attractions, and the list goes on are all manifesting in our modern culture. As Christians, followers of the Christ Way, we have to stand upon the foundation of the Word of God, for Gods Word is the lamp to our feet and light to our path.(Ps. 119:105)
Psalm 11:3 AMPC tells us: “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the [unyieldingly] righteous do, or what has [the Righteous One] wrought or accomplished?” In other words, this is a non negotiable. Scripture is the Believers immovable authority.
Having been sexually molested as a young child, I came to know the complexities of male sexuality far earlier on than I ever should have. My introduction to sexuality thus didn’t happen organically like most males around 11-13. Mine was thrust upon me around 5-6 years old. Somewhere in there I don’t recall the exact age. It was as scripture says “awakened before its time.” (Song of Solomon 8:4) As a result, the feelings, curiousities, and emotional longings I had, that were not naturally introduced, were biblically unnatural. I wasn’t responsible for why they were there and thus needed an UNDERSTANDING GOD to love me through the aftermath of a breech in my own sexual development. The God who sees, El Roi, didn’t only see the wrestle I had regarding my sexuality, He saw what started it. There wasn’t one moment that what He saw cut me off from His unconditional love for me. There wasn’t one moment that His kindness was withdrawn from me. He understood my conflict that caused my personal experience manifested in unsought after feelings and desires to be contrary to His Sovereign Word and Will. Thus, it wasn’t His Word that needed to change, it was His Word that would come and daily be a weapon against the enemy of my soul. My identity was and is forever to be found in His word and what/whom He says that I am.
Sadly and infuriatingly so, we witness far too often the Word of God that is a weapon of war against the enemy (Eph. 6:12), used as a weapon to justify abusive, rude, mean, and flat out unChrist-like behaviors against human beings – especially when it comes to issues with sexuality. We, as Believers, have to become Christlike in our defense of the Gospel and our stance for Righteousness. The contrast between Christ Our Savior and the Pharisees (Hebrew Teachers of the Law) was so stark that He compared them to a den of snakes, a BROOD OF VIPERS.
“You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34 ESV
I don’t think we can get any more clear regarding how Jesus felt about the teachers of the law. They were filled with hypocrisy and were more focused on building an image of righteousness than pursuing the Righteous One who had come bearing their Salvation. This is what happens when we fail to realize that “ALL HAVE SINNED and FALLEN SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD.” (Romans 3:23) We become modern-day Pharisees that act as if our sin isn’t as bad as the sins of others, in this case as those who experience internal conflicts regarding their sexuality.
Now, before anyone gets it confused, once again, Gods Word has listed what sin is.
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” Galatians 5:19-23 ESV
Please don’t get this confused, sin and its penalty don’t change.
“For the wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23 AMP
The difference is manifested in the way that we handle the individuals wrestling with sin. Notice, this is not an endorsement of embracing sin as a lifestyle. IT IS HOWEVER calling all Christians to embrace the CHRIST LIFESTYLE and his way of loving the sinner while hating the sin. This then is our example, exemplified in Our Lord:
“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. HE DOES NOT WANT ANYONE TO BE DESTROYED, but wants EVERYONE TO REPENT. ” 2 Peter 3:9 NLT
There is, therefore, no room whatsoever for excitement or pleasure being found in an individual going to hell. Hell is a place ordained for the devil and his demons. It was never meant for human beings and is only reserved for human beings who never hear the truth, come to repentance, and accept salvation which brings transformation! We must get past this idea that God is sitting up in Heaven desiring to send people to hell. This is NOT the heart of God. He is patiently desiring for the hearts of mankind to awaken to the fact that His Way is better. To realize that sin is a lie seeking to draw humanity away from our enthroned positions as Sons and Daughters of God – a position actualized by faith in The Son of God. (Romans 8:29)
I entitled this article “Different, not Deadly” because each mans sin temptations are different, but it doesn’t mean they are deadly. Sin acted upon is deadly. Not the temptation itself. There are men and women all over the world, living in terrible fear of destruction because of feelings they never asked to have. If that’s you, hear me, God loves you and you are not your temptations. Hell is real, but it was not created for you. God knows and El Roi, the God Who Sees, UNDERSTANDS you.
I’m not sure if you’ve been the hater or hated on, but it’s kindness that leads to repentance, not hatred. (Romans 2:4) God doesn’t hate you, He isn’t a bigot, AND sin as a perpetual chosen life style will give you a ticket to hell. God is love and love comes to our rescue from things that lead to destruction through the opportunity of a fresh start expressed through repentance- an act of turning back to Christ and His Ways.
My prayer for you, no matter what you are wrestling with today is that you would encounter El Roi, really encounter Him. No one who truly encounters The Lord leaves unchanged, and yet still, change takes time and unconditional means unconditional at every stage. I love you friend and so does Jesus. Receive Him today and be changed.
