The time has come to shed some Biblical light on this continuing homosexual debate. I have been accused of not using enough Scripture, which is fair. So, I will attempt to provide as much Biblical reference as I can in this post.

            Now, let us define our terms. Temptation is when the Devil gives you suggestions saying “why don’t you do this?” and your fleshly nature feels that urge to respond. Obviously, it would not be difficult to resist temptation if we felt no fleshly urge to commit the sin. As a result of our fallen state, our flesh is constantly pulling at us to do sinful things. What we do with this pull is what defines us. James 1:14-15 says that we are tempted when we are enticed by the lust present in our flesh, and if we give in to it, it will “conceive and bear sin.”

            Homosexual temptation is when you are tempted to lust after someone of the same sex or engage in a sexual activity with someone of the same sex. This conduct (lusting and/or engaging in the behavior) is condemned in Leviticus 18:22. Once again, our flesh is very strong, especially in sexual areas, so many people feel the fleshly pull to be sexually immoral, whether it be a homosexual or heterosexual temptation.

            At this point, I think we all agree so far.

            Now, the Bible seems to indicate that temptation is a weapon that Satan uses against us. I do believe we can choose to be tempted in some cases, which is wrong. But that is obviously not always the case, for Jesus himself was tempted (Luke 4:1-2) and yet he never sinned. Plus, the Bible portrays temptation as a suffering that Christians will endure, with the help of Christ. (Hebrews 2:18) In fact, in some cases we should consider it a blessing to be tempted! (James 1:2 KJV)

            Therefore, as far as I can tell, when someone is tempted to think lustful thoughts about someone of the same sex, or act on those thoughts, they are not sinning unless they yield to the temptation. That is the only point I have been trying to make this whole time.

            Remember what the bible says about temptation. It is when we are enticed by the inherent lust of our flesh. If we did not have that inherent pull to sin, the temptation would be easy to resist. For some people, that fleshly pull is in a homosexual “direction”. That fleshly pull is evil, but the person is not committing evil until they yield to it. I base this on the fact that Jesus was 100% human, and therefore had a fleshly, corrupted body that would draw him to sin. That is what Satan used to tempt him (Luke 4). Yet he did not yield to the temptation, and he therefore did not sin.

As a last note, let me make one thing very clear: I do not believe homosexual lust or homosexual behavior is okay. I believe it is a sin that goes directly against the teachings of the Bible. I do not want anyone to accuse me of condoning homosexuality.