Introduction: From Truth to Conversation
In Part 1 of this series, we explored what the Bible clearly teaches about sexuality and marriage: that God designed it as a covenant between one man and one woman. We also saw that while Scripture speaks plainly about sin, it also speaks with hope, offering forgiveness and transformation through Jesus Christ to all who turn to Him.
But for many, the conversation doesn’t stop there. These biblical truths often raise hard questions, especially in a culture that views love, identity, and sexuality very differently. Even among Christians, there’s genuine confusion:
- How do I reconcile my faith with the feelings of someone I care about?
- Did Jesus even address this?
- What if someone was born this way?
- Isn’t it unloving to call something “sin”?
That’s why in Part 2, we’ll tackle the most common objections and misunderstandings about homosexuality and Christianity. My prayer is that as we walk through these questions, we’ll hold fast to truth without losing tenderness, reflecting Jesus, who came “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
Common Objections & Misunderstandings
When it comes to the topic of homosexuality and Christianity, many people, both inside and outside the church, wrestle with deep questions. Some are trying to reconcile their faith with their feelings. Others are simply trying to understand how to lovingly stand for truth in today’s culture.
Let’s examine a few of the most common objections or misunderstandings, remembering that the goal isn’t to win an argument but to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
1️⃣ Didn’t Jesus say nothing about homosexuality?
It’s true that Jesus never directly used the word “homosexuality.” But that doesn’t mean He was silent about sexual morality. In Matthew 19:4–6, Jesus affirms God’s design for marriage:
“Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female…? Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife.”
Here, Jesus points back to Genesis, affirming marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman. He didn’t need to list every kind of sin individually. His teaching reinforced God’s original design and, by extension, excluded other sexual relationships outside that design.
💡 Key point: Silence on a specific word does not mean approval. Jesus affirmed the authority of all Scripture (Matthew 5:17–18), including the moral teachings that address same-sex behavior.
2️⃣ What about the story of Sodom and Gomorrah?
In Genesis 19, the men of Sodom demand to “know” Lot’s angelic visitors. The Hebrew word yada can mean “to know” relationally, but in this context, it clearly refers to sexual intentions, which is why Lot offered his daughters instead (a deeply troubling act, but one that shows how serious the threat was).
Some argue the sin of Sodom was only inhospitality or attempted assault. And yes, Ezekiel 16:49–50 shows that pride, greed, and neglect of the needy were also sins of Sodom. But the New Testament provides more clarity:
“…Sodom and Gomorrah… indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire…” — Jude 1:7
So while this passage isn’t primarily about loving, consensual same-sex relationships, it does support the Bible’s larger teaching that same-sex acts are contrary to God’s design.
🧡 Important reminder: This story should never be used as a weapon to shame or ridicule others. God’s judgment is a warning, but the greater biblical story is one of redemption through Christ.
3️⃣ Isn’t the Bible only condemning abusive or exploitative relationships?
Some argue that the Bible only forbids exploitative forms of homosexuality (such as temple prostitution or pederasty), not committed same-sex relationships. This view has been popularized by writers like Matthew Vines.
But Scripture itself tells a different story:
- Romans 1:26–27 describes mutual same-sex relations and still calls them “dishonorable” and “contrary to nature.”
- 1 Corinthians 6:9 uses the Greek word arsenokoitai, drawn from Leviticus 18, referring broadly to male same-sex relations, not just abuse.
- 1 Timothy 1:10 places the same term in a list of universally sinful behaviors.
No passage presents same-sex intimacy in a morally neutral or positive light.
✅ Key point: The sincerity of a relationship doesn’t redefine sin. God’s design for sex is clear: it belongs within the covenant of male-female marriage.
4️⃣ Can’t people be born gay? If so, how can it be a sin?
Some people report experiencing same-sex attraction from their earliest memories. That reality can make this question deeply personal.
The Bible acknowledges that all people are born with a sinful nature (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12). While temptation itself is not sin, acting on desires that contradict God’s design is.
✝️ The gospel message is the same for every person, regardless of their background or orientation: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23).
And here’s the hope: when we come to Christ, our identity is no longer rooted in our past, our feelings, or even our struggles, but in Him.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
5️⃣ Isn’t it unloving to call someone’s lifestyle sinful?
It may feel unloving at first. But real love doesn’t affirm what harms. If God’s Word is true, then pointing people toward His design is the most loving thing we can do.
“Better is open rebuke than hidden love.” — Proverbs 27:5
Jesus never compromised truth to gain approval, but He also never delivered truth without compassion. As His followers, we are called to mirror that balance: standing firm in truth while extending grace.
6️⃣ Isn’t this just Old Testament law? Aren’t we under grace now?
It’s true that verses like Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 come from the Old Testament law. And yes, Christians today are not bound by Israel’s civil or ceremonial laws (such as dietary rules or sacrifices).
But God’s moral law, the reflection of His unchanging character, is consistent throughout Scripture.
Same-sex acts are not only addressed in the Old Testament but also reaffirmed in the New Testament:
- Romans 1:26–27
- 1 Corinthians 6:9–11
- 1 Timothy 1:9–10
These passages show that God’s standard for sexuality did not change between the Old and New Testaments.
✅ Key point: While the law reveals our sin, grace provides freedom. Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). His redemption makes it possible for anyone to walk in forgiveness and new life.
Closing Thoughts: Building Bridges for the Next Conversation
These common questions remind us of two important truths:
✅ God’s design for sexuality is not arbitrary but deeply good.
✅ His grace is powerful enough to meet anyone, no matter their past or struggles, and make them new in Christ.
We are not called to merely win debates, but to win hearts for Jesus. That means answering honestly, listening compassionately, and always remembering that the goal is reconciliation with God.
In Part 3, we’ll take this conversation a step further, exploring how Christians can reflect both truth and love in their relationships with people in the LGBTQ+ community, so that our words and actions point clearly to the heart of Jesus.