• About Us
• Church Family
• Pathfinders
• Online Magazine
• Church Location
• Site Map

Healing for Homosexuality

by Denis Jenkins

Title       Healing for Homosexuality & Other Sensual Compulsions

By          Denis Jenkins

Medically, and socially, homosexuality is accepted on the premise that it appears to be genetically driven.  As such, it is a natural part of life and should be accepted as normal. 

God, on the other hand, does not look with favour upon such activity.  Does this make God less understanding than humans?  Does this place homosexuals beyond the scope of God?  Are such individuals genetically condemned?

These questions demand an answer. An understanding of how God and society reach conclusions that are so diametrically opposed would also be helpful.  Also, what is God's solution if He condemns such practises?

It is true that there are hormonal and genetic causes that pre-dispose a person toward homosexuality and other sensual compulsions. Malfunction within human development results in many problems including Mongoloids, manic depression, schizophrenia, and deformed limbs.  Except for homosexuality, these conditions are viewed as abnormal by people at large within the community.  Why the inconsistency?  If one aberration is accepted because it is genetically driven, then all should be accepted on that basis.  Well - this depends upon the model of human development to which one subscribes. 

 
The Evolutionary Model

The evolutionary model:

• sees human development proceeding from imperfect to perfect, with the survival of the fittest
• places in the hand of humanity the decision as to what should be accepted as being right, and what should be rejected as being wrong
• is a gospel of isolation and rejection

Growth toward Perfection

From the viewpoint of evolution, those characteristics that make a living organism less acceptable and unfit for the environment are not accepted within the environment.  An organism with such characteristics is therefore outcast by other members, or by circumstances of the environment.  Thus the less desirable characteristics are not perpetuated through procreation.  Within this model, an ugly boy or girl for example, is less likely to be attractive for the sexual desires of those around them.  Therefore, the genetic propensity for ugliness will become less and less as the gene pool possesses less of that genetic type. 

Right or Wrong

Within this framework of thinking, mankind has the right to judge whether something is good or bad, right or wrong.  The acceptance or rejection of any human feature or phenomenon is on the basis of human decision.

Homosexuality, an aberration in the development of an individual, is accepted because it appeals to the sensual desires of a great number of people. It is also accepted because it is genetic, thus one cannot help oneself over this matter.  And also, to deny it would cause irreparable emotional damage.

The reasoning follows these lines: if the behaviour only affects the individual personally and does not affect me, then that behaviour must be accepted. Thus, if a person in the privacy of their own room wishes to be homosexual, that is their choice.  It does not affect me, so it is OK.

Isolation and Rejection

Such a view breaks society into thousands of segregated pieces.  This gospel of isolation separates society into smaller and smaller groups, isolating individuals from each other because of their behaviour.  The world becomes more and more lonely.  People fear each other. 

The result is that many individuals perpetrate crime on each other, either for self-gratification or for survival.  Crime is easy for individuals who are isolated within society, and who only subscribe to self and the emotion of self.  An individual who has no love for others is easily driven by self-indulgence to act on their own behalf against someone else.  Anyone who resists their desires is viewed as an enemy.  A pretty, young girl, who attracts a self-indulgent male but refuses to give her body to his sensual desires is perceived as being an enemy to his personal gratification.  Thus, for the survival of his self-indulgent desire this person fights against such resistance, and rape is the outcome.

Rules for Survival

Society's double standards cause enormous problems.  Individuals within society are told that they cannot help what drives them from within.  Their natural desires must be allowed to dominate because they are powerless to do anything about them.  As well, it is not desirable to inhibit such urges.  On the other hand, society also says, "If you affect me, I have a right to stop you." Suddenly the rule changes - when your behaviour affects me, miraculously those genetic or internal drives that cannot be controlled are required to be controlled and modified!  The double standard is confusing. 

In order to take care of each individual situation that arises, masses of individual rules are legislated by society.  This preponderance of laws incites rebellion because the logical human mind cannot accept double standards.  The rules are seen as hypocritical and deserving of rejection - that is, until another person's greed and need for gratification personally affects an individual.  Then these same laws, initially perceived as being hypocritical, are used by that person to get their own way through the courts. 

Such confusion of mind twists the character.

 
The Creationist Model

The creationist model of thinking possesses quite opposite features:

• humanity is in a state of continual physical and mental decline due to separation from God
• God states what is right and wrong, clearly outlining the outcomes of each, and allowing each individual the choice to follow either pathway
• no matter what one's circumstances, God's solution is all-inclusive

Decline from Perfection

Sin has caused mutations and genetic aberrations in many ways.  This physical degradation causes many problems in both the body and the mind.

Right and Wrong

Throughout Scripture, God demonstrates how He wants us to think and behave.  In His Word He tells us what is right, and what is wrong.  He even tells us how he desires us to behave sexually.  God makes it very clear that the condition of homosexuality is one area of behaviour that is not within His will.  It is connected to all that is beastly, evil and horrible. 

"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."     1 Corinthians 6:9, 10 NIV

Each individual, however, is given a choice.  God points out the benefits of following His ways.  He also clearly demonstrates the results of traveling down the pathway of sin - separation from Him and from each other; a movement away from the person we were created to be; agony and hurt beyond belief; destruction both in this life and on into eternity.

Connection and Acceptance

God assures us that if we acknowledge the way of sin as a big mistake, He can arrest the process.  As we permit the Holy Spirit to connect our mind directly to the mind of Christ, the process of degradation is brought to a halt.

God implants His principles within our minds.  He teaches us His way of love. The love that God teaches is not greedy, selfish, or self-gratifying.  It is a love that cares for the wellbeing of the other person.  It is a love that brings peace, because individuals do not fight each other for personal gratification.

When, in our imperfect state, we fail to impart love adequately to one another, Christ through the Holy Spirit makes up the lack to each of us.  We then do not have the need to become frustrated or impatient with others.

Rules for Support

In place of the masses of illogical rules imposed by mankind, God gives few rules.  These rules make sense as they apply to all situations and to all people equally.  They do not favour one person over another.  God's rules support the human desire to love and to be loved, bringing people together in mutual support.

 
God's Solution

Not only does God outline the way He would prefer us to live, but He also provides us with the assurance that He is willing and able to make this possible within us.  He assures us that He is able to change us if we will only connect our mind to His mind through the Holy Spirit. God is waiting to create a new spirit, or set of desires, within us. 

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."  Ezekiel 36:26, 27 NIV

We are also given the assurance that when we connect with Christ, the emotions of our body will not take charge over us, tempting us more than we are able to handle in His strength.  Our mind connected with His mind can overshadow the emotions and feelings of our body.

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful: He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."  1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

Through Christ, God demonstrated His ability and His willingness to recreate us from the effects of sin even while we are here on earth.   Christ's sojourn here was designed to demonstrate God's power in this regard.  Christ enabled a lame man to walk, a blind man to see, and a madman to come to his normal senses.  He also brought the dead to life - even someone like Lazarus who had begun to decay. 

In acknowledging God as the Creator we come to understand and appreciate His power.  Because He made us in the first place He knows how we function, and thus He is also able to change us. Whether the effects of sin are in our minds or physically in our bodies, God is prepared to change us if we desire that change. 

Christ is the solution for all our afflictions, and He longs for us to reach out and accept this solution. 

"Rid yourselves of all the offences you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit.  Why will you die?"  Ezekiel 18:31 NIV

Christ calls homosexuals, and those plagued with other sensual compulsions to His healing hand.  Even though your affliction is physically based, He can change you.  With a heart overflowing in love for you, He pleads with you to turn away from the effects of sin and allow Him to heal you. 

Copyright © 2018 Thornleigh Seventh-day Adventist Church