Born this Way?

If someone says they were born with a greater susceptibility to abuse others because they have rage and feelings of anger, does this make it OK for them to give in to those desires? Should they be able to beat their spouse or child because they believe they were born with those strong feelings of anger and the desire to lash out and physically hurt others? I mean, if they can’t help it then they shouldn’t be held accountable, right? How about adulterers? What spouse thinks this is a reasonable excuse for their husband or wife to cheat on them? They were just born that way, they can’t help it! How about being an alcoholic? Can a person be born an alcoholic? Should we all be OK if our loved ones become a raging alcoholic and making bad choices because they were born with a greater susceptibility to alcoholism, or addiction? Let’s go further, what about rapists or pedophiles? Who in their right mind would be OK if they got raped or if a pedophile hurt their child? Would people just say, “Well, it’s not their fault, it’s who they are, they were born that way, they can’t help it”?

If a person has any of these traits I mentioned, is that who they are at birth? Do people actually become homosexual or alcoholics or rapists or pedophiles or murderers or psychopaths in the womb? If so, are they saying God created us this way on purpose? Did He design us to sin since it was Him that created us? No! God did not create us that way on purpose and we are not born this way, it’s not biological! We cannot have those tendencies in the womb. This is a result of the fall of man, period! Yes, we are born into sin, we have a sinful nature but that doesn’t mean there is DNA that makes us become any of that. We live in a fallen world, the evil one’s world. Satan is called the “prince of the power of the air” in Ephesians 2:2. It is written in John 12:31 that he is the “ruler of this world”. God’s infinite wisdom has allowed Satan to work in this world under certain boundaries God has given him. We have influences in our lives that are of the flesh and the world. We are all born into this world with families that are “already living in sin”.

Our parents, family, friends, teachers even education systems and media all take part in polluting us by influencing our way of thinking and teaching us many ungodly beliefs. Schools have been trying to get students to think that the homosexual lifestyle is normal but nowadays they go so far as to keep it from the parents allowing them to indoctrinate the children with whatever they want. Below I have three links that I try to share when talking about schools that support LGBTQ beliefs. The first link is in 2018, “Pennsylvania school district, after roughly 2,800 students were forced to watch LGBT videos during LGBT “Unity Week” in April, parents and conservative activists asked the district to provide links to the videos, so they could see what their children had watched.” Second and third are in 2018, “A proposal that would let students in Delaware as young as 5 choose their own race and gender-identity – without approval from their parents”. “Drafted by Delaware Gov. John Carney, the anti-discrimination policy states that children from K-12 can choose their own name, identify with whatever race or gender they feel most comfortable with, and even access hormone blockers necessary to transition without the consent of their parents.” These children are being hurt by this. Think about what they are doing, hormone blockers? To a young child? And not tell their parents?

Links to the subjects below:

https://www.dailywire.com/news/32639/school-district-refuses-permit-parents-see-lgbt-hank-berrien

https://dailycaller.com/2018/02/04/policy-let-kids-choose-gender-race-without-parents-knowledge/

https://www.foxnews.com/us/delaware-may-let-students-choose-their-race-gender-without-parental-consent

Most of the world has welcomed the homosexual lifestyle with open arms and the media has welcomed them into the spotlight. The world has been forced to make room in the entertainment industry for them through the News, TV shows, movies, and commercials so much that it has become accepted and even normal in some cases. The boldest step was where they would have story time at local libraries with men that dressed in drag, and also had men in drag dancing for children. It’s a sad thing to be reading on Facebook as the news presents it as something brave and great to inspire kids. We certainly can’t get away from it when watching TV. You can be watching a show for 30 minutes and then all of a sudden the next scene is a “make your eyes bleed” scene with a homosexual couple that makes you want to cry.

It frustrated me so much, trying in vain, to find a show that doesn’t support homosexuality. It seemed it was on every channel even commercials. We usually watch black and white shows that are relatively safe from that stuff but to try and find something in today’s entertainment is not easy. I like watching doctor shows and found one that seemed safe but I soon found out there was an openly gay couple on there that everyone in the show was happy for. Another TV show that has openly gay homosexuals that flaunt their behavior all over the place that is not shocking for me to see was Saturday Night Live. They are just everywhere and completely excepted and loved. No one thinks anything of this kind of lifestyle anymore, they have all become desensitized to the sin. Today, it’s considered hateful to not support homosexuality even in churches but I’m here to say, GOD, DOES NOT SUPPORT IT!!! And that is a frightening truth for them whether they believe in God or not.

Many that struggle with homosexuality want to convince people that it’s loving and Christian to accept this because “they were born that way” and can’t help it. Common sense says at birth, a baby doesn’t know anything about abuse, rape, adultery, addictions, homosexuality or being a criminal and we are not born with those specific desires either. “Satan is the major influence on the ideas, opinions, goals, hopes, and views of the majority of people. His influence also encompasses the world’s philosophies, education, and media. The thoughts, ideas, speculations and false religions of the world are under his control and have sprung from his lies and deceptions”. (Taken from Got Questions) Sadly, I just recently read in two different articles that NOW pedophiles are jumping on the bandwagon with the homosexuals to defend their right to live how they want and actually using the excuses of “they were born this way, they can’t help it, and they deserve love too” concept. They hope to be accepted by society and allowed to live out their desires with no judgment. How they would love it if they could convince the world of this as the homosexuals have. The world should never be OK with any of those lifestyles. The link below on a video showing how real and sick this belief is:

https://www.kwch.com/content/misc/Candidate-for-Congress-wants-to-legalize-incest-484391761.html

I don’t think people even know everything God says on this so bear with me and just take a moment to read the following verses.

Galatians 5:19-21~ “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery ; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God”.

Leviticus 20:13~ “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death ; their blood is upon them”.

Leviticus 18:22 “‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable”.

(Can you read this one any other way than it talking about a homosexual relationship?)

Romans 1:26-27~ “Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way, the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error”.

(This one points out both females and males having homosexual relationships.)

1 Corinthians 6:9~ “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality…”

(Sodom and Gomorrah was a town of homosexuals and God destroyed it completely.)

Genesis 19:4, 5 says “the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.”

(The Hebrew word translated “know” (yada) in Genesis 19:5 (KJV) means “intimate relations.”)

Deuteronomy 22:5 (KJV) ~ “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abominations unto the Lord thy God.”

(We also see the word effeminate in scriptures. I looked it up to see the meaning and found that an “effeminate” man is one who has rejected his masculinity and identifies as a female.)

R.C. Sproul Quote

God gives us the freedom to choose how we behave and the things we do. Ask yourself, “Are we choosing out of our sinful nature or out of the blessings of grace?” What we do know is there are consequences to our choices, blessings or curses. All of us can give in to our sins and temptations. Anyone of us can commit the worst act of sin. This is why God tells us to deny ourselves and follow Him. If, as a Christian, I choose to believe that homosexuality is not wrong because they were born that way and they can’t help it then do I really, truly believe in God or His Scriptures? If that’s the case I need to ask myself, “Am I truly a Christian?” At that point, I have become Lukewarm. If we claim to be Christian then we should believe in Jesus and His Word. If I say I love Jesus, then I should love and believe in what scripture says from cover to cover. If instead, I say, homosexuality is a sin and God says it is unnatural and shameful and detestable and that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God and they shall surely be put to death I am simply agreeing with God. I didn’t write the Scriptures, God did, and I am merely agreeing and believe in what God says. I also believe we should boldly warn those that think that lifestyle is OK with God.

If you live that way you are in sin and separated from God and He says sin cannot go unpunished and without believing in Jesus and His Salvation there is no hope for you. God is a God of love but also wrath and He says what He means. Homosexuals can say whatever they want but it doesn’t make it true. They can say that they were born that way but if that is true then they are saying God created a person to sin and that is against God’s character. Again, God says homosexuality is a sin and it keeps them from the Kingdom of Heaven, so why would He purposely create a person that way if it is a sin and keeps them from Heaven? He wouldn’t! James 1:13 says, “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.”

2 Peter 3:9 ~ “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish , but everyone to come to repentance .” God is patient and has a sincere desire to hold back His wrath for those who will hear His voice, repent of their evil ways and be saved. God does not create a person with homosexual desires. The Bible tells us that people become homosexuals because of sin (Romans 1:24-27) and ultimately because of their own choice. Again, we are born into sin because of the fall but we are NOT created to sin. Remember the people in our lives and our influences in life play a part in what we believe. Ezekiel 33:11~ “Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?”

Sadly, there are many churches today that make identifying as homosexual or same-sex attracted acceptable as long as you don’t act on it. If a person says they are a homosexual Christian but they just don’t practice that lifestyle, is this ok? I recently had seen a video of a religious leader talking about his homosexuality. He described it as having a sexual, romantic and deep emotional attraction to people of the same sex. He says he chooses to describe himself this way because sexuality is not a matter of identity. Well, I disagree and this is why I believe it is a matter of identity when you purposely and publicly want to be identified as that and when you give yourself the title of “homosexual Christian” or “same-sex attracted Christian”.

Just because a homosexual doesn’t act on their sin doesn’t mean it’s been dealt with, repented of and gone. If they are choosing and telling people this is who they are and how they want others to see them because they are proud of it then this is not dealing with that sin. It’s still very much a proud title of their sin inside them. They are still struggling with that sin in their hearts. Not acting on that sin is NOT ENOUGH! That sin needs and should be destroyed to the point it’s completely repulsive to them, it should sicken them every day. If it doesn’t then they are still enjoying that sin. They still desire it! That makes them in great danger of acting on it and sinning purposely. For example, have you ever been told by someone at work or church, “Hi, I’m a Christian and addicted to drugs” or “Hi, I’m a Christian and an adulterer”…no, people do not identify themselves as their sinful desires. Should we then be ok if someone tells us, “Hello, I’m a homosexual but don’t worry, I don’t act on my desires, I’m a Christian”? No, that would still concern me and rightly so and what if someone also said, “Oh, I’m attracted to children but don’t worry, I don’t act on my desires, I’m a Christian”. That wouldn’t be enough for me to trust them around my kids or to believe they are truly changed. Scriptures say we are to hate our lives not look at ourselves as some hero that fights a battle every day.

Would anyone want to be identified and a thief or murderer? No, it’s just not enough to not act on it, it should be destroyed in their heart, and it should sicken them to the core because it’s evil! Colossians 3:5~ Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. We are to strive daily to identify as Christ-like, not as sin like. If God has truly freed you and you are now a new creation in Christ why in the world would you insist on telling everyone you’re a Christian that’s a homosexual that doesn’t act on their desires? I’m not saying, a saved new creation can’t be tempted. Christians are tempted many times with different sins but it shames them, it sickens them and they are quick to turn to God, repent and focus on Scriptures but you don’t keep wearing your sinful desires as a name tag. You wouldn’t want to identify or support that life choice because it’s sin.

No one would act like they’re proud to be a rapist or a raging alcoholic and chose to be called that. If people in the church are announcing they are homosexual but they are saved because they don’t act on their desires tell me they are still in that sin because they want to be identified as same-sex attracted and they are proud of their identity as gay. They wear it as a badge of honor. Pride is never a good idea! According to Psalm 10:4~ In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

Proverbs 16:18-19 tells us that “pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.”

Galatians 2:20~ I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

(We should see that it is no longer us that lives but Christ if we are truly saved. We should never identify with sin but only with Christ)

Ephesians 4:22-24~To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

(Any person, much less a preacher, should understand that choosing to call yourself gay or choosing to identify as same-sex attraction is NOT putting off your old self but instead hanging on to it. He is hanging on to those desires which are deceitful. If a person is choosing to be identified as a person that is attracted to the same sex then how is that a renewed mind? How is that way of thinking truly showing a desire to be righteous and holy in the likeness of God?)

Romans 6:6 ~We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be brought to nothing so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

(If a person desires to be identified as gay or choose to be called same-sex attracted then they are still enslaved to that sin. I say that because that verse says, “that the body of sin might be brought to nothing”….for this man his body and desires of his body is STILL something. He is still involved with his old self and it’s still very much something to him instead of nothing.)

Ephesians 5:8 ~For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

Ephesians 5:11~Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

When people want to identify as same-sex attracted they are hanging on to that darkness that they associated with their entire life. For true Christians, we want to find our identity in Christ…not in our flesh. To identify as our sin, that contradicts being identified in Christ. We need to die to our flesh. God wants us to warn on these things and share the truth. We are commanded to love and forgive one another but we are not to tolerate and condone sin. Remember there is freedom from sin and that’s through Jesus Christ. May you hunger for God’s truth and freedom from your sin.

Above is an article written by Tami Dykes, Gina and Tami write Through the Narrow here at Tulips & Honey Hub. They’ll be posting articles every other Tuesday, accept for this week as I was unable to post yesterday. Both are published authors, and you can find Tami’s book here, and Gina’s book here. We’re blessed to have them apart of our team, and pray their writing will be as edifying to you as it is to us. – Lauren Hereford