The Biblical View of Homosexuality (Part I)
By: Frances Swaggart
(This article was originally printed in January, 2008)
“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet” (Rom. 1:26-27).
After reading a vast variety of emails, articles, news clips, etc., I feel strongly impressed by the Holy Spirit to address the very delicate and controversial issue of homosexuality, not only homosexuality as society knows it to be, but God’s Biblical standard concerning it. I do not wish to speak from standards of my own making here nor the ethical standards of our modern culture, but from the standards of a Holy God who has asked me to reach out to all who will hear Him concerning this very critical issue of our time. I hope to make it clear to you how the Lord feels about homosexuality and, as well, His Solution for this terrible sin.
I once heard a wise man say that while God is the greatest embodiment of Love which has ever existed or will ever exist, it is not love that makes Him God. God is God because of His Power! He is God because of His Authority! He is All-Powerful, All-Mighty, and All-Knowing. Yes, God is Love, but love is not God. The Love of God is Holy. This presents a problem for a fallen, sinful creation. Mankind cannot receive the Love of God without willingly submitting to His Order and Authority by the Way of the Cross. The Sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, for the Redemption of our sins was God’s way of showing us that within His great Power was also great Love. But, the conditions inherent in this Way of the Cross must be met for a man to receive the Love of God on a personal basis — to receive Salvation. We must make Jesus both our Savior and our Lord. Therefore, the Way of the Cross requires a man to surrender lordship of his own life to God, and he must also agree with God that it is His Standards alone which constitute Holiness. Therefore, if God deems anything to be sin, man must agree. It is not man’s right to make the distinction between right and wrong; that is His right as Lord. His Spirit is, in fact, speaking continually to the hearts of men: “I am the Lord.” We are without excuse. “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shall you say unto the Children of Israel, I AM has sent me unto you” (Ex. 3:14).
THE WORD “HOMOSEXUALITY”
Many today would try to argue that we can’t be sure how the Lord views homosexuality, because the specific word, “homosexuality,” is not found in Scripture. However, this argument is completely foolish, because the Bible does use plenty of other words and phrases which mean precisely the same thing. Besides, the word, “homosexuality,” did not even enter the English vocabulary until the early Twentieth Century. It is, in fact, for this peculiar sin that God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, giving the word “sodomy” its Biblical origin. In Ecclestical Latin, “sodomy” is translated “pecatum Sodomiticum,” or the “sin of Sodom.” “But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly” (Gen. 13:13). “Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; And He overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground” (Gen. 19:24-25). “There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel” (Deut. 23:17). “And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the Children of Israel” (I Ki. 14:24). “And he broke down the houses of the sodomites, who were by the House of the LORD . . .” (II Ki. 23:7).
THE MEANING OF HOMOSEXUALITY
Also, referring specifically to homosexual acts, Leviticus 18:22 says: “You shall not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” Leviticus 20:13 says: “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” And perhaps, the most obvious evidence that the Lord opposes homosexuality is that it is simply unnatural. It clearly goes against His intention as Creator because it goes against the natural sexual expression of human beings. It also tears down the Spiritual Type the Lord intended for marriage to display. God created marriage, as a covenant relationship between a man and woman, as a picture of the covenant relationship a Believer enters into with the Lord when he is Born-Again. A Christian becomes one with Christ as a husband and wife become one. The family unit then becomes a means of protection, security, and love, which demonstrates the very provision the Lord provides for His Children. “And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Gen. 2:22-24).
I Corinthians 6:9, uses the word “effeminate,” which is a Greek word specifically meaning “sodomite” or “male homosexual prostitute.” It does not merely refer to a man with feminine qualities like we use it today. I Timothy 1:10 uses the phrase, “. . . them that defile themselves with mankind. . . .”The Greek word used in this verse is“arsenokoitais,”and means “male homosexuals.” Referring back to I Corinthians 6:9, this same Greek word was also originally used in place of the phrase,“. . . abusers of themselves with mankind.”Therefore, “arsenokoites,” more specifically refers to “abusers,” or “to be guilty of unnatural offenses; a sodomite; a homosexual; a sex pervert.”The Holy Spirit, here, likens homosexuality to predatorial abuse, even the abuse of oneself.
THE GREATEST SIN?
Yet, today, in city after city, there are entire areas given over to the homosexual lifestyle. The acceptance of this practice in modern society has been gradually building for sometime now, but in the last several years we have seen an explosion in its growth, as the minds of reprobate men fail to understand its far-reaching consequences. With this delusion has also come the “demand” for the approval, inclusion, and support of homosexual “rights.” The demand is harsh and determined, and it is not only coming from homosexuals, but from our very own government. They press on, despite the fact that, historically-speaking, every time a city was inflicted with this vice and left to run its natural course, the city became so shaken that it crumbled and fell. Homosexual practice is, in fact, widely recognized as one of the causes for the downfall of the Roman Empire. They destroyed themselves by their own perversion, similar to ancient civilizations that literally sacrificed themselves out of existence. This is exactly what we are facing today in the United States! From this point on, every decision we make concerning the issue of homosexuality will have lasting effects on our survival, not only as a nation, but as a human race. In times past, it was only particular segments of the world which were permeated with this vile sin and destroyed. Today, because it is embraced worldwide, the entire global community stands to be judged. This is absolutely one of the greatest signs of the times before us! Get ready, saints, for our “Redemption draweth nigh!”
THE TRUTH!
It is evident that intolerance and outrage is already coming from both sides of the fence in America. The battle cry has been sounded, the fight has been started, and the stones have been thrown. Indeed, the nation is once-again divided, and the war for the soul of America has begun! So, how should a Christian fight? Certainly not with hate, because it is not the sinner which God hates; rather, it is his sin. It is homosexuality that we are against, not the homosexual. A true Christian will do everything possible to show a homosexual the Love of God and the Way of the Cross, for he realizes that he was also once lost in his sin. We would also welcome any homosexual to come to Family Worship Center as long as you conduct yourself properly and do not disrupt the Service in any way (which is the same requirements we have for everyone who attends our Services). We look at our church like a hospital; it is there so the sick may receive Healing. Just understand, though, that we will preach the Truth regarding sin. A true Christian can never fail to tell the homosexual the truth about his sin, no matter how much others may misinterpret the attitude of his heart. Love does not lie. The Apostle Paul once asked, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16).
SEXUAL PREFERENCE
Under a distorted version of what some homosexual activists are calling “freedom,” there is a movement taking place today which is designed to convince the American people that homosexuality is normal and that the homosexual’s perverse practices are only a matter of “sexual preference,” something to be seen as perfectly natural and non-threatening. But, if everyone practiced this lifestyle, we would quickly see the extinction of the human race! How can we simply call any so-called “preference,” which puts man on the endangered species list, normal or natural? It doesn’t even adhere to America’s Declaration of Independence which was written to guarantee us “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” How can we have life without procreation? On a spiritual level, the reality is that Satan despises the fact that man has been favored by God. The Devil’s wish is to destroy His highest Creation. Homosexuality is his most conscientious effort to eliminate the human race. It not only stops procreation, but destroys the family unit. Already, more than one spouse has been abandoned due to unnatural lust, and more than one marriage was forsaken before it ever took place at all. Homosexuality is, thereby, demonic in nature as unclean spirits aid Satan’s goal to “steal, kill, and destroy” (Jn. 10:10).
THE LAW!
Of course, laws cannot put a person in right standing with God, because the problem is more than ethical, it is spiritual, but laws help guide society as a whole. This is why it is important for Christians to vote in the right laws for our country and speak out as much as possible. However, this is also why homosexual advocates are pressuring the Christian community, as well as the heterosexual community in general, to cater to the homosexual agenda in every way possible. In the mean time, our minds are being desensitized by the media. Every time we turn around we find that a homosexual character in a story is also the hero of the story. Or, another one of our favorite celebrities unashamedly announces his homosexuality. We laugh at their jokes and admire their talents, but what we forget is that the homosexual community will not stop until it becomes a crime in America for anyone to call a homosexual act a sin. In fact, we just recently saw another major step in this direction. Bill HR 2015 (a.k.a. the Employment Non-Discrimination Act), which prevents employers from refusing to hire someone based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, just passed the House. Most of the time America’s citizens are denied the chance to speak out against the homosexual agenda, and those who try are quickly labeled as homophobic, narrow-minded, and ignorant. But, may we not force our moral and spiritual conscience to take a back seat because we fear our peers and the labels they may give us. If homosexuals can “come out of the closet,” so must we. Christians claim to be people of Faith, but remember that James said it well, “. . . Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).
THE RIGHT SPIRIT
Also, contrary to popular opinion, it is possible for a person to speak out against homosexuality and vote against homosexual agendas without hating the homosexual or treating him harshly in any way. Anyone who does such is not dealing with the issue with a correct spirit or attitude. And, so-called “Christians” who do such are actually hurting the cause of Christ. Yet, organizations are being formed today, which wish to label anyone who will clearly speak the Truth according to the Bible, as a “religious bigot.” For example, one organization called, Faith In America, is actively holding educational campaigns across America. They state on their website (www.faithinamerica.com): “The fundamental mission of Faith In America is to end bigotry disguised as religious truth and in doing so, ensure full and equal civil rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in America.” These organizations try to put homosexuality in the same category as race or gender. But, the two are not comparable, because the Bible does not label race or gender as sin like it does homosexuality. Actually, Christians cannot accurately be called “bigots,” because the definition of a “bigot” includes prejudice. Prejudice cannot exist in the proper understanding that the ground is level at the foot of the Cross. The only thing the true Christian is against, is sin.
Ms.Frances I think you are brilliant! If homosexuals can come out so can we!
I feel you are right in this . It is against God and today people just don,t care if it is wrong or not . We are surely in the last days as God speaks. What else can we expect in America, we have wandered away from God and everything that were supposed to do. So we are going down the river as fast as we can . I just pray that God will wake up these people if there is any hope at all. People don,t have no consience , the Word says that there consience is seared as a hot Iron,No feeling of any wrongness no more . It is getting worse all the time God surely is coming and it,s not far. I watch you everyday Frances and I love you and all the you stand for. All I do is just pray and that is wht we are supposed to do. I feel that is the best thing to do when you can,t do anything else. Just leave them in the hand,s of God and He will do what he wishes to do with this kind of people. and believe one thing it is going to be a judgement that is going to fall upon them. Love you all just keep up this work of God and he will bless you…
I agree with this 100%. As much as perversion like this sickens me, it sickens me almost as badly to see Christians taking the bait and name calling on blogs instead of calmly discussing the issues with those who disagree with them. People who have to resort to calling names in a discussion or debate are really admitting they have nothing substantive to bring to the table.
Sister Frances and pannel and especially active homosexual readers., First of all I heard an email read on Frances and Friends approx a month ago Brother Donnie was on the panel. The email that was read was from a woman who flat out said nothing can change homosexual desire, not even prayer. I am living proof that the great I AM (my Lord and Heavenly Fathter, through finished work of the cross) Has delivered me from Homosexuality, smoking, cursing, including having bad thoughts. I had several people praying for me I was not aware of this at the time, I pesonally feel hypocracy is the single worst sing that there is, many will dissagree with me on this Somehow two years ago I fell under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, I went just under 40 years refusing to repent and give up a lifestyle that i felt safe in. I vowed I would never be a hypocrite. As this woman’s email , I too, flelt that not even prayer or God could change my life, But it is a hard life, especially when you want and feel the need to be normal. In my case that would mean me being Heterosexual. I missed out on what I believe to be God’s greatest gift to man and that is to have a child to raise. I was working\overnights and was feeling down and out, and on my lunch hour . March 10th, 2010 I submitted to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. I realized it had been two years since I had been sexually active, and did’nt even miss it. I new I was ready to commit my life to the Lord, no matter what the cost to me. I said the sinners prayer right there at work in tears, and Wham Bam Halaluia, my life changed instantly, the Lord spoke to me that very night. to much to detail in this email. I returned from my lunch break fealing like I was floating ten feet above the ground, I felt like I was being carried back into that building atop a football teem of angel’s. The next day I felt the conviction on my smoking habit The Lord asked me as I kept making excuses to quit at a later date. The Lord interupted me and asked me when I planned to quit making excuses and obey him. I said “this very second LORD”. That next morning on the way home from work I was Baptised in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in toungues. which to this day I pray heavily in tounges, more than in english. that day the lord told me to tell my mother that she was going to recieve a like new veh, in great shape, at no cost to her. I was out of gas that night and had to take her small mazda protege 5 hatchback, we had a snow and ice storm overnight and I ended up going off the road, I believe the Lord sat me ever so softly in the snow, hanging on the side of a cliff. To ladies stopped as I sat there parying. If i moved even slightly the veh could have fallen off that cliff, The women were able to pull me out the window . All roads were closed for many miles in both directions, police said they could not help me because they could not get to me. one of the women took me home just a few miles from there. to skip ahead a little the tow service completely destroyed the car trying to pull it up off the side of that cliff. Insurance totalled the car and gave Mom nearly four times its value.; So many more things the Lord is doing for and through me. All this to ASSURE ALL YOU HOMOSEXUALS THAT THINK YOU CANNOT BE FREED FROM THE BONDAGE AND THE SLAVERY OF HOMOSEXUALITY. AND ALSO TO ADVISED THE PEOPLE WORLD WIDE INCLUDING CHIRSTIANS THAT SPEW HATE TOWARDS THE HOMOSEXUALS AND I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT ANYONE FROM FW GOD SAYS TO LOVE THE SINNER , PRAY FOR THEM., IF YOU NEED TO HATE, HATE THE SIN. AND PRAY FOR THE SALVATION ON EVERY HOMOSEXUAL , FOR EVERY SINNER FOR THAT MATTLER.
THANKS FOR LISTENING AND GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.
YOU BROTHER IN CHRIST,
JUSTYN SKINNER
BYRNES MILL, MO
Hello Frances & Friends, My mind is still in a spin, why is our sexuallity so public? Is it because of what you say, to justify the guilt, and hope for acceptance? And of course, just another way for the devil to destroy us. If you try to say “anything”, even in love and gentleness, you’re considered a “hater”. When all you’re trying to do is enfold them into the circle of real love. Our children are so confused, and rightly so, how few of us are there to show them the way! It says in the last days, children will become disrespectful, what to do, but PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! I can go outside in my bathrobe and have on more clothes than a TV commercial. It was hard enough when homosexuality was behind closed doors (as all sex should be) but now we are not even allowed to disagree with it, even when the Bible says it’s wrong. And then we have to accept it into our laws, I fear for our country! Wake up people! No one is telling anyone how to live, God is. But everyone is suppose to legally accept their wrong way of living, and if this country does accept it, we are doomed. God help us! Homosexuality opens up a can of worms, broken homes, confused children, wifes’ and babies infected with HIV, men who shouldn’t be leading because they’re on the (wide) wrong road, women left alone and confused about their own sexuality, turning to each other causing more confusion. I do not hate sinners (we all are) I just hate the sin. I just really have a burden on my heart about our country making laws to accept these things that God has promised to destroy us for. Or should I say let us destroy ourselves? Thanks for listening. So glad you are all there 24-7!
I 100 percent agree with this. As a christian we must adhere to the word of God and man-made laws.
Hello Lovely Lady..I recently was assigned a counselor at a Program IM involved in..SHE is much Younger than I and a lesbian..Yesterday, Oct 11, I asked Her, “Christina, are You a lesbian?” She asked why I asked and then said YES..IM 50 plus and a spirt filled Lady 11 years now..How can a 25 year old Lesbian be a good counselor 4 me????? She is good at what she does, but a rookie..IM seasoned and not a lesbian.Shall I ask 4 a new counselor??
Sister Connie,
I strongly believe you should. The reason I am saying this is there is a real sprit of DECEPTION in homosexuality, and believe me if you can notice she is gay/lesbian from just being around her a bit, then the spirit is bold (too long to explain). She may be good at what she does and that is because many gay/lesbian younger women are very intelligent, and they are trying to compete with men (this is too long to explain as well). I think you should look for a Christian counselor if you can.
I used to be homosexual. I know what I’m talking about and I have seen what that evil spirit has done. I have seen straight women convert eventually… I have been delivered from that horrible spirit for eight years! Hallelujah!
I hope this helps you.
Servant of Christ Jesus,
I am so Thankful Our Heavenly Father has laid it on your Hearts to have your Ministry,Praise GOD for it and for All of you. I have learned more over the past 5 months or so by watching SBN,am so Thankful for all you are doing. I have a Neice that is living a homosexual life style,I have written messages on her FB,backing up what I said to her by Scriptures,this was her reply to me,about this subject.
The survival of a human predisposition for homosexuality can be explained by sexual orientation,being a Polygenetic trait by a number of genes. Miller E.M. University of New Orleans.
This made NO since to me whatsoever,she is believing man and not the TRUE WORD OF GOD,God would not be for and against something at the sametime,GOD would not say it is an abomanation to HIM and then allow some to be born that way,just would not happen. People need to wake up,before it’s to late,GOD Loves the sinner,hated the sin,Amen.
Thank you Sister Frances for all your doing to open the eyes of the blind,Prayer is Powerful and I for one will continue to pray for all of those living this life style.
GOD Bless You And Your Ministry.
Love In CHRIST And Family.
I give thanks to our Heavenly Father that the message of the cross has being preached throughout, that those who have an ear will hear what the Spirit of the Lord , is saying to the churches, and not only to the churches that mankind will not be able to say that they never hear. AMEN.
parabens,dignissima frances se aqui no nosso BRASIL (terceiro mundo)estamos vivendo essa realidade pecaminosa,imagine ai no nosso glorioso EUA(primeiro mundo).Que Deus te encha de poder, de autoridade, de sabedoria,para poder enfrentar satanas cara a cara . e a vitoria e nossa pelo sangue do nosso amado e querido jesus. amem
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Congratulations, dignified Frances.
Here in our BRAZIL (Third World) we are living this sinful reality.
I can only imagine there in our glorious USA (First World).
May God fill you with power, authority, wisdom in order to confront Satan
face to face, and victory be yours by the blood of our beloved and dear Jesus. Amen.
Sis Frances, thanks for standing for truth on the issue of homosexuality. God is seriously against it , it does not matter who is approving it. such people are anti-God and God one day will fight them as he did to Sodom.
Yes, prayer is so powerful! Hallelujah! God is so AMAZING! I was delivered from homosexuality/ lesbianism as I mention here on an earlier reply… I have been free for eight glorious years! I will NEVER go back to my old life… NEVER. I still every once in awhile tell God I am so sorry for living my life the way I did. I know He has forgiven me.
I just didn’t know. I knew my Mother told me it was wrong early on and soon after, I saw the counselors, priest and the cold treatment from family, but eventually, they believed me when I said; “ I was born that way”. My Mom accepted me because she loved me and she didn’t want to lose me… I understood that, but if I had died in that state, I know I would have gone to hell. How do I know? Because I actually did die and go to hell… Jesus took me out and warned me with a message, and it was this; “Thou shall not have any other gods before Me!” I straightened out immediately! I still cry when I tell what He did for me, because He didn’t have to, He could have left me there and believe me YOU DO NOT WANT TO GO THERE! PLEASE GO AND TELL THEM IT IS SIN AND LET THEM READ THE SCRIPTURE FOR THEMSELES, AND LET THE HOLY SPIRIT CHANGE THEM!
We are to just be the hands and feet and God’s mouthpiece, and Holy Spirit will do the rest. Have FAITH and speak in truth and allow God to use you in this world full of so much deception! Be faithful to the Lord! DO as Jesus said and “GO!” He is faithful, He is faithful, He IS FAITHFUL!
I will preach for my Jesus, my saviour and my true love from the mountaintop! I am actually going to Preach at my church soon. I am going to school and setting my foundation to be a Pastor, but it seems the Lord is in a hurry. I already know I am to preach to very difficult people. I have had two prophets tell me this and I know in my heart it is true. God is opening up doors and I will walk in with total faith, total obedience and total commitment to my God!
Too many Christians are too afraid to speak up and have become tolerant themselves, while hundreds of thousands are dying and going to hell! I know I will be one who will be preaching to homosexuals because I know, and I know how deep the deception is! I was not delivered right away, it took years, but I never faltered, because once I knew God was truly real I didn’t want to hurt Him. I just knew that and that is what carried me through temptations, and of course, I know God’s grace. I believe there’s an outbreak of homosexuality (or) I am now just noticing them everywhere? I don’t know? My heart breaks for them! God is greater than sin and He is bigger than our weakness, we just need to rely on Him 100% and just move in faith with one foot in front of the other… and eventually you will see what God gives you in return for your obedience. SO AMAZING!
The funny thing was I had to get into deep, long discussions with some of my family members convincing them of everything I had said to them was wrong and undoing all the damage I had done for many years. The media, Hollywood and radio has done a great job at convincing people homosexuality is “normal”. NO it is not and God is VERY clear about how He feels about it. We cannot be silent Christian any longer, we are losing too many in the name of tolerance. God bless you and may He give you courage to “GO”
God bless you brother for your beuatiful testimony!
ALL GLORY AND HONOR BE TO GOD OUR FATHER AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST SAVIOR!
Homosexuality is wrong. People should stop doing homosexuality and start being natural. I am 15 years old Frances and I know what homosexuality is. It is an abomination to God, and we people should start living right. Amen to the Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, and I wish that I should come to church.
I remember SPEAKING OUT AGAINST HOMSEXUALITY, & GOT FIRED OFF MY JOB. -The Manager (who was gay) said that I “expressed sexual discriminationagainst gays and I would be NO LONGER WELCOME. At the Time, I was Married, & My Wife laughed at me, when I came home and told her.
It is now to the point if you STAND FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, THE WORLD WILL INDEED HATE YOU-SO GET PREPARED!-GLORY TO GOD-HOSANNA!
Foi para isso que manifestou-se o filho de Deus, para destruir as obras do diabo.
Deus continue abençoando este ministério em nome de Jesus.
Translation….
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
God continue to bless this Ministry in the name of Jesus.
Thank you for being that voice crying in the wilderness. If America legalize this sin of homosexuality, which is an abomination before God. Judgement will fall at the steps of the church first.