Is homosexuality a sin?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin because it departs from God’s design for sexuality and marriage: a covenant union between one man and one woman reflecting His image. Both the Old and New Testaments clearly identify homosexual behavior as sinful. At the same time, all sin separates us from God, and every person is in need of grace and repentance. This calls us all to humbly recognize that we are sinners in need of salvation and that God’s ways are better. Homosexuality is difficult to discuss as many people today view their sexuality or attractions as their identity, but our identity is not meant to be rooted in our sexual desires but in Christ, who calls us to be made new and walk in His truth. This topic is often deeply personal and culturally sensitive, but believers are called to hold firmly to God’s Word with both compassion and conviction. The gospel offers hope and transformation for everyone, and the Church is called to walk alongside all who seek Jesus in humility, truth, and love.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• God created all things perfectly without any error. He created man and then seeing that it was not good for him to be alone, He created woman as a helper fit for him (Genesis 2:18-22). God’s good design was to make male and female compatible for one another—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—so that together they would reflect His image, live in unity, and fulfill His purpose for creation in a relationship of mutual support and complementarity. Any marriage or sexual relationship outside of that union is a sin. Homosexuality is a violation of and straying from God’s good design for human sexuality and relationships.
• Homosexuality is one in a long line of sins. It is filling a need (love, affection, physical closeness) in a way counter to the way God designed humans to relate to Him and each other. Several times in the Old Testament, God states that homosexuality is a sin (Genesis 19:4-11; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13), and this is affirmed in the New Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The New Testament also affirms that homosexuality is a sin (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:9-10).
• The Bible distinguishes sexual sin from other sins. Although all sin is equally sinful in God’s eyes and separates us from God, sexual sin is uniquely damaging because it is a sin against one’s own body, which is meant to be a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:18-19). Unlike other sins, it deeply affects both the body and soul, distorting God’s design for intimacy and often leaving lasting emotional and relational consequences. This includes homosexuality.
• At the same time, we must remember that everyone sins (Romans 3:23; 7:15-25; 1 John 1:8). But a Christian's life is not meant to be one filled with sin (Romans 6:1-2). When we recognize that we, too, are still sinners in need of repentance and surrendering to God, it humbles us as we respond to sin in the world and in others (Matthew 7:3-5; Galatians 6:1).
• God calls us to repent (Acts 3:19) and find forgiveness in Him (1 John 1:9). Surrendering our will, desires, and attractions to Him is where we find life, goodness, and wholeness (Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 5:24-25). Homosexuality is a sin like any other, and our response should be the same: recognize it as sin, repent, and turn to God (2 Corinthians 7:10).
• First Corinthians 6:9-11 calls us to see that we, too, once lived according to our sinful desires and passions: “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, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” This truth reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Through Jesus Christ, anyone—regardless of their past, regardless of their desires—can be made new and walk in the freedom and holiness God desires for all who believe.
• A common argument in trying to prove that homosexuality is not a sin is that Jesus does not talk about homosexuality as a sin. But actually, He doesn’t talk about homosexuality at all. However, Jesus not talking about something does not prove His acceptance of it (John 21:25). Rather, Jesus upholds the standard of God’s good design of marriage being between one man and one woman (Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9). In this sense, He affirms that any marriage or sexual relationships outside of this is sinful (Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 15:19-20).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Homosexuality can be a difficult topic to discuss because it is one of the few biblical sins by which people deeply identify themselves. Whereas someone addicted to alcohol may admit they are "an alcoholic," the term is generally descriptive, not the primary identifier of the core of a person. However, people today often identify themselves by their sexual preference, none of which are meant to be determining factors. God made us male and female in His image (Genesis 1:27), giving us inherent worth, purpose, and identity that are rooted in who He is—not in our desires, feelings, or attractions. Our true identity is not found in what tempts us, what we desire or feel, or what culture says about us. It is found in Christ, who calls us to be born again and made new (2 Corinthians 5:17). To define ourselves by our sexuality is to accept a lesser identity than the one God freely offers through Jesus. So when we discuss homosexuality as a sin, many people feel attacked personally instead.

However, believers must stand firm on God’s truth. Even when it’s difficult or countercultural (Romans 12:2), we are called to respond with love and grace, pointing people to abundant life in Jesus. Like every sin, homosexuality is not merely about breaking a command; rather it is a sin because it goes against God’s good design of sexuality, identity, and marriage. From the beginning, God designed marriage and sexuality to reflect His image and purpose through the union of a man and a woman (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:24). Any sexual relationship outside of this design, including homosexuality, falls short and is sin (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9). While our feelings and attractions may be powerful, God calls us to surrender every part of ourselves to Him (Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 5:24).

We all wrestle with broken desires in different forms (Romans 3:23; Psalm 51:5). Some struggle with pride, others with lust, greed, or addiction. Some may wrestle deeply with same-sex attraction. All of it is sin, and all are called to surrender to who God is and let that shape how we live and where we find our identity.

Our response to homosexuality must be shaped by truth and grace. We are not called to shame or isolate those struggling with homosexuality. Instead, we walk with them as we all walk the path of repentance and transformation together. The gospel is not about behavior modification; it is about new life in Christ. Anyone who turns to Jesus—regardless of their past or their desires—can be washed, sanctified, and justified (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). God’s Spirit transforms us over time, changing how we think, feel, and live (Romans 8:1-4; Titus 3:5-6). The Church should be a place where no one is expected to be perfect but where everyone is invited into a relationship with the One who makes us new.

Living this out today will require courage and compassion. We may be misunderstood, accused of being hateful or intolerant, or pressured to compromise. But love tells the truth, even when it’s hard (Ephesians 4:15; Galatians 1:10).

UNDERSTAND

• Homosexuality is a sin according to the Bible because it departs from God's created design for marriage and sexuality.
• All sin separates us from God, and homosexuality is one of many sins that calls for repentance, not condemnation.
• God offers grace, forgiveness, and new life through Christ to all who turn to Him.

REFLECT

• How have you seen your identity shaped more by your desires than by who God says you are in Christ?
• How do you respond internally when God’s Word calls something sin that our culture accepts or even celebrates?
• What steps are you taking to surrender all areas of your life—including desires and identity—to the lordship of Jesus?

ENGAGE

• How can we as believers faithfully hold to biblical truth about sexuality while responding to the truth with love?
• How has the Church historically failed or succeeded in walking with people seeking to follow Jesus out of homosexual behavior?
• What can we as believers do to help one another live out our identity in Christ rather than in our feelings, past, or cultural labels?