The Friday (1/11/13) edition of The Tennessean reports that only 37
percent of Americans now believe that homosexuality is a sin, which is a
significant change from just one year ago.
These findings come from surveys conducted by Lifeway Research, which is
affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. The full results of the November, 2012,
survey show that when asked whether homosexual behavior is sinful, 37 percent
said yes, 45 percent said no, and 17 percent did not know. When that same survey was conducted a year
earlier, 44 percent said yes, 43 percent said no, and 13 percent did not know.
Why have the opinions of Americans on
this subject changed so rapidly? In just
one year, there has been a radical shift away from the long-standing belief
that homosexuality is sinful. Something
or someone must be moving Americans' opinions in this direction. It is not happening by chance.
For
certain, this shift in opinion is not based on the Bible, for the books of the
Bible remain unchanged since they were written.
The Scriptures' denouncement of homosexuality is unequivocal and crystal
clear. For example, it is impossible to
honestly misinterpret 1Corinthians 6:9-10, which says:
Or do you not know that
the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor
the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the
kingdom of God.
Likewise,
Romans 1:26-27 clearly shows the sinfulness of homosexuality, saying:
For this reason God
gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural
function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned
the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one
another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own
persons the due penalty of their error.
These are just a sample of the Biblical
case for the sinfulness of homosexuality, which is consistently described in
the Bible as an abomination (Lev. 18:22).
The change in Americans' beliefs
concerning homosexuality is clearly unbiblical, so Americans must be getting
their information from sources other than the Bible. Lifeway Research suggests that President
Obama's changed opinion about so-called marriage between homosexuals is
responsible for the shift in beliefs, but this is just one part of the
tremendous influence and pressure that has come to bear on the American public
concerning this issue. The homosexual
agenda has permeated the entertainment industry through television, movies,
music, and the internet. It has advanced
rapidly in recent years through both state government and the federal
government. It is taught to children in
the public schools and to young adults in the universities. In all of these ways, Americans' beliefs
about homosexuality are being reshaped in favor of the practice, and at the
same time the Bible is being rejected.
The lesson of the hour goes beyond this
issue of homosexuality, for it truly is a fundamental matter of how we form our
beliefs. If we allow Hollywood,
government, and academia to determine our standards of morality, then we will soon
find ourselves at odds with our Creator and Judge, Jesus Christ the
Righteous. However, if we cling to the
unchanging word of God, then we will show ourselves approved of God as men and
women who do not need to be ashamed (2Tim. 2:15). Hence, the Scriptures exhort us to keep the
word of God as our standard. In Romans
12:2, we are commanded, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will
of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." In Colossians 2:8, we are warned, "See to it
that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according
to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world,
rather than according to Christ." Only
when our minds are transformed and renewed by the will of God and our hearts
are captivated by Christ alone can we stand justified before God in what we
believe and practice.
Dear
Christians, be warned. As the opinions
of the world degrade into rebellion against God, these matters inevitably seep
into the church and the homes of Christians.
We must resist this rising tide of godlessness with all of the strength
endued to us by Christ. Only 3.5 percent
of Americans are homosexuals according to a 2011 study by UCLA, but now 45
percent approve the behavior. The
Scripture speaks on this situation, for Romans 1:32 says, "And although they
know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of
death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who
practice them." Also, Romans 14:22 says,
"Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves." Whether it is homosexuality or any other
issue, let us always look to the word of God as the basis for what we believe
and what we approve.
