Are Christians Hypocrites for Opposing Homosexuality?

Christians have been called hypocrites by the LGBTQ community for years. They may be right.

I believe engaging in homosexual behavior is indeed sinful. It’s a destructive activity that is forbidden by God and one that absolutely does make an authentic, saving relationship with God impossible. That is, if there is no repentance.

Unlike some, I don’t believe we can equate sexual sin with other sins, presuming all sin to be the same. Different sins have vastly different consequences.

I also reject the mindset that standing on Scripture, while disagreeing with a prohibited lifestyle, equates to hating anyone. I don’t hate my children when they lie, and I don’t hate someone who views porn. That accusation is little more than gaslighting and propaganda that is pushed by some in the LGBTQ community. They argue it’s impossible to love someone if their lifestyle isn’t fully endorsed. Untrue.

That being said, I absolutely agree with many LGBTQ supporters and promoters when they say Christians are hypocrites for opposing homosexuality. Of course, as a blanket statement such an accusation would be unfair. As a broad generality, however, they are right.

The LGBTQ Community Is Right

Merriam-Webster defines “hypocrite” as:

1. A person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion.

1. A person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings.

Hypocrisy would be a fair accusation if Bible-believing Christians themselves took part in homosexual activity while preaching against it. While this absolutely does happen, it’s not required for the label of hypocrite to stick. Something much more common results in Christian hypocrisy.

We can also consider the fact that heterosexual activity outside of marriage is forbidden by Scripture. Clearly it would make sense for a Bible-thumping, heterosexual, anti-gay zealot to be labeled a hypocrite if he or she were to be shacking up with their significant other. This is obvious.

Interestingly, according to Scripture, the actual act of sex, whether it’s hetero- or homosexual, isn’t necessarily required to qualify as sexual sin.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell” (Matt. 5:27–29, ESV).

There it is. All it takes to be a hypocrite is to lust.

It’s a sin that nobody knows about, except God. If we stand against sexual sin of any type while committing adultery (lust), we are hypocrites. If we watch nudity and sexual situations in movies and on television, we are hypocrites. If we imagine people naked while swiping through videos on YouTube or TikTok, we are hypocrites. We are sinners, no better than homosexuals, liars, murderers or thieves. In fact, if we don’t repent in tears, we are worse.

“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.” (Heb. 10:26–27).

No Naked People

I wrote the following in an article titled “No Naked People”:

No naked people. That concept seems nearly ridiculous in today’s sexually driven culture.

Sexual images are flashing before our eyes from every angle through media, marketing, video games and other invasive sources.

I’ve actually had Christians challenge me by saying it’s not possible for a man to avoid lust, as if it’s an expected part of our makeup! I heard about another who said that the Bible doesn’t forbid lust, only lusting about married women. The culture is causing many hopeless and some defiant Christians to believe that freedom from sexual fantasy is not possible, or even necessary. God help this nation.

A report by George Barna on pornography is revealing.

68% of church-going men and over 50% of pastors view porn on a regular basis. Of young Christian adults 18-24 years old, 76% actively search for porn.

Is it any wonder why those who are not bound by Scriptural mandates for purity might be upset at those who are? Understand, I’m not suggesting 68% of church-going men and over 50% of pastors are the hypocrites we are dealing with in this article. The hypocrites are those who lust sexually, porn or no porn. The percentages are much, much higher.

The truth is, multiplied millions of Christian men and women very well may be those at whom the LBGTQ camp is accurately hurling accusations. If we lust, we have committed adultery. We are engaging in vile, forbidden sexual sin that God has renounced with crystal clarity.

Practice What We Preach

The moral of this tragic story is obvious. We disqualify ourselves from preaching on holiness if we refuse to live holy.

I’m not talking about truly repentant people who are surrendering their lives to Jesus, who are crucifying their flesh and who are in a determined process of deliverance and freedom from sexual sin. I’m addressing those who keep returning to their sin while preaching against it. I’m talking about plain vanilla hypocrisy.

While there is absolutely a place for surrendered, consecrated followers of Jesus to deal directly with homosexual activism in an authentically loving and humble manner, I would suggest the battle should be waged from a different place.

We need a movement of purity, holiness and the fear of the Lord to strike the church in our nation. Judgment begins in the house of God. Repentance should start there too.

Sexual lust must be eradicated from the lives of Christians. Pastors need to collapse to their knees in repentance and intercession. The deadly wickedness of porn can no longer find its way through the eye-gates and into the souls of Believers.

Until holiness returns to the church, our authority to speak on homosexuality, porn or sexual sin of any type is compromised. The accusations against us will stick. The enemy’s stronghold will intensify.

Don’t be surprised if mocking, hatred and verbal assaults come our way if we refuse to humble ourselves and live free from the grip of very sin we are railing against.

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming” (Col. 3:5-6). {eoa}

Originally published by The Stream.

John Burton has been developing and leading ministries for over 25 years and is a sought-out teacher, prophetic messenger and revivalist. He ministers in churches and at camps and conferences throughout the nation. John has authored 10 books, is a regular contributor to Charisma magazine, has appeared on Christian television and radio and directed one of the primary internships at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City. Additionally, he has planted two churches, has initiated two city prayer movements and a school of ministry.

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