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Some people try to justify the evils of mankind by setting
forth a theory of genetic predisposition. With this theory
people try to justify homosexuality, bisexuality, drunkenness,
drug abuse, and more.
Although the theory of genetic predisposition is propagated
as scientific fact by some people in the media, there are
many scientists who oppose this theory, besides the fact
that it contradicts the Bible.
In this two-article series, we'll briefly explore the
predisposition of mankind from the word of God. In this
article, we'll address sexual immorality. And in the next
article, we'll address New Testament revelation concerning
the predisposition of mankind.
What is the Controversy?
In the case of homosexuality, as the argument is set forth,
some people assert that a person's sexual orientation is
a result of the way God made him, genetically. Since God
is responsible for the person's sexual orientation, his
homosexual behavior cannot be sinful.
Some people carry this theory so far as to assert that
people are born straight or gay. If they are homosexuals,
they were born that way, by the will of God. This thinking
is a recent change in human philosophy regarding sexuality.
This theory, as described above, contradicts everything
we know about sin in the Bible.
Homosexuality is Sin
Homosexuality, bisexuality, bestiality, and all forms of
fornication have been sins in every age. And today, they're
still sins.
Moses instructed the Israelites concerning sexual immorality
in Lev. 18. Incest, adultery, homosexuality, and bestiality
were sins.
Paul reveals that homosexuality, and all forms of fornication
were immoral prior to Christ, and remained immoral under
the law of Christ (Rom. 1:18 - 2:16; 1 Cor. 6:9-11).
Today, homosexuality and all forms of fornication are sins
under the doctrine of Christ:
- 1 Th. 4:3-5 We are commanded to abstain from sexual
immorality.
- 1 Cor. 6:9-11 Effeminates and homosexuals will not inherit
the kingdom of heaven.
God is Not a Respecter of Persons
God is not a respecter of persons (Rom. 2:11; Col. 3:25;
Jas. 2:1, 9; 1 Pet. 1:17). God does not favor one man over
another. He does not make one man sin, and another man not
sin. If He did, He would favor one man over another.
God is Love; He Doesn't Command Things We Can't Do
God is loving, good, kind, merciful, and gracious (1 Jn.
4:7-16; Eph. 2:4-8). He does not require us to do something
that He's made impossible through genetic predisposition.
If He did, God would be hateful and evil.
For example, God commands us not to commit the sin of
homosexuality. Since He issued this command, He does not
create people as homosexuals, making it impossible for them
to obey the command.
God is Just; He Doesn't Command the Impossible
God is just (Rom. 3:26). If God genetically predisposed
certain men to sexual immorality, He can't require abstinence
from such conduct, because He is a just God.
Since God condemns sexual immorality, principles of justice
demand that we conclude it's impossible for God to genetically
predispose anyone to sexual sin.
Sin Results From Lust, Not Genetic Predisposition
James says, "But each one is tempted when he is carried
away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived,
it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it
brings forth death" (Jas. 1:14-15).
God clearly tells us that homosexuality is a sin. Since
sin is a result of giving into lust, people cannot be born
homosexuals -- they have not lusted at the time of their
birth.
We are not born with a sinful sexual orientation, or any
other type of sinful orientation. Rather, we adopt sinful
orientations after we lust after sinful things, and give
into our sinful desires.
God Wants Everyone to be Saved; He Doesn't Make Us Sin
God is not willing that any should perish (2 Pet. 3:9).
He desires all men to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4).
Since God wants everyone to be saved and go to heaven,
He would never genetically predispose a person to be a homosexual,
and then ordain that homosexuals cannot inherit the kingdom
of God. If this were the case, the Scriptures would be lying.
Who Do You Believe?
If you believe God and the Scriptures, you must conclude
that God would never genetically predispose a person to
sin.
Either people are wrong about genetic predisposition,
or God is wrong. Whom do you believe?
In the Next Article
In my next article, we'll explore the predisposition of
humanity as taught by Paul. We'll suggest that the predisposition
of humanity is to seek and obey God.
Thanks be to God who forgives all men who repent and obey
the truth. We have a loving, merciful, and gracious God,
not one who genetically predisposes men to sin, thus condemning
them to eternal damnation. He desires that all men should
come to repentance and be saved.
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