Is Homosexuality a Choice?

In the last presidential debate the candidates were asked the question: "Are people born homosexual or is homosexuality a choice?" Without expounding on the answers each candidate gave, allow me to address the question itself, because it is one that is often asked and one that we should have an answer for.

The answer to this question lies in what is meant by homosexuality. Homosexuality is the behavior of one who engages in sexual relations with some one of the same sex. We would say that he, or she, is engaged in homosexuality. The point is that it is a behavior. One can have a sexual attraction for others of the same sex, yet not respond to that attraction. It is not homosexuality until it becomes an act. Of course, in our secularized society today one apparently is expected to respond to their desires. To fail to do so is "repressive," and a refusal to be "what they really are."

We must differentiate between orientation and behavior. You and I both have a "sin-orientation," we were born with it, it is often referred to as a "fallen nature." We are born with a propensity toward disobedience to God. But until I act on that propensity toward disobedience, it is not sin. My orientation toward sin is the consequence of Adam’s rebellion. Sinful behavior is my rebellion. We choose our behavior; we do not choose our orientation. Let me state this plainly: Only those who commit homosexual acts are homosexual. In the same way that only those who commit adultery are adulterers. Only those who rob banks are bank robbers. There are those who have a predisposition toward alcoholism – who must make the decision not to drink in order to stay free from the bondage they would find themselves in. Are they alcoholics? No – because they don’t drink alcohol.

Jay E. Adams has written: "One is not a homosexual constitutionally any more than one is an adulterer constitutionally. Homosexuality is not considered [in the Bible] to be a condition but an act. It is viewed as a sinful practice which can become a way of life. The homosexual act, like the act of adultery, is the reason for calling one a homosexual. (Of course, one may commit homosexual acts of the heart, just as one may commit adultery in his heart. He may lust after a man as another may lust after a woman.) But precisely because homosexuality, like adultery, is learned behavior into which men with sinful natures are prone to wander, homosexuality can be forgiven in Christ, and the pattern can be abandoned and in its place proper patterns can be reestablished by the Holy Spirit."

Some people have a "homosexual orientation," in that they find themselves sexually attracted to members of the same sex. Why this is so is a mystery. Sexual attraction is not something I will attempt to explain. I am certain that there are a variety of factors that determine what we each find attractive. Nevertheless, regardless of my attraction, I must stay within the boundaries that God has established. Sex, homosexual or heterosexual, outside of the boundaries is sin.

Henri Nouwen, Christian author and conference speaker, acknowledged that from his earliest conscious memories, he was attracted to men. He had no explanation for this, but he did recognize that to act on that attraction would be sin. He also recognized that sinful, lustful thoughts would eventually lead to action (Matt. 5:27-30). He therefore chose to be celibate, rather than yield to behavior that was in disobedience to the commands of God. Was this easy? I’m certain it wasn’t. But he chose to "cut of his right hand" rather than to sin against God. (I might add that he was frequently the target of verbal attacks by those who believed he should have acted upon his orientation.) Was he a homosexual? No – because he did not engage in homosexual behavior.

The question that most certainly must be raised is: "Can God change one’s sexual orientation?" The answer is of course – yes. With God all things are possible. He, who can heal the sick, give sight to the blind and raise the dead, can certainly change a person’s sexual orientation from men to women (or women to men). I know of many examples of His doing this very thing. God is in the transformation business. We recognize that some of the changes God brings in our lives are instantaneous, others are progressive or gradual. However God sovereignly chooses to act, we must exercise faith and patience (Heb. 6:12). But until that transformation of one’s orientation occurs, he must look to the power of the Holy Spirit to enable him to walk in obedience to God. He does not have to follow his "orientation." Ephesians 4:22-23 tells us, "You were taught , with regard to your former manner of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in righteousness and holiness."