Born that Way (Homosexual Predispositions)?

I had a long talk with someone I’d known for years about homosexuality. We’d both lost a person dear to us to AID’s (and the promiscuity and multiple partners to contribute to contracting it). We both self-identify as Christians. We both would claim (verbally at least) that the Bible is true and a guide and rule of faith and practice. We both have distinctly different understandings of inspiration as well as both the sufficiency and authority of Scripture. I suspect my friend is unconscious of our differences.

During the discussion of our deceased dear one my friend seemed to indicate that homosexuality is an acceptable lifestyle choice. I quickly, though gently, reminded them that homosexuality is a sin. I’m not sure what their mainline denomination calls sin, or if the UMC even acknowledges sin anymore. However, my friend did a “yes… but…” What’s a “yes…but?” A “yes…but…” is an often unconscious acknowledgment and affirmation of biblical truth (in this application) followed by an implicit denial of it.

My friend’s position is that homosexuality is a predisposition that someone can be born with. In other words, my friend was implying that our deceased dear one was “born that way.” This somehow lessens the sin because somehow the impulse to seek out people to have sex with outside of marriage nullifies or mitigates the sinner’s personal responsibility. This idea has gained ground, like transgender impulses.

 We are born with sinful predispositions. Theologians call this “original sin.” No one has to teach a child to lie, steal, or bully. Watch a child sometime: ever notice how they look around before they do something wrong. They know better. There is an innate sense of right and wrong that works against their predispositions.

Humans are predisposed to self-absorption and self-gratification. Such acts come naturally. In you make a person angry enough, he or she may have the impulse to take your life. If someone finds your wallet on the sidewalk they may have an impulse to keep it rather than turn it in. Such impulses stem from original sin. Personal sin is what occurs when you choose to act on these impulses immorally (murder, theft, homosexuality, bestiality; selfishness). On a bad day, the impulse to do someone harm is simply that: an impulse. The temptation to steal a wallet rather than turn it over to lost and found, or the police, is just that: an impulse. The inclination to engage in homosexual acts is just that: an impulse. Personal sin occurs when we choose to act on such impulses and we are accountable for our choices. We can’t blame God. We can’t blame genetics. We can’t blame others. We can take responsibility for our actions and do what is right.

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. ¹⁴ But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵ Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. ¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. (James 1:13 ESV)

Our temptations are our own as we turn a bad idea, a sinful idea, over and over in our heads (vv. 14 and 15). In verse 15, as we tantalize ourselves with this idea, running through “dress rehearsals” in our minds, we begin to see sin as an acceptable possibility. This idea is fertilized in our imagination and fantasy until it develops like a malignant brain (soul) tumor. If we “leave it untreated” it will grow until it kills us (and others). Verse 16 warns us not to kid ourselves (do not be deceived). The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23A). 

The good news is in the second half of the verse: “the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ, our Lord (Romans 6:23B).” My dear one chose death, rejecting forgiveness. He did not put his faith in Christ.  I wish it would have been different. Nevertheless, he alone was responsible for his own death. Do not be deceived. Human beings are thinking creatures, not animals driven by impulse. We are all born with a predisposition toward sin. Yet not all of us choose to embrace the impulse as fully as others. This doesn’t make us better. All sin kills (v. 15). However, not all sin has the same collateral damage and earthly consequences, like dying of AID's due to promiscuity and reckless sex compared to getting arrested for shoplifting.