WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOU THAT?

 Those of you who have read other articles I have written, might know that I was a Psychotherapist before becoming a Christian Counselor. Over time people develop emotionally protective mechanisms. One such mechanism is rationalization. You probably have heard this term used. It is a way to reason facts so they are more palatable; so that one can accept a situation. It may be valid; however, many time, it isn’t. One example might be a teen telling their parent that they must go to the dance Friday night that is being held in a town 60 miles away, because “ all my friends are going”.This seems perfectly valid thinking to a teen. A knowledgeable parent would see the situation as a much more complicated matter. Don’t be deceived.

So it is with us and our relationship with God. Many times we try to justify why we are behaving in a certain manner that we know is not in agreement with the Bible. Several common situations in today’s society comes to mind. One is where a couple attends Church regularly; they are living together as would a husband and wife, or behaving as being mariied, but are not married. They start to become active in the Church. No one says anything to them, but some are talking (gossiping) about it behind the Couples’ backs. Is this a positive situation for a Church?  No; and the Church will miss out on be fully blessed by God. You might want to look again at 1Corinthians 5:1- 6:12. Paul expected that Christians  would be obedient to God.  If the Couple has some money problems about a big wedding, or whatever,....., then at least go to a Mayor who can perform weddings and get married, according to the law, don’t keep living in sin and say “God understands”. Indeed, God understands perfectly; your behavior is out of His Will. How can you expect to have full contentment with the decision to be disobedient? Do not be deceived.

But as a member or Pastor, you say that it is best not to talk with Church members who are good people, just because they are living as husband and wife or behaving as such ;....they don’t have the money to live separately...and there are other issues and they are thinking about getting the money together to have a big Church wedding because they love God and want a Church wedding and it just takes time........plus they are working on it and if I talk with them, they might become offended and leave the Church and maybe become angry with God and stop trying to do the good deeds to help others.  Folks, this is rationalization. Don’t be deceived. If you love God you conform to His Will. You don’t talk about conforming to His Will in the Future. Concern over talking to the couple about their situation??? What kind of relationship do you have with our Heavenly Father?? You would prefer to offend God, our Spiritual Father and effect your life in eternity, or, maybe, offend members of the Church who are not conforming to His Will? Don’t be deceived. Of course, you need to pray about the discussion and wait for God to give you the best time, then you trust and believe and know that if indeed the Couple loves the Lord, they will be open to your comments, and you will be blessed by God for freeing this Couple from sin, as will the Couple.

We have had another controversy in the Church. One I would prefer to not address, because of the very strong feelings over the matter and because I have Family who are convinced homosexuality is right.. But as a Child of God and regardless of Family feelings, I must address this issue, too. What does the Bible say about homosexuality? Search the New Testament, especially if you are of the opinion, that only the Old Testament states homosexuality is against God’s Will. In my profession, we use a book referred to as the DSM-IV. (American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Now when I began working in the 1980's, we were using the DSM-III.  About 1994 was the publication of the DSM-IV.  Prior to the DSM-IV, homosexuality was a sexual disorder, a variation from the norm. So from the beginning of humanity, basically, homosexuality was considered by God and mankind as unnatural behavior. Do not be deceived. Currently, schools are to consider homosexual behavior as equal to heterosexual behavior. Do you know what this can do to a developing teen who is in the normal process of understanding his sexual identity? Trust me, it causes confusion with the Youth and it begins to call what is “right”, wrong, and what is “wrong”, right.

I have been presenting the facts. Some, at this point, might want to call me homophobic or something...; you may so what you like. Do not be deceived. Does this mean, I will not accept a homosexual as a fellow Christian and Congregation member. No. I accept all people but this situation is no different from the one above. When Peter confronted Ananias and Sapphira, they lied and died. That is the ultimate of God’s removing His blessings; this Couple didn’t get a second chance to repent. If you think you are a homosexual, but you love God, then consider seeking help to find out whether you turned to homosexuality as a result of other reasons; in any event, stop living a homosexual life style. You can be happy being single and doing normal type things like going to concerts, dinner, walks etc. with heterosexuals who enjoy the activity. God will bless you. Do not be deceived.

God tells us over and over in His Word that if we follow His ordinances, we will be blessed and if we don’t, there will be consequences. Don’t fall back with the response that God is Love and forgives ALL. This is only a partial truth. Do not be deceived. God forgives those who truly repent. That means that we must stop behavior which is not pleasing to Him. God wants His Followers to be viewed differently. He wants the World to be able to see those who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, as people of integrity; people who will go the extra mile to do what is right. People who are honest, trustworthy; people who speak with Spiritual words,–who speak healing and kindness. Don’t blatantly slap God in the Face by living with someone as if they were your wife or husband, when they aren’t. God wants the gift of the marriage bond, kept in marriage.  Don’t be deceived.


Written by: Janet L. Walker