Apr 15, 2013
God’s Promises For Those Battling Same-Sex Attraction (Part Two)
Same-Sex Attraction
When a reader shared his battles with same-sex attraction, I wanted to encourage him and others with what God promises those involved in this battle.
So Friday I wrote part one, covering the following promises —
- God’s Word tells you the truth about same-sex attraction (Psa 119:105).
- By faith in Christ alone you can be completely forgiven (1Jo 1:9).
- By faith in Christ alone, God sees you as clothed with Jesus’ perfect righteousness (2Cor 5:21).
- God will so satisfy you in Himself that you need nothing else (Psa 73:25).
Here’s part two, with four more promises —
When you face same-sex temptation God is ready to help
For we … have a high priest who … in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:15-16
When you are tempted with same-sex lust, is that temptation sin? Is God displeased, pulling back from you, frowning?
No. Because you can be tempted to sin without committing sin. That’s clear from Heb 4:15, which says that Jesus was tempted yet without sin.
So when you face same-sex temptation, the Father is not pulling back from you, frowning. He is loving you, inviting you to draw near to Him, eager to help you battle.
Every same-sex temptation can be overcome
God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1Cor 10:13
God does allow us to be tempted — because the battle will bring us closer to him, satisfy us more deeply in Him, and bring greater glory to Him.
But He never allows us to be tempted beyond what we — by His grace — can overcome.
So how does God’s grace help us overcome?
Every temptation claims that it will satisfy us more than Jesus Christ. But God’s grace enables us to resist that lie, and turn our weak, unbelieving hearts to Him. When we do, with earnest prayer over God’s Word, His grace will strengthen our faith. He will help us see and feel the incomparable, all-satisfying glory of Christ.
This won’t come easy. It usually takes a no-holds-barred, tooth-and-nail, take-no-captives battle.
But when we fight, He promises to so fill and satisfy us with His glory that we’re not tempted by lesser satisfactions.
If you’re driving a Ferrari you won’t be tempted by toy cars.
Victory is sure
Do not be deceived: … men who practice homosexuality …will not inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1Cor 6:9-11
The church of Corinth had men in it who used to practice homosexuality. But something happened. They had been washed, sanctified, and justified in Christ by the Spirit.
That does not mean they had become sinless. But it means that as they fought, conquered, stumbled, confessed, and fought again — they knew their guilt was cleansed by Jesus’ death, and their sins were covered by Jesus’ righteousness.
But not only that — they also “were sanctified.” Past tense. An action God had already completed. Which means that through Christ their destiny as sinless, sanctified, holy men was certain.
So, because of what Christ has done, and because you are looking to Him by faith — you have been sanctified. It’s a done deal. The day is certainly coming when you will be free from same-sex attraction, all other temptations, and all sin.
So, yes, the battle is hard. Yes, it is long. Yes, you feel weary. But keep battling, because —
Victory is sure.
Jesus is worth it all
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Rom 8:18
What are the sufferings of this present time? They are all the ways that, because of sin entering the world, creation is in “bondage to corruption” (Rom 8:21). Which means these sufferings include your same-sex attraction.
And Paul says that at the end of history, the glory of Jesus Christ will be revealed. His glory will be so stunning, so beautiful, so breathtaking, that we will be thrilled we had the honor of suffering for His sake.
So think of the end of your life, when you will stand before Jesus Christ. You will think back on your battles, your tears, your prayers, your celibacy, your loneliness, your victories, your getting-up-after-defeats.
You will think of all you suffered for His sake. And when you see Him standing before you in all His glory, you will fall at His feet in worship saying, “You are worth it all.”
So keep fighting.
Comments? Questions?
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And here are some related posts you might find helpful –
- God’s Promises For Those Battling Same-Sex Attraction (Part One)
- How To Extinguish Every One Of Satan’s Flaming Darts
- How To Resist Temptation
- A Promise For When You Are Tempted
(Picture from Microsoft Publisher Clip-Art.)
Hey Steve,
I just wanted to comment that you are being a true blessing to the body of Christ, with great insights and encouragements for everyone. Heterosexual lusts or burning with same sex attraction, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Jesus compels us to seek after him, ask Him for grace, knock at His door, come as we are, broken and needy, and he will surely never turn us away.
I think it was Martin Luther who said “we all are beggars,” it’s so true, we come to Him with nothing to offer, we can only receive what He holds.
Thanks once again for your encouraging words, brother.
And how powerful that it’s only as we come empty-handed, as needy beggars, that we will receive all we will ever need. Beautiful!
Very nice read! Thank you for sharing this to us. I also would like to share to readers of this blog some books that I have came across, they have reviewed for the topic of homosexuality.
http://booksforevangelism.org/called-out-by-janet-boynes/
http://booksforevangelism.org/out-of-egypt-by-jeanette-howard/
http://booksforevangelism.org/out-of-a-far-country-by-christopher-and-angela-yuan/
http://booksforevangelism.org/the-secret-thoughts-of-an-unlikely-convert-by-rosaria-champagne-butterfield/
I’m so glad you found this helpful, Christian Mom. And thank you for posting the book recommendations!