God has created every person and knows them to the very core (Ps. 139:15–16). We may, however, ask why some are born with developmental disabilities, as intersex individuals, blind, or otherwise different from the general population. There are no answers to all these questions, but the Bible testifies that every person is equally valuable and a perfect miracle of creation. Where a person might see difference or imperfection, God sees a unique life and its potential (Ps. 139:17).
The creation account describes how God created human beings as male and female (Gen. 1:27). Sexuality is therefore part of God’s work of creation, and its effects extend to every aspect of human life. But when do people’s understandings of sexuality and gender align with God’s Word, and when do they contradict it?
Sex
In the beginning, God created humankind male and female (Gen. 1:27), and He continues to create them male and female. A child’s sex is determined at the moment of conception, although it is sometimes challenging to identify anatomically, hormonally, or even chromosomally. However, in the mammalian world, there are only two types of gametes needed for reproduction, with sexually mature male producing one type and female the other. Thus, there are only two biological sexes.
A person’s gender identity—that is, their sense of whether they are a girl or a boy—develops and solidifies throughout childhood. A young child notices differences between girls and boys from an early age. However, during puberty, some people become unsure of their gender. There is a wide variety of advice and information available, which can be confusing. However, uncertainty about one’s gender identity is usually temporary.
There are, therefore, only two sexes. Men may have feminine traits and women may have masculine traits, but such individual variation does not mean that there are multiple biological sexes. Nowadays, one also hears it taught that a person’s sex is determined by their experience rather than by their biology. On this basis, even very young people may be advised to change their sex according to how they feel at any given moment. The Church Father Tertullian (c. 160–220) stated: “A Christian does not change his wife or his sex.”
The Reformer Martin Luther wrote: “Therefore, just as God has created each of us with our own body, so we must regard it as such; it is not within our power for me to become a woman or for you to become a man, but just as He created you and me, so we are: I am a man, you are a woman. And He wants this good work of creation to be honored and respected, without anyone despising it as His divine work, so that a man does not despise a woman or mock her, nor, conversely, a woman a man, but each regards the other’s form and body as a good work of God, which greatly pleases God Himself.” (Luther, On Married Life, Chapter 1.)
A child’s biological sex is usually determined immediately after birth. Sometimes, however, a child is born whose sex cannot be immediately determined based on external characteristics, in which case the child is identified as intersex. In most cases, the sex becomes clear later through more detailed examinations, but regardless, every person is, from beginning to end, created and known by God. All kinds of inborn differences reflect the richness and diversity of God’s creative work. Jesus said of the man born blind, “This happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:3). It is wise to be content with God’s creative work.
Sexuality
Sexuality is an innate human characteristic. It is part of God’s work of creation and a gift from Him. In addition to our physical nature, it includes how we personally experience our own masculinity or femininity. On the other hand, it is also more than simply identifying with one gender or the other: it distinguishes men from women, and at the same time, it causes them to feel an attraction toward one another. It also encompasses, among other things, gender roles, sexual orientation, pleasure, and elements of multiplying.
Most people begin to experience a mysterious attraction and infatuation toward specific individuals during puberty. The longing for contiguity and physical contact can be intense, and another person can evoke strong sexual feelings and fantasies. Dreams of dating and a life together may occupy a large part of one’s thoughts. For others, however, these urges and feelings are milder; in this regard, too, we are all different.
Sexuality is different from sex. Sexuality is connected to who we are, while sex is an activity—more specifically, the practicing of sexuality. Sexuality is a gift from God and a natural part of being human, and as such, it is not a sin.
On the other hand, as a result of the Fall, human sexuality is also corrupted by sin and does not necessarily manifest itself in a Christian’s life in accordance with God’s Word. Jesus Himself taught that even a lustful look is adultery (Matt. 5:28). For example, sex before marriage or outside of marriage, as well as masturbation, is a sin (1 Cor. 6:18–20). A believer, however, wants to live in accordance with God’s will, even in matters related to sexuality, in order to keep faith and a good conscience. The Holy Spirit gives him or her the strength to do so.
Paul wrote: “you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust…” (1 Thess. 4:3–5). Paul frequently uses the word porneia, which appears here as well. The word encompasses sex outside of marriage (e.g., 1 Cor. 7:2) and all forms of sexual behavior contrary to God’s Word (e.g., Col. 3:5–6). Paul also wrote: “To the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” (1 Cor. 7:8–9)
Unfortunately, sex education taught in schools, for example, is far from always being in accordance with God’s Word. For instance, contraceptives may be distributed to young people, and they may be encouraged to experiment sexually. Such teaching is not based on God’s Word.
Sexual Orientation
Sexual orientation refers to whom a person is emotionally or erotically attracted to. Generally, attraction is directed toward the opposite sex, but a person may also experience feelings of attraction toward people of the same sex. However, these feelings do not define a person’s entire sexual orientation. It is normal during puberty for the objects of sexual interest to vary and later stabilize.
For young people in particular, feelings or thoughts suggesting homosexuality can feel confusing. Usually, this is a temporary phenomenon, but the wrong kind of tolerance can also strengthen these feelings. Regardless of whether, for example, a homosexual inclination is temporary or permanent, all people are equally important and valuable.
A deviant sexual inclination in and of itself is not a sin. Although our flesh, corrupted by original sin, is thoroughly prone to sin, the characteristics we are born with are not in themselves sinful; rather, living out sexual orientations in a way that contradicts God’s Word is sinful, just as premarital sex and cheating on a spouse are. In modern times, same-sex relationships and sex are more widely accepted than ever before, and such unions have been legalized in many countries. According to the Bible, this is not right:
“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator … Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done” (Rom. 1:25–28).
For a believer, for example, their own homosexuality can be a painful and sensitive issue, and they need the support of fellow believers to persevere in their faith and live according to God’s will. A child of God can trust in God just as they are and pray to God for the strength to live according to His will. “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” (1 Cor. 10:13)
Marriage
God created man and woman as sexual beings, caused them to feel attraction toward one another, and gave them a mission: “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth” (Gen. 1:27–28). Marriage, as established by God, unites spouses under His blessing into one (Gen. 2:24). In marriage, the gift of sexuality is fulfilled according to God’s will and serves both the love between the spouses and the mission of multipliedness. Those to whom God grants children are given the privilege of participating in His work of creation.
Marriage is holy. Among other things, this means that sexuality may only be expressed with one’s own spouse. Paul uses the term porneia—described earlier—broadly to refer to sexual immorality and contrasts it with marriage. This reflects the Bible’s stance on sexuality. Spouses who are faithful to one another honor God, the Giver of the marital union, through their marriage (Eph. 5, Col. 3). Mutual respect and love are also important. Even within marriage, one spouse must not pressure or force the other into something the other does not want.
Through God’s work of creation, marriage also reveals a profound picture of equality: the differences between men and women and their equality go hand in hand. Jesus’ teachings on marriage are also built upon this idea. He based his teachings on marriage on the creation of humankind as male and female, who, precisely because of their differences, can become “one flesh” in the marital union (Matt. 19:4–6).
In Western countries, the debate over same-sex marriage is often linked to human rights, equality, and tolerance. At its core, however, these unions are not about equality or human rights. God’s Word teaches us to accept every neighbor as an equal and a person of value, but it does not give permission to live in sin contrary to God’s Word. God hates sin, but loves the sinner.
Marriage is not for everyone (Matt. 19:11–12). For those living alone—whether due to homosexuality or some other reason—the absence of sex can be a painful reality. Nevertheless, they too can be grateful for their masculinity or femininity as unique human beings created by God. Friends of the opposite sex also enrich our lives and offer support in times of difficulty.
The Misplaced Emphasis on Sexuality
The excessive and distorted emphasis on sexuality, as well as, for example, the commercialization of sex, reflect humanity’s drift away from God and biblical values. It is well known that matters related to sexuality interest people prone to sin even outside the marriage bed, and that is why it is increasingly prominent. In some cases, sexuality is veiled in hints and subtle revelations, while in others, its numerous manifestations are presented completely openly. The aim of both is to arouse sinful desires.
Pornography is a modern form of distorted sexuality. Its purpose is to provide sexual pleasure outside of marriage and before marriage, and it is addictive. A new phenomenon is that more and more people are publishing revealing material about themselves for commercial gain. All of this is exactly what Paul meant by the word “porneia.”
Nowadays, it is generally taught that masturbation is part of human sexual development. However, throughout the history of Christianity, it has been interpreted as contrary to the Word of God (1 Cor. 7:1–4). Paul wrote: “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Cor. 6:18–20).
God’s Word guides people to live out their sexuality in a way that preserves a clear conscience before God and others. As sinful by nature, people are prone to feel sexual attraction even toward those other than their spouse and easily fall into sin in this area as well. As we recalled earlier, Jesus himself taught: “anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:28). By this, Jesus wanted to show that we are imperfect and in need of grace even in matters of sexuality.
The Bible Guides Us to What Is Right
God’s Word must be regarded as the highest guide for faith and life. Scientific findings and methods change over time. Much research in various scientific fields is time-bound, but God’s Word remains unchanging in the midst of a changing world. The Bible also testifies that every person is prone to sin. People can fail in matters related to sexuality just as they do in other areas of life. Despite these failures, a believer does not want to live in sin but to be set free from it, because sin draws them farther away from God.
Temptations related to sexuality were also familiar to Jesus. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews writes: “we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” (Heb. 4:15)
Jesus not only understands the temptations and sins we face, but he also suffered death and rose from the dead so that we might be forgiven for everything. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews continues: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Heb. 4:16)
Author: Kingdom of Peace
Image: Helena Soranta