For the past several years homosexuals and their supporters have designated June as “Pride Month”, a time when the homosexual lifestyle is celebrated with various promotions and festivities. They are certainly welcome to choose to live their lives as they please. However, it seems that many of them expect Christians to join in the celebration and are quite offended when we don’t do that. As 1 Peter 4:4 says, “They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.”

Our culture is becoming more accepting of homosexual behavior. The examples of this are numerous. Movies and television shows depict homosexual characters as being part of the new normal. News journalists and sports broadcasters gush over the “bravery” of athletes who come out as gay. Homosexual marriage has been legalized in the United States. The rainbow (which is supposed to be a sign of God’s promise, certainly not what some are depicting it to represent) is proudly displayed in many places. Even some liberal churches have made statements declaring that they “accept and affirm” the homosexual lifestyle.

Some people claim that Jesus never said anything against homosexual behavior. They could not be more wrong. First of all, Jesus consistently spoke against sexual immorality, and everyone to whom Jesus spoke understood that homosexual actions are included in those prohibitions. Secondly, Jesus is God, so all the Bible’s teaching against homosexual behavior comes directly from Jesus.

So how does a Christian respond to a culture that seems determined to oppose Jesus on this issue? The answer is that we must speak the truth in love (Eph.4:15). In order to do this, we must know the truth. There are many Scriptures, both Old and New Testament, that clearly and consistently point out God’s will in this matter. Know what the Bible says and be ready to defend the truth.

However, we must speak with love. Our desire is not to condemn people, but to win them to Jesus. If people think we hate them, they will not even listen to our message of hope and salvation, much less respond to it.

Here are a couple of thoughts to leave you with. First, don’t give up on anybody. People can change (1 Cor.6:9-11). Second, don’t be an enabler to anyone who is living an immoral life. Romans 1 speaks of the wrath of God that will be poured out upon the wicked. The last verse of that chapter also issues a dire warning to those who approve of the deviant practices of others.