It’s so much easier not to write these words. It’s so much easier just to “live and let live.” There is a very large libertarian streak in me that defaults to, “you do you, boo.” But I have watched the mistruths of the conversation about gender creep into our national conversation and have largely bit my tongue. There is that whole verse about “a log in your own eye.” After all, “who am I to judge?” Well, I don’t judge. God does. I am instructed to love – and I will.
I have kept quiet on the “gender issue.” Why open my mouth and put more grist into the mill? But I read a simple passage in Deuteronomy today and God sent down a lightening bolt of conviction. I must speak the truth. We must all speak the truth. Not “my truth.” Not “lived experiences.” God’s truth.
Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I have been silent because the conversation is uncomfortable. I have friends – close friends – whose children are gay and identify as transgender. I have had people stop and confront me, terrified because “the Republicans want to kill my child because he is transgender.” While that’s not the truth, the fear held by this individual was very, very real.
This post will not be about “politics.” It will be about what the Bible has to say. But only after I emote a bit more about my silence on this issue. There is no doubt it will offend those both to the left and to the right of me on this issue. I am sorry if you are offended. Again, as I read through the Bible, I just want to share on my personal website the truths God’s Word reveals about the world and times in which we live.
No, I can’t remember “the day I decided I liked girls.” It was just natural. I am assuming that is how it occurs for those who are same sex attracted and are homosexual. No, those who are transgender and express themselves by the way they dress and act are not hurting me. Live as you choose to live, however, the line is crossed when you expect me to accept your lie as the truth. Because it’s not.
For a general statement about the world in which we live, especially regarding sexuality, I am always reminded of Paul’s writings in Romans 1: 24-32.
“Acceptance” is one thing. I will accept you and love you for who you are. But I will not accept your delusional proposition that a man can be a woman and a woman can be a man and either one can have a baby. Because it is a lie. Here’s that passage from Deuteronomy that struck me this AM…
A woman must not put on men’s clothing, and a man must not wear women’s clothing. Anyone who does this is detestable in the sight of the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy 22:5
In the second I read the verse, I knew Moses wasn’t talking about Halloween costumes or cross-dressing. He was talking about “sexual identity.” It is not clothing or personal style that offends God. It is the use of that clothing – and medical procedures and hormones under the false guise of “gender affirming care” – to take on a sexual identity different from the one biologically assigned by God at birth.
You are uniquely and wonderfully made. God created you in form and with purpose – with divine intentionality! When men or women claim to be able to choose their own sexual identity, they are basically saying that God didn’t know what he was doing. He did. Sure, you can deny God’s truth, He gave you free will knowing that you might do so. But do not expect me to deny God’s truth. That’s wrong – I will not live your lie.
Don’t condemn or judge another. That’s not our job – that’s God’s gig. All sin separates us from God. Both my sin (gluttony, envy, pride, fear – I could go on) and the sin perpetuated by those who believe that God made a mistake when He assigned their gender. God doesn’t make mistakes and it is the sin from which we must repent and turn.
But this gender insanity must stop. The lie cannot be perpetuated. Drag queen story hours are not “the celebration of diversity,” they are the perversion of God’s truth. It has damaged and confused a generation who, due to our reluctance to teach the truth, do not know who they are in God. In His image, God made man and woman (and only man and woman – no in between) whom he charged with being fruitful and multiplying. Anything short of God’s perfect plan is not healthy for our children or our society.
A friend of mine shared this video of a pastor with tremendous style preaching God’s truth…
Be as mad at me as you want. I’ll still love you. But on this damaging, confusing, and complex issue, I can no longer be silent. Clarity can only be found in the Word of God. The Bible is either true or it’s not. You either believe it or you don’t. You do you, boo. But I believe the Bible is the Word of God, and when it comes to genders, this is what the Bible says.
Scott, Thanks for being Bold! ? ~Duane