Naked Truth (Part 2): Deterioration

This week: The Deterioration and God’s reaction to it: back to the Garden.

• The devil has lied to us, and when we get this part of our lives wrong, it makes a mess with distortions of every kind. (Genesis 3)
• The curse hits the world, corrupts everything, and grows from there. (Genesis 3)
• God gives the law to His people, including the laws concerning sex in Leviticus 18:1-30. Sex is only in marriage, and only between a man and a woman. It’s not between close family members, not with animals, and not with the same sex.
• Sin in action starts with sin in the head. (Exodus 20:17, Matthew 5:27-28)

The writers of the New Testament affirm the standards God has always given. Paul gives a brief synopsis of how the world became such a mess in Romans 1:18-32.

• Some think of this section of scripture as a mandate concerning homosexuality alone. Wrong! It’s much more than that! (Romans 2:1, Romans 3:23)
• Some try to say this isn’t about homosexuality at all. Also wrong!
• It does reveal how rebellion affects mankind’s thinking. What should be self-evident becomes darkened. The most self-evident thing there is—gender and sex—becomes distorted.

Notice the progression of a culture that prizes sin. Romans 1:18–32

Romans 2:1 Romans 3:22–23 Romans 5:12

Right now, we all have a sinful nature the Bible calls the flesh, but there is a remedy.

Ephesians 2:1–6 (NIV) 1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Most people who struggle with sexual sin do so as heterosexuals; however, the pressure in our culture is on to legitimize sin. Those who promote or accept homosexuality as a life style will say…

•  Clarification: same-sex attraction is not the same as practicing homosexuality.
• For further information, resources, and explanation, go to our web page. (http://www.reallifeministries.com/gods-design/)

1. Who cares what Christianity says? The Bible is just a book written by men.

• See the “Why God?” series.

2. Why do you point out homosexual sin as terrible when so many Christians sin sexually, too?

• Good point.

3. The New Testament doesn’t actually speak about homosexuality.

• See Jude 5-8, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:8-11

4. These men were just speaking concerning their culture at the time. We live at a different time.

• We have strayed from God’s design, and we are suffering the consequences. Jesus pointed to the design in Genesis as well as Leviticus.

5. If it doesn’t hurt anyone, why do you care?

• Sex (outside of God’s design) hurts you, hurts others, and hurts God.
• We don’t have the ability to say what hurts. We don’t know what God knows.

6. The Bible can’t be true because science has proven that you are born a homosexual, and you have no choice.

• See our web page for answers to this. (http://www.reallifeministries.com/gods-design/)
• There is no proven science that says you are born gay, or that there is a gay gene. See Born or Bred? Science Does Not Support the Claim That Homosexuality Is Genetic by Robert Knight.
• Studies confirm that homosexuality is not healthy for those in the life style, emotionally or physically, and it’s damaging physiologically. See “Is Homosexuality a Health Risk?” by the Family Research Council.
• Homosexuals face greater health risks than heterosexuals. See “Studies Point to Increased Risk of Anal Cancer” by The Washington Blade, available at www.washblade.com/health/000602hm. See also “Modeling the impact of HIV disease on mortality in gay and bisexual men.” in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
• Many who lived the gay lifestyle have changed their attractions or have chosen not to live out those attractions and be single (but not alone).
• Remember: any sexual sin is forbidden because it’s contrary to God’s design. God knows how He made us and the consequences of disobedience. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

So what now? — Faith (produces obedience to the Lordship of Christ)

• The most important identifier for all of us is not race, or sexual preference, or gender. In Christ, we are children of God and part of His Kingdom. (Romans 1:5, Romans 5:1-5)

Steps: So what do I do now?

1. We place our trust in Jesus. He is Savior (from our sins) and Lord of His creation.

• Holy Sexuality. This may mean singleness.
• We walk in God’s Word, empowered by His Spirit, with transparent relationships where we can gain encouragement and accountability, and with people who remind us of who we are.
• 1 Peter 2:11

2. Take captive every thought. We do this individually and together. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Hebrews 3:12-13)

3. Think eternally rather than temporally. Your identify is not your sexuality, nor your race. You are a child of God through faith in Christ. (Colossians 3:1-4)

4. Feed on God’s word (John 15). Abide in Him, and you will bear spiritual fruit. (Romans 12:1-2)

5. Teach our children God’s way of doing things. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

6. We must remember the attitude we must have towards those who are confused, lost, or struggling. (Luke 9:54-56, Galatians 6:1-3)

Questions to ponder and discuss at home, or in Life Group:

Passages to look at: Genesis 3; Romans 1; 1 Corinthians 6; Ephesians 5:1-21

1. What did you hear that challenged you, encouraged you, or convicted you?

2. Describe what happens when what God has designed is misused, ignored, or corrupted.

3. How has your world been impacted by the deterioration of God’s good design? Think about how you, your perspective, your family, and your different environments have been impacted.

4. How is God directing you to respond to what you He is showing you?