QUESTION : Can homosexuals really change their lifestyle?
As with many important questions of life there are two opinions. Most say that homosexuals cannot change and become heterosexuals. Others think that they can. Which is right ? The answer to the question is not determined by majority opinion. Neither is the truth found in wishful thinking or even a deep desire that it be possible. For no one can will themselves to be heterosexual .
What makes so many think that it is impossible to change is that they have tried to bring about a change in their homosexual feelings and actions but not have not succeeded. They have not succeeded in spite of using every ounce of will power at their disposal. And no wonder, for will power is not enough and exerting mere willpower on the problem is too strenuous and nerve-wracking and avoiding homosexual activities just cannot be maintained for long.
Some have never tried to hard to overcome homosexuality because there are elements of homosexuality that they enjoy and they don't want to give them up. This is not odd. This is true of every sin. Every sin has a kick and some thrill to it. And to give up anything that has some enjoyment to it is not an easy thing to do. It does not matter if we have a desire to do be free from homosexuality, we cannot bring ourselves to give up the fleeting thrills that it offers.
Some continue in homosexuality because they have been brain-washed to believe that they were born that way and that there is nothing that they can do about it. They have accepted a big lie for which there is no definitive proof except for he fact that they have always feel that way (sometimes the memory plays tricks on this one). Truth is not determined by mere feelings no matter how long one has had them.
Truth for a Christian is determined by what God has to say. And on this point Scripture makes it clear that you can change. This thought is brought out in such passages as Romans 12:2. where it talks about being transformed or changed. In God's book we don't have to remain stuck in any pattern of life including homosexuality. We can overcome and abandon the sin. But not by sheer will-power but by the working of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Change is impossible without the Spirit's help.
And though change is possible it does not always come easily. To change, our minds need to be renewed. In short, we need to get on God's wavelength. This is not easy when you have opposition from within, when the world around you is tugging you away from God and when you've gotten in a rut of doing your own thing. A rut which seems to offer much more pleasure than the ways of God.
Only help from the Holy Spirit can bring about the transformation in our lives and give the strength to say no to homosexual temptations and bring us to the point where we willingly walk away from homosexual pursuits.
The struggle to reclaim our heterosexual nature may be hard and bumpy with some slipping and sliding and falling on our faces before we reach the goal of freedom from homosexuality but it is not impossible to reach and we are not doomed to walk in misery all the days of our lives. Jesus loves the homosexual. But He loves him too much to leave him be tormented by it all the days of his life.
Rodel
KEYS MINISTRY
