A Biblical Response to LGBTQ+ Ideology

By Dave Jenkins
Contending for the Word – Q&A Series

How Should Christians Respond to LGBTQ+ Ideology?

In today’s cultural climate, few topics are as emotionally charged or widely debated as sexuality and gender identity. The rise and normalization of LGBTQ+ ideology have deeply shaped how many people view themselves, others, and the world. In response, Christians are often caught between two extremes—either softening the truth of God’s Word in the name of love or harshly proclaiming truth with little regard for compassion.

But the Bible calls us to something far better: truth and grace, conviction and compassion. As ambassadors of Christ, we are to speak the truth in love, upholding God’s design for human flourishing while offering the hope of the gospel to all.

God’s Good Design

From the very beginning, God created humanity in His image—male and female (Genesis 1:27). He established the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24), and He ordained sexual intimacy to be enjoyed exclusively within that sacred union (Hebrews 13:4). These aren’t arbitrary rules but part of God’s wise and loving design for human beings to flourish under His lordship.

Yet because of the Fall, sin has corrupted every part of our nature, including our desires (Romans 1:24–27). The heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), and all of us—regardless of our particular struggles—stand in need of grace. Same-sex desires and gender confusion are not outside the bounds of God’s redemptive power, but they are part of humanity’s brokenness that calls for repentance and renewal.

Cultural Lies vs. Biblical Truth

Our culture teaches that sexuality is foundational to identity, that affirming same-sex relationships is the essence of love, and that gender is a social construct that can be self-defined. But Scripture presents a different vision: our identity is rooted not in our desires, but in Christ. True love is not permissive; it is holy. And God’s design for sex and gender is not oppressive but life-giving.

To deny someone’s sinful desires is not hatred—it is compassion. Affirmation that ignores the truth of Scripture is not love—it is compromise. As Christians, we must gently but firmly reject the world’s false ideologies while holding out the beauty of God’s better way.

The Call to Compassion and Conviction

So, how should Christians respond?

We must speak clearly about sin. It is not loving to affirm what God condemns. Silence, in the name of niceness, is not neutrality—it’s agreement. But we must also remember that every person, regardless of their struggles, is made in the image of God and worthy of dignity and respect. Mockery has no place in Christian witness. Condescension undermines our message.

What sets Christianity apart is the gospel. The church must not merely offer moral standards—we must offer Christ Himself. There is hope for everyone in Jesus. Through His death and resurrection, there is forgiveness for every sin, healing for every wound, and transformation for every heart. As Paul reminds the Corinthian church:

“And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
—1 Corinthians 6:11

Standing Firm in a Compromising Age

In a culture where truth is often sacrificed for acceptance, Christians must resolve to stand firm. We may be misunderstood. We may be accused of bigotry or hate. But we cannot retreat from Scripture’s clarity. We are not called to be popular; we are called to be faithful.

Loving people does not mean affirming sin. It means pointing them to the One who can set them free. As we interact with those influenced by LGBTQ+ ideology—whether they are friends, family members, or strangers—we must remember the grace we ourselves have received. And we must offer that same grace with both humility and boldness.

Final Word

The Christian response to LGBTQ+ ideology is not fueled by fear, hatred, or outrage—it is rooted in the unshakable truth of God’s Word and the unsearchable riches of His grace. May we, as God’s people, be known not for compromise or cruelty, but for courage, clarity, and Christ-centered compassion.

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