Pride Month presents a challenging issue for Christians who want to balance biblical truth with Christ-like compassion. Here is a 9000-word exploration of what the Bible teaches about human sexuality and how Christians can respond to Pride Month in a way that honors God and loves people.
The Bible’s View of Human Sexuality
The Bible lays out God’s design for human sexuality in the creation account in Genesis and in teachings throughout Scripture. God created people male and female and instituted marriage between one man and one woman (Genesis 1:27-28, 2:24). The Bible celebrates the good of sexual intimacy within this covenant relationship and prohibits sexual immorality, which includes homosexual relations (Hebrews 13:4, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
Same-sex romantic desire and activity are viewed as a distortion of God’s good design for human sexuality. The Bible condemns homosexual relations as sinful in several passages, including Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, and 1 Timothy 1:10. This does not mean same-sex attraction itself is sinful but acting upon it is. Christians who experience same-sex attraction are called to chastity and celibacy.
The Bible’s prohibitions on homosexual relations are rooted in God’s purposes for sexuality to be exercised only within the marriage covenant between a man and woman (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6). Deviations from God’s design violate His standards for holiness and prevent people from enjoying the good of sexuality as He intended.
Christians hold a high view of marriage because it reflects Christ’s relationship with the church (Ephesians 5:31-32). Marriage between a man and woman is meant to showcase the glory of the gospel. Homosexual relations fall short of God’s glory by contradicting the created design and distorting the biblical imagery of marriage.
The Bible’s perspective on homosexuality will be offensive to many in our culture today. But Christians seek to align their beliefs with Scripture, not cultural trends. The biblical prohibitions on homosexual relations are stated clearly and unmistakably throughout Scripture.
A Compassionate Yet Faithful Response
Pride Month can stir up a range of emotions for Christians. Some react with disgust at public displays of immorality. Others feel pressure to celebrate Pride against their convictions. But most Christians aim for a biblically balanced response of conviction coupled with compassion.
Christians recognize that all people bear God’s image and are owed dignity and respect (Genesis 1:27, James 3:9-10). We cannot degrade or dehumanize those with whom we disagree. Nor is it right to single out homosexual sin as worse than other sins. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
At the same time, Christians cannot affirm or celebrate sinful behaviors that violate biblical standards. Pride events often promote sexually immoral messages that Christians cannot endorse. We want to show grace while upholding God’s truth without compromise.
Here are some principles for Christians to keep in mind in navigating Pride Month in a Christ-like way:
1. Remember Our Common Brokenness
A same-sex orientation may feel foreign to those who don’t share it, but all people are broken in some way by sin. Whether our particular struggles involve sexuality, anger, pride, or something else, we all fall infinitely short of God’s perfect standards (Romans 3:10-12, 23).
Same-sex attraction does not make someone “the worst of sinners.” Nor does it disqualify someone from experiencing God’s grace. Christians with traditional beliefs on sexuality should humbly reflect on their own flaws rather than viewing others’ sins as worse.
“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone” (John 8:7). A judgmental attitude toward those in the LGBTQ community will only alienate them from the gospel.
2. Lead with Love, Not Condemnation
Christians have at times caused tremendous pain for those dealing with same-sex attraction. Making glib condemnatory statements fails to convey the compassion of Christ. Many have faced hostility from families and churches instead of support to follow Christ within the context of their sexuality.
Rather than lead with condemnation, Christians must lead with love. Our motivation should be the spiritual and relational well-being of others, not proving a point or winning an argument. Even when we cannot affirm someone’s decisions, we can still offer them grace.
“Speaking the truth in love, we will grow…in every way…into him who is the head, that is, Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). Truth without love breeds self-righteousness. Love without truth compromises biblical standards. Christians must diligently pursue both.
3. Listen Before Speaking
Very few non-Christians will care what we have to say if we haven’t first listened. Rather than rushing to state our theological position, we should ask thoughtful questions to understand the other person’s perspective and experiences.
Listening shows people we genuinely care about them. It breaks down walls of mistrust. It cultivates relationships that allow spiritual conversations to bear fruit. As James 1:19 says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak.”
4. Find Common Ground
Differences on sexuality need not prevent mutually respectful relationships. Christians share many of the same desires as those in the LGBTQ community: to be known, to be loved, to belong. We can build rapport by identifying shared experiences and values.
Most people, regardless of sexuality, want to be valued for who they are, not just what they do or don’t do. When we convey our care for people as made in God’s image, we begin to earn relational capital to speak biblical truth gently and relationally.
5. Affirm Dignity
Because all people reflect God’s image, Christians should be the foremost champions of human dignity inside and outside the church. This includes those who identify as LGBTQ. They bear the same imago dei worth and value as anyone else.
Christians throughout church history have at times failed miserably at honoring the dignity of fellow human beings. The impact still lingers today. We must be clear in word and deed that every person deserves to be treated with honor, respect, and dignity because they are made by God.
6. Don’t Expect Perfection
Churches sometimes expect complete conformity on sexuality for those dealing with same-sex attraction. But for most, it is a difficult lifelong journey to submit this area to Christ. We should welcome people wherever they are in the process, just as Christ welcomes us (Romans 15:7).
This means not ostracizing Christians who admit to struggling with same-sex desires. It means being patient with young believers still learning historic Christian teaching on sexuality. God doesn’t expect perfection, so neither should we.
7. Extend Empathy
To build bridges of understanding, Christians must try to grasp the pain many LGBTQ individuals have experienced. Those from traditional churches often bear wounds of rejection from unloving “Christians.” Their struggles are complex and deeply personal.
We need not endorse every life decision to offer care and empathy. Listening, grieving with them, and pointing them to Christ’s sufficient grace provide needed support. Christians should feel compelled by the love of Christ to respond with deep compassion (2 Corinthians 1:3-7).
8. Share Your Struggles Too
Vulnerability fosters reciprocal vulnerability. When we open up about our own imperfections and struggles with sin, it demonstrates we are all in this together. This engenders mutual understanding and builds relational bridges to humbly share biblical truth.
Of course, discretion and wisdom are needed to share appropriately. But when we present ourselves as fellow sinners saved by grace, we remove any implied sense of superiority or judgmentalism.
9. Point to Christ
Moral outrage will never change hearts, only the gospel can. Christians must avoid self-righteous posturing and point people to the grace of Christ. Only He can transform desires, forgive sins, and empower us to live holy lives, despite our ongoing struggles (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Change comes gradually as people surrender to Christ in humble dependence. So we must exercise patience and grace. While holding to biblical truth, our primary posture should be one of inviting people to experience new life in Christ.
10. Make Churches Welcoming
Sadly, many churches have gained reputations for hostility toward those dealing with same-sex attraction. We must become communities where people feel safe, heard, and loved even in the midst of confusion and questions on sexuality.
This starts with pastors and leaders setting an inclusive tone. It means refusing to tolerate jokes and slurs directed at the LGBTQ community. It extends to training church members on how to come alongside those dealing with sexual brokenness rather than ostracizing them.
Jesus welcomed and spent time with those who did not align with prevailing religious standards. Shouldn’t His church do the same? “All are welcome” should be our mantra.
11. Offer Hope
To those in the LGBTQ community, Christians must paint a picture of the hope, fulfillment, and identity found in Christ. He alone can empower us to live holy lives that align with our design as men and women made in God’s image.
We each face struggles in submitting our sexuality to God’s wise boundaries for human flourishing. But the rewards are unspeakably rich for those who walk in step with His Spirit (Galatians 5:16-25). This is the hope Christians can offer to all.
12. Provide Resources
Many believers dealing with same-sex attraction feel lonely and unsupported. Churches should provide access to resources that apply biblical truth sensitively to issues of sexuality.
Classes, support groups, counseling referrals, books, videos, and online resources can help people understand God’s perspective on sexuality. Pastors should regularly address sexuality from the pulpit as well.
Leaving people to navigate sexual brokenness alone defies the biblical call to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Excellent Christian resources exist to help churches equip and support those dealing with LGBTQ issues.
13. Allow Differing Views
Well-meaning Christians hold some differing views on sexual ethics that should not prevent unity around the gospel. For example, some believe all same-sex relations are prohibited by Scripture, while others believe monogamous gay marriage may be permissible.
Churches need not agree on all points of doctrine and ethics to work together in Christ’s mission. By granting grace in disputable matters, we reflect the heart of Christ (Romans 14:1-15:7). Grace and truth must mark all our interactions, even amidst disagreement.
14. Partner in Good Work
Christians can find common cause with LGBTQ advocates in efforts to reduce bullying, discrimination, homelessness, and suicides. We have many shared concerns for human flourishing despite divergent views on sexuality.
By working together to serve our communities, build relationships, and provide practical support, we offer a picture of Christ’s love. We can build trust and gain opportunities to share the gospel by being the hands and feet of Jesus (Matthew 5:16).
15. Pray Constantly
Above all, Christians must bathe every interaction and conversation in prayer. Only the Spirit can produce openness to God’s truth in the hearts of nonbelievers (1 Corinthians 2:14). Only God can bring about change and transformation in His perfect timing.
We must pray for humility, wisdom, and compassion. We must ask God to open doors for gospel-centered conversations. Prayer acknowledges our dependence on God’s work in changing minds and hearts (Colossians 4:2-6).
Navigating with Nuance
The Bible provides absolute moral truth for human flourishing. But applying it well in a broken world full of unique stories requires wisdom, nuance, and care.
Christians need not compromise clear biblical teaching on sexuality. But we must avoid simplistic, callous, and wavingj harsh application. Our imperfect grasp of truth should lead to humble, sensitive sharing of God’s design for human sexuality.
No single formula will navigate these culturally contested waters well. We must tune our ears to the Spirit’s guidance as we seek discernment for each situation. But these principles can help us respond in a way that honors God and extends compassion to people at every point on the spectrum.
May the church follow Jesus’ example of engaging gently and redemptively with those deemed sexual “outcasts” by religious communities of His day. And may Christ’s unconditional love that led Him to the cross transform even the most hardened hearts.