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What Is Same Sex Attraction?
by Frank Worthen
Understanding the meaning of the term is essential if we are to minister effectively to those struggling with this issue. The majority of homosexuals believe they were “born gay”. This comforting belief relieves them of any responsibility of change. However, there is no solid scientific evidence that people are born homosexual. The overwhelming majority of gay people are completely normal genetically and hormonally. They are either completely male or completely female.
Learned Behavior We believe homosexuality is learned behavior which is influenced by a number of factors, such as disrupted family life in early years, a lack of unconditional love on the part of either parent, a failure to identify with the same sex, or a life controlled by various fears and feelings of isolation. But homosexuality is brought about by a multitude of root issues. It is simplistic thinking to lay the blame on any single cause. Fears of the opposite sex, incest or molestation, dominant mothers and weak fathers, demonic oppression, all of these may play a part in causing homosexuality, but no individual factor alone can cause it. Along with outside factors, a person’s own personal choices play a key role in forming his homosexual identity, though few will admit this. What does the Bible say? The Bible states clearly in five places that homosexual behavior is sin. Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; Romans 1:26,2; 1 Corinthians 6:10’ 1 Timothy 1:9,10. Sexual lust and fantasy – both homosexual and heterosexual – are sinful according to God’s Word. On the other hand, 1 Corinthians 10:13 assures us that temptation is not sin. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man, and God is faithful; He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape.” There is a difference between experiencing a pull towards homosexual acts, and giving in to that pull. We cannot fully control that which tempts us, but we can choose whether to pursue the temptation. The Holy Spirit strengthens our power of choice when we choose to obey God. Four Components of homosexuality The problem of homosexuality involves much more than certain sexual acts. To better understand this issue, we provide homosexuality into four components: behavior, psychic response, identity, and lifestyle. 1. Behavior Many people assume that all homosexuals engage in homosexual acts. But this is not always true. Because of fears or strong religious convictions, they may refrain from sexual behavior, yet experience an intense battle with same-sex attractions. Another wrong assumption is that all people who engage in homosexual acts are homosexual. There are huge numbers of heterosexual men who, for a variety of reasons, engage in homosexual acts. For example, in prison or elsewhere that heterosexual sex is not attainable. 2. Psychic Response This term means “sexual excitation (stimulation) caused by visual perception or fantasy”. Psychic response is also what people refer to as a “homosexual orientation.” Though many people claim they have experienced visual and/or sexual attraction from the same sex “as long as they can remember”, there is a progression in a person’s life that leads to a homosexual psychic response. A child may start out with a need to compare himself with others to see if he measures up to societal standards. When he feels he does not compare favorably with others, he develops admiration for those traits and physical characteristics he does not possess. Admiration, which is normal, may turn to envy. Envy leads to the desire to possess others and, finally, to consume others. This strong desire becomes eroticized somewhere along the ways, eventually leading to homosexual psychic response. Sexual situations are pictured in the mind. When the first sexual encounter tales place, it may be the result of several years of planning and fantasy. On the other hand, homosexual behavior may precede psychic response, which develops as a conditional response to pleasant encounters with those of the same sex. 3. Identity Some people enter into homosexuality through taking on the gay identity. These people may have experienced sexual attraction for the same sex or have had a homosexual encounter. However from an early age, they have felt abnormal, like they do not fit into the heterosexual world. They reason, “If I’m not heterosexual, then I must be gay,” and they accept the homosexual label onto their lives. Of course, this is a misinterpretation of feelings. A person troubled with shyness, fear of the opposite sex, or lack of athletic or social skills need not accept the label “homosexual”. However, people do grow into labels. Once a label is accepted, the implied characteristic of that label begins to develop in the person’s life. What we believe of ourselves is of extreme importance, as we will become that which we believe ourselves to be. The Bible says; “As a man thinks in his heart so is he.” 4. Lifestyle A homosexual may insist that he bear no responsibility for his identity, his psychic response, or even his first sexual encounter, which may have been forced upon him. However, every homosexual person must bear the responsibility for his or her choices to enter the homosexual lifestyle. People enter this lifestyle to varying degrees, however. Some live in the heterosexual world for the most part, seeking out sporadic, impersonal sexual encounters. Others immerse themselves in the total “gay subculture,” a setting in which the person works, lives and socialises in a gay environment. There are all the varying degrees in between these two extremes, but the gay lifestyle, for many people, is the first place where they have experienced any form of acceptance on the below the surface level. In spite of the acceptance that is available, however, the homosexual lifestyle often proves to be a painful and unrewarding way of life, particularly for the older gays who are no longer desirable sexually. A Complex Problem As you can see from looking at these four components, homosexuality is a complex problem with many definitions and variations. If someone tells you, “I am a homosexual,” he has really told you very little about himself. It takes a deeper look into his life to determine the degree to which homosexuality has become a part of his identity. The way out of homosexuality is not easy; yet, there are thousands who have left homosexuality behind, and have become “new Creatures” in Christ. Many have married and raised families, while others remain celibate, leading joyful lives, devoted to God’s service. The Lord gives us the desires of our heart. Satan is not pleased when someone sees through the deception of homosexuality and discovers the way out. God’s power is greater than any problem – including homosexuality. Do not be afraid or discouraged …. For the battle is not yours, but God’s (2 Chronicles 20:15 May God give you strength and perseverance to fight this battle. |