We asked you where you are facing resistance to God's truth. Here's what you told us:
"Many times I'm worried that my belief in God making people either a boy or a girl without being both or switching genders will be recognized as hate." ~Olivia"At my public school, those who do not agree with the LGBT are truly frowned upon." ~Leah
"I feel very conflicted when it comes to the topic of LGBT." ~Beatrice
As God's girls who believe that His Word is true, it feels like we see pink and blue in a world that sees rainbow. Sometimes that has the people around us seeing red.
So as girls in a transgendered world, what's the best way to respond to the ongoing debate about sexual preference? I'd like to dip my toe into the water of that conversation in today's "Stand for Truth Thursday" post, but first, do you mind if I make a few disclaimers?
Disclaimer #1: I believe that God's Word is true and unchanging.
I'd take these two verses straight to the bank.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). "For I the LORD do not change" (Mal. 3:6).
I believe that the Bible is God's Word and that it does not change based on circumstances or culture. If you have a belief about sexual preference that is based on something other than what God's Word says, we will have a hard time finding common ground.
Disclaimer #2: This issue is too big to cover completely in a single blog post.
I am not able to cover the issues of sexuality from every possible angle in a single post. We will continue to talk about this issue here on the blog, so consider this the start of the conversation, not the whole enchilada.
Disclaimer #3: This is a war-free zone.
I know that LGBT issues are a very hot topic. In fact, they've become the fire we all war dance around. But because I love the readers of this blog and because I want us to be seen as a beacon for those searching for truth online, I will not let this post start a war in the comment section. We love discussion, and you are more than welcome to disagree with my position, but in order for us to allow your comment on our discussion wall, you must do so in a respectful manner that cares for the hearts of the readers of this blog.
Whew! That was a lot of fine print. Now let's get down to business. As a Christian girl, what can you do to stand up to the message that gender is fluid?
Here are five ideas.
1. Know your Bible.
Everyone has an opinion about sexuality. Those opinions have been formed largely through experiences. But we do not interpret the world through our feelings or experiences. We interpret it through the infallible, unchanging Word of God.
We do not interpret the world through our feelings or experiences. We interpret it through the infallible, unchanging Word of God.
There are those proponents of homosexuality who will use the Bible to affirm their position. That's why we need an understanding of the whole Bible, not just a few hot button verses. Instead of looking for one verse about homosexuality, broaden the lens a bit.
What does the Bible really say about sexuality? If you are going to take a stand on this issue, you need to start with that question. I'd encourage you not to Google. That will just lead you to what other people say the Bible says about sexuality. Cut out the middle man and run straight to the source. Ask God to show you His truth on this issue. That's a prayer He loves to answer!
James 1:5 promises, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
Standing for truth always begins with opening your Bible.
Doing your own homework on this issue will help God's truth seep deep into your heart. Standing for truth always begins with opening your Bible.
2. Pray for revival.
This week, my pastor said, "If the pain of this world is going to be eased, it's going to take changed hearts. Not just a few. Billions of them."
That'll preach.
Instead of praying for LGBT peers at your school to change their position or leave you alone, pray for them to surrender their lives to Jesus. Pray for God's Spirit to do a mighty work in your school. Pray for many of the people in your halls to acknowledge Christ as Lord. Behavior change is a beautiful by-product of heart change. Will you join me in praying for changed hearts? Not just a few. Billions of them!
Imagine what could happen if you started prayer-walking the halls of your school each morning?
3. Stay out of the pigpen.
The LGBT debate cannot be won or lost on Facebook.
The LGBT debate cannot be won or lost on Facebook.
I repeated that sentence because we all need the reminder.
When we scream at each other across the digital divide, no one wins. To discuss an issue this personal and heated in the public arena won't get us anywhere. We need to have grace-filled, love-saturated conversations. That happens best in person, and preferably one-on-one.
We need to have grace-filled, love-saturated conversations.
Jesus said it this way: "Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you" (Matt. 7:6).
Instead of leading to changed hearts, debating this issue on social media will only cause a feeding frenzy.
4. Live pure lives.
We need to avoid being on the lookout for sexual sin in other people's lives and being lax about sexual sin in our own lives.
The LGBT debate is ultimately about choosing to believe (or not believe) that as the Creator of all things, God gets to decide how we express our sexuality. Being gay, transgender, or bisexual is not the only way to miss God's mark for sexuality. We need to avoid being on the lookout for sexual sin in other people's lives and being lax about sexual sin in our own lives. Jesus warned against this plank-eye syndrome:
"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye" (Matt. 7:3–5).
One counter-cultural way to take a stand for God's plan for sexuality is to live it!
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God (1 Thess. 4:3–5).
5. Be a moon!
When it comes to gender, we are wise to ask, "Why does it matter?" If we are going to stake our claim on the fact that gender roles are fixed and cannot change, we need to know why that's a hill worth dying on.
Genesis 1:27 gives the shockingly simple answer:
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
All people bear the image of God. God made guys guys to reveal something about Himself, and He made girls girls to reflect something about who He is. When the lines get blurred, our picture of God starts to get fuzzy.
You don't have to march in a parade to stand for God's truth on gender. You just need to reflect Him. Like the moon, which has no light of its own but reflects the brilliance of the sun, we display God's plan for gender when we imitate Jesus.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children (Eph. 5:1).
Follow the Rainbow
The rainbow has become a symbol used by LGBT opponents, but God's Word teaches a different meaning.
In Genesis 9, the rainbow was a symbol of God's mercy and His promise that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. Fast forward to the back of your Bible, and the rainbow appears over the throne of Jesus (Rev. 4:3). The story of all of humanity is bookended with the rainbow. It is ultimately a reminder of God's power and sovereignty and love for His creation.
Only God can change hearts and minds.
Instead of trusting in our culture or our school to see this issue like we do, we trust the God who hung the first rainbow. While these steps are important to take, we cannot turn the tide in five easy steps. Only God can change hearts and minds. Do you trust Him to do it at your school?
Jesus, make the readers of this blog graceful reflections of your truth. Teach us how to be girls who live your truth. Amen.