How should Christians react to persecution against the LGBTQ community?
Christians are called to show love, compassion, and understanding to all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. However, this does not mean approving of all behaviors or lifestyles. The Bible is clear that homosexual acts are sinful (Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). But the Bible is equally clear that we are all sinners in need of God’s grace and mercy (Romans 3:23). As followers of Jesus, Christians must balance biblical truth with Christlike love. Here are some principles for Christians to consider:
1. Remember that all people are made in God’s image. Every human being has inherent dignity and worth, despite their sins. We must see LGBTQ individuals as precious souls that Jesus loves, not as enemies. We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31).
2. Do not discriminate or show prejudice. Christians must not engage in name-calling, bullying, or hatred against the LGBTQ community. The sins of others do not justify sinful attitudes in us (Matthew 7:1-5). We must overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).
3. Practice empathy and seek understanding. Try to understand the life experiences of LGBTQ individuals. Listen to their stories with compassion. Do not dismiss their struggles or pain. Let the fruits of the Spirit like patience, kindness and gentleness guide interactions (Galatians 5:22-23).
4. Welcome LGBTQ individuals in church. Churches should be places where all sinners can hear the Gospel and find community. Avoid alienating or condemning those struggling with LGBTQ issues. Show hospitality to all (Romans 15:7).
5. Speak the truth in love. Affirm God’s design for sex and marriage without compromising biblical truth (Ephesians 4:15). But do so gently and respectfully. Balance truth with grace and love (John 1:14). Condemn sinful acts but not people.
6. Allow room for disagreement. Sincere Christians interpret some biblical passages on homosexuality differently. Agree to disagree charitably on secondary issues. Unity in Christ transcends disputable matters (Romans 14:1).
7. Advocate for the persecuted. Christians must defend the oppressed, regardless of sexuality or lifestyle. Oppose injustice and violence against the LGBTQ community. Protect the rights and dignity of all (Proverbs 31:8-9).
8. Focus on sharing the Gospel. Point all sinners to salvation in Christ, who bore the cross for all and offers forgiveness and new life (1 Corinthians 1:18-25). Changing hearts is God’s job; ours is proclaiming redemption through the blood of Jesus.
9. Promote the biblical view of sexuality. Sexuality is a gift from God meant for a man and woman in lifelong marriage. Casual or premarital sex, whether straight or gay, is morally wrong (Hebrews 13:4). But avoid obsessing over sexual sin or making it seem worse than other sins.
10. Remember our primary identity is in Christ. Our identity is not based on sexuality or behavior but on being new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Define people by their position as image-bearers of God, not by their sexual attractions.
11. Build relationships. Get to know LGBTQ individuals personally. Do not isolate them. Eat with them, talk to them, include them. Break down walls and see people as Jesus does. Change attitudes through relationship, not arguments (Luke 5:29-32).
12. Admit past failures. The church has often failed to show Christlike compassion to the LGBTQ community. Confess past sins like hatred and ask forgiveness (James 5:16). Then move forward in new grace and obedience.
13. Trust the Holy Spirit. Ask God to fill you with supernatural love for all people (Romans 5:5). Rely on the Spirit’s wisdom in difficult conversations (Luke 12:12). Pray for soft hearts, not just persuasive arguments.
14. Hope and pray for change. With judgment and self-righteousness set aside, gently point all sinners to the liberating truth of the Gospel. God can transform the most hardened hearts. Cling to the hope that LGBTQ individuals can accept Christ and turn from sin, just like all Christians (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). But realize lasting change is God’s work, not ours. Our job is to faithfully plant the seed of truth in love (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
15. Prepare for persecution. Following Christ means facing scorn and ridicule from the world (John 15:18-21, 2 Timothy 3:12). But we must obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). Take courage and respond to attacks with grace and prayer, not fists. Be willing to suffer for doing good (1 Peter 3:14, 4:12-16).
16. Remember past failures of Christians. Sadly, some attacks on LGBTQ people have been led by Christians operating in the flesh rather than the Spirit of Christ. This requires humility and repentance on our part. We must denounce past professing believers who have demonstrated hatred in the name of Christ.
17. Do not compromise biblical truth. The Bible clearly identifies homosexual behavior as sin. But it does so in the context of all human sinfulness. Christians should avoid singling out one group of sinners while downplaying other sins. But this does not mean endorsing or celebrating sinful lifestyles either.
18. Avoid political hostilities when possible. The political stakes make this issue especially contentious for Christians. We may have different views on public policy. Focus on proclaiming biblical truth and loving all people. Policy matters, but changing hearts through the Gospel matters most.
19. Submit to governing authorities. Christians must exemplify obedience to governing laws that do not require us to directly disobey God (Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17). This includes nondiscrimination laws that do not compel us to approve sin. Balance compliance with peaceful civil disobedience when biblical commands conflict with government mandates.
20. Recognize the limits of the law. Legislation cannot change hearts. Politics will not eradicate sin from society. While laws should restrain evil, only widespread Gospel transformation can conquer sin’s root causes. Christian political engagement must be paired with efforts to make disciples.
21. Remember our primary allegiance. Christians belong first to the kingdom of God, not any earthly nation (Philippians 3:20). While we have political opinions, our identity and purpose transcend partisan politics and worldly conflicts. We serve the risen Christ and obey His commands over any party platform or ideological agenda.
22. Avoid self-righteousness and hypocrisy. All Christians still struggle with sin (1 John 1:8). Sexual sin takes many forms. Humble awareness of our own failings should produce merciful attitudes toward others trapped in sin. We too deserve God’s wrath except for His grace toward us.
23. Share your own story of grace. If you have turned from sexual sin yourself, respectfully share your testimony. Let the hope and liberation of the Gospel shine through your life. Model repentance and change by the Spirit’s power. Let God’s grace in your life season conversations with grace.
24. Remember that all sin leads to death. Sexual sin, greed, hatred, pride, deceit – all separate us from God (Romans 6:23). Homosexual acts are no worse than other sins in God’s eyes. Disorder and brokenness afflict every fallen part of God’s creation, sexual and otherwise. We all equally need God’s restorative mercy.
25. Emphasize that sin does not define identity. Same-sex attraction or gender confusion does not constitute a person’s identity. Identity is centered on being made in God’s image and placed in Christ. Temptations and desires do not intrinsically define us. Our new nature in Christ defines us.
26. Treat others as you want to be treated. Follow the Golden Rule. Show the same understanding, patience and compassion you would want extended to yourself (Matthew 7:12). Put yourself in the shoes of LGBTQ persons and treat them accordingly. Grant them the same grace God grants you.
27. Avoid dehumanizing language. Do not use slurs or derogatory words. These demean people made in God’s image. Always treat LGBTQ persons with the dignity owed to all human beings. Though we cannot endorse every lifestyle, we can communicate respectfully with those we disagree with.
28. Make churches welcoming but not affirming. Welcome all who enter church doors. But make biblical teachings on sexuality clear so expectations are upfront. Loving welcome and biblical integrity need not be at odds. Churches can hold these principles in balance with wisdom and grace.
29. Promote godly marriages and families. Emphasize God’s design for marriage and sexuality positively. Celebrate and support healthy Christian marriages as examples of God’s intent. Let these wholesome pictures say more than negative condemnations. Marriages rooted in mutual love and respect bear witness to God’s wisdom.
30. Allow for complexity on transgender issues. Disagreement exists on how to understand those experiencing gender dysphoria and desiring gender transition. This requires wisdom and nuance as we apply biblical principles. Christians should thoughtfully process these issues rather than offering simplistic answers.
31. Guard against self-righteousness. Remember that Christians too struggle with sexual sin of all kinds. Be wary of feeling morally superior to LGBTQ individuals. Humbly acknowledge that only God’s grace keeps us from all kinds of sin. Maintain attitudes of humility, not pride and arrogance.
32. Lead with common ground. When engaging LGBTQ persons, start by emphasizing shared values – the desire for community, dignity, justice, and meaning. Build rapport through shared hopes before diving into divisive topics like sexuality and biblical ethics. Major on broadly shared ideals first.
33. Listen before speaking. Ask thoughtful questions first. Seek to understand LGBTQ individuals and let them express themselves rather than lecturing. You have two ears and one mouth – listen twice as much as you speak. Let empathy and understanding precede advocacy.
34. Acknowledge past grievances. The church has often failed to act compassionately toward the LGBTQ community. Own up humbly to past missteps and ask forgiveness where appropriate. Honest acknowledgement of wrongdoing can open doors to reconciliation and relationship.
35. Affirm celibacy as an option. Unmarried Christians are called to abstain from sexual immorality, whether gay or straight (1 Corinthians 7:8-9). Affirm celibacy as a noble and fulfilling way to honor God with your body when marriage is not an option or desire. Singleness is never second best for followers of Christ.
36. Value people over politics. Do not let this issue become merely another “culture war” for Christians. Maintain eternal perspective. People matter far more than political wins or losses. Focus on changed hearts over changed laws. Aim for redemption over cultural power.
37. Offer spiritual support. Many LGBTQ individuals struggle with spiritual emptiness and meaninglessness. Be ready to minister to deep heart needs and offer true fulfillment in Christ. Point them to the Shepherd who gives abundant life (John 10:10).
38. Make church a welcoming place for strugglers. Designate church staff or small groups to counsel those dealing with sexual identity issues and confusion. Provide resources for individuals and families desiring Christlike guidance in the midst of LGBTQ questions.
39. Speak against LGBTQ bullying. Verbal and physical harassment against LGBTQ youth is morally wrong. Christians should be first to condemn cruelty and mistreatment, especially within the household of faith. Kindness and compassion must shape the church’s response, not cruelty.
40. Allow for diversity of opinion. Well-meaning, Bible-believing Christians hold a range of views on secondary issues like the origins of homosexuality and public policy implications. Allow room for diversity under the lordship of Christ. Accept one another even amidst disagreements (Romans 14:1-8).
41. Let repentant leaders lead again. Church leaders who practice repentance and spiritual integrity after homosexual sin should not be barred from leadership. God delights to restore the penitent. Let grace triumph over legalism when it comes to church leadership qualifications.
42. Interact thoughtfully with media portrayals. Do not dismiss all positive media depictions of LGBTQ individuals as necessarily anti-Christian. But also think critically about the messages promoted. Process stories through the lens of biblical truth even as affirming the arts’ legitimate purpose.
43. Avoid partnerships that compromise convictions. Some activism on behalf of LGBTQ causes may require endorsement of unbiblical views. Christians need discernment to collaborate on shared values like justice without compromise. The Gospel must remain our unifying priority.
44. Remember all humans bear God’s image. Never forget the inherent worth given to all people. LGBTQ individuals remain precious image-bearers of God. Value them accordingly. Though you cannot endorse every belief or behavior, you can still honor their fundamental dignity.
45. Look beyond the surface. Do not assume you understand an LGBTQ individual without getting to know them. Go beyond labels and stereotypes. Take time to discover their full humanity including hurts, hopes and needs. Let interaction personalize those you disagree with.
46. Share the Gospel tactfully but clearly. Do not shy away from the Gospel’s power to transform hearts and minds. But share the Good News with wisdom and sensitivity, not blunt force. Apply Gospel truth gently but courageously, trusting the Spirit to work.
47. Allow friendships to develop naturally. Pressure to end or maintain relationships solely based on one’s sexuality denies personal autonomy. Let connections emerge based on shared interests and reciprocal understanding, not forced standards.
48. Leave room for the ongoing work of the Spirit. No individual or church has perfectly fulfilled God’s will on this issue yet. The Spirit continues leading the church into truth (John 16:13). Hold convictions with humility, realizing future growth and correction may come through the Spirit’s guidance.
49. Remember that sexuality is not everything. Human beings are far more than their sexuality. Do not reduce LGBTQ people to a single aspect of their humanity. Interact on a broad range of shared interests and concerns, not just sexuality. Whole people deserve whole relationships.
50. Make prayer a priority. Only God’s Spirit can produce change, whether in ourselves or others. Pray frequently for LGBTQ individuals and for wisdom in relating to them. Ask God to reveal His love to them. Pray for their salvation, sanctification and liberation from bondage to sin.
In summary, Christians navigating this sensitive topic must hold biblical truth and Christlike love in tandem – a difficult but necessary balance. This requires prayer, humility, courage and deep dependence on the Holy Spirit. By God’s grace, Christians can stand for truth while offering compassion, spurring thoughtful dialogue and seeing hearts transformed by the Gospel’s power. With the Spirit’s guidance, the church can engage this issue in a way that honors both biblical integrity and the worth of all people as image-bearers of the God who is love.
