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Ex-Gay! Alive to God and Dead to Sin!
To refer to oneself as "ex-gay" is a sure way to ruffle feathers in the homosexual community. It always brings a response. For the most part, the gay community believes this is living in denial. Most cling to the homosexual propaganda that orientation is inborn, and cannot be changed. This is nothing but lies.
What do we mean by 'ex-gay'?
Romans chapter six explains it best:
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:1-4).
"Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God" (Romans 6:11-13).
Dead to sin and alive to God. Being ex-gay is a choice to no longer dwell in sin but to live for God.
What about temptation? Can an ex-gay stumble and go back to living in sin?
First we need to understand temptation:
- God doesn't tempt man (James 1:13).
- Resist Satan and he will flee (James 4:7).
- God will help us endure (1 Corinthians 10:13).
- Pray for strength (Matthew 6:13).
- Enduring temptation helps you grow (James 1:2-4).
- Weak Christians may fall (Luke 8:13).
- God will deliver us (Revelation 3:10).
- Christ was tempted (Hebrews 4:15).
- Christ will help those who are tempted (Hebrews 2:18).
Why is man tempted?
- Because of his own lust (2 Peter 2:18).
- Satan seeks to destroy us (1 Peter 5:8-10).
- Satan tempts us (Luke 22:31-32).
- The world is a temptation (1 John 2:15-17).
- Riches are a temptation (1 Timothy 6:9-10; Matthew 13:22).
Effort and dedication are required.
It took time to train your mind that sodomy was OK and it will take time to train your mind in the ways of the Lord: "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Even if you still have the desire after you have repented, fellowship with Christians, personal prayer, and studying God's word will help you refrain and stay right with God.
I have been out of the homosexual lifestyle for many years now and I'm happier than I've ever been in my life. God has given me the peace that passes all understanding which comes from studying His word and fellowship with my Christian friends (Philippians 4:7). You can also reach this point if you have an honest heart and have the desire. You have to make the effort and meet God on His terms not yours.
Why does the term 'ex-gay' threaten the gay community?
It shows that change is possible and that one remains homosexual by choice.
Change is real, but God doesn't change the unwilling. We are free moral agents with a choice. You have to want change. No zapping it away, no miracles here. It requires daily dedication and repentance. You have to pick up your cross daily and walk with Him.
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:16, 17).
Tony Horton
The Scripture quotations in this article are from The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.
Permission for reference use has been granted.
Permission for reference use has been granted.
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