Leviticus 20-23
Acceptable Sexual Behavior

Sexual desires are part of the human condition, but not all sexual experiences are lawful or good for man. Though in the Old Testament, Leviticus 20 gives God's laws of human sexuality, and it seems those laws were not unique to the Old Testament. Sexual behavior with others, close relatives, those of the same sex, or even animals was condemned by God as unnatural and, under that law, deserving of death.

We have no command to kill those who are guilty of sexual perversions today, but that does not argue that those sins are any less repugnant to God. Homosexuality is still a sin (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9), as is adultery & fornication (sexual relations between people unmarried) (1 Corinthians 6:18; 10:6). These verses broadly condemn sins such as incest and bestiality as well.

In our day and time, it is important for Christians to know just how God expects us to behave sexually. Society tells us there is nothing wrong with two "consenting adults" to have relations "as long as they are responsible." Our media (TV, movies, songs) saturate us with this idea. Stigmas against the actions of homosexuality are also being cast aside. It may seem outrageous, but there may be a day soon when sexual relations between humans and animals become acceptable. If you think that is unlikely, ask an older person is they would have thought there would be a time when homosexuality would be accepted as an "alternative lifestyle." Things change, but sins abounds.

We must understand that there is only one arena for acceptable sexual activity-marriage. Any sexual activity that a person engages in aside from this one given by God is a perversion of what God wanted. Now, take note of that. There is only one way God wanted it. To change it is to pervert it. That means that before God, adultery between a consenting man and woman is just as sinful before God as homosexuality. We may, if we are not careful, think that homosexuality is perverted while adultery is only sinful. Both are a perversion of God's will.

The world around us does not dictate how we view the rightness of wrongness of an action. Neither do our wants and desires. Only God determines what is right, and those who long to be pleasing to Him bring themselves into alignment with Him. If that means they must deny their desires-whether heterosexual, homosexual or whatever-then they do so. When they act in a perverted way-whether heterosexual, homosexual or whatever-and they love the Lord, they repent and strive not to fall prey to that sin again.

Why? Because we are seeking holiness. It is a high calling possible only to those who seek to obey God. The struggles may be great, but heaven will be worth it all!