Did Jesus Ever Meet A Homosexual

Did Jesus Ever Meet A Homosexual
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This is a question a member of our church asked me when we were discussing the Biblical view on homosexuality. The Old Testament covers many areas of sin which were confronted by Jesus. Adulterers, dishonest tax collectors, prostitutes, and a disciple who stole are only a few of the sins Jesus dealt with on the streets of the cities He traveled.

All of these sins are well - covered in the law of Moses, so the question arises that if homosexuality, lesbianism, and incest are also presented as capital offenses by Moses (Leviticus 18,20), why did Jesus not mention these or teach on them during His earthly ministry as well?

This same believer went on to point out that surely these sins were present in Jesus' day, as they were in Moses' day and as they are in ours, but the writers of the Gospels were apparently not led by the Holy Spirit to mention them in our Lord's daily life. In fact, we are never even told that Jesus met a homosexual.

Perhaps, this person concluded, with a change of dispensations and a stronger emphasis on love and grace, Jesus must have intended for us to care for and understand homosexuals. We should not be so strong to speak out against these sins, since they are more private and do not affect our society directly, as do murder and stealing.

Did Jesus ever meet a homosexual? That is a question I will enjoy answering! Not only will you see that Jesus met and delivered homosexuals, but that some of His major teachings centered on how to set them free and keep them free.

The Sins of Uncleanness

Before we look at the teachings of Jesus in the gospels, we need to establish that the New Testament clearly teaches that homosexuality is a sin. Paul presents the downward progression of sin in those who reject the gospel in Romans, chapter one, where the full ramifications of heathenism are described. Homosexuality is the result of a decision to reject God and His Word:

Romans 1:21,24,26,27

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections (degrading passions): for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature (lesbianism):

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men (homosexuality) working that which is unseemly (shameful), and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet (due penalty).

The Holy Spirit opens the section on homosexuality and lesbianism with the word "uncleanriess." Uncleanness is attached to sins of moralor sexual impurity in the New Testament.

Galatians 5:19
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness.

Ephesians 5:3,5
But fornication, and all uncleanness...For this ye know, that no whoremonger (male prostitute), nor unclean person...

Colossians 3:5
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection (sensual appetites), evil concupiscense (unholy desires)...

The Greek word for "uncleanness" is akathartos. It means "impure in thought and action." We find in each of the Scriptures just quoted that the word is attached to sins of sexual perversion. This would include homosexuality, lesbianism, incest, child molestation, rape, pornography, and sadomasochism. This list could go on, but I believe you see the ramifications and far - reaching extent of "uncleanness."

The problem with lesbianism, homosexuality, or other types of sexual perversion is not just the actions, but the thoughts which guide the actions. Sexual and moral impurity begins in our thoughts long before it ever manifests as evildeeds. If Satan can gain the thoughts, he can possess the life (Proverbs 23:7).

The sinner or carnal Christian who is taken by sins of uncleanness has allowed the morals and lusts of this world to control their thinking. Through magazines, movies, and television, the god of this world has put out his gospel of sexual perversion. It is time for the sinner to be saved and the saint to return to the Lord and have the peace of G od guard their hearts and minds!

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord... Isaiah 55:7

The New Testament gives titles of many types of demons: evil spirits (Luke 7:21, Acts 19:12), foul spirits (Mark 9:25, Revelation 18:2), wicked spirits (Ephesians 6:12), dumb spirits (Mark 9:17), spirits of infirmity (Luke 13:11), spirits of divination (Acts 16:16), and seducing spirits (First Timothy 4:1).

Unclean Spirits

But the most common demon Jesus encountered was the unclean spirit (Mark 1:27,3:11, Luke 4:3, 6:18, 9:42, etc.). These were spirits of homosexuality, lesbianism, and other types of sexual perversion. Did Jesus ever meet a homosexual? Of course He did! He also met lesbians, transvestites, those committing incest, men controlled by pornography, and those who sexually abused children.

The time in which Jesus lived was no different than that of Moses' time or ours today. Not only is Jesus the same yesterday, today and forever, but so is Satan. The problems never change — but neither does the answer. Jesus has always been man kind's Deliverer, and deliverance from sexual sins has been at the top of the list in every generation.

By looking at a few Scriptures describing unclean spirits, we can see more clearly their characteristics, what Jesus taught about them, and how He dealt with them. This will teach us how we can have victory over unclean spirits, because we have been given the right to do the works of Jesus in our day (John 14:12).

UNCLEAN SPIRITSCAN ENTER AT A YOUNG AGE. In Mark 7:25, a woman brought her young (the Greek word means, "little") daughter to Jesus to be delivered from an unclean spirit. In Luke 9:42, Jesus cast an unclean spirit out of a boy (again paidion). The Scripture does not tell us what event opened the door for a demon to possess these children. They may have been sexually molested by a relative or family friend. One thing that is clear from the passages, however, is that these children were not born with a different sexual preference. They needed deliverance from demonic control at a very young age. In both cases, we find great agony for the family of those who are possessed. Fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters of homosexuals and lesbians are usually the ones who suffer behind the scenes.
UNCLEAN SPIRITS CAN ENTER INTO ANIMALS. In Mark 5:13, when Jesus commanded the unclean spirits to leave the maniac of Gadara, the demons asked to be sent into a herd of swine. This is the only type of demon which requested this under Jesus' ministry. Unclean spirits have the traits of animals and take those traits into the people they possess. When the maniac had been possessed of the unclean spirits, he did not want to live at home, but in a cave like an animal. He might have started out being distant from others, a loner, but he eventually regressed to living among the tombs. Those taken by unclean spirits often gravitate to the lowest forms of life and sexual behavior. They seek the unsanitary and unmentionable in their practices toward themselves and others.
UNCLEAN SPIRITS CAUSE PEOPLE TO LOSE THEIR MODESTY. In Luke 8:27, the maniac of Gadara was driven by the unclean spirits to live naked. However, when he was delivered, he wanted to wear clothes in front of the Lord and others in the city (verse 35).
UNCLEAN SPIRITS DRIVE PEOPLE TO MUTILATION. In Luke 9:39-42, the unclean spirit took the little boy and tore him and bruised him. In Matthew's account, the demon threw him into fire and water. In Mark 5:5, the maniac of Gadara cut himself with stones and sat in a cave chained in bondage. Unclean spirits drive those they inhabit toward sadomasochism, bondage, chains, and beating. Only Satan could equate pain with pleasure, make abnormal seem normal, and deceive people into thinking that darkness is light.
UNCLEAN SPIRITS PROTEST LOUDLY. In Mark 3:11, Luke 4:33,34, and Acts 8:7, unclean spirits came out of people crying with loud voices. Homosexuals and lesbians cry loudly today for acceptance. Their message of an "alternative lifestyle" is being made known from the street corners and classrooms — whether you want to hear it or not. They cry out for political and social acceptance, but scream the loudest at the Truth and those who preach it. Satan has never changed! The unclean spirits also told Jesus that He had come to torment them. Individually, when you talk to a homosexual, they are very criticalof everyone and everything they encounter. If they believe in God, they will complain that even He must be against them, hindering them from living a happy, fulfilled life.
UNCLEAN SPIRITS CAN CAUSE MORE DIFFICULTY THAN ANY OTHER TYPE OF DEMON. In Luke 9:40-42, the father of the little boy who was possessed with an unclean spirit told Jesus that the disciples had not been able to cast out this demon. After Jesus cast out the unclean spirit, the disciples asked in Matthew 17:19 why they could not. In verse 20 Jesus gave a discourse on faith, but added in verse 21,"... this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." Much controversy has arisen concerning this verse, because it is not found in many manuscripts and is excluded from most newer translations. Whether the Scripture should be there or not, it is evident that this type of demon gave the disciples a run for their money! They were surprised when they could not cast it out. They had apparently been successful with other cases (Luke 10:17), but had difficulty with this particular one.

Unclean spirits surround themselves with tremendous mental confusion. If Satan can confuse you, your faith will not be effective and you cannot walk in the authority necessary to command the demon to leave. A clear faith is necessary to deal with any of the works of Satan, and prayer is essential before any confrontation with sickness or demons, but especially with those controlled by unclean spirits. If a believer is not absolutely grounded in his God - given authority through God's Word and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit, he will probably be caught off - guard by the clever intellectual manipulations of the unclean spirit.
UNCLEAN SPIRITS TRY HARDER TO RETURN AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN CAST OUT. Jesus taught that the unclean spirit roams through dry places after he is cast out, seeking to return to his victim with seven others more wicked than himself (Matthew 12:43-45). Those who have been delivered from homosexuality, lesbianism, and other forms of sexual perversion have to be instructed in God's Word in order to keep their freedom, because these demons pressure them hard to return. Jesus warned that if the house is "empty, swept, and garnished," the unclean spirits will come back, and the end will be worse than the beginning. The name of Jesus spoken in faith will send the demon running from the homosexual, but only if their mind is then filled with the Word of God will they be able to keep the demon from controlling their life again.

To The Homosexual

Love for people is the very reason Jesus was sent into this earth to bring redemption (John 3:16). Although God hates sin, He loves sinners. Jesus hates adultery, but loved the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). When this woman repented, Jesus had no words of condemnation but told her to "go and sin no more" (John 8:11). The work of the cross is not only to make you free, but to keep you free. It is possible to come out of any sin—permanently (First John 2:1).

If you are caught in homosexuality, lesbianism, or some other sexual uncleanness, you can be free. Jesus did not exclude you from His plan of redemption. Only Satan would tell you that God or the Church does not care. Only the devil would say that you cannot be forgiven and your sins are worse than someone else's. God's same power still exists today to forgive all iniquities (Psalm 103:3).

However, certain truths must be embraced and followed for the forgiveness of all sins, including homosexuality.

1.HOMOSEXUALITY IS A SIN OF WHICH YOU MUST REPENT. This is not a shortcoming, a fault, or a problem, but a sin and an abomination to God. Only when it is recognized as a sin — and repented of — can it be forgiven and removed. Once you come into agreement with God, repenting of the sin of homosexuality, His delivering power can be released into your life.

2. YOU MUST WANT TO BE DELIVERED. The object is not to be accepted as a deviant from normal society, but changed to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Therefore, you must be ready to release the demonic hold on your life by allowing the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to change you. Such drastic changes in thinking and acting can be frightening at first, and for awhile you will not recognize yourself. But it is well worth the peace and joy of having healthy, honest relationships with God and other believers, not to mention the great discovery of who you really are in Christ.

3. HELP is AVAILABLE. The pastor or spiritual counselor is there to help you to help yourself. They are not there to understand you or to dwell on your problem. They are there to help you understand what the Word of God says about homosexuality, how you can be free of it, and how you can stay free of it.

4. RECOVERY BEGINS WITH DELIVERANCE, AND IS SUSTAINED BY A LIFE ROOTED IN GOD'S WORD. Jesus cast out the spirits with His Word (Matthew 8:16), as well as His name (Luke 10:17). When Satan is told to release you, he has to flee. But again, Jesus said that if the house is empty, the demon can come back. This means that if the house is filled, there is no room for him to return. Fill the house, your mind, with the Word of God. Study God's Word regularly and make each promise a daily part of your life. Confess those Scriptures over yourself daily, and see yourself through God's eyes and not your own.

5. SEPARATION FROM OLD FRIENDS IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. This is not a time to go back and make a ministry out of delivering others from the same sins of which you were once a part. Find new godly friends who attend church and who know and practice the Word of God. Become involved in your church and avoid the places where, in the past, you were tempted to or actually fell
into sin—in thought or deed.

6. GOD'S WORD GIVES YOU POWER OVER TEMPTATIONS AFTER YOU ARE DELIVERED. God has provided everything that you need through His Word, even deliverance from the lusts of this world (Second Peter 1:3,4). God's Word is to be applied and quoted to the circumstances of life (Romans 8:31). When Jesus was tempted by Satan, He quoted the Word to him and caused Satan to depart (Luke 4:13). "Resist the deviland he will flee from you" (James 4:7). You can be confident that God has made a way for you to be totally free of unclean spirits and stay free of them!

Bob Yandian

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