There is no way around it. Dealing with same-sex attraction is messy.
There are many issues that, at least on the surface, do not seem clear. Take this question, for example: Is same-sex attraction (SSA) itself sinful, and if so, how should we deal with it?
Here is my humble attempt at an answer.
Taking our cues from the Bible.
First, note briefly three biblical observations:
1. The Bible explicitly says that impenitent homosexual acts, not homosexual desires, keep a person from inheriting the kingdom of God.
“Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
2. The Bible does not seem to explicitly mention same-sex attraction.
It is possible that the “dishonorable passions” in Romans 1:26 could be dealing with SSA, but it’s unclear whether this is a reference to simply experiencing an attraction, or following the attraction into active lusting.
3. Our passions may be disordered by the fall of this creation, and yet be distinct from active sinning.
Paul said, “the creation was subjected to futility … [and will one day] be set free from its bondage to corruption” (Romans 8:20-21). Even Spirit-filled believers groan under this “futility” and “corruption,” including “dishonorable passions.” “We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23).
Given the above three realities, it seems right to say that while homosexual practice is active sinning, the experience of same-sex attraction need not involve active sinning. John Piper says it like this:
It would be right to say that same-sex desires are sinful in the sense that they are disordered by sin and exist contrary to God’s revealed will. But to be caused by sin and rooted in sin does not make a sinful desire equal to sinning. Sinning is what happens when rebellion against God expresses itself through our disorders (Let Marriage Be Held in Honor, emphasis added)
In other words, although SSA is a disordered desire, owing to the fall and thus rooted in sin and broken by sin, nevertheless, experiencing SSA is not in itself an act of sinning.
I mean at least two things when I say that experiencing SSA is not in itself an act of sinning.
