The topic of sexuality has become a point of debate as definitions have proliferated and practices have broadened. What at one time seemed to be a straightforward topic has evolved into discussions much more nuanced, fraught with questions over identity, practice, and simply “being.”
As pastors wishing to minister to all within their sphere of influence, how can we approach this subject in a compassionate, biblical, and practical way?
Perhaps a good way to begin is with love. What is love? Some say, “Love is love.” Others point out that such a statement is circular reasoning, like saying, “Faith is faith.” As Christians, when we look for the real definition of “love,” we turn to the Bible, where we read, “God is love” (1 John 4:8).1 So, to truly understand love we must know who God is, and the place where God reveals Himself most clearly is in His Word—the Bible.
GOD DESIGNED SEX
The Bible tells us that when God created human beings, He created us in His image, male and female (Gen. 1:27). Thus, He Himself gave us our identity. And, in love, He shaped every part of our bodies, designing us in such a way that we can procreate. Unlike the animals, however, which were given the ability to reproduce, the sexual act between a man and a woman—husband and wife—has a far deeper meaning than mere copulation. God designed the sexual union to be reserved for the sacredness of intimacy in a lifelong commitment. He designed us to enjoy it within the protection of a marriage covenant. We read in Hebrews 13:4, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled” (ESV).
God also uses a happy marriage as a symbol of how much He loves us: “As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you” (Is. 62:5). The Apostle Paul affirms this idea in Ephesians 5:25, 33—“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. . . . Let each one of you so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”
LIVING IN A SINFUL WORLD
As we are all too aware, however, we live in a sinful world, and God’s design has become distorted. And when His design is distorted, His love is distorted.
In the area of sexuality, there are many distortions—polygamy, “open relationships,” fornication, adultery, homosexuality (including lesbianism), use of pornography, and many other unbiblical, alternative sexual practices and possible consequences such as sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, sexual perversions, past and present, even include bestiality (see Leviticus 18:22-24). Sadly, these distortions of God’s design, including transgenderism, have not only become commonplace but are widely celebrated by some.
As Seventh-day Adventists, how are we to relate to this growing challenge, not only in society, but in the Church as well? Our only safety is in the Word of God. Using the Bible as our guiding compass, we can minister compassionately, lovingly, and effectively.
SAFETY IN GOD’S WORD
First, we must keep in mind the counsel found in Colossians 3:12—“As the elect of God, people who are chosen, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long suffering.” There is never an excuse to treat anyone unkindly, rudely, or as if they are less than human. All human beings are God’s children, precious in His sight.
Secondly, it is important to remember that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Just two chapters earlier, in Romans 1, Paul gives a long list of sins, including: “being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness . . . whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful” (vss. 29-31).
All these sins break our connection with the Savior. Fortunately, however, He is more than willing to forgive when we come to Him with true repentance in our hearts. We have the assurance, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Notice how this verse gives hope—not only will God forgive, but He promises to “cleanse us,” that is, make us clean, from all unrighteousness. We do not have to stay stuck in the sin “which so easily ensnares us,” but can instead “run the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:1,2).
SUPPRESSING THE TRUTH
In a world saturated in sin, how important it is that we take the Bible for our guide, for it is truly, as the Psalmist says, “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105). No wonder, then, that Satan seeks to attack it in a myriad of subtle and not-so-subtle ways.
In Colossians 2:8, we read, “Beware, lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit,” that is, according to the tradition of men, “according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”
People, even highly respected individuals—both within and outside of the church—will try to twist the words of the Bible. Paul warns us, don’t let anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit. Stay close to the Word of God.
Returning to Romans 1, we notice an important point in verse 18: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (emphasis supplied). There are some, even in the church today, who are attempting to suppress the truth found in this very passage, particularly verses 24-28:
“Therefore, God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator . . . Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done” (NIV).
Those attempting to suppress the truth found in this passage claim it doesn’t really mean what it says. They twist it into such contortions that they represent it as saying exactly the opposite of what is written! However, the Bible is explicit regarding human sexuality, and God is asking for us to be diligent, to be faithful, to share what His Word says, regardless of whether people are against you, denigrate ,or dismiss you.
PROACTIVE IN LOVE
It is time to be proactive in love, in respect, with care, but to share with people what the Bible says—not to “beat them over the head”— but because it is the way to true freedom. Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 14:31, 32).
This was what Jesus did—He came to “set the captives free” (Luke 4:18), and this is the calling He gives us today. No one is beyond the reach of His healing hand. There are many beautiful passages that give hope and encouragement, pointing to a better, happier way of life—to a life that God intended, as outlined in His Word.
The passage found in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 parallels Romans 1:27-31, and ends with a wonderful testimony:
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (emphasis supplied).
“And such were some of you” is in the past tense. There is power in God’s Word—power to change us as we submit to the Holy Spirit taking control of our lives, power to make us new in Him. We read about it in 2 Corinthians 5:17—“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
A NEW CREATION
We become new creatures in the Lord. We then have a story to tell, and our story is to bring people into reconciliation with themselves, but most importantly, with God. Seventh-day Adventists have a great responsibility to show care and love for all people. In that process, it is vitally important to point people to the One who can change all of us into new creatures in Jesus Christ.
Ellen White provides this inspired counsel: “Our ministers and teachers are to represent the love of God to a fallen world. With hearts melted in tenderness let the word of truth be spoken. Let all who are in error be treated with the gentleness of Christ. If those for whom you labor do not immediately grasp the truth, do not censure, do not criticize or condemn. Remember that you are to represent Christ in His meekness and gentleness and love. We must expect to meet unbelief and opposition. The truth has always had to contend with these elements. But though you should meet the bitterest opposition, do not denounce your opponents. They may think, as did Paul, that they are doing God service; and to such we must manifest patience, meekness, and long-suffering.”2
You may face many challenges when dealing with the sensitive topic of human sexuality, striving to navigate these questions in a biblical, sensitive, and practical way. For resources, you will find the many statements and guidelines based on the Bible and voted by the Seventh-day Adventist Church at gc.adventist.org/official-statements/.
God has a direct plan for your life. He wants us to call on Him, claim His promises, and allow Him to reveal how best to show His love in a redemptive, healing way, in accordance with His Word, that will prepare us all for His soon return.
Ted N.C. Wilson, Ph.D., is president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States.
Unless indicated otherwise, all Scripture passages are taken from the New King James Version.^
Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers, (Washington, D.C.: Review & Herald Pub. Assoc., 1948), p. 372.^
First published in Ministry magazine, October 2024. (Adapted for humansexuality.org) https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/2024/10/Embracing-human-sexuality
