Lesbianism And The Bible: Sin Or Not?

The Bible is interpreted by many as condemning homosexuality as a sin. However, some argue that the Bible does not mention sexual relationships between women, only between men, and that lesbianism is therefore not a sin. This interpretation is contradicted by passages in the Bible, such as Romans 1:26-27, which mentions women [exchanging] natural relations for unnatural ones.

Lesbianism is a sin in the Bible

Lesbianism is a sin according to several passages in the Bible. While some people argue that the Bible does not mention sexual relationships between women, and therefore does not condemn them, others disagree.

The Bible states that God created marriage and sexual relationships to be between one man and one woman:

> "At the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'" (Matthew 19:4–5).

Anything outside of God's intent and design is considered a sin. The Bible teaches that Christians should live for God and follow Him, including with their sexuality.

Some passages in the Bible that refer to lesbianism include:

• Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, which mention men having sex with other men, but say nothing of women having sex with other women.
• The Sodom and Gomorrah account in Genesis 19, which refers to men wanting to gang-rape other men.
• First Corinthians 6:9, which mentions effeminate men, likely referring to homosexuals, but does not mention lesbians.

However, the passage in Romans 1:26-27 clearly addresses lesbianism:

> "For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another."

This passage puts lesbianism on equal ground with male homosexuality, describing it as a sinful exchange of natural relations with unnatural ones.

Romans 1:26-27 condemns lesbianism

While some passages in the Bible explicitly condemn gay sex between men, it is often assumed that lesbianism is not addressed and therefore not considered a sin. For instance, Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 refer to male same-sex relations, and the Sodom and Gomorrah account in Genesis 19 describes a gang rape attempt by men on men. However, Romans 1:26-27 refutes this assumption:

> "Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way, the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another."

This passage, Romans 1:26-27, explicitly condemns lesbianism as a sin. It describes women who "exchanged natural relations (with men) for unnatural relations (with women)", putting lesbianism on equal footing with male homosexuality. The phrase "even their women" implies that lesbianism is even more shameful than male homosexuality, as it suggests that when even women, who are typically considered less sexually deviant than men, engage in "unnatural sexual acts", society has truly degenerated into immorality. The following verse, Romans 1:28, further emphasizes the sinful nature of these acts:

> "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done."

Thus, Romans 1:26-27, along with other verses in Romans 1, clearly condemns lesbianism as a sin in the Bible, equating it with male homosexuality and depicting it as a sign of societal degradation and immorality.

The Old Testament alludes to homosexuality as a sin

The Bible has been interpreted in many ways by different people and faiths. Some people interpret the Bible as saying that lesbianism is a sin, and that this is alluded to in the Old Testament.

The Old Testament contains several passages that speak against same-sex activity, specifically male same-sex activity. For example, the book of Leviticus (18:22 and 20:13) mentions men having sex with other men, and the account of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 describes a same-sex gang rape attempt involving only men.

However, the Old Testament does not explicitly mention female same-sex relationships. Some interpret this absence of reference as evidence that lesbianism is not a sin according to the Old Testament.

Despite this, some interpret Romans 1:26-27 in the Old Testament as condemning lesbianism. This passage states:

> "For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another."

This passage is interpreted by some as putting lesbianism on equal ground with male homosexuality, describing it as a shameful lust and unnatural.

In conclusion, while the Old Testament does not explicitly mention lesbianism, some interpret passages such as Romans 1:26-27 as alluding to homosexuality, including lesbianism, as a sin.

The New Testament does not mention homosexuality

The Bible does not mention lesbianism in the New Testament. In the Old Testament, Leviticus 20:13 specifically condemns same-sex relationships between men but not between women. Similarly, the account of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 only mentions men. These passages suggest that the Bible does not view lesbianism as a sin.

However, some interpret Romans 1:26-27 as condemning lesbianism. This passage states, "For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another." The interpretation suggests that lesbianism is considered a "dishonorable passion" and "contrary to nature," implying that it is a sin.

The focus of these interpretations appears to be on lesbian practices rather than same-sex attraction. The Bible distinguishes between homosexual behavior and homosexual inclinations or attractions, considering only the former as sinful. This interpretation suggests that while acting on lesbian desires is a sin, having those desires is not.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly mention lesbianism in the New Testament, some interpret certain passages in the Old Testament as condemning it. However, others argue that the Bible's silence on sexual relationships between women implies that it does not consider them a sin. Ultimately, the interpretation of these passages is subject to individual perspective and religious beliefs.

God's forgiveness is available to lesbians

The Bible does refer to lesbianism as a sin, equating it with male homosexuality as a shameful lust and an unnatural act. However, God's forgiveness is available to all, and lesbian women can take comfort in this.

While the Bible does not mention sexual relationships between women as often as it does those between men, Romans 1:26-27a clearly addresses lesbian relationships:

> "For this reason, God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another."

The Bible also states that God created marriage and sexual relationships to be between one man and one woman:

> "At the beginning, the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.'" (Matthew 19:4-5)

However, it is important to distinguish between homosexual behaviour and homosexual inclinations or attractions. The Bible never states that it is a sin to be tempted. While struggling with temptation may lead to sin, the struggle itself is not a sin.

Romans 1:26-27 teaches that homosexuality is a result of denying and disobeying God, and that when people continue in sin and unbelief, God "gives them over" to even more wicked and depraved sin. In other words, homosexuality is seen as a fruit of rebellion against God.

First Corinthians 6:9 proclaims that those who practice homosexuality, and therefore transgress God's created order, are not saved. However, it is important to note that lesbian women can still find salvation and forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ.

As sinful human beings living in a sinful world, we are beset with weaknesses, temptations, and inducements to sin. We all have the responsibility to resist temptation and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). While homosexual behaviour is considered a sin in the Bible, God's forgiveness is available to all who believe and trust in Him.

In conclusion, while the Bible does refer to lesbianism as a sin, God's forgiveness is indeed available to lesbians, just as it is to all who seek Him and strive to follow His commandments.

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