June is officially the start of Pride Month. For many Christians, this can be a time of unease. Although Christians should not accept homosexuality, we should not be mean or hateful toward them. Jesus wants us to love everyone like Him, including gay people. Since this is true, we Christians need to know how to respond to Pride Month in a biblical way.
How should Christians respond to Pride Month?
As Christians we must respond to Pride Month in a way that is biblically accurate. This means that we must love and care for those involved, but we must also point them to Christ. We don’t need to be rude, hateful, or mean to those participating in Pride Month. Instead, we must demonstrate Christ in our actions. The Apostle John tells us: “Dear children, let us not love in words or words, but in deeds and in truth” (1 John 3:18). As John tells us, we must show them our love through our actions.
This may pose the question, “How can I show love to my brother or sister who is struggling with homosexuality?” This answer is twofold. On the one hand, we can show love to our brothers and sisters struggling with homosexuality by being kind, caring, and wanting the best for them. We should not use derogatory language towards them or make fun of them. All of this is hurtful and will not turn anyone to the Lord. If the person already knows the Lord, your hurtful words and comments could further distract them from repenting.
Second, we can show love to our brothers and sisters struggling with homosexuality by showing them the Bible. We need to do it in a way that doesn’t come across as accusing them or trying to say something negative about them. Rather, we should refer to what the Bible says and allow the Scriptures to convict the individual. It is worth mentioning that many people struggling with homosexuality will not be sensitive to the teachings of the Bible. They might see that you are trying to impose your faith on them, which will only lead them further away from the Lord. Nevertheless, it is vital to use the Scriptures, in a way that honors God, to show others the truth.
Choose to build friendships with people who struggle with homosexuality and allow your growing friendship to foster the bond of trust. Once they trust you and understand that you want the best for them, they may be more willing to hear what the Bible says. However, there may be some people who really don’t care what the Bible says and choose to continue living their lives of sin. If this happens, don’t consider yourself a failure. Instead, do your best to share what the Bible says and let the Holy Spirit and Scripture convict them. If you share the truth of the Bible and the message of the Gospel, then you are doing what is right.
Building relationships with the LGBTQIA+ community
As you move further through the month of June, you might encounter many Pride parades and festivals. In my hometown, the Pride parade is a huge event that attracts thousands of people. Although it can sometimes be heartbreaking to see so many people turn away from God and celebrate sin, attending pride parades or festivals can be a great time to get to know people, build friendships with them, and help them learn the truth of the Bible. Yes, it can be difficult and intimidating, but God wants us to help those who do not know Him and those who are living a life of sin.
Therefore, we must respond to Pride Month in a way that honors God. There are many extremes among Christians, including those who hate those who struggle with homosexuality and those who accept this sinful behavior. As Christians, we must approach the situation with prayer and care. We must be loving, caring, and helpful, but we must also share what the Bible says. Whenever you feel overwhelmed by the task at hand, turn to the Lord and ask for His help.
God wants everyone to know Him, including those who struggle with homosexuality. He longs to redeem their souls and their lives. God never wants any of His children to remain in a life of sin. God wants all of His children to know Him, love Him, and obey Him as written in the Word. Those who struggle with homosexuality should not be considered “worse” sinners, because all sins are equal before God’s eyes. In this way, Christians must stop trying to classify certain sins as worse than others, including homosexuality. There is hope for those who struggle with homosexuality, and that hope is found in Christ.
Photo Credit: ©Brielle French/Unsplash
