Dealing with LGBTQ+ Family:

Many of the questions asked in the Facebook group have been geared towards handling family members who are LGBTQ+. How can you still show them the love of Christ but also stand firm in your Christian beliefs? How can you send a message and let them know that you still love them but do not support their lifestyle?

Getting over our feelings:

When you find out that someone you know has “come out” it physically hurts. You feel angry, betrayed, hurt, and probably wonder why? I want to begin this post by saying, homosexuality is not something new. In fact, this sin is actually mentioned in the Bible many times. It is a sin that has been around for a while, but seems to be the “new cool thing”  these days. I want to say that as Christians, we should be upset when someone comes out at LGBTQ+. It should hurt our hearts, no matter who they are. Why? Because this means they have decided to go against what the Word of God says, and live a sinful life. Let me be clear, there is a difference between temptation and sin. Temptation is being tempted with a desire, but not giving into it. Sin is giving into the desires of your flesh. 

“So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.  That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.”

~Romans 1:24-32

 All people struggle with something as we are human and live in a fallen world. This is one of them, but as long as the individual is not giving over to the desires of their flesh it is not sin, just temptation.  When someone we know and love comes out, our immediate reaction is to shun them, and treat them as an outcast. We have to spend time on our knees daily, praying for them and the Lord to save them out of it. 

How to Deal:

We can show these people love, but not condone the sin. I am sure you have heard the term, “hate the sin, love the sinner” and this is what I am referring to. If our goal is to win them to Christ, we should not be shunning them and treating them as if they are an outcast. We can kindly and lovingly show them the truth. If they are unwilling to hear and respond with hate, “shake off the dust on your feet.” If you continue to see them at events, gatherings, or when you come home, treat them with love but again make it clear you love the sinner but hate the sin. Tell them why you do not agree and give Scripture to back it up. Do not do this in anger but in love. Love them like Jesus, and pray for them daily, and maybe even fast. God hears our prayers and can bring someone to Him. People have free will and we live in a world full of sin, and the Lord wants all men to be saved, but we have to be willing to come to Him. Sometimes, all it takes is planting a seed. You may not get to be the one to lead this person to Jesus, but maybe you play a huge role by planting a seed. I have seen the Lord bring people out of this darkness and He truly gets all the glory. We have to be willing to do our part by interceding for them with prayer and fasting. 

What not to do: 
I have seen some Christians essentially love the sinner and condone the sin. They assure them that this is what God wants and how God wants them to be. “If you’re happy, God's happy” type. That is extremely concerning and is only pushing your family and friends deeper and further into sin. They look at you and think, “Well, she is a Chrisitan and she approves of my actions, so God must approve too.” We have to make it clear that we do not approve of their sin. 

Another thing I would say not to do is to shun them and treat them as an outcast as I mentioned above. This can also push them further into sin and Christianity. You want to love them, but hate the sin…. remember? 

In closing:

I know this is all probably hard to process and please do not misunderstand me. I do not approve of the LGBTQ+ agenda and lifestyle. However, I do believe we need to slowly, kindly, and lovingly show them the truth. I feel if our goal is to win them to Christ, this is the approach that should be taken. Let them know you don’t approve, and show them why. Treat them as you would want to be treated, and spend time in prayer daily interceding for them and fast. God hears our prayers, and sometimes it may not be answered when we want it to be. It also could be something you are going through to bring you closer to God, and potentially save your LGBTQ+ family member or friend. God works in mysterious ways, and we may fail to see that if we just shun them and treat them as an outcast. 

This is something a lot of people are struggling with, and for those dealing with temptation… We are praying for you. We all are struggling with something and are tempted. Remember, temptation does not come from the Lord. We live in a fallen world, and Satan uses anything to make us fall into a trap and sin. We have to be on guard, reading our Bible daily, and praying and interceding in prayer for others.