Is Homosexuality a Worse Sin?

Because of its conspicuous nature, Pride month arouses many responses, thoughts, and questions. A common question Christians ask is, “Is homosexuality a worse sin?”  For some Christians, the bigger, underlying question is, “Should Christians call out homosexuality as a sin or stay quiet?” It’s a question of how to embrace both grace and truth. And it’s a big topic, certainly not one we can wholly cover in this brief article.

As I’ve considered these questions, a spiritual rhythm came to mind. Every other Friday I have the opportunity to meet with a friend for personal, intentional confession and prayer. We each bring a specific sin to lay down and allow the Word of God to guide us through confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. In this instance, is it appropriate to linger on a single sin?

Both scenarios—reflecting on the question privately and confessing to a friend—seek the same answer of when and how we are to address homosexual sin? Both require the necessity to call homosexuality a sin.

The Root of Sin

Definitions matter so let’s return to the beginning. In Genesis 3, we see how sin entered the world. Humanity, represented by Adam and Eve, desired to be God-like (Gen. 3:5, Rom. 5:18). They wanted to be sovereign rulers grasping for independence, rejecting God as their loving creator as they did so.

This sentiment is perfectly captured in Ezekiel’s prophecy against the Prince of Tyre:

Because your heart is proud, and you have said, “I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods, in the heart of the seas,” yet you are but a man, and no god, though you make your heart like the heart of a god.” (28:1–2)

The grand sin of humanity is rooted in a proud heart. This means every sin we commit is a representation of pride—whether it’s gossip, adultery, deceit, or homosexuality.

Because pride is directly rebelling against our good and holy God, we call sin out—generally and specifically. When we find ourselves in sin, regardless of degree or kind it grieves God’s heart and demands confession.

The Manifestation of Sin

The root of sin bears fruit, just as the root of a tree bears fruit. If God is the author of what is true, good, and beautiful, then sin leads us away from God to what is false, evil, and ugly. This bad fruit can be both internal and external since sin itself can be both internal and external. Gossip has the potential to stir up strife, division, and shame. Anger has the potential to cause physical harm or defamation. All sin has consequences, and there are certainly varying degrees of said consequences. Here’s where we begin to understand our question: Is homosexuality a worse sin?

On the one hand, homosexuality is a sin like any other sin in that it’s rooted in pride. It’s an internal desire that’s disordered, much like lust, covetousness, etc. Author Rosaria Butterfield writes, “The most dangerous and insidious misconception is from those who believe sin is only a matter of practice, not also internal desire” (Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age, 21).

When an internal desire is not mortified it leads to further destruction. In that case, homosexuality is not like any other sin in that the consequences have the potential to be far graver than let’s say, a lie spoken to a friend. Homosexuality’s natural end affects attitude, relationships, and the body. Further, in today’s culture homosexuality is no longer a descriptive desire but an entire descriptive identity.[1] It undermines the foundation of God’s world–that we belong to him and are made to image him. [2] The rejection of our identity in God is on full display today, flaunted and showcased far more than a “quieter” sin like gossip.

Compare this to my Friday morning confession times. It needs to be called out and laid down at the foot of the cross. In this instance, it is not equal to other sins.

As Christians, we believe that God’s ways are ultimately best—not only for the glory of God but for humanity’s good. Seeing a blatant celebration of sin that’s reaping havoc on fellow image-bearers ought to stir us toward loving correction of the sin. Not out of hate. Instead, because God is the author of joy, goodness, and truth. Whatever we’re pridefully searching for by rebelling can be perfectly satisfied in relationship with Jesus Christ.

If we find ourselves saying “homosexuality is a sin like any other sin” as a reason not to call it out, we’ve misunderstood how to best represent the gospel. Identifying homosexuality as a sin affirms the necessity of a call to repentance. But also, as we’ve discussed, it’s not a sin like any other sin because it does have weightier consequences. And all sin is an opportunity to call people toward the light of Christ!

The Forgiveness of Sin

Drawing people toward the light is the point because it’s the good news of the gospel that we all need regardless of kind or degree of our sin. When we find ourselves afraid to call sin for what it is–either publicly or privately–we are robbing someone or ourselves of the joy of forgiveness of that sin. Butterfield offers this helpful question: “Are people who live apart from God’s creation ordinance victims in need of civil rights or sinners in need of a Savior? Do we love our neighbor enough to tell the truth?” (29).

We have all fallen short of the glory of God, which means pride is a part of everyone's story. And though some sin may reap greater consequences, those consequences aren’t disqualifiers of God’s amazing grace (1 John 1:9). We call out sin boldly and confidently, never compromising on the truth, because we want to see our fellow image-bearers receive the glorious freedom and salvation offered to them in Christ (Acts 26:29).

Sin is rebellion, bondage, and separation from God. We look around our world, particularly this month, and see this reality on full display. The world is celebrating its rebellion, and the Word of God is the only power able to turn hearts from pride to humility. As Rebecca Mclaughlin writes, “There is no more powerful way to testify to Jesus in this generation than to turn away from sexual and romantic fulfillment because you believe in a better love” (Secular Creed, 106).

This month, we must remember that Christians are not targeting homosexuality and forsaking all other sins. We are responding to darkness with light. Speaking truth in love. It is no different than my Friday mornings where I bring my confession to put to death that which is keeping me from wholeness in Christ. And the only reason I can draw confidently to the throne of grace is because my sin was brought to the light. May we all bring one another to the light.

[1] “. . . homosexual orientation became . . . a category of personhood. In other words, after Obergefell and Bostock, LGBTQ+ describes who someone is rather than how someone feels” (Butterfield, Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age, 25).

[2] “To the degree that our society has largely adopted the belief that we are our own and belong to ourselves, we all feel the responsibilities of self-belonging. This is also true: there is another to whom we belong and living before Him frees us from the unbearable burden of self-belonging” (Alan Noble, You Are Not Your Own, 36).