Today, in America and around the world, in the name of tolerance, diversity, and equality, often the truth has been and is being suppressed regarding same sex practice.

As a Christian, I believe in the sanctity of life. All life is sacred and deserves to be celebrated. As a result, I remain both alarmed and grieved over the many discrepancies and illusions that continue to be offered and promoted regarding “gay.”

As a Pastor, and more importantly, as a Christian, I am willing to set aside the Bible for just a moment and consider homosexual practice from a very real and practical standpoint.

“For Many Gay Men, We Must Come Out Twice,” an article offered in the October 11, 2012, issue of The Advocate, which proclaims to be “the world’s leading gay news source,” a chilling realization and depiction of homosexual practice is offered in detail. Since 2012, I have from time-to-time revisited the content of the article largely due to the undeniable facts and truth that little to nothing has changed in the gay community based upon my personal conversations with many.

Op-ed: For Many Gay Men, We Must Come Out Twice
https://www.hivplusmag.com/opinion/guest-voices/2012/10/11/op-ed-many-gay-men-we-must-come-out-twice

During my 17 years yeas as ‘gay,’ I personally witnessed far too many lives devastated and some taking their own lives over the celebration of ‘gay.’ In each and every case the ruin and carnage were not brought about by the individual trying to resolve their same-gender attraction.

The phone conversation occurred in 1995. Frank, my very best and only surviving friend of a group of 22 men, called from the hospital in San Francisco. Immediately, I knew something was very wrong.

In 1985, I moved from San Francisco back to Bakersfield, when in October of that year I surrendered my life to Christ and everything got turned upside-down – actually, right-side up.

There was nothing short of a miraculous desire to get to church and remain in church. The only thing I wanted to read was the Bible, attend classes and always be among Christian men and women, worship, and talk, talk, talk, talk, about Jesus.

Occasionally, I would talk to Frank on the phone to check on how life was going. However, our conversations became more and more strained because all I wanted to talk about was the Bible and what was going on at church. Frank, on the other hand, wanted to talk about the party last night and all that went on.

Drifting apart we most definitely were but continued to maintain a long-distance connection if only to hear one another’s voice for a few seconds. We had been close good friends for many years in San Francisco.

One afternoon I received a phone call at work from Frank. His voice was extremely weak, but he still managed to say…

“Phillip, we don’t understand what has happened to you, but you have found something, and whatever it is, keep it up. Keep it up because you have found something. Do it for me and the others. Whatever you do don’t ever come back to this. Promise me, Philip.”

“I promise, Frank.”

Two days after my last phone conversation with Frank, his mother called to tell me he had passed away.

So, so many are gone, and they left much too soon.

I made a promise. A promise I intend to keep.

There is no question that a goal of the gay liberation movement is to achieve a nationwide ban on counseling for individuals with same-sex attraction claiming, “change is not possible” and to say that it is “too harmful.”

In my view, there continues to be relentless social pressure to protect “gays” from discrimination, but also from any form of disagreement, which from personal experience, is tragically promoting a dangerous philosophy.

I find this cause to be even more than intriguing since there is great diversity and disagreement in the gay community over fundamental basics such as “what it means to be gay or lesbian.” The gay community is hardly a unified front as many would have us believe.

While I personally deplore any and all forms of “gay bashing” and other hate crimes against homosexuals, the extreme medical risks and the fundamental psychological problems often associated with homosexual practice cannot be undermined or dismissed.

That said, today, whether homosexual or heterosexual, the relationship between sexual promiscuity and high-risk sexual behavior are joined at the hip. This is not judgment but rather a fact of life.

In America, very little is being offered which promotes the truth about homosexuality and the general public has slowly but certainly bought into the many untruths with regard to the topic of homosexuality. This did not happen by accident.

In December 1973, by a narrow vote, homosexuality was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM) by the American Psychiatric Association. The vote was not based upon scientific research but on political pressure from homosexual activists.

So much for an individual’s right of self-determination to address their unwanted homosexual feelings and behavior.

In a nutshell, the problem is the politicization of psychiatry, psychology, and most definitely, the Bible, to the extent that the freedom to investigate and address homosexuality has been and continues to be under serious and relentless attack.

Today, in America and around the world, in the name of tolerance, diversity, and equality, often the truth has been suppressed regarding homosexuality. We can and we must reverse the current trend through education, awareness, and understanding.

Yes, because of very real discrimination, homosexual activists created a brilliant strategic plan to gain across-the-board acceptance. Yet their plan was based on a flawed paradigm to persuade people they were born with same-gender attraction and that change is not possible.

It is an undeniable fact this strategy has worked, in spite of no scientific or Bible evidence to support the opinion, notion, or theory.

Ironically, the biggest losers just may be same-sex attracted men and women who may get everything they think they want, but will they be denied what they truly need?

Gay activists, in particular, are swift to point out that any disagreement with gay (identity, practice, rights, etc.) must be classified as “hate.”

Gay and lesbian activists often claim they are asking for nothing more than social justice and the guarantee of their civil rights – to be protected from oppression, anti-homosexual violence, housing and employment discrimination based upon their sexual orientation.

Is this truly the case?

Once again, bearing in mind to challenge or disagree in any way with “gay” = hate, (per many gay activists), what about when same-sex attracted men and women disagree within their own ranks and community with challenges and different beliefs and viewpoints regarding “gay?”

Within the gay community there is great diversity and disagreement regarding what it means to be gay or lesbian. Many do not appreciate or use the word gay, and many believe same-sex marriage is a joke.

One need only consider the fierce opposition that frequently arises within the LGBT community when any of its own dare to criticize various aspects of either the gay or lesbian lifestyle or their social and political endeavors.

The gay community is anything but a united front as some would have us believe. Therefore, when speaking of the “gay agenda,” it is important to recognize and acknowledge that there is by no means a unanimous agreement on all the details of that agenda.

Therefore, it seems to me when criticisms or challenges surface in their own camp and vehemently opposed, should not that be viewed and termed – hateful?

Personally speaking, it is well known that the subject of homosexuality for me is both professional and personal.

Herein lies my concern. Many today are stating, “God’s standards just seem unfair – therefore, they must not really be God’s standards.”

When the moral question has been answered and upheld by individuals, families and churches, then, and only then, can we deal with the relationship between homosexual practice, society and the Church.

Frankly, the welfare of individuals, society, and the Church as a whole, depends on our facing the subject of homosexuality honestly, compassionately, and courageously.

Yes, homosexuals have the right, as do others, to believe that homosexual behavior should be accepted as normal. However, they do not have the right to demand everyone else agree with them.

True love is loving in spite of our differences and treating each other with kindness and respect. This is what it means to live in a society in which freedom of speech, religion (and belief) is guaranteed.

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

Please consider making a donation at www.hiswayout.com/donate. Thank you, Pastor Phillip Lee

There is no question what we are witnessing today are two kingdoms in conflict.

Is there any doubt the dam has burst endeavoring to submerge basic Christian morality and ethics?

The entire world is now very much aware of same sex practice(s), and America remains very much the leader in promoting the “gay is good” notion. In fact, “gay is good” has swept over our culture like a tidal wave often led by Hollywood’s influence and fueled by the media.

Three considerable mistakes are continuing to be made by the Church.

(1) Far too many continue to make same sex practice(s) the greatest sin.

(2) Much of the Church refuses to address same sex practice having adopted a vow of silence leaving room for unbiblical opinions and uneducated congregations.

(3) The third huge and harmful mistake is to affirm the individual in his or her practice of same sex scenarios. It is impossible to affirm what God never affirms.

In the midst of the conflict, our primary call and mandate of Christ Jesus our King remains -proclaim God’s truth because pro-gay theologians, pro-gay apologists and revisionists of Scripture, in their misguided attempts to validate same sex practice offer a false Gospel.

Is there any doubt the terms “homophobic” and “gay bashing” have become the war cry endeavoring to silence any who do not share all goals of the pro-LGBTQ agenda?

Presently, there are gay manifestos seeking to make it against the law to say anything against same sex activity, labeling any and all such objections as “a crime of hate.” Even preaching anything other than accepted LGBTQ ideologies and theology could potentially result in the loss of non-profit tax exemption.

Let’s get to the heart of all that has transpired and continues to unfold.

Those that have embraced the Lordship of Christ and The Authority of Scripture must submit to God’s will in all areas of life, including God’s divine intent for human sexuality.

Repentance for entrance into God’s Kingdom is not negotiable.

Today, the sugarcoating and denial of personal responsibility by minimizing, if not negating sin, is having a heyday in our society and churches.

True faithful followers of Christ Jesus cannot use temptation to excuse their behavior by blaming genes, hormones, environment, temperament, or anything else that contradicts God’s standards.

Christian ministries deliver and proclaim a message of change and rightly so, because the Kingdom of God is a Kingdom of power – power that initiates and brings about change.

The men and women who have experienced healing and transformation from same-sex attraction stand as living testimonies to the hope of the Gospel and their witness cannot be vanquished.

Those of us (of which I am one) continue to proclaim God’s truth and live out the reality it brings in spite of overwhelming odds.

A lot of talk today about revival.

Revival?

I believe we will witness revival not through political reform but through the avenue of personal repentance.

We must turn away from sin and towards Jesus Christ to save and restore our broken lives and nation.

“The people who know their God will be strong and take action” (Daniel 11:32).

Few Christians, very few, are prepared for a fight that is now here and a fight they didn’t see coming.

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

Please consider making a donation at www.hiswayout.com/donate. Thank you, Pastor Phillip Lee

If you believe in an All-Powerful Sovereign God, the most obvious answer to this question is an unequivocal “Yes!”

While some say – God created some men and women homosexual; acting out sexually doesn’t matter, you are saved by faith and not works; homosexuals were created to be lost; God accepts you where you are and no change is necessary – each and every one of these misguided false statements flies in the face of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I have even tragically heard it said “the very best a homosexual can hope for is celibacy” when it comes to change.

Too often, the individual trying to follow and be obedient to the full Gospel of Christ encounters someone who is there to tell him he doesn’t have to change his life, just change churches. It’s far easier to change churches than it is to be obedient and change your attitude and behavior.

Often, caught in the middle of the emotional conflict regarding “change” is the person who struggles with unwanted same-sex attraction. To him, (and I use the pronoun generically for both men and women) the issue of change is more than just an issue of emotional debate. It strikes at the very core of his being – either bringing hope or despair.

The Oxford American Dictionary defines change as to make or become different; to pass from one form or phase into another.

Certainly, for any individual the greatest change is to become a Christian and know that your eternal destination has been changed from hell to heaven; to become born-again.

The question, “can homosexuals really change?” is a fair and monumentally important question. Based upon the ministry experience of His Way Out Ministries, each person seeking to overcome same-sex attraction is different. The men and women that have exited homosexuality span a wide variety of ages, personalities, occupations, nationalities, and church denominations.

Some of these men and women have been free from homosexual involvement for ten or twenty years. They are not just suppressing their homosexual or lesbian longings. There has been a true resolution of this issue in their lives.

Having been around the phenomenon of change for quite some time, I am convinced that much of the conflict regarding same-sex attraction and change comes from a misunderstanding of the meaning of change. Redemptive changes occur in all of us as human beings and are precipitated by many things – God’s timing, our desires, our commitment to God and the healing, restoration process, our past involvement in sinful behavior, and what it was that pushed us toward the particular sin in the first place. With same-sex attraction it is no different.

The contributing factors to a person having an issue with same-sex attraction are numerous and complex. However, that does not minimize God’s power and sovereignty, nor does it change the undeniable biblical evidence that God can change the life of a person involved in homosexuality. Homosexuals have been experiencing change since the Bible was written. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

Yes, change occurs within a process; a process that takes time.

Spiritual growth is a lifelong process. Working through character faults and past hurts, immaturities and insecurities is a long process for everyone, not just the recovering same-sex attracted individual.

What are some of the specifics within the process? What are some of the battles each man and woman will undoubtedly face?

There must be an admittance I need to change. It’s pretty tough to admit I need to change, especially if I can recall having same-gender desires for as long as I can remember, and they feel natural.

To admit I need to change is to say there is something wrong with the way I am or the way that I live. That’s a pretty tough pill to swallow because it hurts our ego. However, admitting that I need help is a courageous first step.

Change is a cooperative venture between God and us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Leaving homosexuality is something like submitting to major spiritual surgery. Identity becomes in absolute turmoil. That should not be so surprising since anytime we make a change in our behavior, it is usually because the pain involved in that behavior outweighs the pleasure. Maybe you’ve noticed? While we know intellectually, we must make a change, our feelings do not necessarily follow – men and women that say good-bye to homosexuality or lesbianism, experience grief, disorientation, and confusion. This is because when we lose something or someone important, the loss registers deep within our being. Not surprising, the loss impacts our life, and we grieve. For men and women coming out of homosexuality the loss can be multifaceted: an identity, possibly a partner, a secure living situation, etc. The change is often dramatic and the grief, disorientation and sometimes confusion that often follows, can be devastating.

Exposing the roots and opening old wounds can be costly. Why study or explore the root(s) of any form of brokenness? In terms of same-sex attraction, understanding homosexuality development points the way to true resolution. The changing of any behavior necessitates retracing the steps that have brought us to this point.

Looking at family dynamics, painful childhood experiences, physical or sexual abuse, peer pressure, temperament and interests, societal influences, all can play a part in shaping a person’s sexual orientation. If I desire to understand how I arrived at this point, I must delve into my life, examining the path I have taken and what might have robbed me of a healthy heterosexual identity. Identifying painful situations and working through them is part of the process.

Being totally committed to the will of God. Why do some make it out of homosexuality while others don’t?

One common denominator among those men and women that have experienced significant change involves the issue of surrender and control in their lives. Nothing short of total commitment to the will of God (despite feelings, emotions, hormones, temptations, etc.) will hold the same-sex attracted individual to the discipline needed for the change process.

Ultimately, the Lordship of Christ and the Authority of Scripture must prevail in all circumstances and take priority regardless of what I think or feel.

Sexual sin is very insidious. At its core, it is a need to be loved – to be held and treasured. But like many of Satan’s tricks, sex becomes a cheap substitute – the means to an end. Commitment to God’s will necessitates death – a death to self – a death to “what I want when I want it” and giving over to what God wants for me. It is putting God on the throne of my life instead of self.

Indeed, there is a cost to “change.” This is often, as the saying goes, “where we separate the men from the boys.” Ultimately, a person’s freedom or deliverance from homosexuality comes from a Person, rather than a method. Ironically, the interesting thing about the change process is that change itself is not the goal.

Change of any type or to any degree will only occur when that person pursues a far more compelling goal and focus. Freedom, change, healing, restoration only occurs when we look upward to Jesus and are purposed to enter more deeply into fellowship with Him. As our Creator, God is the only one who knows exactly how to restore us and bring about change.

While it continues to be taught and preached God can do the impossible, do we still believe that?

When it comes to the issue of same-sex attraction, the Church has become fractured and viewpoints can differ from church to church, denomination to denomination, believer to believer.

As true faithful followers of Christ Jesus, may we never forget that while our obedience to the Great Commission may cost us personally, the good news of spiritual deliverance through Jesus Christ remains an important and vital resource that all faithful followers of Christ Jesus must share.

If we are truly in love with Jesus, our willingness and obedience to go in His Name does not really cost us anything, it is a joy. But it just might cost those who do not know Him or refuse to follow Him a great deal.

“I tell you the truth…unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:24-25 NIV)

Finally, when an individual who was once controlled by his sin is now free from that sin and engaged in a new kind of life pattern, hasn’t change occurred?

Oswald Chambers states in My Utmost for His Highest, “A man is a slave for obeying unless behind his obedience there is recognition of a holy God.”

I find it remarkable that God never insists on our obedience, but when we truly know Him, we want to instantly obey Him and live according to His perfect will from sunup to sundown.

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

Please consider making a donation at www.hiswayout.com/donate. Thank you, Pastor Phillip Lee

There is a sin among a large segment of the Christian clergy that I find despicable.

It is the sin of not sharing with a congregation what you know to be true about the bible, same sex practice, and Christianity.

Today the temptation to minimize, revise, if not disregard the importance of doctrine, critical to the Christian faith but offensive to the world, has slithered into every crevasse of our culture.

The silence of many has enabled and continues to fuel (1) the denigration of Biblical authority (2) the loss of a coherent definition of family and (3) the exploitation of children.

Silence has and continues to fuel many now worshipping another Jesus. A Jesus which has been created by man that requires absolutely no sacrifice, makes no demands of obedience,
and is completely and totally silent when it comes to sexual sin.

The Oxford American Dictionary defines “silence” as, “absence of sound; avoidance or absence of speaking or of making a sound; the fact of not mentioning something.”

I freely admit that I remain perplexed and deeply troubled by those in the Church that are terrified, if not paralyzed by the LGBTQ movement, and want to see any further legitimization of same sex practice stopped dead in its tracks but remain hesitant and unwilling to offer ministry to those who desire to come out of the behavior.

This makes absolutely no sense.

Today, while a segment of the Church continues to consciously and deliberately avoid the subject of homosexuality, God, however, is not silent and has never been silent.

As true faithful followers of Christ Jesus, we take the Bible in its entirety or not at all. We do not have the luxury of randomly selecting portions of Scripture and discarding the rest. God’s Word is not a thing that a person can push around at their convenience.

The Bible is a Voice, a Word, the very Word of the living God.

The Church must call homosexual practice sin, and that will remain offensive to many. We cannot water down God’s Word. There is no doubt our courage will be tested, there will even be times when some must stand alone and defend what is right.

As Paul said to Timothy: “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me” (2 Timothy 4:16).

Today, maybe more than ever, a true faithful follower of Christ Jesus has crucified his rights and is willing to be completely and fully led by God’s Spirit. He fears God, that is, he has a healthy awe and respect for God and does not take God lightly.

We, as God’s people, should not be out to advance the claims of a church, of a nation, of an ideology, but of Jesus Himself.

There can be no true compassion, integrity, and outreach if the Name, the teachings, the promises, the life, the death, the resurrection, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit are not proclaimed – and, proclaimed to the virtually untouched mission field around the world called ‘the LGBT community.’

What is stopping so many today in defending the Authority of Scripture with regard to same sex practice?

Is it fear of being beaten in an argument? Fear of not knowing what to say? Fear of messing it all up? Such fears are groundless.

Christians are not in the business of “winning the argument.”

People are not argued into the Kingdom of God. What is eloquent and pierces a heart and soul is the personal testimony of someone whose life has been transformed by Christ. This is exactly what excites and captivates the imagination and interest.

Not being well versed or educated on LGBT issues is no excuse for remaining silent. We each have our own story to tell.

Few things are more effective than people who learn how to be “a friend (who) loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:17) while not being afraid to uphold God’s truth that “better is open rebuke than hidden love.” (Proverbs 27:5)

I would submit that the calamity and dilemma many professing Christian’s face today with regard to same sex practice(s) is not unlike a time when Elijah spoke and said:

“How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing” (1 Kings 18:21).

Today, more than ever, we are in need of Christians that will not sidestep truth or grace but offer crystal clear truth on a host of issues, including LGBT issues, toward every person.

Frankly, this is exactly what the Church was called to be from the beginning, and it is exactly what people are looking for today. It is a Church just like this that saved my life.

Many know and understand the importance and significance of reaching the unreached peoples of the world for Christ Jesus. What about the unreached LGBT population?

We, the Christian community, have a lot to learn about bringing Jesus to LGBT identified men and women who hopefully will one day knock at the doors of our churches.

How about, “If you struggle with sexual and relational brokenness and feel trapped – there is hope!

Come on into Church and investigate the roots and causes of your struggle. We will walk with you as you look past the surface, deep into your heart, and consider God’s will for your life.”

It is the clarity of the Holy Scriptures that should compel each and every faithful follower of Christ Jesus to be a light where there is darkness, rather than hiding our witness from those who need it.

Luke 6:45 tells us, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

If we truly care about the eternal destination of a multitude of men and women, snared and deceived by the brokenness of same-sex attraction, we will not be silent.

Silence cannot and must not be an option.

Consider: Did God keep Himself in icy isolation from your predicament? Did He say, “They are probably all right as they are”?

The ultimate issue for the LGBT community is the same as it is for every individual. “Where do they stand? Are they dead in sin or alive in Christ?”

There are times when ‘silence’ becomes disobedience.

James 4:17: “Therefore, to him who knows the good to do and does not do it, to him it is sin” (NKJV).

Check out the video of Pastor Brandon Holthaus, Senior Pastor at Rock Harbor Church on this topic at THIS LINK

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

Please consider making a donation at www.hiswayout.com/donate. Thank you, Pastor Phillip Lee

Is there any doubt you and I are witnessing the incremental criminalization of Christianity?

Being a professing Christian who adheres to and applies the truths of Scripture in the world around us has never been easy. But today, articulating biblical precepts can get you fired, cancelled, censored possibly even jailed.

However, we must never be ashamed of the gospel and we are under command and calling to proclaim its precepts. But how do we stand up to an increasingly hostile culture that demands our silence?

Admittedly, skillfully offering a balance of both truth and grace can be a challenge but much-needed in this dark, dark world.

I once sat on the receiving end of being clobbered with Scripture by well-meaning but horribly misguided Christians.

So, to be fair and balanced…

To simply quote a Scripture is not the same as to clobber. I still find it more than intriguing when conservatives quote Bible verses against homosexuality it’s called clobbering, yet when the gay community quotes Scripture while arguing against conservatives, it’s just well, quoting Scripture.

God-given love is not primarily a feeling, but an action toward a person. I believe we often have a twisted picture of love, thinking that what makes a person feel love is how we should show love.

Therefore, to confront him or her with some unpleasant thing would not be loving. To this day, I, not unlike many other men and women, remain grateful our families did not lower the bar or dismiss the clarity of Scripture with regard to homosexual practice.

Thankfully and gratefully, my family, and many others continue to love their children while not putting a stamp of approval on a behavior that clearly runs contrary to the teachings of Scripture.

Sexual behavior outside of heterosexual marriage, whether homosexual or heterosexual, is sin, and is forbidden by the Word of God.

Today, there are those wanting Christianity, but not without sexual expression. In short, they want it all, a common malady of our time.

Even knowing the Scriptural condemnations of homosexuality in both the Old and New Testaments as being clear and final, there are those on a continued quest to find some way to get around them.

Personally, I have friends, acquaintances, and neighbors who are homosexual. All of these relationships can be described as gracious and respectful. Even though our stances may be dramatically different on the topic of homosexual practice, we enjoy a mutual respect.

It is possible to be right in one’s beliefs but wrong in attitude or approach. It is appropriate and good to say the right thing, but it must be said in the right way. To dismiss this part of telling the truth, is to make truth a weapon more than a tool, and even the best tool, when misused, can be destructive.

I would submit that many gay people have misconceptions about Christians, just as a lot of Christians have misconceptions about gays. The criticism is often raised that Jesus preached an ethic of love and would never utter harsh words of condemnation. To speak the truth in love is not to condemn the one to whom it is spoken. Heaven knows, it may feel that way.

It does not matter, in the end, whether we can explain why God has spoken in the way He has; the essential issue is what He has spoken. In the end, the Bible speaks the truth in love and pure, true, undefiled love seeks nothing more or higher than the welfare of people.

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” – Colossians 4:6.

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

Please consider making a donation at www.hiswayout.com/donate. Thank you, Pastor Phillip Lee

The issue of human sexuality and closely related elements in Scripture is much more than most Christians realize, and it is not something that can be easily addressed to a larger audience in a Sunday morning sermon/service.

I wonder what kind of response would happen if a “Human Sexuality” Sunday school class was scheduled, if in all places, churches?

Within the Body of Christ today, there is a desperate need for clarity regarding human sexuality and more specifically, sexual expression.

At a time when American culture continues to be shaped by political correctness and moral relativism, I believe it is imperative for every Christian to return to the principles of the Scriptures that are to govern our lives regarding all issues of morality and ethical living.

The frequent silent mode on these topics has and is enabling questions by Christian men and women to be ignored, dismissed and unanswered resulting in a crisis that has become detrimental to the Church.

It is only when the truth of Scripture regarding God’s divine intent for human sexuality is fully acknowledged, embraced and clear in our hearts, we, The Church, can move forward to have meaningful conversations that will get American back on track, change our culture and ultimately reveal the love of Christ not only to America but the world.

Proverbs 14:12 tells us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death.”

When we lose our ability to discern what is healthy from unhealthy and what is right from wrong, we lose our ability to reason and think clearly. And, when we dismiss or lose our moral compass, we become consumed and driven by lust.

When the Holy Spirit has His way in our lives and when we are purposed to do everything according to the principles of God: love, liberty, truth and openness – we know and walk in true freedom.

Today is the day to pursue righteousness and never, ever stop!

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

Please consider making a donation at www.hiswayout.com/donate. Thank you, Pastor Phillip Lee

As faithful followers of Christ Jesus, we must never affirm homosexual practice. But we can at least affirm the fact that the individual struggling with same-sex attraction has tried to be honest with us and has taken quite a risk in telling us, knowing it is not what we wanted to hear.

How well I remember disclosing my own battle with same-sex attraction and giving my family every reason to write me off.

Frankly, there was no reason for my family to ever think I would repent and turn completely away from the ‘gay is good’ notion.

Thankfully, sometimes when God calls us to release a family member or friend through a prayer of relinquishment, that doesn’t mean He is releasing them as well.

Dealing with the discovery that someone you love has same-sex attraction issues is a difficult stewardship. But the God who gave us this stewardship has also equipped us to handle it and maintain a Christ-like attitude.

When any individual discloses their battle with same-sex attraction, their confession enables an intriguing and powerful opportunity to the family and really to anyone that becomes aware.

“Can I truly continue to love him for who he is and not for what he does?”

As a Christ-follower, if we are becoming effective in not putting unrealistic expectations on “anyone,” we are in line to accept them for who they are, not for what we wish they were.

It is God’s part to give those that struggle with same-sex attraction abhorrence for the behavior – an abhorrence that will bring them to a place of complete surrender to the sovereignty of God in their lives and a desire to change.

While there are no specific verses in the Bible telling us under what circumstances, if any, we should adopt this or that policy toward a homosexual loved one, let’s consider a few specific communications that need to be offered with the hope and endeavor of keeping the lines of communication open.

What the Bible says and why you disapprove of homosexuality every time you are with your child, friend, co-worker, neighbor or fellow brother or sister in Christ, is not necessary to state.

However, do make sure the individual knows the following:

* You understand that he/she did not ask for these feelings.

* You appreciate their honesty and transparency in disclosing their issue with same-sex attraction.

* Your belief regarding homosexual practice as sin is not going to change.

* You want to protect your relationship through mutual respect and understanding.

While you may never agree on the subject of homosexuality, you are committed to not letting that disagreement destroy your relationship.

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

Please consider making a donation at www.hiswayout.com/donate. Thank you, Pastor Phillip Lee

• You told me I needed to surrender my life to Christ Jesus and be born-again. I surrendered.

• You told me I needed to forsake and repent of homosexual practice. I repented. I turned away.

• You told me my mind needed renewing and I needed a life transformation. I willing died to self.

• You told me I needed to forsake the gay community and embrace the Church as my new family. I did so by faith.

• You regularly encouraged me to share my testimony. I gladly did so to honor Christ Jesus.

• You continue to remind me the Church is God’s vehicle to reach the wounded, broken and hurting. I agree.

• You told me the Bible is the textbook for life in all matters of faith and practice. I embraced this truth.

• You reminded me over and over again “Jesus remains the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Indeed and Amen.

But now, some of you are saying, per your new stance that your understanding of homosexuality is “evolving” – “Well, maybe homosexuality isn’t so bad after all.”

Many Sunday morning church pulpits have lapsed fully into the silent-mode with regard to homosexuality which has and is perpetuating a tsunami of immorality.

The gay community is extremely vocal and highly visible demanding their right to be who they want to be, but I am now being told daily I cannot have and I must now have the same right.

I am trying very, very hard to understand. Would you help me, please?

Much too often, I turn around wondering, “Where did everybody go?”

Having once faced and addressed the impact of rejection and abandonment in my life, must I face it again?

Should we compare where we stand now regarding homosexuality and related issues to the time when things got very, very tough and Jesus said to His disciples, “Will you also turn away?” (John 6:67)

You told me and reminded me frequently…

“The Church must call homosexual practice sin and while that will be offensive too many, the Word of God must not and cannot be watered down.”

In many respects, I attribute my new life in Christ Jesus of 41 years to Christians sharing and holding me to The Truth.

• You told me I was not born gay. I embraced this truth.

• You told me change is possible. I changed.

• You told me our true identity is in Christ Jesus – not our sexuality. True.

• You told me not to allow my past to dictate who I am in Christ today. Agreed.

• You told me homosexuals are redeemable with God’s grace and power more than sufficient to transform a life. Amen.

• You told me sharing the Gospel is not an option for a Christian but rather obedience to a command. Absolutely.

• You told me the only way out of homosexuality was through a deep, personal, intimate relationship with Christ Jesus.

Has any of the above mentioned changed?

If, yes, to any of the above mentioned, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” (Acts 19:15)

Truth lived out Christ’s way, does not have any gray edges. It is abundantly clear and straight forward.

In Christ,

Phillip, just one of the many prodigals.

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Respectfully, truth, God’s truth does not change just because you did.

“We demand freedom from social restraint and independence from any and all moral order.”

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.” (Isaiah 5:20)

Today, especially in America, little is being offered which promotes the truth about homosexuality with the general public and the Church believing the many untruths and inaccuracies being offered.

This did not happen by accident. This has been and continues to be a well-crafted strategic plan.

The first step in Satan’s deception is to get you to doubt what God said.

God’s Word has always been love speech toward us. The devil is the one who uses hate speech. The devil hates God, so he hates what God loves most…you!

Phase One: Get society and the Church to ‘accept’ the falsehood that someone can be a gay Christian (it’s ok to practice homosexuality) which then set the stage for the transition to Phase Two.

Phase Two: Revise Scripture to endorse and validate the homosexual disposition and agenda.

Hence, pro-gay theology: “the abandonment of Scriptural truth; scientific information, social changes, and personal experience becomes the cornerstone of how ‘truth’ is determined.”

For homosexual practice to be seen as acceptable and created by God, historic and traditional Christian teaching had to be discredited.

Phase Three: Since it’s ok to be a gay Christian (according to pro-gay theology), then God Himself supports, approves and validates homosexuality and same-sex marriage.

Herein lies the true problem: a crisis of truth.

No where in the Bible does any Scripture, not one, approve of or support the notion or concept of gay Christian or same-sex relationships. Every time Scripture mentions homosexual practice it is always, without exception, mentioned in the context of a behavior in which no man or woman is to practice – not unlike many other behaviors.

The Church cannot ‘welcome and affirm’ what God Himself never affirms. Yes, Jesus welcomed and loved every person but He never, ever affirmed their sin – not once.

That said, permit me to take this another direction for a moment.

It is long overdue for many, including homosexual strugglers, to stop singling out homosexuality as the worst of all sins.

Today, many view the person engaged in homosexual acts to be unsaved. Why are not the same assumptions made, at least with the same rigor and emphasis, regarding other sins such as: fornication (pre-marital sex), idolatry, adultery, thievery, covetousness, alcoholism, slander, and deceit. An end must come to declaring those guilty of pre-marital sex as just, well, “disobedient Christians,” while declaring homosexuals definitely non-Christians.

As Christians, our relationship with God through Christ is the cornerstone of our identity.

Today, many are being told, “Accept yourself and follow your heart.”

However, Jesus says, “Deny yourself and follow Me.”

“By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him; the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” (1 John 2:3-6)

You don’t have to give up your intellect to trust the Bible. You have to give up your pride.

No one hates the LGBT community and all humanity more than the devil.

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

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