When our path crosses with a struggling youth, we need to be open to partnering with the Lord to help turn the tide in his or her life. During adolescence, most people determine the morals and personal identity they will embrace for the remainder of their life. Likewise, much confusion and challenges will take place before any semblance of clarity comes. This is all the more true for youth deciding their sexual identity. Studies have shown that vast numbers of youth entering adolescence are uncertain about their sexual orientation, but few exiting the teenage years remain ambiguous. Therefore, the teenage years are a crucial period for the Church of Jesus Christ to speak to youth tempted by homosexuality and educate each young person regarding the Truth of Scripture regarding the practice of homosexuality. Without a doubt, offering a right and true perspective will not only make a difference to a gay youth, it will distinguish Christians quite a bit from others he or she will encounter.

Homosexuality is a symptom of a spiritual and relational problem. Therefore, simply stopping the behavior is not really getting to the root of what is making the person “feel different.” For the Christian trying to minister to a gay youth, consider asking these questions: Does the young person experience a lot of rejection by others? Is the teen uncomfortable with his gender? Does he spurn others of the same-sex, refusing to hang out with anyone other than a gay friend? Is the youth afraid of meeting new people, attending social gatherings, etc.? Is she overly critical or fearful of men? Is the teen envious of certain characteristics which others of the same-sex have that he does not? For many trying to reach or reason with a youth struggling with same-gender attraction, the question of, “What if people think that I’m gay?” often surfaces. Three words, “Get over it!”

Be concerned more with character rather than reputation.

If a teen senses you are uncomfortable talking about homosexuality, you will lose credibility with them.

Today, a multitude struggling with various addictions, compulsive behaviors, and habits, are all asking the same question: How long will change take? For any individual, youth, or adult struggling with homosexuality, the good news is that homosexual activity may stop as soon as the decision is made to no longer participate. But since homosexual feelings have become closely associated with the youth’s unmet needs, whether real or perceived for emotional intimacy, God most likely will not take away the feelings because He does not take away our needs – instead He helps us meet our needs. The underlying issues that fuel same-gender attraction take time to work through. Herein lies, I believe, why so many youths have become influenced and bought into the notion that even homosexual feelings and desires cannot be resolved. Hence, “I’m just here for you to help me control and manage it,” is often the expectation and attitude of the struggling young person.

It is imperative that we inspire faith in those to whom we minister. In my experience, the ones I have known who have successfully left homosexuality are those who have relinquished control of their lives to the Holy Spirit. Clearly, there is a level of surrender required to resolve any form of sexual and relational brokenness, including homosexuality, that many are unwilling to offer. Only God can bring about the changes the youth desires.

While I have met and continue to meet with youth who are determined to resolve the issues of their sexuality, most feel too inadequate, lack motivation, and do not have an individual structured in their life to help them through the process of healing and wholeness. Any Christian can emphasize to the hurting that there is hidden need within the heart of everyone that an intimate relationship with God can fill. Reaching gay youth is something we all can do and must do to help searching youth understand God’s abundant plans for their lives and to counteract the pro-gay agenda that desires to ruin all hope for the youth. No one is doomed to be gay, and we may be the only person that will have the courage to share the Good News with a youth struggling with same-gender attraction.

While it is easy enough to become cynical about the times in which we live, remember when God is put in the equation of life, a hope that does not disappoint rises with us. It is true that the number of teens embracing homosexuality has become alarming, but we should trust God and reach out to gay youth with the message of salvation and sexual redemption available through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Consider the impact of one individual or one family mentoring one youth struggling with same-sex attraction for a year. Change starts by one person or by one family mentoring a youth. It starts with one person loving another.

If you know Jesus, you are a candidate to be a champion for change in the life of a youth and the world.

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

His Way Out has been faithfully ministering to men and women seeking a way out of sexually broken lifestyles since 1994. We could not do it without the support of Christians like you. Every dollar that you give to His Way Out Ministries helps to further this vital ministry. Won’t you take a minute to prayerfully consider a monthly donation to His Way Out? Please consider making a one-time donation or set up a secure monthly PayPal contribution on our donation page at https://www.hiswayout.com/donate/. Thank you, Pastor Phillip Lee

20160813

Today, much of American culture has been consumed by the grip of political correctness with regard to homosexuality and related issues. Any public expression of disagreement with any aspect of the homosexual movement, or with homosexuality itself, is met with accusations of homophobia and verbal gay-bashing. The relentless quest by gay activists is a non-stop crusade for acceptance and to gain society’s stamp of approval on homosexual behavior. Even within the Church, the right to withhold affirmation and the right to believe that homosexuality is not on a moral par with heterosexuality remains under constant bombardment.

The strategy of shifting the debate about homosexuality away from religious beliefs and psychology by pro-gay activists to the realms of human rights and social justice has been and continues to be nothing short of genius. Equally within the realm of genius has been the relentless pro-gay camp campaign and strategy of portraying homosexuality as a condition and not a problem. This component of the strategic pro-gay agenda has evolved to same-sex attraction not needing to be fixed but rather to the mode of acceptance and approval.

Tragically, much of the Church has become desensitized by the bombardment and constant flooding of homosexual imagery through homosexual-related messages, media, and people sharing their stories about ‘gay is good.’ It is an undeniable fact that homosexual imagery has influenced many into thinking that it is just another part of life.

We, the Church, are continuing to pay a very high price due to our reluctance, and sometimes fear, in not talking about and educating ourselves on the subject of homosexuality leaving the culture to teach our children and adults in terms of what to think and believe.

With far too many Christians having mostly ignored the extremely detailed and strategic pro-gay manifesto, how is it we are surprised by the effectiveness of their propaganda and relentless campaign? For far too long, we, the Church have been in the defense-mode, bobbing and weaving just to fend off the impact of the gay rights movement.

The gay-Christian movement is picking up momentum due to the reinventing of Scripture. It goes something like this: “Revising the Scriptures on homosexuality is appropriate and correct because in light of new scientific evidence, we now understand that people are born that way. Therefore, homosexual behavior and relationships should be endorsed.”

Frankly, both condemning and endorsing homosexuality miss the mark. A huge and significant shift needs to take place. The question is, “Are we, the Church, willing to turn that high-powered perception upon ourselves and ask ourselves some very hard questions?”

* Are we willing to take responsibility for harsh words or inappropriate actions and apologize for any wrongs we may have committed out of ignorance?

* Are we willing to share the Scriptural truths about homosexuality such as: No one is born with same-sex attraction and change is possible?

* Do we, the Church, truly see ourselves as God’s vehicle to reach wounded, broken, hurting humanity – which includes the sexually and relationally broken?

* Are, we, the Church, truly willing to educate ourselves on the complexities of same-sex attraction thereby dismantling the many lies and replacing them with the Scriptural truths about homosexuality?

In other words, might we, the Church, become much more proactive in educating and equipping ourselves regarding true Christian ministry to those with unwanted same-sex attraction? In doing so, we would move from the defense mode of the past several decades to reversing the current tide through understanding and education. I would submit that the real enemy we face today is ignorance and fear.

According to Scripture, there can never be any justification for treating homosexuality as morally equivalent to heterosexuality. That said, we, the Church, are being asked to lower the bar on the clarity of Scripture with regard to homosexual practice which ultimately means faithful followers of Christ Jesus are being asked to set themselves in direct opposition to moral values clearly outlined in God’s Word.

Today, as the saying goes, “The ball is squarely in our court.” We, the Church, cannot and we must not underestimate ourselves. We, the Church, hold the only answer there is to the crisis of homosexuality. In other words, “Are we willing to be the change we wish to see in the world?”

If we, the Church, truly desire to see current trends change regarding homosexuality and the many related issues, our response requires a combination of compassion and understanding. Scripture is abundantly clear in that homosexual practice is only one of the many types of behavior condemned in the Bible. Therefore, to condemn homosexuality really is an expression of compassion because it seeks to warn, if not rescue those snared by the brokenness of same-sex attraction.

I still believe in and have every confidence in the Church’s ability, through Christ, to lovingly communicate to the sexually broken that God’s mercy and grace are sufficient for transformation.

The key is education, education, education!

We are all in this work together through Christ!

May God help us on that day when we are asked to give an account of how we responded to the difficult issue of homosexuality so that we might hear Him, say,

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

His Way Out has been faithfully ministering to men and women seeking a way out of sexually broken lifestyles since 1994. We could not do it without the support of Christians like you. Every dollar that you give to His Way Out Ministries helps to further this vital ministry. Won’t you take a minute to prayerfully consider a monthly donation to His Way Out? Please consider making a one-time donation or set up a secure monthly PayPal contribution on our donation page at https://www.hiswayout.com/donate/. Thank you, Pastor Phillip Lee

20160721

When I originally offered the article titled, “You Won’t Blow Up!” which focused on the subject of “celibacy” and how the God-given mandate and calling for single men and women goes against the normal flow of our culture, a culture which promotes a love of pleasure and self-indulgence. The article caused quite a stir resulting in my hearing from many via email, Facebook and by phone.

For the most part, the majority of people that contacted me agreed with the content of the article but there was an element with some communicating, “Celibacy? Get real, Phillip!”

Admittedly, the complacency, the disbelief and the outright disregard of any possibility of any man or woman living within God’s holy boundary lines with regard to sexual expression deeply troubled and troubles me. Troubling because Jesus could not have been more clear in defining if a person is not married the only acceptable option with God is celibacy. For the single person, celibacy is a good thing and should be our only choice if we want to live according to God’s word and plan.

There is no doubt the winds of social change continue to blowing aimlessly and carelessly across America with emphasis being placed upon “tolerance” – which is to be extended to everyone and anyone without limitation and to any and all kinds of sexual expression.

I have a couple of questions, please.

Is there nothing wrong with sex as long as it is consensual?

And if there is something wrong, what is it?

Does it really come down to a matter of personal taste, of private sentiment and personal choice?

Have we become a nation that gains our sense of purpose and meaning primarily from our sexual desires and behavior?

The reality of an across-the-board crisis of sexual and relational brokenness in America and The Church clearly points to an increasing inability, as a society, to make healthy and moral distinctions. Even those who place a high premium on tolerance are obligated to recognize that matters of various sexual lifestyles now threatens the very values and institutions on which a solid and vital society is built and sustained.

What matters morally should and must be determined on the basis of our best understanding about what constitutes human well-being. Today, more than ever, responsible American citizens and faithful followers of Christ Jesus should place under the microscope, a moral gaze on their sexual behavior.

Clearly, not every American or Christian is willing or responsive enough to such an obligation. What’s more, they do not want anyone to hold them responsible. Those who have the self-respect to recognize that a person is not reducible to his or her desires or behavior truly exhibit a concern for social justice, personal responsibility, a care and concern for a healthy and holy Church, and a true love for this nation which seeks nothing higher than the welfare of people.

How is it in choosing to dismiss and disregard a moral compass, we are shocked by the state of our culture? 
Even so, shocked at what has happened and continues to spread in the Church?

Speaking as someone that was trapped for many years in a behavior and lifestyle, thinking there was no way out, I completely understand how anyone might have difficulty in believing in and receiving God’s forgiveness, restoration, and the holding on to “God does have a much, much better way!”

“But Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

God remains rich in mercy and remains willing to deliver anyone.

“He is forever our great Sin-bearer and the God who forgives.” (Psalm 99:8)

Jesus Christ is the only Alternative, Solution and Answer.

He addresses the problem – man limited to self – and provides the way through which we can find fulfillment in Him.

America is in need of huge and immediate change. I believe the Church should be out front by showing the way to bring it about. If things continue in this wonderful nation as they have, America and the Church will remain adrift without a moral compass.

There was a time when the Church set societal standards. We cannot and we must not apologize for moral and ethical “holy boundary lines” for living. All faithful followers of Christ Jesus are called to a higher standard.

It is absolutely essential we return to pinning our faith to, and subject “all” our thinking to and doing to, 
what we read in the Bible.

The 138th Psalm says, “I will praise your name for your loving kindness and your truth, for you have magnified your word about your name.”

Obviously, God thinks highly of His name – but He has magnified His Word even about His name – and so should we all.

If America and the Church continues, in so many ways, to disregard, downplay and dismiss “the spiritual with regard to God’s divine intent for human sexuality,” sexuality will rule and reign supreme.

When the moral question has been offered, considered and answered, then, and only then, can we truly deal with the moral decay that exists in American society, the Church and the world. Until then, we are adrift without a moral compass.

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

His Way Out has been faithfully ministering to men and women seeking a way out of sexually broken lifestyles since 1994. We could not do it without the support of Christians like you. Every dollar that you give to His Way Out Ministries helps to further this vital ministry. Won’t you take a minute to prayerfully consider a monthly donation to His Way Out? Please consider making a one-time donation or set up a secure monthly PayPal contribution on our donation page at https://www.hiswayout.com/donate/. Thank you, Pastor Phillip Lee

20160728

The Bible teaches that God not only takes care of our past, He transforms our present and assures our future. Scripture clearly shows us that at the Cross God smashed the iron doors which Satan had used to imprison us. Therefore, God Himself literally entered our dark cell of any and all forms of brokenness, held out His Hand to us and encouraged and extended a walk with Him into freedom and change.

Those who suppose that Jesus only lived and died and rose again in order to provide forgiveness of sins for His people, are making Him only half a Savior.

C.H. Spurgeon once said, “the fact is, that believers are in a state of conflict, but not in a state of condemnation; and that at the very time when the conflict is the hottest, the believer is still justified.”

In life, in death, in time, in eternity, there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.

Generally speaking, the Church has not been there for the man or woman seeking a way out of the brokenness of same-sex attraction. Without hearing a message of love, encouragement and support from the Church and/or a testimony from someone who has been there and has been changed, the person attempting change on their own will usually give up, thinking it is impossible like “they say.”

At His Way Out Ministries, we remain purposed and dedicated to bring the message that it is not helpful to the person struggling with same-sex attraction to either endorse his sin or reject him as a person, rather, the Church must provide the new way and the new lifestyle that will replace and push out the old sinful patterns of life.

This is Biblical discipleship with regard to “change” and requires that a person learn new ways of thinking and acting, and new responses to old temptations.

The power to change is not in knowledge of works, the power is all in our relationship with God.

“But seek first His Kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

I would submit that each man and each woman is not fighting for future victory, but to embrace more fully Christ’s accomplished victory already won for them at the Cross.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You have already smashed the power of homosexuality at the Cross!

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

His Way Out has been faithfully ministering to men and women seeking a way out of sexually broken lifestyles since 1994. We could not do it without the support of Christians like you. Every dollar that you give to His Way Out Ministries helps to further this vital ministry. Won’t you take a minute to prayerfully consider a monthly donation to His Way Out? Please consider making a one-time donation or set up a secure monthly PayPal contribution on our donation page at https://www.hiswayout.com/donate/. Thank you, Pastor Phillip Lee

20160726