Is it wrong to have a homosexual family member living at home?
Question:
I have a question that I would like your understanding and advice on.
I have Christian relatives who denounce homosexuality but have a daughter who is a lesbian. Being family, they have, at times, allowed the lesbian daughter and her “partner” to live together in the house with them and later assisted the two in setting up their own “household” by giving them food and appliances.
- In assisting the lesbian daughter, are they guilty of supporting a lesbian lifestyle?
- I have stopped visiting the relatives since the lesbians are often there, and I do not agree with their lifestyle, nor do I feel comfortable around them. Is my attitude wrong, and do I need to make an adjustment?
Thank you. I look forward to seeing your response.
Answer:
How do you deal with people who lie? What do you do with your friend or family member who is committing fornication? Yes, homosexuality is a sin (Romans 1:26-27; I Corinthians 6:9-10), but it is no different than any other sin.
A distinction is made between those claiming to be Christians yet are sinning and those belonging to the world of sin. "I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler -- not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves" (I Corinthians 5:9-13).
Yes, the people in the world promote sinful behavior. We must live in such a world without allowing the world to influence us. "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world" (John 17:14-16).
Should Christians support people actively involved in sin by giving them a place to stay and supporting their sinful choices? No. "And although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them" (Romans 1:39). Thus, your relatives have chosen to sin by supporting their daughter's sin. Their actions contradict what they claim to believe.
Because your relatives are directly and indirectly condoning sin, I don't blame you for being uncomfortable around them. But you still need to attempt to help them return to the truth.
Response:
Thanks, brother. You stated pretty much my thoughts. And, yes, indeed, I would be more than happy to help them spiritually. But the daughter was raised and knows scriptural teaching already.
I appreciate your thoughts.
