Who’s “Coming Out”?

“There is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid that shall not be known.  Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.”

(Jesus Christ, quoted in Luke 12:2-3)

The media coverage of the public announcement that NBA player Jason Collins is “gay” (living the homosexual lifestyle) has been phenomenal, and the support he is receiving from famous people for making the announcement has also been astounding.  Public figures are giving us the idea that his confession was courageous and historic, and that its effects on society will be nothing but very good.  Of course, the welcoming attitude of the nation’s elite to anybody’s “coming out” and admitting their homosexual activities is part of a decades-long movement to accept these practices as normal and natural.  But Christians and others in our country are asking if the celebration of homosexuality is healthy for society, and if those involved in it are really the ones who should be congratulated for “coming out.”

Jesus Christ was condemning hypocrisy when He said that “nothing covered…shall not be revealed” and that words spoken “in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops” (read Luke 12:1-9).  He was saying that hypocrisy doesn’t work, that living a double life with significant aspects of it covered from public view will finally fail, that you cannot permanently hide the truth about yourself.  Of course He was warning religious people of every kind as well as His true followers not to be trapped into pretending.  People involved in shameful things are tempted to pretend to be good and moral.  Jesus gives several reasons why this is a foolish thing to do.  Solomon the king gave a similar warning in Proverbs 28:13 with these words:

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”

Hypocrisy is a dead-end street with no lasting benefits.  It is always better to take the mask off and deal with the truth about ourselves.  The Pharisees of Jesus’ day would not do this.  Jesus told them (Luke 11:39), “Ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.”  This was one type of hypocrisy that He was warning His disciples against (see Luke 12:1). However Jesus was not only warning us about the kind of hypocrisy that covers sin with a pretense of righteousness; but He was also warning Christians against covering up their relationship to Him (note Luke 12:4-9).

Somebody should have responded to the revelation that Jason Collins is a practicing homosexual with words like “What a shame!” or “Too bad!”  One of the most harmful cover-ups of our day has been the media’s concealment of the plain fact that the homosexual lifestyle is very destructive.  Nobody should be applauded for getting involved in it.  It is the most degrading, depressing, disease-producing way of living we know!

Research says that depression and suicide are considerably more prevalent among those who live this way.  Recently a study released by the University of Southampton, England, found that “significantly higher rates of previous suicidal ideas and actions were reported by homosexually oriented males than by heterosexual males.  Homosexually oriented males accounted for 62.5% of suicide attempters.  These findings, which indicate that homosexual and bisexual males are 13.9 times more at risk for a serious suicide attempt, are consonant with previous findings.”  As indicated, many studies over the years have shown the connection between the homosexual lifestyle and serious depression.  Another report states that “research suggests that gay men, lesbians, and bisexual persons have higher rates of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and completed suicides than do heterosexual individuals.  Lifetime prevalence rates of serious suicidal ideation ranging from 24% to 41% have been reported, along with lifetime prevalence rates of suicide attempts ranging from 7% to 20% among adult gay men and lesbians.”  Data generated by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that 19.3% of their sample of men who have sex with men (MSM) had attempted suicide. Research has told us over and over again that those involved in the homosexual life are far more subject to depression than others, and far more likely to attempt suicide.  Is entrance into this dark and depressing world something to celebrate or something to mourn?

Myths abound to support the idea of homosexual marriage.  The concept of same-sex fidelity is certainly a myth.  It is a rare thing indeed for a same-sex “couple” to stay “faithful” over the years.  The homosexual lifestyle is characterized by rampant “promiscuity.”  Sexual relations are usually had with hundreds of partners when this lifestyle is practiced.  What kind of life is this?  It is selfish and degrading by any reasonable standard.  Is it ever a good thing for a man or woman to adopt this way of life?  Obviously it is not.

Homosexual activity is also linked with the crimes of pedophilia.  Studies show that 86% of child molesters are homosexual.  Other big problems are also prevalent in the homosexual life. Many serious diseases are associated mainly with homosexual living, including Hepatitis A, B, and C, and the range of STDs, as well as AIDS.  Has anyone told you that life-expectancy for those in the homosexual world is shorter than for others?

For somebody trapped in the homosexual life to admit it in order to get help getting free is both wise and scriptural.  Through Christ, such a person can be free and happy.  See what scripture says in First Corinthians 6:9-11.

“Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

The rejection of homosexual activity and of the homosexual lifestyle is not a form of hatred.  People who try to help people trapped in something destructive do not do this because they hate them.  Organizations that reach out to drug addicts and alcoholics cannot be justly characterized as hate groups.  And Christians who feel sorry for the folks who are involved in the homosexual subculture and seek to warn them and deliver them through Christ do so out of love.

The truth is that nobody can argue that “being gay” is a good thing when the facts are known and considered.  When people like Jason Collins are praised for affirming their homosexual involvement, no good is being done for anyone, and certainly not for Mr. Collins.  Homosexuality is not about what you are; it is about what you do.  There is no scientific proof that people are “born that way,” although there is a powerful political movement to treat them as if they are.  The evidence is that homosexuality is not natural or normal, and that it can be “cured.”  And for the sake of those who are involved in it, it should be treated as curable, even though the help of God is required.  Really the coming of these troubled souls out of the closet is not going to help anyone or open anybody’s eyes.  What is needed now is for many more Christians to come out of the closet, and confess who they are and Whom they serve!

In the Luke 12 passage, Jesus forewarns His disciples not to fear man, but to fear God (verses 4-7).  Then He promises that “Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God” (verse 8).  It is the duty of every follower of Jesus Christ to confess before men their allegiance to Him!  It is time that Christians proclaim upon the housetops the things they have “spoken in the ear in closets” (verse 3).  We have kept from public notice what the Lord says in the Bible about the sin of homosexuality for fear of being called bigots and suffering persecution for it.  But now is not the time for Christians to cower.  The deceptions of the gay-rights and gay-marriage fronts do not hold up in the light of facts, reason, and science, and they certainly cannot prevail under the light of God’s Word.  If there ever were a time in American history for believers in Jesus to speak up and confess Him before men, it is now!