The word fornication comes from the Greed word porneia which involves "illicit sexual intercourse in general" (Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon). This word covers all unlawful sexual intercourse including all homosexual intercourse. Of course, when we refer to "unlawful," we refer to what is lawful according to God.
Persons who engage in, or who promote such misconduct no longer do it in secret; these sins are no longer just whispered. “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but have pleasure in them that do them” (Rom. 1:32)
This sinfulness, as well as other forms of fornication, is presented through all communication media, and many times there is a glorification of the wrong. Given time, attitudes will change. Homosexuality will be looked on as a normal lifestyle.
But we must remember, God's word doesn't change for anyone. The laws of our land permit many sexual freedoms, but to God, it is still sin. “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (I Jn. 2:16).
The sin of homosexuality goes back to an early day. "But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly" (Gen. 13:13). "And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great and because their sin is very grievous..." (Gen. 18:20). These homosexuals were so brazened and hardened in their sins, that they sought to take the angels from Lot's house by force to engage in homosexuality with them. "And they called to Lot, and said unto him, where are the men which came in to thee this night? Bring them out unto us, that we might know them" (Gen. 19:5). The word "know" here means to know sexually. Then we read where the angels told Lot, "'We will destroy this place...the Lord hath sent us to destroy it.' and Lot went out and spake unto his sons-in-law, which were married to his daughters, and said, 'Up, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city.' But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons-in-law" (Gen.19:13-14). "Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord of heaven; and he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground" (vs. 24-25).
Today fornication, both homosexual and heterosexual, is being promoted on every turn. But, when one speaks out on "moral values," he is mocked by many. How long will God endure such sin?
Peter tells us of Sodom and Gomorrah, that their behavior was "ungodly" and "lascivious" (ASV I Pet. 2:6-7). Then we read in Jude 1:7, "Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh (homosexuality), are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire."
We need to know that God, though sympathetic to all sickness and affliction in men, still decreed death for those practicing homosexuality. “If a man lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both shall have committed an abomination...” (Lev. 20:13). Note what Jesus says to us. “...That it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the judgment, that for thee”(Matt. 11:24). “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them”(Eph. 5:11). We are not to be unkind to anyone, but we cannot condone sin and be pleasing to God.
"If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet.4:11).
Don H. Noblin
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