Leveling of Adulterous and Same-Sex Attraction

There is an attraction a man can have towards a woman who is another man's wife. That can lead him to covet his neighbor's wife (Exodus 20:17) or "lust after her", which is also (already) the sin of adultery as Jesus pointed it out (Matthew 5:28). That coveting or lusting after that woman is an evil desire leading to sin being committed in the heart already. The attraction, even though "fatal", is not the sin. It comes out of a corrupt heart, and when it is accepted as "good" in a process of calling evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20), and then is united with a desire for that woman who is another man's wife, that is an evil desire that gives birth to sin that itself brings forth death (James 1:13-15).

Same-sex attraction works the same way. It is potentially fatal in its outcome but it is not in itself a sin. It's the expression of a corrupt heart. When that attraction is accepted as "good" in a process of calling evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20) and then is united with a desire to be ultimately joined sexually with a person of the same sex, that is an evil desire that violates "let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband" (1 Corinthians 7:2b), which establishes marriage as the acceptable context for sexual relationships. That is because if husband is male, which he is, wife has to be female, which she is. There is no pairing of the same sex in the commandment. So, the transgression of the commandment gives birth to sin that brings forth death (James 1:13-15).

The corruption of the heart is what Jesus addresses in offering salvation to the world. It's a path for a person's soul to be restored (Psalm 23:3), for one to have that healing of the soul that the Gospel promises through Jesus' call to sinners to repent (Luke 5:31-32; Isaiah 53:5). Salvation is about escaping the corruption and power of sin that enslaves and destroys:

2 Peter 1:2-4
2  Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3  seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue; 4  by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.

The grace of God that brings salvation is power to walk in the will of God (Titus 2:11-14), loving God and neighbor out of a pure heart (1 Timothy 1:5; James 4:8). Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6). Love does not harm a neighbor (Romans 13:10). Thus there would be no love when one would be involved in consensual sin with his or her neighbor (fellow man or woman). Love is what Jesus calls us to.

So, anything proceeding out of a corrupt heart (out of darkness) and that is not love can only be falsely so called. Anything that puts or keeps a person and his/her partner on the broad path to destruction (Matthew 7:13) is not love. The simple truth and bad news that the wages of sin is death must be acknowledged. Then the Good News from God can bring salvation to those who repent and put their faith in Jesus, that is, who faithfully follow Him as the light of the world (John 8:12).

Anyone who believes in God must also believe that He is powerful enough to enable a person who is 100% willing to do his will to be liberated (saved) to do just that and not be hindered in any way by contrary and conflicting desires. That's how faith works to bring supernatural transformation by the grace of God. He gives a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26). It only takes the agreement of a heart that is ready to obey Him (love Him, serve Him, do his will, live for Him). That's the basis of the relationship one enters into with God, beginning with being reconciled to Him (2 Corinthians 5:20, Romans 5:6-11) on the basis of the forgiveness of past sins when one repents.

Matthew 12:33
Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.

James 1:21-22

21 Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls [that's repentance]. 22 But be doers of the word [that's faith, which implies obedience], and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.

James 4:8
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

John 14:15
If you love me, keep my commandments.

Galatians 5:19-26
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, worldy jealousies, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23  Meekness, wilful restrain: against such there is no law. 24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Titus 2:11-14
11  For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, 12  instructing us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly desires, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; 13  looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ; 14  who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.

Hebrews 5:9

And having been made perfect, He [Jesus] became the author of 👉 eternal salvation to all those who obey Him [...].