Curing Homosexuality

"Groups like Exodus promise miraculous change and it surely is not unreasonable for a devout Christian to expect to be 'cured' of the 'sin' of homosexuality. The reality is that 90% of them end up leaving the program feeling guilty and confused, and in many cases worse off than when they started . . . So, Ray--why can't God change gay people if they want to change?” Neil H.

Neil, not all of your facts are right with this one. The success rate is actually much higher than you mentioned (even by Exodus International), but you bring out a good point.

If someone comes to God for the purpose of being “cured” of homosexuality, they are almost certain to end up worse than when they started. This is because no one should seek to become a Christian to have their problems fixed. The reason all should come to Christ is to be saved from sin--not from a sin that is a problem to them, or from a lifestyle they seek change. This is the problem with the erroneous message of the modern church. It promises what it can’t deliver. It says, “Problems? Come to Jesus. Something missing? Come to Jesus. Unhappy? Come to Jesus. Want to change? etc.” And this is where you got it so right with your 90% statistic. It’s true that around 90% who "come to Christ" for these reasons fall away from the faith (my book The Way of the Master has two pages filled with examples of the 90% fall-away statistic).

The second thing you said that was so true is that they do become worse than when they started. The Bible puts it this way: “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning” (2 Peter 2:20, emphasis added). Many of the skeptics who frequent this site had that experience, and that’s why they are so bitter. I don’t blame them. They heard a false gospel, had a false conversion, and justifiably feel duped--which they were.

No one should make a commitment to Christ because they want to “change.” If they seek a change, they should go to Alcoholics Anonymous, get on a daytime talk show for a make-over, or see a psychologist. But if they want everlasting life, they must repent of all sin (not just the ones of their choosing), and they must totally trust the Savior for their eternal salvation.

For all who come to Christ in true repentance and faith, God is able to change their sexual preference. Included in the list of those who won't inherit the kingdom of God are homosexuals (along with idolaters, adulterers, thieves, etc.). But Scripture goes on to say, "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:9-11). He puts a new spirit within them, and gives them a new heart with new desires. Thousands of ex-gays attest to the power of God to change lives.