Deception is rampant these days. The most frightening reality we are now coming to terms with is the deception sown into the younger generation over the last decade or so—right under our noses. Young people appear to have a socially designed way of thinking that is very different from that of previous generations. The pressures they face range from the need to save the world from climate change to dealing with gender confusion and rampant sexual immorality.
Pastor Jeff Vines joined Phil Edwards at Vision Christian Media to discuss how love in action is more likely to save souls than condemning those struggling with unbiblical and controversial issues our society is currently facing.
Gender Dysphoria
When Christians tell people they love them, and God loves them, but they don’t show love towards transgender people or those who struggle with homosexuality or lesbianism, the hypocrisy turns people off. In order to gain people’s respect, it’s vital Christians respond in love without compromising Biblical truth. Some people are genuinely struggling with which sex they identify with. So, if they seek guidance within the church, Christians need to be prepared to listen without judgement and ask for God’s guidance. When a person expresses their struggle, they should be supported in the same way as someone struggling with alcoholism, drug addiction or any other difficult issue they are dealing with.
To be able to help people, we need to keep the channels of communication open. People expect Christians to shun them and write them off. What difference are we going to make by shunning them? Everyone is looking for somebody who will love them and accept them as they are. You build trust by praying for them, and as Christ-followers, we need to walk with them on the journey.
Pastor Jeff brings up the point that there are people who attend his church who are having affairs, and yet they will judge people with gender dysphoria as being worse than they are. Or, some people who are having sex outside of marriage judge others as worse than them.
While some people think God must be a hateful God to reject people who have gender dysphoria, the truth is that He knows what’s best for us because He created us. Jeff points out that if we stray from the parameters God has put in place to protect us, at some point, we’ll have to deal with the consequences of our decisions.
‘The suicide rate right now among those who are struggling with gender dysphoria is so high,’ said Jeff. ‘Then, for those who have the transition medically, it doesn’t improve. There’s still something missing. So, I would say whatever is emotionally happening in your life, you need a relationship with Jesus. He will come to meet the need you’re trying to meet in some other way.’
Pornography and Same-Sex Attraction
Parents face tough challenges these days trying to navigate their children through the current culture that has normalised sexual immorality. Mobile phones have made pornography accessible to every child who owns a phone. The temptation for a teenager whose hormones are flying makes it an easy trap that usually leads to addiction.
‘It’s causing so much damage among our young people when they enter marriage. Do you know how many marriages break up because of an addiction like this? Do you know how many marriages struggle? Do you know how many young men go into marriage with totally unrealistic expectations?’ said Jeff.
While parents need to be firm in their beliefs and stand by what the Bible teaches, not just through their words but through their actions, they should not deny their child’s feelings or emotions. It’s important to address these issues, possibly with the help of a counsellor, or someone better trained to deal with the situation calmly and professionally. A child may be more likely to listen and be guided by someone other than their parents. It may also be helpful for parents to attend counselling to help them walk the journey with their child.
‘What I would say to parents is if your child is struggling with same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria, love them and talk to them. Don’t shout at them or say, “I can’t believe …” No, it’s very real. We have no idea the pressures they’re growing up with now and the temptations they’re growing up with … love them. Put your arm around them and tell them, “I love you. We’re going to walk through this together.” Because the minute you do the opposite, you’re just turning them over, and they’re going to rebel even further against you.’
Jesus won souls by loving people, not condemning them. See the difference it makes when we put love in action to help people through their struggles, as Jesus did. God is faithful and will answer your prayers because He loves us more than we can love ourselves and others.
This article was written as a follow-up to Jeff Vine’s interview with Phil Edwards. To hear Jeff’s full interview, click the link below:
