Predisposition of Humanity Regarding Sin
(Part 1)
Allan McNabb

Some people try to justify the evils of mankind by setting forth a theory of genetic predisposition.  With this theory people try to justify homosexuality, bisexuality, drunkenness, drug abuse, and more.

Although the theory of genetic predisposition is propagated as scientific fact by some people in the media, there are many scientists who oppose this theory, besides the fact that it contradicts the Bible.

In this two-article series, we’ll briefly explore the predisposition of mankind from the word of God.  In this article, we’ll address sexual immorality.  And in the next article, we’ll address New Testament revelation concerning the predisposition of mankind.

What is the Controversy?
In the case of homosexuality, as the argument is set forth, some people assert that a person’s sexual orientation is a result of the way God made him, genetically.  Since God is responsible for the person’s sexual orientation, his homosexual behavior cannot be sinful.

Some people carry this theory so far as to assert that people are born straight  or  gay.    If they are homosexuals, they were born that way, by the will of God.  This thinking is a recent change in human philosophy regarding sexuality.

This theory, as described above, contradicts everything we know about sin in the Bible.

Homosexuality is Sin
Homosexuality, bisexuality, bestiality, and all forms of fornication have been sins in every age.  And today, they’re still sins.

Moses instructed the Israelites concerning sexual immorality in Lev. 18.  Incest, adultery, homosexuality, and bestiality were sins.

Paul reveals that homosexuality, and all forms of fornication were immoral prior to Christ, and remained immoral under the law of Christ (Rom. 1:18 - 2:16; 1 Cor. 6:9-11).

Today, homosexuality and all forms of fornication are sins under the doctrine of Christ:

• 1 Th. 4:3-5  We are commanded to abstain from sexual immorality.
• 1 Cor. 6:9-11  Effeminates and homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.

God is Not a Respecter of Persons
God is not a respecter of persons (Rom. 2:11; Col. 3:25; Ja. 2:1, 9; 1 Pet. 1:17).  God does not favor one man over another.  He does not make one man sin, and another man not sin.  If He did, He would favor one man over another.

God is Love; He Doesn’t Command Things We Can’t Do
God is loving, good, kind, merciful, and gracious (1 Jn. 4:7-16; Eph. 2:4-8).  He does not require us to do something that He’s made impossible through genetic predisposition.  If He did, God would be hateful and evil.

For example, God commands us not to commit the sin of homosexuality.  Since He issued this command, He does not create people as homosexuals, making it impossible for them to obey the command.

God is Just; He Doesn’t Command the Impossible
God is just (Rom. 3:26).  If God genetically predisposed certain men to sexual  immorality,  He  can’t  require  abstinence from such conduct, because He is a just God.

Since God condemns sexual immorality, principles of justice demand that we conclude it’s impossible for God to genetically predispose anyone to sexual sin.

Sin Results From Lust, Not Genetic Predisposition
James says, “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.  Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death” (Ja. 1:14-15).

God clearly tells us that homosexuality is a sin.  Since sin is a result of giving into lust, people cannot be born homosexuals — they have not lusted at the time of their birth.

We are not born with a sinful sexual orientation, or any other type of sinful orientation.  Rather, we adopt sinful orientations after we lust after sinful things, and give into our sinful desires.

God Wants Everyone to be Saved; He Doesn’t Make Us Sin
God is not willing that any should perish (2 Pet. 3:9).  He desires all men to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4).

Since God wants everyone to be saved and go to heaven, He would never genetically predispose a person to be a homosexual, and then ordain that homosexuals cannot inherit the kingdom of God.  If this were the case, the Scriptures would be lying.

Who Do You Believe?
If you believe God and the Scriptures, you must conclude that God would never genetically predispose a person to sin.

Either people are wrong about genetic predisposition, or God is wrong.  Whom do you believe?

In the Next Article
In my next article, we’ll explore the predisposition of humanity as taught by Paul.  We’ll suggest that the predisposition of humanity is to seek and obey God.