4. Is same-sex temptation a sin?

In the first article, we looked at reasons not to confuse temptation with sin, even though the two are closely connected. Let's look at the relationship between temptation and sin more closely.

While desire requires active participation, temptation is passive—not something a person actively brings upon themselves by conscious choice. When we face temptation, we then choose whether to follow through on the temptation with action—or not. Though temptation itself is tied up with the complexities of original sin, how we respond to temptation is generally within our control.

According to Augustine (354–430 AD), temptation arises when our flesh lusts against the Spirit (see also Galatians 5: 17). Because of this, temptation is not morally neutral. In other words, being sexually tempted is not the same as being thirsty or hungry or sleepy. For this reason, Christians should make an effort to understand the dynamics of sexual temptation and make every effort to avoid sexual temptation.

Jesus was tempted but did not sin

In the gospel of Matthew we read:

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

—Matthew 4: 1

Tempted, yes, but he did not sin:

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. —Hebrews 4: 15

Some have said that temptation wasn't sinful for Jesus because of who he is, but that temptation for the rest of us is the result of indwelling sin (something Jesus didn't have), and so this kind of temptation sinful by its very nature. Bible scholar Denny Burk explains this view as follows:

One distinguishing mark of Jesus’ experience of temptation is that the enticement to sin never emerged from his own nature. He was sinless. He had no sin nature. There was nothing in his sinless nature that could have produced a desire for evil. Jesus could experience trials in the same way sinners do. But he never experienced enticement to evil emerging from his own nature. Sinners, however, often experience enticement to evil that originates in their own sinful nature.

In an article posted by HarvestUSA, we read:

[Temptation from within, or indwelling sin] ... arises from corrupt desires in your heart. ... These desires are sinful desires, arising from the fallen, corrupted, sinful nature that we have all inherited from Adam. ... A very important feature of indwelling sin is that it is not something consciously chosen or something that we willfully summon. And yet, it is still sin.

What proponents of this view fail to consider is that if temptation is itself sinful to any degree, then Jesus could never have been tempted in the first place. Regardless of whether Jesus had "indwelling sin," the mere fact of his temptation tells us definitively that temptation isn’t sin.

Nevertheless, proponents of the "indwelling sin" position do make an important point. We must not kid ourselves about where the line falls between temptation and acting upon sin. When does the temptation stop and our sinful response begin? Let's admit it is a fine line, and the slope on the other side is slippery:

[E]ach person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. —James 1: 14–15

The line between sin and temptation

Modern culture confuses love and desire. As a result, we tend to think that if a person is attracted to someone of the same sex, they must necessarily also be desiring that person. Unfortunately, this perspective has made headway in the Church, making it easier for pastors and speakers to target same-sex attracted Christians as morally degenerate even if they are sexually abstinent. Same-sex attracted Christians usually find this disheartening. It not only diminishes the thoroughness of Christ's sanctifying work in our lives, but also depicts Christians as walking flashpoints of desire, perpetual hostages to original sin even though they have been set free in Christ.

Despite the popularity of this position—or perhaps because of it?—more and more Christians who experience SSA are finding the line between temptation and sin and learning to say no not only to same-sex sexual acts but also to lusting and fantasizing, in keeping with scripture:

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. —Titus 2: 11–12

The Holy Spirit makes this possible through Jesus Christ. Here are just a few testimonies of deliverance from sexual sin, even in the midst of ongoing temptation:

I still struggle with sexual desire for men, but I have to say that after my encounter with Jesus, by the grace of God, that desire has greatly diminished. God may fully heal that sexual brokenness at some point, but for now, I am content simply to be obedient to Him. I am more than willing to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow him (Matt. 16: 24). He's worth it.

—Becket Book, 2019, A Change of Affection, p. 128.

At one level it would be very lovely for me to meet the man of my dreams, get married to him and enjoy being united with him (including sexually).... But, increasingly, I think this is a false dream because I would be expressing myself sexually in a way that God has not intended, and so damaging all those involved. —Ed Shaw, 2021, Purposeful Sexuality: A Short Christian Introduction, p. 29.

As a Christian I do not think it right to pursue a romantic or sexual relationship with a person of the same sex. I seek to live my life in obedience to Christ by resisting temptation and have remained celibate. —Vaughan Roberts, 2026, Full of Grace and Truth: The Gospel and Sexuality in the Global Church, p. 22.

For discussion:

1. Where does the "line" fall for you personally between sexual temptation and sexual sin? How fine is the line? Are you always honest with yourself (and God) about where this line falls?

2. In what specific ways does the Spirit teach you to say "No" to ungodliness in general (Titus 2: 11–12)?

3. Look back over the three testimonies included at the end of this article. What do you think these individuals need from the Church most?