The Church Must Clear Up the Confusion: Homosexuality Is Wrong

Note: This is Part 2 in a two-part series. Click here to read Part 1.

Since Lauren Daigle told the world that she doesn’t know if homosexuality is a sin or not, the church must clear up the confusion.

Stand for truth.

1. You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine (Titus 2:1).

2. 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 2:12).

If we don’t, we must be ready for the end result, a result for which a silent church will be responsible: God will turn people who surrender to homosexuality over to a depraved mind.

Friend, this is extremely serious. I know Daigle would never want to do something that would result in people going to hell, but her position could do just that.

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged the natural function for what is against nature. Likewise the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men with men doing that which is shameful, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error.

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not proper. (Rom. 1:26-28).

Again, for someone who is ministering the word of God through music, Daigle has made a grievous error that is so clearly contrary to truth that it’s stunning that anybody would give her a pass.

The Word also says:

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, and you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

Daigle’s theology is absolutely important if she is to continue ministering as a Christian artist. Her position matters.

Another article I wrote for Charisma regarding worship music might be a good resource as well. Here is the bullet point version:

Three Ways Lucifer Can Infiltrate Worship Music

1. Theology

Many people wrongly believe that the worship leader’s theology is unimportant. The train of thought is that the senior pastor is the gatekeeper regarding theology in the local church, and the worship leader plays a lesser, supporting role. All we have to do is jump back a bunch of years to see that the great gatekeeper, God himself, was assaulted and his mission was radically damaged.

Lucifer, the worship leader, was not unified with God, and truth was violated. God Himself couldn’t (or didn’t) stop what happened next:

One-third of the angels fell with Lucifer.
Countless millions of humans will burn in the hell that was made for him after he was cast out of heaven.

Bad theology in your worship leader can easily lead to many others in the church succumbing to the deception.

2. Secret Life

Worship leading should not be the primary job description of worship leaders. It should be the natural outflow of a life of intense, continual prayer. Praying in the spirit night and day must be job one for all of us, and especially those who are supposing to lead us into an encounter with a holy God.

It should be obvious that we cannot lead people where we have not gone. I propose many of today’s worship leaders are simply pointing people to the holy place instead of going ahead of them and leading them there.

3. Lyrics

Does anybody else notice the trend in worship music toward the glorification of man?

Benefits, our position, our experience—shouted in song after song.

We need to get back to God-centered lyrics that proclaim His goodness!

It is becoming more and more common to hear worship lyrics (and contemporary Christian music lyrics) that are either wishy-washy and watered down or simply not biblical at all.

Lauren Daigle and Ellen DeGeneres

While I think it’s wonderful that Daigle had an opportunity to meet Ellen DeGeneres, I wonder if she truly understands how devastating homosexuality is. You’ll notice a verse below about engaging people outside of the faith. Was Lauren wise? Did she truly impact Ellen? We don’t know. I hope so. Is it possible Ellen influenced Lauren? I pray not. This is why it’s so critical to know Jesus intimately and to stand for truth boldly.

I do believe Daigle was loving toward Ellen. That is impressive, and she should be applauded. We need to love more deeply and also stand for truth at the same time. It can’t be one or the other. Is it possible that Ellen comes to Jesus because of Daigle? I absolutely believe it is, I pray it happens, I’m ready to celebrate and dance and shout!

I had a dream about Ellen, and I shared it in another Charisma magazine article. I strongly recommend that you read it. It’s possibly the most provocative and intense message I’ve ever delivered to the church. Here’s the portion about Ellen that’s certainly relevant to this situation:

After I woke up from a significant dream about Ellen DeGeneres, I read my verse of the day. Here it is:

“Be wise when you engage with those outside the faith community; make the most of every moment and every encounter” (Col. 4:5, VOICE).

I felt God had a message of love for Ellen that I should try to get to her.

I decided to email Ellen. I have no idea if she will ever get it, but I pray she does.

Here’s what I sent to Ellen DeGeneres:

Here’s a strange story for ya! I’m a pastor & author, and I had a dream about you last night. It was crazy long and detailed and the first two-part dream I’ve had (I got up to go to the bathroom in the middle, and the dream continued after I went back to sleep).

You aren’t someone I think about often at all (sorry!), so I have a feeling God may have dropped that dream on me. It started with you at the Academy Awards (or something similar) and you called me on stage from the audience. I was overwhelmed with grief and whispered to you, “Please forgive me for judging you.”

Later, you went on to share with me from your heart about some pain and you talked about your mom. Later on I met your mom and your brother at their home. (I didn’t realize you had a brother until I Googled it just a moment ago.)

There were other pieces to the dream, but I thought I’d leave it at that for now.

A little about me: I may appear to fit the stereotype as I do believe any lifestyle that embraces activities that God, in His wisdom, deems unhealthy must be avoided. Homosexuality included. However, what’s also included is pride, which the Christian church is often steeped in. So is selfish ambition and having cold love. All deadly, all have hit the church at large. Again, please forgive me.

After the dream, I decided to preach tonight on a crazy controversial message calling the church to repentance titled, “Almost Homosexual: The Church in Crisis.”

God likes you; He loves you. Me too.

John Burton has been developing and leading ministries for over 25 years and is a sought-out teacher, prophetic messenger and revivalist. John has authored 10 books, is a regular contributor to Charisma magazine, has appeared on Christian television and radio and directed one of the primary internships at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City. A large and growing library of audio and video teachings, articles, books and other resources can be found on his website at burton.tv. John, his wife, Amy, and their five children live in Branson, Missouri.