Some years ago our site published an article titled, “Last Generation Theology and the Homosexual Debate” [1]. More recently, as our readers will recall, we published another article on current confusion within certain circles of Adventism regarding the Biblical definition of sin [2]. Still more recently, an article on a liberal Adventist website has underscored once again—unwittingly perhaps—the reason why the Biblical definition of sin is so important, not only for the sake of Biblical integrity, but for much-needed clarity in the practical discussion of lifestyle issues relative to righteousness and sin.

The third article noted above is written by a student at a North American Adventist university who both aspires to be a denominational pastor and claims to be transgender [3]. The article proceeds to tell the author’s story of intense spiritual struggle, the confusing counsel of certain ones (or so it is recounted) seeking to offer help, alleged claims from pastors and other counselors that he was demon-possessed, life-threatening mental health issues, together with the author’s expressed hope of becoming a pastor and making the Seventh-day Adventist Church a welcoming place for those identifying with one or another aspect of the LGBTQ paradigm.

But for the purpose of the present article, what is most significant about the testimony of the above author is the confusion experienced because of a wrong definition of sin, and thus a wrongful understanding of what moral purity and godly living mean for one seeking to be a Biblically faithful Seventh-day Adventist Christian.

“Conversion” Therapy

The author writes that very early in life he perceived himself to be sexually different, that from adolescence onward he was attracted to both men and women, and that—in his words—“being a good Seventh-day Adventist boy, I asked my parents for help, and they found a conversion therapy program for me” [4].

Without wishing to be distracted by some of the details in the author’s story, the bottom line of his dilemma seems to have been his belief that his orientation toward same-gender attraction was condemned by God, and thus he speaks of “fasting and praying in hopes of changing [his] sexual orientation” [5]. The author writes at one point, describing meetings he attended with others experiencing similar struggles:

We prayed to ask God for help with our addictions, which we were told caused our impure thoughts. Along with attending the meetings, I fasted and prayed—I really wanted to change. I went days without eating and spent long stretches of time praying, asking God to forgive me and change me. I became deeply depressed [6].

Describing the counsel he said he was given by one individual, he writes:

He encouraged me to put a rubber band around my wrist, and every time that I had an impure thought, I should snap the rubber band on my wrist. Before long a bruise formed [7].

Feelings Are Not Character

It is both saddening and frustrating to read stories like this, because it seems that the wrong definition of sin is driving the perception of both the problem and the solution on both sides, both for the young man in the story and those he claims were trying to help him. According to the inspired text, feelings do not define us unless we allow them to do so. Sinful feelings are not the same as sin itself, until and unless the will gives consent to those feelings. Both Scripture and the writings of Ellen White are clear on this point:

Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then lust, when it hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin (James 1:14-15).

There are thoughts and feelings suggested and aroused by Satan that annoy even the best of men; but if they are not cherished, if they are repulsed as hateful, the soul is not contaminated with guilt and no other is defiled by their influence [##8|Ellen G. White, That I May Know Him, p. 140##].

We noted earlier the statement by the young man describing his struggle with LGBT urges: “We prayed to ask God for help with our addictions, which we were told caused our impure thoughts” [9]. And yet the servant of the Lord writes in the above statement that “there are thoughts and feelings suggested and aroused by Satan that annoy even the best of men” [##10|White, That I May Know Him, p. 140.##]. In other words, it isn’t just people who meet the psychologically accepted definition of an “addict” who experience impure thoughts. Interestingly, Ellen White speaks of Christ Himself wrestling with evil thoughts, and how His victory over such thoughts gives hope to all who thus struggle:

Some realize their great weakness and sin, and become discouraged. Satan casts his dark shadow between them and the Lord Jesus, their atoning sacrifice. They say, It is useless for me to pray. My prayers are so mingled with evil thoughts that the Lord will not hear them.

These suggestions are from Satan. In His humanity Christ met and resisted this temptation, and He knows how to succor those who are thus tempted [##11|——In Heavenly Places, p. 78.##].

Moreover, the modern prophet specifically warns against inflicting physical pain on one’s body—such as snapping a rubber band around one’s wrist [12]—as the means of denying fleshly lusts. She writes:

We are commanded to crucify the flesh, with the affections and lusts. How shall we do it? Shall we inflict pain on the body? No, but put to death the temptation to sin. The corrupt thought is to be expelled. Every thought is to be brought into captivity to Jesus Christ. All animal propensities are to be subjected to the higher powers of the soul [##13|White, The Adventist Home, pp. 127-128.##].

Conclusion: Why the Definition of Sin Matters

Neither Scripture nor the writings of Ellen White promise the abolition of wicked emotions and evil thoughts within the Christian so long as the present life lasts. Whether the issue is LGBT or any other, it is wrong and profoundly discouraging to set before anyone the remedy of sinful desires being abolished as the solution to the struggle. The modern prophet writes: “Appetite and passion must be brought under the control of the Holy Spirit. There is no end to the warfare this side of eternity” [##14|——Counsels to Teachers, p. 20.##]. But while the warfare against our fallen natures will not cease before Christ returns, total victory over that nature is promised before probation closes.

I also saw that many do not realize what they must be in order to live in the sight of the Lord without a high priest in the sanctuary through the time of trouble. Those who receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus fully…. I saw that none could share the ‘refreshing’ (latter rain) unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action [##15|——Early Writings, p. 71.##].

What are you doing, brethren, in the great work of preparation? Those who are uniting with the world, are receiving the worldly mold, and preparing for the mark of the beast. Those who are distrustful of self, who are humbling themselves before God and purifying their souls by obeying the truth—these are receiving the heavenly mold, and preparing for the seal of God in their foreheads. When the decree goes forth, and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity.

Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God—candidates for heaven [##16|——Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 216.##].

And the same author is clear that the mere struggle with impure passions doesn’t make someone impure. It is the choice to accede to those passions that makes one impure. Speaking of the prophet Daniel, Ellen White declares:

The case of Daniel was presented before me. Although he was a man of like passions with ourselves, the pen of inspiration presents him as a faultless character. His life is given us as a bright example of what man may become, even in this life, if he will make God his strength, and wisely improve the opportunities and privileges within his reach [##17|——Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 569.##].

And of course, we have the ultimate example before us in the following statement:

Though He (Christ) had all the strength of passion of humanity, never did He yielded to temptation to do one single act which was not pure and elevating and ennobling [##18|——-In Heavenly Places, p. 155.##].

Were someone to seek my counsel who was experiencing the struggles described by the article in question (as indeed some have), I would never place before that person the unscriptural hope of having evil desires obliterated during the present earthly life. It is no more necessary for one wrestling with LGBT desires to have these urges blotted out, thus eliminating the need to struggle with them, than it would be necessary for one struggling with impatience, a quick temper, heterosexual lust, racial hatred, or materialism to have such proclivities as these blotted out as a means of living a holy life. But it is in fact necessary, through heaven’s power, to deny these urges and choose the Biblical way instead.

Biblical sin is a choice, not an involuntary state. And so is Biblical righteousness. Jesus has shown His followers how to make righteous choices, even when a fallen nature seeks to pull us in the opposite direction. Through the same power available to you and me (Phil. 4:14), our Savior “condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:3-4).

The following words from Ellen White, echoing the promises of Scripture, offer hope to every struggling sinner from the victorious example set by our Lord:

[From a booklet on the subject of sexual immorality.] All are accountable for their actions while upon probation in this world. All have power to control their actions. If they are weak in virtue and purity of thoughts and acts, they can obtain help from the Friend of the helpless. Jesus is acquainted with all the weaknesses of human nature, and if entreated, will give strength to overcome the most powerful temptation [##19|——A Solemn Appeal, p. 78, quoted in Our High Calling, p. 337.##].

God calls upon us to reach the standard of perfection and places before us the example of Christ’s character. In His humanity, perfected by a life of constant resistance of evil, the Saviour showed that through cooperation with Divinity, human beings may in this life attain to perfection of character. This is God’s assurance to us that we, too, may obtain complete victory [##20|——Acts of the Apostles, p. 531.##].

REFERENCES

1. Kevin D. Paulson, “Last Generation Theology and the Homosexual Debate,” ADvindicate, Feb. 20, 2017 https://advindicate.com/articles/2017/2/20/last-generation-theology-and-the-homosexual-debate

2. ----“How Many Definitions?” ADvindicate, May 2, 2024 https://advindicate.com/articles/draft1-9ek5h-yyxsc-xjn22-6c4dg-d2w2w-th86x-rdn8a-tr8je

3. Serenity Saldonado, “Why I Still Dream of Becoming a (Trans) Adventist Pastor,” Spectrum, June 25, 2024 https://spectrummagazine.org/views/why-i-still-dream-of-becoming-a-trans-adventist-pastor/

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid.

6. Ibid.

7. Ibid.

8. Ellen G. White, That I May Know Him, p. 140.

9. Saldonado, “Why I Still Dream of Becoming a (Trans) Adventist Pastor,” Spectrum, June 25, 2024 https://spectrummagazine.org/views/why-i-still-dream-of-becoming-a-trans-adventist-pastor/

10. White, That I May Know Him, p. 140.

11. ----In Heavenly Places, p. 78.

12. Saldonado, “Why I Still Dream of Becoming a (Trans) Adventist Pastor,” Spectrum, June 25, 2024 https://spectrummagazine.org/views/why-i-still-dream-of-becoming-a-trans-adventist-pastor/

13. White, The Adventist Home, pp. 127-128.

14. ----Counsels to Teachers, p. 20.

15. ----Early Writings, p. 71.

16. ----Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 216.

17. Ibid, vol. 4, p. 569.

18. ----In Heavenly Places, p. 155.

19. ----A Solemn Appeal, p. 78, quoted in Our High Calling, p. 337.

20. ----Acts of the Apostles, p. 531.

Pastor Kevin Paulson holds a Bachelor’s degree in theology from Pacific Union College, a Master of Arts in systematic theology from Loma Linda University, and a Master of Divinity from the SDA Theological Seminary at Andrews University. He served the Greater New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for ten years as a Bible instructor, evangelist, and local pastor. He writes regularly for Liberty magazine and does script writing for various evangelistic ministries within the denomination. He continues to hold evangelistic and revival meetings throughout the North American Division and beyond, and is a sought-after seminar speaker relative to current issues in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He presently resides in Berrien Springs, Michigan