Homosexuality is a sin, according to the Bible

Thanks to PRO for his opening thoughts and great reference. The definition of homosexuality used (and not challenged above) has two parts. The first part refers to SEXUAL DESIRE FOR THE SAME SEX. The second part refers to sexual intercourse or what I will refer to as SEXUAL ACTIONS. I agree with PRO that sexual actions with a same sex partner are forbidden. This is only a part of his claim. Pro is claiming that ACTIONS and DESIRE are both sin. PRO is clearly mistaken DESIRE for sexual fulfilment with a same sex partner is a temptation, not a sin. Desire or Temptation is not a sin. Matthew 4:1 - Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Mark 1:12-13 - The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. Luke 4:1-2 - And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. Hebrews 4:15 - For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. In James 1:14-15 we read about the progression from DESIRE to ACTION. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. DESIRE (a constant in our lives) leads to temptation as opportunity presents itself. DESIRE + opportunity gives us the choice of how we ACT. If we give in and ACT on those wicked temptations we SIN. If this is not clear, look at the context (James 1:12-13) which says a man is blessed if he resists the temptation. When he has stood the test he receives the crown of life. 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. The first list of verses quoted in the CARM reference point to the ACTIONS as sinful, not the DESIRE. (Otherwise temptation itself would be a sin) Lev. 18:22, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination."1 Lev. 20:13, "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltness is upon them" Rom. 1:26-28, "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper." These are all about ACTIONS. One reference need further examination. 1 Cor. 6:9-10, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God." Fornicators - ACTION - Definition of FORNICATE - to commit fornication Idolaters - ACTION - Definition of IDOLATER - a worshiper of idols Adulterers - ACTION - Definition of ADULTERER - a person who commits adultery; Thieves - ACTION - Definition of THIEF - one that steals There are two non action words in this English list - effeminate, and homosexuals Lets check if other translations than the one quoted in CARM shed any light on this The ESV calls them "nor men who practice homosexuality" - ACTION The HCSB calls them " anyone practicing homosexuality" - ACTION this comes with the footnote - 1 Corinthians 6:9 Lit adulterers, passive homosexual partners, active homosexual partners The CEV renders it this way - "or is a pervert or behaves like a homosexual" - ACTION The LEB is most clear on this - " nor passive homosexual partners, nor dominant homosexual partners", and again it is about action. The definition of homosexuality used (and not challenged above) has two parts. The first part refers to SEXUAL DESIRE FOR THE SAME SEX. The second part refers to sexual intercourse or what I will refer to as SEXUAL ACTIONS. PRO is clearly mistaken to call both DESIRE and ACTION SIN. Homosexual desire, as a life long orientation or an occasional impulse is a temptation to be mastered. James 1:12 teaches us "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him" Fighting the temptation is not a sin, but a challenge that brings blessing.