Overcoming Our Natural Inclinations

Having received the free gift of God, the Christian is empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome all temptations—regardless of whether or not he may have a genetic pre-disposition toward it. First Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” This is God’s promise to every Christian. Whether it be gender confusion, homosexual inclinations, heterosexual temptations, anger, pride, gossip, bitterness, worry, or any other temptation, we are promised enough strength to overcome it if we so choose, and if we will stand strong in our resistance. As James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

From the very beginning, humanity has sought to absolve itself of responsibility for its actions, but the brutal truth is that we alone are responsible for our behavior. Regardless of whether gender dysphoria is something with which a person is born, gender dysphoric behavior is sin. Every person is responsible to submit their passions and natural inclinations to the will of God. Therefore, we would do well to follow the apostle Paul’s exhortation in 1 Timothy 6:11–15:

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time.

Whether or not there is a natural cause to transgenderism, it remains a rejection of God’s intended design for His creation. As such, it is immoral behavior—even if it is our natural inclination. Fortunately, God has offered us His Holy Spirit as a means of empowering us to overcoming our inclinations and to align our minds, desires, and behavior with God’s desire for His creation.