Sorry, but I need advice and opinions here. What does it say in the bible about transgenderism? I ask this because I have seen many Christians embrace this transgenderism thing, as well as inclusion for LGBTQ people and acceptance. Please do not interpret this is gay bashing or hate, I just feel perplexed because I know that God made humans both man and woman, and that there is no such thing as "cisgender" and such. But now everyone seems to believe that there can be male brains in female bodies and vice versa. If its mental illness, how are we supposed to gracefully dialogue with Christians who seem to think "love is love" and that picking your gender is normal? I don't want to judge at all and say they are not Christians, because I know I suck at being a Christian sometimes. I don't want to make enemies. But I actually get angry seeing people I respect embrace this madness and even tolerate abortion and gay marriage. How can I react? How do I know I am not doing the devil's work by rejecting that behavior?
(warning lost post, sorry I'm just pretty passionate on this topic since I've dealt with it personally)
React with understanding and peace.
There is a difference between someone who reacts to things off of emotion and confusion versus with understanding and peace. So before diving in end first to a rabbit hole of ideologies, and what people say about politics, take a breather, step back from the edge of the cliff a bit, and lets just observe the big picture of these agendas.
Transgenderism, cisgender, gay marriage, we can even throw in BLM, feminism, all these pressing issues on sexuality and gender all have to deal with one common theme: identity. This is why identity politics works really well, because people are looking for ways to have their identities be accommodated. Although the far right have predicted that starting that will be like the avalanche now, they as a whole have fail to properly address it. They can't because whatever solution they will come up with isn't hitting the root. Just like whatever the far left are suggesting aren't addressing the root. The root is that this world without God will naturally reject the image of God for the image of man, they will worship creations rather than the creation, they are not thankful to God of what they are given, and its to a point where God gave up people to this world to their own desires, to their own idols, to create false identities of who they are and what they are suppose to portray, and are pushing for others to accept them (Romans 1:17-31). This is the curse of the agendas dealing with identities, people become their own corruptable gods. But even with all that, they can be saved.
The whole mental illness in transgenders, male brain, gay gene, foolishness are just distorted ways to make people feel abnormal or special or rebels, which to me is a twisted way to feed people's egoes. People are in sinful nature across the board, they are operating in ways that someone rule by their flesh would, that's why it feels natural, as if they were born that way, even if they don't know the source of their desires. And as long as this world continues to distort the narrative of what it means to be image-bearers, its going to continue to be a world where identity is ambiguous and up in the air. The media portrays them as happy, but really, all that searching and changing I don't see a peace there.
So once you clear away all the fluff, the masks, the political correctness, and the cobwebs, all of them are just people who are having internal struggle with identity. Everyone has that. Some more than others, and some will express it more than others.Some desires are easier than others to give up. That's why Jesus said, if any man comes after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
( Matthews 16:24).In short, whatever sinful nature you were born in and identified with, you have to kill it and be born into a new identity, bearing the image of Christ. No amount of law changes or identity morphing is going to give them peace, Jesus will.
This is where understanding and peace from you will come in. Understanding God's intent for them, as men, as women, and as image-bearers, you have to approach in with understanding that they no matter how boastful they might be in sin, are still in sin and since their is no Truth there, they are essentially living with a false sense of peace. If someone is in distress, two things not to do is cater their distress (like the far left) and produce a hostile environment for them to be more in distress ( like the far right). Best way to approach them is to show them true peace, show them love and safety, stand in Truth when needed, teach with love and patience when the opportunity arises, and pray when they are not in contact. Treat them like any other friend and just be there to listen.
Alot of times, the problem is not directing the very false identity they have created, but its the environment that has cater to it, internally and externally. Pride, greed, heartbreak, trauma, and so many other things can create the perfect storm. So also give them time to talk about it, and listen to them. They all have their stories. The world is giving them illusions that they actually care about them as people, by providing "listening ears" and cradling them, but its false security and it is damning their very souls.Be sensitive of that, that they are coming out of a world and identity that they holding on to as precious as life itself, they are coming to you as blind men, but don't be fooled that it is what will bring them to a point of peace. So be the light, thats all you can do, and trust God will bring them through.
