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Help with brother

nicknack

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Hi, I'm afraid to ask anyone. I have this feeling that my brother might be homosexual. He's only 14. I certainly hope this is not true. But there are times when I ask him about girls and dating, he whispers he is gay.

There was another occasion, he mentioned that he should have gone to this school because they have many gays. Whether or not it was joking, I find myself afraid that it may be true. He is young and he does not know the ramifications of making such a decision and I admit that I myself struggled with these thoughts.

I'm very close to my brother, and I need some advice please help. :help:
 

Dondi

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I'm going to assume that you are not much older than your brother, that you are still in your teens. Puberty is a time when there are many things going on physically, mentally, and spiritually. You are in your formative years. Adn it is easy to get influenced over many things. I already see that you are being influenced by your brother as your are starting to have these feelings as well.

The Bible unequivocally states that Homosexual relations are a sin. Many will argue that people are born homosexual, but I would argue that these are spiritual forces all around the lurks to destroy people in not just homosexuallty, but any kind of deviant sexulality, any form of sin that these forces beleive will best attract their victims. The Bible says that Satan goes to a fro seeking to whom He may devour (I Peter 5:8), so those who are weak in faith are particularly susceptable.

If you read this thread, you'll see an extreme case where someone who has had nothing but heterosexual feelings sudden being tempted into homosexuality:

http://www.christianforums.com/t2656320-my-story-with-my-bizzare-neighbor.html

The point to remember is that there is no temptation that is not common to man:

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." - I Cor. 10:13

But God promises a way fo escape. Paul had a struggle in sin in Romans 7. We need to run to God and fall on our knees and admit our weakness over whatever temtation we have and ask for God's Spirit to break the hold that the sin has of us. See how Paul followed up with Romans 8:

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, 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.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." - Romans 8:1-11

We must abide in God's Spirit, We must abide in Christ for His spirit to be made manifest (John 14:21). We must be willing to obey God.

God has given us His Word that we may be renewed in our minds (Romans 12:1-2) and that we may immerse ourselves and be cleansed from sin (Psalms 119:9-11) .

God's Spirit will operate according to His Word and our obedience to it. Jesus saved us from our sins and He saved us from the power of sin ath it may not have power over us.

You have to forsake these feelings and implore you brother the same. Nothing is too late. God is able to save you from you sin and the power of sin. But you must act upon it quickly lest that sin become so strong that you becomse so wrapped around it that it would be more difficult to break. But where sin abounds, grace much more abounds.

Seek God quickly, is my advise to you, my friend.
 
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nicknack

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Dondi said:
I'm going to assume that you are not much older than your brother, that you are still in your teens. Puberty is a time when there are many things going on physically, mentally, and spiritually. You are in your formative years. Adn it is easy to get influenced over many things. I already see that you are being influenced by your brother as your are starting to have these feelings as well.

The Bible unequivocally states that Homosexual relations are a sin. Many will argue that people are born homosexual, but I would argue that these are spiritual forces all around the lurks to destroy people in not just homosexuallty, but any kind of deviant sexulality, any form of sin that these forces beleive will best attract their victims. The Bible says that Satan goes to a fro seeking to whom He may devour (I Peter 5:8), so those who are weak in faith are particularly susceptable.

If you read this thread, you'll see an extreme case where someone who has had nothing but heterosexual feelings sudden being tempted into homosexuality:

http://www.christianforums.com/t2656320-my-story-with-my-bizzare-neighbor.html

The point to remember is that there is no temptation that is not common to man:

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." - I Cor. 10:13

But God promises a way fo escape. Paul had a struggle in sin in Romans 7. We need to run to God and fall on our knees and admit our weakness over whatever temtation we have and ask for God's Spirit to break the hold that the sin has of us. See how Paul followed up with Romans 8:

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, 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.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." - Romans 8:1-11

We must abide in God's Spirit, We must abide in Christ for His spirit to be made manifest (John 14:21). We must be willing to obey God.

God has given us His Word that we may be renewed in our minds (Romans 12:1-2) and that we may immerse ourselves and be cleansed from sin (Psalms 119:9-11) .

God's Spirit will operate according to His Word and our obedience to it. Jesus saved us from our sins and He saved us from the power of sin ath it may not have power over us.

You have to forsake these feelings and implore you brother the same. Nothing is too late. God is able to save you from you sin and the power of sin. But you must act upon it quickly lest that sin become so strong that you becomse so wrapped around it that it would be more difficult to break. But where sin abounds, grace much more abounds.

Seek God quickly, is my advise to you, my friend.
I'm 18 this year. I understand the things going on through puberty, I have been through this phase as well but at least I knew how to reason with myself that it's wrong and I considered over it wisely and had asked people about it. I am glad I am mostly out of this struggle.

What I cannot come to accept is how he can be so mildy open about it, not reasoning it with himself. I am afraid to be frank with him and I'm afraid of the truth. He's only 14 and I certainly don't want him to be gay.
 
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Dondi

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nicknack said:
I'm 18 this year. I understand the things going on through puberty, I have been through this phase as well but at least I knew how to reason with myself that it's wrong and I considered over it wisely and had asked people about it. I am glad I am mostly out of this struggle.

What I cannot come to accept is how he can be so mildy open about it, not reasoning it with himself. I am afraid to be frank with him and I'm afraid of the truth. He's only 14 and I certainly don't want him to be gay.

You need to be in constant vigil prayer for your brother. At his age, he is vunerable to all kinds of temptations, as you probably already experience. What kind of christian influences does he have in his life. Does he attend church? Is he interested in spiritual things? Is he even saved? Are you saved for that matter?

If you want the power of Christ in your life, you must be born again in the Spirit of God. This is how God saves you, not only from eternal damnation to eternal life, but also from the sin that besets you.
 
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c1ners

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Have you tried having a heart to heart with him?
Tell him about your struggle, and also explain to him
about the bible, and what it says.
Let him know that you love him, and you're very concerned about him.
Please don't be judgmental or that may drive him further away.
Just explain your case. Firmly.
And don't forget to let him know that you love him regardless of the choice he makes.
 
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nicknack

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My family does not go to church very often. As much as we are christians at heart, we don't pray/read the bible or even go to church often.

I believe it is puberty and unclean temptations that led him to this road. It is 3am here and he is sleeping now, any advice on how to break the question to my brother?
 
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Dondi

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nicknack said:
If he says he is, how do I talk to him?

Don't wake him up, brother. Wait until morning.

But you need right off to let him know that you love him no matter what he says. Something like this:

"Hey brother, I have a question to ask you. But before I ask it, I just want to let you know that no matter what you say, I still love you and care for you. OK?

The question I want to ask you is 'Are you gay?'"

Now if he hesitates at this point, you might want to say.

"Cause if you are, it's cool with me. I won't tell a soul. I still love you, man"

Something like that. He might still deny it. If he does, but you still suspect, you can say,

"Hey, no matter what. If you ever want to tell me, I'm right here. I won't condemn you."
 
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Dondi

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nicknack said:
That seems a little strong, but I'll try when he returns from school tommorrow.

You are gonna have to open up to him sometime. My point is to be gentle and supportive, even if you don't like what he's doing. Be sure to pray hard for him before you talk to him. My prayers are with you, my friend.
 
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c1ners

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Dondi said:
Don't wake him up, brother. Wait until morning.

But you need right off to let him know that you love him no matter what he says. Something like this:

"Hey brother, I have a question to ask you. But before I ask it, I just want to let you know that no matter what you say, I still love you and care for you. OK?

The question I want to ask you is 'Are you gay?'"

Now if he hesitates at this point, you might want to say.

"Cause if you are, it's cool with me. I won't tell a soul. I still love you, man"

Something like that. He might still deny it. If he does, but you still suspect, you can say,

"Hey, no matter what. If you ever want to tell me, I'm right here. I won't condemn you."

I agree with this post.
Or you could start off talking to him about someone else who is gay. (even if it is a pretend person). Help him to open up a little. Jumping right into it may put him in a defensive mode.

Maybe something like: Hey brother, I have a friend that I think is gay. How do you think I should approach him about it? He won't know you're talking about him. He'll feel comfortable and maybe open up.
 
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BoranJarami

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This may be a little late if you have already talked to him, but I'll post it anyway.

You must remember that there are a number of reasons that he might be saying these things. He may have decided that he is homosexual. He may simply be trying to pull your leg. ( to this one, does he mention these things to other people? If he were simply pulling your leg he would probably only be saying these things to you) But there is another possibility. It may be that he has had struggles with homosexual thoughts, as is terrified by it. Joking with you about it may be his way of dealing with it.

Also, don't get into a conversation if he is not going to be serious about it. If he starts to crack jokes or act overly "homosexual" chances are he is not ready for a serious conversation and it would be pointless. If this is the case then keep praying and waite for him to be ready.

If he is serious about being a homosexual, then ask him why he thinks this. If it is because he has had homosexual thoughts, then tell him about how you have had these thoughts and that you are not gay. If you get to a point where you don't know what to say, thank him for being honest with you, that you need some time to think about it, and that you would like to talk about it latter if he is willing. It is important not to force him into anything, this will probably backfire.

I will be praying for you both, that he is open to honest discussion and that you have the words to tell him and the strength to say them.
 
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