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Answer
We reside in a perplexed and fallen world, and this confusion pervades all aspects, making even the simplest inquiries challenging for some individuals. Certain individuals assert they were born with the incorrect gender, or at least in the wrong body. A man might believe he is truly a female, but his essence is “trapped” in a male body. Such assertions garner support from those advocating for a “gender-neutral” society. However, those who perceive gender distinctions as mere arbitrary labels or a confining “box” are actively rejecting God’s intentional design in creation.
Central to our comprehension of human sexuality is the fact that God created two (and only two) sexes. Presently, society tends to separate gender (a social construct) from sex (based on physical characteristics), but the Bible does not make such differentiations. The Bible simplifies the world’s confusion by stating: “Male and female He created them” «So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. », (Genesis 1:27). All contemporary speculations about multiple genders—or even a gender “spectrum” with limitless genders—are not supported by the Bible. An individual may identify as transgender or “gender-fluid,” but that does not negate God’s deliberate design and purpose in their creation.
Children growing up in this bewildering world are inundated with messages of uncertainty. Young boys are informed they are not confined to being boys; girls are informed they may not truly be girls. They are told that their self-perception determines their identity—whether boy, girl, or a blend of both. The world conveys that it is inconsequential. The perplexity and ambiguity are reinforced through various means: gender-neutral events at school, the prohibition of terms like boys and girls in the educational environment, the rise of unisex restrooms.Rooms, curricula that promote homosexual marriage, etc. It’s no surprise that some individuals struggle with their sexual identity as they grow up. However, our Lord cautioned against leading children astray: “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble’” (Luke 17:1-2).
Certain individuals today claim that they have “felt like the opposite gender since they were children.” But how can one be certain of that? What are they using as a reference for their feelings? People’s feelings are based on their own experiences, and what feels “normal” to each individual. Any comparisons to others’ feelings would be purely speculative. Some individuals may come to believe that they “felt like the opposite gender” at some point, but they lack a true point of comparison.
With enough influence, any of us could be persuaded to identify more with the opposite gender. Frequently, specific individuals are categorized as cross-gendered due to natural differences in behavior and reactions, and these individuals retroactively fit this idea into their understanding of their childhood.
However, this reinterpretation of one’s childhood differs from simply desiring to be another gender. A person may wish to be the opposite gender for various reasons, but that desire alone does not change their internal reality. A parent could instill such a desire in a child, or a child might observe advantages enjoyed by the opposite gender and wish for them. Just as a child might wish to be seven feet tall, it does not alter the actuality.
The Bible states that God created “male and female” and declared His creation “very good” «So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. », (Genesis 1:27,31) «And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.», (Genesis 1:27,31). God’s plan was perfect, but, as with everything in mankind’s sphere, perfection was corrupted by sin. Sin negatively impacted the entirety of creation, hurting not only humanity’s relationship with God, but also with one another and the rest of the created order. Our world is fallen, and the effects of sin permeate everything. Diseases, birth defects, natural disasters, sinful acts, and the negative results of others’ sin and our own sin can all be traced back to the fall. Sometimes these negative effects come in the form of naturally occurring anomalies; other times they are more directly traced to specific sin. Could an anomaly sometimes occur in gender, physically or mentally? We acknowledge that a person can be born with a combination of male and female organs—although one’s true, biological sex can be determined through medical tests.
This we know, that we are involved in a spiritual battle for our souls. The world seeks to conform us to its mold, which is why we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2). Satan attempts to deceive us and urges us to question God’s plan. One of the devil’s ploys is to make us dissatisfied with how God made us. To some, he whispers, “You’re fat and ugly.” To others, “You’re stupid and clumsy.” And to still others, “You look like a boy, but you’re really a girl.” In each case, the underlying message is the same: “God messed up on you.”
This we also know, that the whole creation groans for release from the curse and damage of sin (Romans 8:20-22). The ruin wrought by sin is addressed through the redemption of Christ. Through salvation, sin’s hold is broken, and the promise of restoration and renewal is offered to all who believe.
In salvation, Jesus Christ grants us forgiveness of sin, reverses the effect of our poor choices, and compensates for our brokenness.
Each of us faces a different set of battles. Yet Christ sets us on the path to victory. Hebrews 12:1–2 states, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The cross is key. Jesus pioneered our faith, and He will perfect it. His victory will be ours as well.
Some may battle heterosexual temptation, greed, pride, anger, or any number of sins. Someone else may battle gender confusion. Regardless of the battle with sin and the devil’s lies, the question we must answer is, “Is Christ and His redemptive work sufficient for our battles?” Jesus definitely claims to be sufficient for any and all of our battles, and He desires to sanctify us through His Word of truth «Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. », (John 17:17).
As children of God, we should be content in this life (Philippians 4:11;2 Corinthians 12:10). We realize that we all have limitations, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. But through Christ those limitations will not interfere with the plan God has for us to honor Him and serve Him. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” « Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. », (Luke 12:32).
If a person feels he or she has been born as the wrong gender, the answer is not gender-reaAssignment surgery, hormone therapy, cross-dressing, and similar practices are merely worldly ways of conforming to the devil’s lies. “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth” «rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; », (1 Corinthians 13:6). God does not err. Individuals who believe they were born in the wrong body must, above all, encounter the transformative power of Christ. By “participating in the divine nature,” we can evade “the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” «whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. », (2 Peter 1:4).
