A Pilgrim's Guide Through Pride Month
“Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)
As you know, June is Pride Month. Before I was in ministry, I worked in HR at a very progressive Fortune 500 company, so I’m well aware of how difficult this month can be as a disciple of Jesus. Just like Bunyan’s Pilgrim, each June we travel through our own modern version of Vanity Fair (we even have a magazine!). So I want to share some thoughts that might serve as a guide to help you faithfully navigate this month in a Christian way.
Here’s a few guideposts to help you along the way.
Guidepost #1 - Timeless & Timely
One of our commitments as a church is to being both “Timeless & Timely” (go here for more on this topic). In this instance, we want to be timely and engage the culture around us, and yet we want that engagement to be shaped by the timeless truth of scripture.
In 1999, June was officially recognized as “Gay & Lesbian Pride Month” by President Clinton. In 2009, President Obama changed it to “LGBT Pride Month”. And in 2021, President Biden declared June to be “LGBTQ Pride Month”. It seems that this month is a magnet that continues to attract more and more vices that we’re proud of. As Paul said, they are “inventors of evil” (Romans 1:30).
To key to this guidepost is simple: we can’t ignore Pride Month. We can’t stick our heads in the sand and act like it doesn’t exist. We need to be timely in our response to the unbelieving world around us. But before we can consider how to respond, we need to more fully understand the problem. Which leads to our next guidepost.
Guidepost #2 - Root & Fruit
The key to understanding the problem of Pride Month (and most of our problems, really) is the ability to differentiate root and fruit. For instance, if you’re trying to deal with weeds in your garden, taking scissors and clipping off their leaves won’t do much good. You have to rip them up by the roots. And it’s same with sin, whether on an individual or societal level.
We can distinguish the root from the fruit in this situation by examining the phrase itself: “Gay Pride”. What’s the root? Pride. What’s the fruit of that pride? Homosexual desires and behavior.
This is crucially important, because if we only focus our attention on the behavior itself, we’ll miss the deeper heart issue. Even if we convince someone to become heterosexual, if the pride isn’t dealt with, it’ll just manifest itself in new and different ways. Same root, different fruit.
So as we interact with those who disagree with us this month, remember to focus on the root problem: human pride and arrogance. The sinful behavior and lifestyle is a significant problem, but that problem won’t be solved until the Holy Spirit replaces the pride of their hearts with humility before the holy God.
But how should we interact with unbelievers this month? That leads to our third and final guidepost.
Guidepost #3 - Soft Hearts & Steel Spines
As Christians, we need to have soft hearts and steel spines. We need to be people of both compassion and conviction, people who pursue love and truth.
As those with soft hearts, we need to combat pride with our own humility. When interacting with members/allies of the LGBTQ movement, be humble. Ask questions. Listen well. We need to see our unbelieving neighbors through the lens of Christ’s compassion. They are lost in sin. They are deceived and enslaved. They are destroying themselves. And we have good news to share with them! So we should have the same reputation of our Lord: “the friend of sinners”!
And, as those with steel spines, we need to approach this month with deep, convictional resolve about the timeless truth of the scriptures. We need to know God’s law which exposes sin, and know Christ’s Gospel which redeems sinners. We should “take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Ephesians 5:11). We should expect conflict and confrontation, and pray for the courage and boldness we need to stand firm in the evil day.
We need soft hearts and steel spines, just like Jesus, the Slain Lamb and Conquering Lion!
May the Lord bless you and keep you during this month, and to eternity!
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)
Resources:
Are We Living Out Romans 1? - Rosaria Butterfield (Article)
“Romans 1 is the true Christian’s guide as we seek to live for Christ in this post-Obergefell world. A person’s well-being is never disconnected from truth, because truth is not only true, it is better, it is beautiful, it is ethical, and it is lovely.”
Christian Resources for Pride Month - Brandt Van Roekel (Article)
“In order to help you think through these issues, I’d like to share a few resources with you that may be helpful as you think about loving and engaging your neighbours with the love of Christ, while courageously holding onto the unique life-giving teaching of Scripture.”
Why I no longer use Transgender Pronouns—and Why You shouldn’t, either - Rosaria Butterfield (Article)
“A civil war erupted within broad evangelicalism, and the idol of LGBTQ+ is dividing the house. This issue is personal, political, and spiritual for me. In 1998, I became one of the first crop of so-called “tenured radicals” in American universities, proudly touting my lesbian street cred. In 1999, Christ called me to repentance and belief, and I became a despised defector of the LGBTQ+ movement. But progressive sanctification came slowly, and I have failed many times during these past decades.
After I have learned lessons, I have earnestly tried to course-correct.
And that’s the problem.
My use of transgendered pronouns was not a mistake; it was sin.”
Is God Anti-Gay? - Sam Allberry (Book)
“Is it ok to be gay and Christian? Does the Bible really say that homosexuality is wrong? Is sexual orientation fundamental to identity? This sensitive exploration of the Bible’s teaching on sexuality has been written to help both Christians and non-Christians struggling with the Bible's teaching on this issue, whether they experience same-sex attraction themselves or not.”
The New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality - Christopher J. Gordon (Booklet)
“This catechism is intended to be used devotionally around the table, providing an opportunity for parents to talk with their children about these issues. This catechism is also intended to provide opportunities for Bible studies, Sunday school classes, and sermon series for pastors in addressing the current challenges surrounding human sexuality.”
P.S. If you’ve read this far, after having a serious discussion about Pride Month, here’s a tongue in cheek bible reading plan for June!