Q. I have a fear that I am homosexual. I have never practiced homosexuality with anyone, but I know that I altogether different feelings for young men than I do for girls. While I like girls and am friendly with quite a few, I have no real desire to take them out with me, and really have no interest in marriage at this stage. However, I do sense that I have special feelings towards several other young men. I know homosexuality is wrong, but what can I do about it?

A. First, I am happy to know that you realize that homosexual relationships are not morally right. So many young people today have questions about it, even among those claiming to be Christians.

 But the Bible is clear: "Wherefore God gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between them: "... And likewise also the men, …the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet,"(Romans 1:24, 27).

"If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them" (Leviticus 20:13).

"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders." (1 Corinthians 6:9).

 From your description I would have to agree that you may have homosexual tendencies. The good news is that to be tempted with homosexual behavior is not sin. It is no more sin than to be tempted to have heterosexual relationships outside the marriage bond. So please don't feel guilty about these feelings, but you will need the power of God day by day to keep you from falling into sin. Every morning, ask God to take you and to lead you in the pathway of righteousness. Do not let one day go by without doing this.

Some with homosexual tendencies try marriage as a solution to their dilemma. I would strongly urge against this.

However, I would pray constantly that God would step by step lead you to normal heterosexual relationships. When you know that God has given you the answer to that prayer, then would be the time to think about pursuing a relationship towards marriage.

My prayer is that soon you will be free from the conflict of your temptations. We serve a wonderful and all-powerful God who has promised, "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" (1 Corinthians 10: 13).

Every time you are tempted, claim this promise.