A few summers ago, a friend sent me this photo of the word PRIDE prominently displayed outside a church. Pride is the root of all sins, but historically most people have been ashamed of their sins, not proud of them. And that gives the hope of repentance and turning to Christ for forgiveness. But to commit or endorse sin (including greed, gossip, gluttony, and self-righteousness, as well as sexual sins) and then publicly declare pride in it, is not only sad, but frightening, in light of the prospect of God’s judgment. It is picking a fight with Almighty God, who has never lost a fight, and never will.
We don’t need a pride month. We need a humility month in which we align ourselves as with God, not against Him. “…be clothed with humility, for ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:5-6).
Every false worldview is a death-giving alternative to the life-giving gospel of God’s kingdom. God’s charge to the Apostle Paul was to go to the Gentiles, “to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me’” (Acts 26:18). May we pray for God to do the same in the lives of so many today who desperately need to turn from darkness to light, from hopelessness to the eternal hope Jesus offers. (I shared a series of articles on my blog related to gender confusion, and how we can respond with grace and truth. They remain timely, and I hope you’ll take the time to read them.)
Author and pastor Garrett Kell shared these four opportunities we have to respond to Pride Month:
June uniquely provides many opportunities for Christians to be light in a dark world.
1. Opportunity to pray for God to save the lost.
Colossians 4:3-4 – “…pray…that God may open to us a door for the word” God calls all people, gay or straight, to repent of sin and trust in Christ. Pray for open doors to declare the good news that Jesus died and rose to forgive all sorts of sinners.
2. Opportunity to answer questions from those in the LGBTQ community.
1 Peter 3:15 – “…honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
Believers should be ready to kindly, compassionately, and courageously explain from Scripture why we believe God’s design of humanity, gender, and sex are good and joy-giving. We should also be ready to explain that someone’s sexual orientation is not the most important part of who they are, but rather knowing Jesus is what matters most.
3. Opportunity for struggling Christians to get help from the church.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 – “…admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.”
Pride month can present a unique season of temptation for believers who struggle with same sex attraction or who have come out from a gay lifestyle. The church must be a refuge for the struggling so they can receive help to continue walking with Jesus.
4. Opportunity for Christians to suffer for Jesus’s sake.
1 Peter 4:12-13 – “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.”
For many Christians, Pride Month brings pointed times of persecution. Family members may malign you, employers may pressure you, and friends may cancel you. Dear believer, never be ashamed to stand with Jesus and suffer for His Name. He is worthy of whatever following Him may cost you.
