Hello. I not too long ago rededicated my life to Christ and was baptized in church. I need your help. I am gay and know that sleeping with another man is a sin; for that reason I have taken a vow of celibacy. I know that God has forgiven me, but the attraction is still there. I will not debate the fact that I was born that way. I just accept that because we all are born into sin and I can not change that, but I can chose who I sleep with. I found another Brother in Christ who is going thru the same thing and we look to each other for support. We are both gay and we know it is wrong. I do not think it would be fair for me to try to seek a heterosexual relationship with a woman because it would not be fair to her. I am HIV POZ and I think the thorn in my side has only made me closer to God. What should I do? I think this friendship I am developing is a good one because we both put God first and have so much in common. Can you give me some suggestions? GOD BLESS YOU for you time.
Answer
The biggest help I can be to you is to pray for you, which I am doing.
Beyond that, I would suggest that you do just what you are doing. Rely on God to help you to live a life free of giving in to this temptation. Rely on your friend and others in the church to help you. It is good that you have someone who is going through the same thing. You can help each other. When one is tempted, the other knows what they are going through and can provide support that others may not be able to give.
If you are HIV positive it is a good idea that you have determined to be celibate. It would not be fair (or in some places legal) to expose another to that disease. It will not be easy, but with God's help you can do it.
Another possible help for you would be to become involved, if you are not already, in teaching others about the God who could forgive you of all your sins. Particularly, you are in an ideal position to be of help to those who have committed the same acts as you and especially those who are suffering from the same disease. A few months ago a man at our congregation died of an AIDS related illness. He was happier after his baptism than he had ever been in his life. And he showed that to others he met, who were HIV positive or not. It helped him to live for Christ by living to show Christ to others. Perhaps that is a lesson we all need to learn.