This may be venturing into some extremely difficult areas for all of us. However, as we read the Scriptures, we keep coming across sayings and concepts that are difficult to understand or apply. If they are difficult for us, perhaps they are difficult for you also. Or perhaps some of us just skip over them and do not bother with giving them an extra thought. We are not able to do that, although we admit that sometimes even upon reflection and further prayer and study we remain uncertain about passages or words here and there.
First a disclaimer: This is not a Greek or Hebrew or Aramaic or Latin word study. It is based upon the best translations we have in English and letting Scripture interpret Scripture.
Here goes. We do not undertake any of these exercises to offend anyone’s sensibility or to be controversial. We also do not wish to simply accept at face value someone else’s interpretations and assumptions. If nothing else, we want to prompt all of our readers to prayer and study. Be like the Bereans who did not merely accept Paul at face value but checked the Scriptures to see whether what he was saying was true or not. Likewise, we should do the same and even more so with concepts that seem to be difficult or foreign to our culture or outside our normal experiences or knowledge. Do we hunger after righteousness? Thirst after wisdom?
While reading Jude (ESV), we noticed the word “unnatural” in verse 7, where it says, “just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.” So, we wondered, what is this unnatural desire that is mentioned?
James 4:17 “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
Romans 1:19 “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.”
1 John 2:27 “you have no need for anyone to teach you”
John 14:25 “the Holy Spirit will teach you and bring to remembrance” what God has said.
What are some synonyms of the word unnatural? As an adjective, some are: anomalous, irregular, unusual, odd, non-typical, bizarre. In the context of unnatural desires, that might prompt some to think it relates to cultural norms. If the majority in a culture engages in a practice, it is not irregular or abnormal anymore, is it? Was Jude using “unnatural desires” as a subset of immorality? Or was he meaning something different?
Even though the marriage bed is undefiled, according to Hebrews 13:4, we also know that husbands and wives may sometimes be called upon to give themselves to prayer rather than to each other in marital love. In 1 Corinthians 7:5-15, we are taught in honoring our spouses we may occasionally agree to give ourselves to prayer for a season. Simply saying the marriage bed is undefiled does not mean it is a free-for-all and personal intimacy is all that there is. Commitment to God must be first in every relationship. Following the Spirit is essential in every single aspect of Christian life. If it is not proceeding from Faith, it is sin. Romans 14:23.
When we reference the word unnatural, are we placing a moral content or judgment on the modified word? When we speak of unnatural desires, are we saying there is something “bad” about them? So, in the cultural context only, are we saying “bad” in the sense that it gives no satisfaction of perceived needs? We doubt that culture is the intended use of the word in Scripture. Culture is fluid.
In nature, as humans are built, pleasure is a good value and pain is bad. We do not think that is the measuring rod for this. Most immorality is still pleasurable even if we know it is sin against God or only harmful to relationships. We believe it is more likely than not reference to the moral imperatives of God.
In the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures, the term or its equivalent is used many times. If you read the passages in Leviticus 18:23; 20:12; 20:13; and 20:18, you will see most often the term is used in reference to some sexual conduct, incest, bestiality, or homosexuality. Those uses support the usual conclusions of most teachers and writers of Bible studies that the reference to Sodom and Gomorrah in Jude is a reference to unnatural desire in those physical acts and relationships. But we think there is more to it.
Without negating any of that teaching, we think there is something more at stake and something more significant to which we ought to pay attention.
Immorality covers a lot of ground. If we view the concept of immorality from a God-referenced perspective, then all of the sexual conduct described and condemned in Scripture outside of marriage between a man and a woman would be considered as falling within the definition of immorality. That might also include marital relations in disobedience of God’s call to a season of prayer!
The more we contemplate and consider this in context with the whole of Scripture, we are beginning to think the term “unnatural desire” is something more than a human desire for pleasure that is prohibited by God. We think it refers to all conduct that is not based upon natural desire. Desire is a motivational emotion. We have natural desires to eat, find pleasure, rest, seek companionship, to be entertained or exhilarated and so on throughout human experience. The unnatural desire is more than counterculture or outside the norm of society as we know it at the moment. The unnatural desires are those that are prompted by the unnatural, or rather by what we often refer to as the supernatural or spiritual forces that are contrary to God.
Our battle is not against flesh and blood. To what battle is Paul referring? We think it is the battle to submit or rebel. It is the same battle that began for man in the garden with the temptation to exalt our own minds above the knowledge of God as to what is good and what is evil. Our battle is a spiritual one and we have been given the weapons and armor to prevail because Jesus first prevailed for us. We know that there are spiritual beings in rebellion and whose desires are against God and His plan. Let us not be part of that rebellion or give in to any covetous desire, idolatry, or witchcraft. God provides.
We believe the unnatural desires are those prompted by the very Tempter who deceived Eve and bewildered Adam to sin. Even that which is wholesome and pleasurable and approved in a special relationship may be perverted to an unnatural desire when it is violating the will of God. If we live in the Spirit yet disobey or rebel against the leading of the Spirit, we may at that point of contention give in to an unnatural desire, prompted by the enemy of our souls. So be discerning.
Obey the Word and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Let His Love and Holiness guide us in every relationship.
Men Following Jesus 