American Family News (“AFN”) recently published an article regarding Australia’s second-most populous state, Victoria, which has taken intolerance of biblical sexuality to a whole new level, telling its residents they can only pray for their LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors using an approved script.
The Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021 (“Act”) which went into effect during August 2022, specifies which prayers are allowed and which are banned – in any setting, with or without a “gay” person hearing the prayer. A PDF copy of the Act may also be viewed or download HERE.
Forbidden prayers include “petitions to God that ask for healing, or ask for a person to change, or ask for a person not to act on their attractions, or talk about a person’s brokenness or need to repent.”
The AFN article may be read in full HERE.
My brothers and sisters, this Australian law is shocking. Even a quick skimming of the Act makes it exceedingly clear that Victoria’s civil government has formally, and as a matter of law, established that the gospel of Jesus Christ is, essentially, null and void, and that the only authorized prayers are those which affirm sexual sin. To do otherwise is punishable under the law. Please read the Act and see for yourself that this is not an exaggeration!
For example, the Act defines “change or suppression practice” (see Page 7) as:
1) In this Act, a change or suppression practice means a practice or conduct directed towards a person, whether with or without the person’s consent—
(a) on the basis of the person’s sexual orientation or gender identity; and
(b) for the purpose of—
(i) changing or suppressing the sexual orientation or gender identity of the person; or
(ii) inducing the person to change or suppress their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Note that in the above definition, taking any action to change one’s view of LGBTQ+ sexuality, with or WITHOUT the person’s consent, is considered violative. This is nothing short of state-mandated control of personal liberties, thought and even the church!
Why mention this now? Well, as stated in the article, there are undoubtedly those who would find this sort of law acceptable in civil government right here in the United States. If there was a case to be made for God-fearing men and women to lead and participate in civil government, this is it.
As the bible says, God is love (see 1 John 4:7-8). The word of God is instructive and does not change (see Proverbs 30:5-6, Hebrews 13:8 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Father’s instruction for His children is always for our best, including matters involving sexual behavior. The bible calls believers to love our neighbors (see Mark 12:29-32) and even our enemies (see Matthew 5:43-45), but we should never allow this sort of law to come to fruition in the U.S. It is deceit. It brings harm. It leads persons away from the truth of God. It comes straight from the evil one himself (see John 10:10).
Here are the above-referenced scriptures:
1 John 4:7-8 (NKJV)
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love [emphasis mine].”
Proverbs 30:5-6 (NKJV)
“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, [l]est He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”
Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Mark 12:29-32 (NLT)
Jesus replied, “[t]he most important commandment is this: ‘[l]isten, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘[l]ove your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
Matthew 5:43-45 (NKJV)
Love Your Enemies
“You have heard that it was said, ‘[y]ou shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
John 10:10 (NKJV)
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
Praise Jesus forevermore!
