Christians will often specify that they are talking about “practising homosexuals” because having an orientation is not a sin. It is the actions that are sinful, not simply the desire. It is not a sin to be tempted. Even Jesus was severely tempted.
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin.
It is giving into the temptation that is sinful.
It is true that the Bible does not talk about a homosexual orientation. All of the biblical passages that deal with homosexuality deal with the actions. It is those who lie with men as with women who are condemned. Romans 6 talks about shameful lusts that lead to shameful acts and “doing what ought not be done”. 1 Corinthians 6 talks about “men who have sex with men” and 1 Timothy 1 refers to the sexually immoral and those practising homosexuality.
God does not condemn those who are tempted to do wrong but those who actually do what is wrong.
It is important to notice that entertaining and enjoying a temptation, even if only in one’s thoughts, is an action. Lustful thoughts go beyond simply being tempted, to fostering that temptation. “I cannot stop the birds flying overhead but I can stop them nesting in my hair.” Sinful thoughts will come but we should not let them take up residence.
The church does not condemn those attracted to people of their own sex. In fact, where they remain chaste, the church would greatly honour their integrity and strength in remaining faithful to Jesus. There would be no reason why they could not serve as leaders within the church if they were otherwise qualified.
Where they struggle with the temptation and sometimes fail, the church would still want to love them and stand with them in their struggle.
But when people yield to the temptation or feel entitled to indulge their sin, the situation is entirely different. It is the idea that people can practice their homosexuality and apparently feel no conflict between their Christian profession and their conduct, that concerns Christians.
Contrary to popular thinking that says that if someone is inclined towards a certain sin, that person must be allowed to indulge it, in the Bible, inclination is irrelevant. If one does what is sinful, one is sinning.