Christians and Gender Identity

 

I’ll be honest, when I first went into ministry about 12 years ago, I never imagined I’d be writing a blog like this. But, we’re living in a world that has thrown truth in the trash can and replaced it with whatever our minds can imagine, however real or fake it may be. One of those imaginary things we have dreamt up is the idea of gender identity.

In today’s culture, few topics cause more debates than gender identity. As Christians, we are called to engage these conversations not with fear or hostility, but with wisdom, humility, and love. The Bible may not use modern terminology, but it offers timeless guidance on identity, personhood, and how we relate to one another in a world desperately searching for meaning.

1. God’s Design for Humanity

From the opening pages of Scripture, we see a foundational truth we can't ignore: God created human beings in His image. Genesis 1:27 declares, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

This binary distinction—male and female—is not arbitrary. It is God’s purposeful design. According to the Bible, our gender is a gift from God, not something we assign ourselves. Our identity is rooted in being image-bearers of God, and our bodies (and gender) are part of that identity.

2. The Effects of the Fall

Just as Scripture teaches that God had a design for humanity, it also tells us that creation is not as it was meant to be. Genesis 3 tells the story of humanity’s fall into sin. Since then, every aspect of human life—our bodies, minds, relationships, and desires—has been affected by the results of that sin.

This includes our sense of identity. The feelings of disconnection or dysphoria that some people experience are real and deeply painful. But, they are not a result of the truth of those feelings, rather, they are a result of sin and the deception of the devil. The church must respond not with condemnation but with the compassion of Christ, who understands suffering and invites us all into healing and transformation. When we respond to the sin of the world with love and grace, we reflect Christ to those who desperately need His forgiveness. 

3. Every Person is Valuable

Jesus consistently elevated the dignity of those on the margins. He saw individuals, not groups or profiles of “types” of people. He spoke truth, but He always did so with grace. In John 4, He meets the Samaritan woman at the well and lovingly challenges her sinful lifestyle—not to shame her, but to offer her “living water,” through faith in Him.

This should be our model. Christians are not called to win debates or control culture (good luck trying to do either in this cultural climate); we are called to bear witness to the gospel through how we live, love, and speak. Remember that as you go about your life and encounter those who need Christ.

4. Speaking the Truth in Love

Ephesians 4:15 calls us to “speak the truth in love.” Truth without love becomes harsh and can easily sound hateful. Love without truth becomes hollow and doesn’t have any foundation “anchor.” Christians must hold both together, offering the truth of Scripture without losing the love and compassion of Jesus.

At its heart, the debate surrounding gender identity is about who we are and where we find meaning. Christianity offers a profoundly hopeful answer: You are not a mistake. You are known and loved by a Creator who formed you the way you are on purpose. Your identity is not something you must construct on your own—it is a gift to receive in Christ.

As we navigate this topic, I hope we can be a people who hold fast to the truth of God’s Word and extend the heart of Jesus to everyone we encounter.