The Rainbow is God's Promise, Not Human Pride

As we enter June, many people worldwide celebrate Pride Month. This annual event promotes visibility, acceptance, and equality for the LGBTQ+ community. However, as Christians, it is crucial to remember that while love and inclusivity are at the core of our faith, celebrating Pride and using the rainbow as a symbol for it does not align with God’s teachings. The rainbow holds much more profound significance in the Bible – it is a sign of God’s promise, not a symbol of pride.

When we think of the rainbow, the first image that often comes to mind is the story of Noah and the flood in the book of Genesis. After the great flood, God promised Noah and all living creatures on earth, symbolized by the rainbow, that He would never again flood the earth. This promise was a sign of God’s grace and love for His creation. However, over time, the rainbow has been co-opted and used as a symbol for the LGBTQ+ community, causing controversy and confusion among Christians.

The use of the rainbow as a symbol of pride contradicts the biblical meaning of the rainbow. It distorts God’s promise and misuses His creation. In the book of Isaiah, when God speaks of His covenant with His people, He mentions explicitly the rainbow as a sign of His promise (Isaiah 54:9-10). Using the rainbow to represent pride, we separate ourselves from God and His promises. Moreover, the Bible clearly states that pride is a sin. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Pride is the root of all sins, and God detests it. By celebrating pride, we exalt ourselves above God and elevate our desires and identities above His will for our lives.

As Christians, we must remember that our identities are not defined by our sexuality or gender, but rather by our identity in Christ. This identity is rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which teaches us about God’s love, sacrifice, and redemption for all sinners. The Gospel message is inclusivity and love for all, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. However, this does not mean we should celebrate or condone behaviors contradicting God’s teachings. In Romans 1:24-27, the apostle Paul addresses sexual immorality and how it results from people exchanging the truth about God for a lie. He mentions homosexuality explicitly as a sinful behavior that opposes God’s natural design for human relationships. However, Paul also reminds us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We all need God’s grace and forgiveness, regardless of our sins.

As Christians, we should be mindful of using the rainbow as a symbol of pride. While we should always show love and respect to the LGBTQ+ community, we must also remember that our ultimate allegiance is to God and His word. The rainbow is a powerful reminder of God’s promise and love for His creation, and we must not let it be distorted or misused. Let us focus on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and strive to live under God’s will, rather than celebrating and promoting pride that separates us from Him.