In the modern world today it’s considered acceptable to be whoever you want to be. The phrase “you do you” is wildly popular, and many take it to heart. In some ways, being who you want to be is not a bad thing. It’s a good thing to want to pursue goals and dreams or have the desire to have children or get married. Those are good things, but is there a limit where being who you want to be can go too far? In some cases, yes.

We are sure you’ve heard the phrasing “born this way”. If you haven’t, you must be living under a rock. It’s been a commonly used phrase ever since Lady Gaga’s chart-topping hit “Born This Way”. Ever since the single was released, many resonated with Gaga, agreeing with the message. While Gaga is right that God doesn't make mistakes, the way she is telling the message is wrong. According to Gaga, you are born the way you identify yourself as to whether it’s gay, straight, bi, queer and yes, even transgender.

Transgenderism is the new wave of modernism in today’s world, and it’s growing rapidly every day. Are you born transgender? No. Is being transgender possible? No. But before we get into those details, let’s discuss what transgender means.

Transgender:of, relating to, or being a person whose gender identity differs from the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth; especially :of, relating to, or being a person whose gender identity is opposite the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth: transsexual (Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary)

According to the William’s Institute, nearly 700,00 (0 .6%)people living publicly in the U.S. identify as transgender (or transsexual). Nearly 90% of Americans say they know someone who is lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Only 16% say they personally know someone who is transgender.

So, what’s the point? Isn’t gender what you are assigned at birth? According to those in the LGBTQ community and the GLAAD website, gender identity is a person’s internal feeling or personal sense of being a man or a woman (boy or girl). For some, gender identity doesn’t fit into those two choices. For transgender people, the gender or sex they were assigned to at birth does not match how their internal feeling of gender identity. The sex (or gender someone is assigned at birth) is based on biology - chromosomes, anatomy, and hormones. Gender identity is strictly based on feelings. Gender dysphoria is another term referring to deep and abiding discomfort over one's assigned sex and their psychological emotional experience of gender.

While the issue is popular today, the history of transgenderism appears to go way back to the 1800’s, but the most popular transitions during those times were female to male because it was harder for men to portray themselves as women. The first wave of transgender movements to raise awareness began in the 1950’s. In the 70’s, support for male cross-dressers became more well known. It wasn’t until the 2010’s where the transgender movement really began to have a voice, especially in the entertainment industry. Chaz Bono became a highly visible transgender figure when appeared on the 13th season of Dancing with the Stars in 2011. Since then, it’s becoming more and more prominent by the day.

But while many are coming out as transgender these days, many don’t discuss the cause of what could make someone feel discomfort about the sex they were assigned at birth. In the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual, the diagnosis of ‘gender identity disorder’or, as stated above, ‘gender dysphoria’ is included. This does not mean that same sex attraction is a part of this dysphoria, it is not. It is about an experimental mismatch between psychology and biology.

What causes this dysphoria? Psychologists and researchers don’t know. Most believe it has to do with the brain-sex theory. This theory proposes that the brain maps toward male or female, which in most cases coincides with biological indicators of sex; chromosomes, gonads, and sex hormones. But in rare cases, the normal biology or sex differentiation only occurs in one direction (differentiation from male toward a female, for example). There are many gaps in the theory, but most researchers are compelled by it.

It’s a tough subject to talk about, but in most cases, the dysphoria fades or resolves on its own. But in some cases, the dysphoria continues into adulthood. There is no doubt that this can be painful for an individual. Pain is common in the world we live in, and while most might not understand the pain of gender dysphoria. It is real, and we can’t take it lightly. The Bible speaks about pain, but it also speaks about sin and how the world we live in is corrupted with it (Rom. 8:20-21).

In the beginning, male and female were created. Male and female matter. Why? Both are equally different, and these differences are objectively real. These difference matter and they simply cannot be ignored. The chromosomes in our bodies that determine our sex affect everything from our brains to blood cells. A surgery does not automatically change one's sex because sex cannot be changed. Say what you want, but it’s simply not possible.

Did you know:

• A male’s brain is 10% heavier than a female. This reflects the general difference of body size.
• Areas of the brain involving language and fine motor skills mature earlier in girls, while parts of the brain involved in targeting and spatial memory mature earlier in boys.
• Studies in the U.S show that men and boys are more likely to engage in physically risky activities.
• Girls feel more than boys.

There are hundreds of differences between male and female. These are only touching up on a few. Some of the differences are physical differences that impact one's life. It cannot be changed because of feeling. It’s a good thing though. Women portray beautiful characteristics in a way that men can’t, and vice-versa. Male and female are important to this world, and it’s disheartening to think that our world is working so hard to change it. Why try to change something that beautifully compliments one another?

“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

“So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.

“And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it… And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” Genesis 1:26-28; 31 (ESV)

In Genesis, God speaks life into the world. Creation bursts forth just by the sound of his voice. What a beautiful story. He created the sun, the moon, the earth and the sky, but his creation of mankind is far different than nature. He honors humanity by creating them in His own image. Male and female are fashioned perfectly, and yes, he separates humankind into two sexes. Not three or four but two. Both are distinct and valuable, and both reflect the image of God. His intelligent design for mankind is perfect, and in that design, God creates marriage and family. Each portion of life reflects God’s image. God certainly doesn’t make mistakes, and in no way would he create someone to be born in the wrong body. Male or female, you have a purpose. Changing your body into something else because you feel different will not bring satisfaction. It’ll only bring more confusion, which is exactly what sin does.

Sin also brings chaos and destruction. This is exactly what the transgender movement is doing. Transgenderism isn't ordered, and ultimately, it brings confusion. Transgenderism exists because we live in a broken world where ‘feelings’ reign over truth and everything else. We live in a society that says gender should no longer matter, but that’s simply not the case. Gender does matter. But living in a genderless society is becoming more applauded and approved, bringing more chaos to our world, and ultimately, destroying the nuclear family. You can’t say we’re wrong.

Why is the transgender movement destructive? Let’s count the ways. Ultimately, it fuels child abuse. This thinking is very common, especially with the American College of Pediatricians. "Conditioning children into believing that a lifetime of chemical and surgical impersonation of the opposite sex is normal and healthful is child abuse.Endorsing gender discordance as normal via public education and legal policies will confuse children and parents, leading more children to present [themselves] to 'gender clinics' where they will be given puberty-blocking drugs. This, in turn, virtually ensures that they will 'choose' a lifetime of carcinogenic and otherwise toxic cross-sex hormones, and likely consider unnecessary surgical mutilation of their healthy body parts as young adults."

This movement, as stated as above also warps manhood and womanhood. Is it the end goal? Absolutely. Don’t believe it? Here’s proof:

“We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination.” - Nelson Mandela

“A gender-equal society would be one where the word 'gender' does not exist: where everyone can be themselves.” - Gloria Steinem

( Also, if you want to know more about this agenda, you should read this article by the New Statesmen. If you’re asking the question, should we do away with gender, read this article on Ravishly)

The movement destroys reason. We are meant to procreate. That’s how God intended it, and this movement speaks out against it, wanting to destroy the nuclear family. It’s also a self-destructive course. Many, who are transgender have claimed that they felt more confused after they transitioned rather than felt satisfied. Walt Heyer, a man who regrets having lived like a woman for many years, said:"I knew I wasn’t a real woman, no matter what my identification documents said. I had taken extreme steps to resolve my gender conflict, but changing genders hadn’t worked. It was obviously a masquerade."

The most important thing is that it offends God. Nobody is born male or female by chance but in accordance to the plan of Divine Providence (Jer. 1:5). God created male and female (Gen.1:27), not male, female, and transgender. Society is so passionate about getting rid of truth and God’s intelligent design that they will do anything to do it.

But even as we deal with this issue that is destructive to society, we can’t hate those who believe this way. After all, we live in a fallen world where Satan longs to destroy every inch of God’s design (Gen.3:1-7). But our bodies were made to worship Him, and when we dehumanize it, it becomes destructive. We have to commit to loving these people but also knowing that the destruction of the body will not bring satisfaction. What can we do? Show them the love of Christ. We live in a sinful world but we can’t raise our hands in surrender. We have to continue pressing on, and defending God’s word in the process.

Answers in Genesis states it perfectly, “Conversion for transgender individuals will not be neat and clean. It will be messy. It will involve the recognition that sin has corrupted us in every fiber of our being (Isaiah 64:6). But the gospel is stronger than sin. Christ’s death washes us clean, and Christ’s Resurrection gives us life. The Resurrection raised Christ’s spirit even as it renewed His body.”

“Pastors should preach on the implications of the Resurrection for all people, including transgender ones. Coming to faith has profound implications for our bodies. For people who have embraced a transgender identity, repentance will mean embracing their God-given gender and rejecting whatever sinful identity they have chosen”

Truth is, it isn’t just transgender that is bringing chaos. It’s sin. But there is hope. We have the hope of the gospel. The word of God makes sense for our humanity, and we simply can’t destroy that. It’s not possible no matter how hard you try. The gospel of Jesus Christ brings hope to humanity and allows us to see our bodies as a gift. We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps.139:14). That alone gives glory to our Maker and Redeemer. This is the hope we must cling to. And the hope that in the end, Satan doesn’t have the victory but the Lord does and will bring this chaos back to order. Until then, let’s love those who are transgender, and let’s not shy away from sharing the good news of the gospel with them. We all need it, even them.