When people hear the term Conversion Therapy, emotions immediately run high. It’s a phrase that’s been weaponized in cultural battles, often used to paint Christians as hateful, abusive, or out of touch with reality. But what’s often missed is this: the world’s definition of conversion therapy has very little to do with what the Gospel actually teaches.
Conversion Therapy tries to change behavior through human effort. The Gospel transforms the heart through Jesus Christ.
For me, this isn’t a theoretical topic. It’s part of my story.
What the Culture Gets Wrong About Conversion Therapy
When our culture says “conversion therapy,” what they usually mean is a set of man-made attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation through counseling, coercion, or shame. These methods — many of which date back decades — were never rooted in Scripture.
They focused on behavior modification, not heart transformation. They promised results no human can deliver. And yes, some of these practices caused real pain for real people.
That’s why it’s so critical for Christians to speak clearly and compassionately about what the Gospel actually offers. We must reject abusive methods while boldly proclaiming the truth of God’s Word.
Even in 2025, conversion therapy is still a live legal and cultural battleground. The U.S. Supreme Court is currently reviewing challenges to Colorado’s ban on such therapy. (Reuters)
My Story: When They Tried to “Fix” Me
When I first came out to my mom and sisters as a young man, they didn’t understand. They were raised in a conservative Christian home, and their response was fear, confusion, and pain. Out of desperation, they sent me to a couple of counselors who claimed they could “fix” me — in other words, change me into a heterosexual.
They didn’t use that language directly, but that’s exactly what they were trying to do. It was a form of what people now call conversion therapy.
It didn’t work.
It was one of the hardest seasons of my life. I knew deep in my soul that I couldn’t simply will myself to change what I was attracted to. Those sessions left me feeling broken, confused, and ashamed. I didn’t need a human program — I needed a Savior.
A few years later, when I finally told my dad, I braced myself for the worst. He was a strong, masculine man — a Navy veteran and Delta pilot. But to my surprise, he took it better than anyone. His response was kind, calm, and full of love. The very person I thought would be the harshest actually showed me the most grace. That moment stuck with me for years and reminded me that God often works in ways we don’t expect.
Why “Therapy” Couldn’t Do What Only the Gospel Can
Decades later, something finally began to change in me — but it wasn’t through counseling, and it wasn’t through coercion.
It happened when I started immersing myself in Scripture daily. Through studying God’s Word, conviction began to take root. The Holy Spirit worked in my heart in ways no human ever could.
For the first time, my transformation was happening from the inside out. It wasn’t about changing orientation to fit cultural expectations. It was about surrendering my entire life to Christ.
The power of the Gospel is what changes hearts — not man-made methods.
Why Conversion Therapy Still Exists in 2025
Even today, in 2025, there are still some individuals and organizations trying to use so-called conversion therapy to force change in people. Whether they use traditional counseling or more modern methods, the goal is often the same: “make them straight.”
But here’s the truth — that approach is not biblical. No program can regenerate a heart. Only the Gospel can.
And biblically, our goal as Christians isn’t to “convert” someone’s orientation. Our goal is to point them to Jesus — the only One who can forgive, transform, and give new identity. (See 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
The Christian Alternative: Discipleship, Not Coercion
Biblical Christianity offers something radically different from conversion therapy. It’s called discipleship.
Discipleship looks like:
— Walking with people through their struggles, not trying to “fix” them.
— Teaching the Word of God, which brings conviction and transformation.
— Calling people to repentance and faith in Christ.
— Reminding them their identity is in Jesus — not in their attractions.
— Building authentic community where grace and truth walk hand in hand.
This is what has worked in my life. This is why I can boldly say: my hope is not in therapy. My hope is in Christ alone.
You can see how I apply this kind of biblical clarity vs. cultural confusion in other topics too. For instance, I examine the ethics of LGBTQ parenting in Why Surrogacy for Gay Couples Is Selfish: A Biblical Perspective on Parenthood. And if you’d like to go deeper into how we resist cultural relativism and anchor in biblical truth, check out Biblical Truth vs. Cultural Relativism: What Stands the Test of Time.
Reclaiming the Conversation as Christians
The world wants to define the terms of the debate. If we let “conversion therapy” stand unchallenged as the only alternative to cultural affirmation, we lose the chance to point people to truth.
As believers, we can say clearly:
— We do not support coercion or abuse.
— We do not believe anyone can be “counseled into holiness.”
— We believe in the power of the Gospel to transform hearts and lives.
— We stand for truth and grace.
The Real Harm Is in Affirming Lies
Our culture often says, “If conversion therapy is wrong, then affirmation must be right.” But that’s a dangerous lie.
Affirmation tells people, “You’re fine just the way you are.” But Jesus never affirmed sin — He called it what it is, and then offered forgiveness and new life. That’s real love.
The Bible is clear: homosexual acts are sin, just like any sexual behavior outside of God’s design for marriage between a man and a woman. Sin isn’t determined by feelings, culture, or political movements — it’s defined by God Himself. And what God calls sin always separates us from Him.
But here’s the good news: sin doesn’t have the final word. The Gospel does.
True compassion isn’t pretending sin is okay. It’s pointing to the One who can forgive it, wash it away, and give new identity through His grace. When we affirm sin, we leave people trapped. When we speak truth in love, we point them to freedom.
A Final Word to the One Who’s Struggling
If you’re carrying this weight right now — if you’ve experienced something like conversion therapy and feel broken because it “didn’t work” — please hear me: that wasn’t Jesus.
Jesus doesn’t manipulate. He redeems.
He doesn’t shame. He forgives.
He doesn’t fix you through a program. He calls you to Himself.
And when you surrender to Him, the real transformation begins.
Arch Kennedy
Bold, Unfiltered, and Unafraid
The Same‑Sex Struggle Few in the Church Understand
Wow, this is a great article, will share with others! Thanks