Bestiality: What does it mean? How do I break free from it?
The practice of bestiality is much more common today than many people think. It degrades those who take part in it and horrifies their loved ones. It can ruin families and the lives of those who practice it. As with any sin, there is only one way to freedom and recovery from bestialities’ devastation: Jesus. This article will discuss what bestiality is, and how to break free from the bondage of such sin, through the power and deliverance of Jesus.
What is bestiality?
Webster’s Online Dictionary defines bestiality as “sexual relations between a human being and a lower animal.” The Bible refers to the practice as laying with, mating, having sexual relations or intercourse mating with an animal, as well as presenting yourself to mate with an animal.
Brief history of the practice of bestiality
Bestiality has been a part of nearly every culture since antiquity. Classic paintings and sculptures depict people in sexual acts with animals. The practice is also referred to in literature, dating all the way back to the folklore of the Greek gods.
What does the Bible say about Bestiality?
The Bible directly speaks to sexual acts with animals in four verses. The act is condemned as a perversion and defilement that is cursed and brings the blood upon both the offender and the victim.
- When Moses and the Israelites received the 10 commandments, God gave them many instructions for spiritual, moral, and civil living, including “Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death Exo 22:19 NKJV.
- While Moses and the Israelites were camped at Mt. Siani, God again gave Moses a variety of laws and requirements for the people to be clean and holy in the presence of an Almighty God. Sexual relations with animals is explicitly forbidden twice, and punishable by death. In Leviticus 18:23 God tells us that such acts defile the body because it is a perversion.
“Nor shall you mate with any animal, to defile yourself with it. Nor shall any woman stand before an animal to make with it. It is perversion” (NKJV).
- God takes it a step further in Leviticus 20:15-16 to reiterate the penalty for such acts.
“If a man mates with an animal, he shall surely be put to death, and you shall kill the animal. If a woman approaches any animal and mates with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood is upon them (NKJV).”
- Moses addressed the new generation of Israelites as they prepared to take over the promised land. He reminded them of the laws God had given their parents many years earlier so they could live as God’s holy nation. Under Moses’s guidance, the people responded in agreement as the Levitical priests repeated God’s laws, including Cursed is the one who lies with any kind of animal, and all the people shall say Amen. (Deut. 27:21 NKJV)
Finding Freedom or Breaking free from Bestiality
We know the Bible clearly states that bestiality is a sin. Sin is falling short of God’s expectations for us. God created us to be with Him, but our perfect God cannot be in the presence of sin, so sin separates us from Him.
I’d like to illustrate a very important principle regarding sin. Imagine two hunters, each trying to get food for his family. One hunter shoots and misses by just an inch. The second hunter shoots and misses by 10 feet. While the first hunter is clearly a better shot, both families are going hungry.
Similarly, the Bible says that all sin is the same. Just like the hunters, we’ve all failed, and are separated from the what sustains us. In Romans 6:23, the Bible tells us that the consequence of sin is much more than missing a meal. The price of sin is death. While many sins do lead to an untimely physical death, the Bible is speaking specifically of spiritual death caused by the separation from the God that gave us life.
Many people reject Christianity on the grounds of free choice, stating that the Bible takes away their freedom to do as they please. Quite the opposite is true. We want what we want when we want it, and in this way, we become slaves to our own desires. We even do the things that harm us and those we love, because we can’t resist the momentary satisfaction. If you doubt this, then consider why services such as money lenders, rehab clinics, and anger management classes are so prevalent.
There are three main symptoms of living in bondage to sin. The first is suffering. Sin causes pain and even death. Bondage to sin leads to physical disease, emotional dysfunction, mental distress, and broken relationships. Worst of all, sin separates us from the God who created us.
The second symptom is the loss of free will. Separation from God leaves an opportunity for Satan to take hold of our thoughts and then our lives. It may seem like common sense to avoid what hurts us, but Satan’s cycle of lies takes away our free will. No matter how much we want to avoid the inevitable painful result, we feel powerless to do otherwise.
The third primary symptom of living in sin is being held captive to the ongoing cycle of suffering and oppression. The suffering and inability to turn away from sin turns into a never-ending cycle that feeds upon itself. This is the stronghold of sin, a type of satanic oppression that holds you captive to Satan’s deception masked as the freedom to indulge.
There are many options designed to break this self-destructive cycle, including support groups, government services, books, and medical care. These options offer great assistance and have a very important place in recovery; however, the very fact that many people repeatedly return to these types of assistance tells us that something more is needed.
True, lasting freedom from the bondage of sin takes more than desire and recovery programs. Freedom requires power to set you free from your oppressor. That power is only found in God. God loves us – every single one of us – so much that He became Man in His son, Jesus. Jesus paid the price for our sin in His death. Then He defeated death, proving that He is the ultimate power to defeat sin.
God gave you that same power in His Word with the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. You can learn about the comfort of the Holy Spirit and the power to defeat the lies of Satan, the great deceiver. It’s all in the Bible. The Bible says that Jesus’ power is in the hearts of His believers, so those who believe in Him have the His power to defeat sin. All you have to do is receive the power He died to give you.
How to receive Jesus Christ
Receiving the power to break free from the bondage of sin starts with belief in the One who created the entire universe by the breath of His words. God isn’t trying to keep this power all to Himself. He wanted you to have His power so much that He sent His only Son to die in order to give it to you. He tells you exactly how to receive His power in the Bible.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, ‘Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame (Romans 10:9-10 NIV).
You don’t have to do anything to break free from the bondage of sin because Jesus already did all the work for you. You are saved from sin through the gift of His grace. Just believe and receive what He died to give you by declaring it with your words. A simple prayer of faith acknowledging His sacrifice and declaring that He is your Savior is all it takes to allow Jesus to begin working in your heart.
Father (God), I thank you for loving me and taking the steps needed to save me. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins, and was resurrected from the grave so that I can be made a child of God. I declare today that Jesus is my Lord. Thank you, Father, for I am now saved!
Pursue your new life of freedom by finding a Bible-based church so you will have the support you need. True freedom from the bondage of sin comes from reading His Word. As you begin reading the Bible and meditating on it, God will fill you and cleanse your mind of sinful thoughts and desires. You can download the YouVersion app for free and start letting God cleanse your mind immediately.
Recommended Reading
Spiritual Strongholds in Your Life – What are they?
Impure thoughts – struggling with these?
Free Mini E-book: From Spiritual Dryness to Flourishing
