Mercy Culture Pastor Landon Schott isn’t mincing words when it comes to one of the most controversial issues facing the modern church.
Speaking on a recent episode of his Spiritual Leadership podcast, Schott argued that many churches have responded to homosexuality in ways that are neither biblical nor loving. While emphasizing that every person is loved by God, he said genuine love refuses to compromise biblical truth.
“When it comes to gender and sexuality, we must be unconditional in our love for people while remaining unwavering in our loyalty to God’s Word,” Schott said.
According to Schott, the church has made three major mistakes that have contributed to widespread confusion both inside and outside the church.
1. Treating Homosexuality as the Greatest Sin
Schott believes many Christians have elevated homosexuality above every other sin, even though Scripture points to something else.
“The first is this is they’re making homosexual practice the greatest sin. And homosexuality is not the greatest sin. Pride is.”
He pointed to Scripture after Scripture that warns about pride, saying it ultimately keeps people from repentance.
“Homosexual practice or any sexual practice is not the greatest sin. It’s pride. Why? Because pride keeps you from repenting of any sin.”
Schott added that every believer should examine pride in his or her own life before elevating one particular sin above another.
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Speaking Truth Instead of Staying Silent
While Schott rejects treating homosexuality as the worst sin, he also believes many churches have gone to the opposite extreme by refusing to address it altogether.
2. Remaining Silent Out of Fear
Schott said fear has caused many pastors to avoid teaching what the Bible says about sexuality.
“The second mistake the church is making is not addressing it. I call it being scared, speechless. And the church has become a coward.”
He encouraged pastors to teach Scripture even when it invites criticism.
“We need to understand it is not personal. It is spiritual.”
Schott went on to challenge believers to seek churches that clearly teach biblical doctrine.
“If your pastor doesn’t know what the Bible says or refuses to teach biblical truth on sexuality, you need to leave that church.”
Love Doesn’t Mean Affirmation
Schott’s strongest warning centered on churches that, in his view, have moved beyond silence to affirming behavior Scripture identifies as sinful.
3. Affirming What Scripture Calls Sin
Schott said churches should never redefine biblical truth to match cultural trends.
“The third mistake the church is making, and I believe this is probably the worst mistake they’re making, is they are affirming it.”
Quoting Isaiah 5:20, he warned against reversing God’s standards.
“They’ve abandoned the Word of God. They’ve abandoned the truth of God. They have tolerated the wickedness of the world. And they are embracing what is demonic instead of embracing what is holy.”
Schott argued that tolerance has become confused with biblical love.
“A lie of the enemy is to replace repentance with tolerance. And it is demonic.”
He added that Christians are called to love every person while remaining faithful to what Scripture teaches.
Identity Is Found in Christ
Schott closed by encouraging those struggling with sexual temptation not to define themselves by their desires.
“You are not your sexuality. Your identity is in Christ Jesus.”
He continued:
“I’m going to say it again. You are not your sexuality. Your identity is not your sexuality. Your identity is a son, a daughter in Christ Jesus.”
The issue ultimately comes back to discipleship rather than identity politics. His central message was that believers should anchor their identity in Christ, pursue holiness through obedience to Scripture and extend both truth and love to those wrestling with sexual sin.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
