How should Christians handle their gender dysphoria?
Every born-again believer battles against their sinful nature in various areas and to differing degrees. Christians who specifically wrestle with gender dysphoria (where they feel or perceive themselves differently than their biological gender) must understand a few things to help them overcome their particular struggle.
First, they need to recognize that they are not a mistake. God created them in His image and likeness, according to Genesis 1:26-27. God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness...So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” As such, God fashioned them as either male or female, and this fact is evidenced by their DNA, chromosomes, brain function, hormones, reproductive system, and physical body.
Second, they must understand that Satan is a master at undermining and twisting the truth. The Bible calls him the father of all lies. John 8:44 says, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
Third, they need to realize that Satan is attacking the battlefield of their mind by distorting the truth, confusing their perception, and enticing them to live contrary to God’s divine order and design. His ultimate goal is to steal their joy, kill their spirit, and destroy the very one God created in His image and bought with His blood. Therefore, it is imperative for believers struggling with gender dysphoria to recognize and discern truth from falsehood and live according to God’s will rather than trusting or indulging their feelings. For, as Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?”
Fourth, they need to remember that their life is in Christ and no longer their own. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” As such, they must submit every part of themselves to Jesus in humble surrender daily as the Holy Spirit continually transforms them from the inside out.
With all that said, how does a believer combat their identity struggles? The answer to that question is the same as defeating any other enticement or temptation. It requires intentionality and obedience.
For example, when a believer experiences a dysphoria-based thought, feeling, or desire, they have two choices:
They can take that thought, feeling, or desire captive to the obedience of Christ and dismiss it with the Holy Spirit’s power and help—standing on the truth of who they are in Christ and living according to it (2 Corinthians 10:5; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Galatians 5:16-18; Ephesians 3:20-21).
They can nurture those thoughts, feelings, or desires, which amplifies them and creates a snowball effect—making it harder for them to resist and bringing them into bondage and confusion rather than freedom and victory (Mark 7:20-23; Galatians 5:17; Romans 6:12-13).
That is why Paul said in Galatians 5:16-17, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” Paul went on to say in verses 24-25, “Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
One of the ways believers struggling with gender dysphoria can walk in the Spirit and equip themselves to resist those temptations is by reading and obeying God’s Word daily. Much like their physical bodies need daily food to stay nourished and healthy, their spirits need daily nourishment to grow and strengthen internally. Plus, as they read God's Word consistently, the Holy Spirit will renew their mind and help them live for God’s glory. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Another way they can walk in the Spirit and take every thought captive is by following Paul’s directive in Philippians 4:8-9. Paul wrote, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
I hope you find this information useful when discipling believers who struggle with gender dysphoria or any other challenging issues or temptations.
