The subject of gender identity has become one of the most hotly debated topics in today’s culture. Can a person “identify” as the opposite gender if they feel that is their true identity? Does a transgender individual have to medically transition before identifying as the opposite sex? How will this affect women’s protected spaces, like bathrooms, locker rooms, and jails? Is it fair to allow transgender individuals to compete against biological women? These are just a handful of the questions that are discussed in the media regarding gender identity, and they don’t even include the other 103 genders that are supposedly out there.^[1]

According to the State of Theology survey conducted by Ligonier Ministries in 2022, forty-two percent of Americans believe that gender identity is simply a matter of choice. This is probably not a surprising number, as the acceptance and approval of the transgender movement are higher than ever before in our secular society. However, what may be surprising is the large number of Evangelicals who also agree with this claim. According to the same survey, about thirty-seven percent of people with Evangelical beliefs agree that someone’s gender identity is their own personal choice.^[2]

This percentage is staggering. About one third of professing Evangelical Christians believe that one’s gender identity is based on their feelings rather than their body. This is a radically unbiblical belief, and if we’re not careful, it will continue to pervade and infiltrate churches all over America. When evaluating our answer to this question, we must rely on what the Bible teaches rather than what the world or our own feelings tell us.

So, let’s answer it. Is gender identity a matter of choice?