It Would Be Better for Him to Have a Millstone Tied Around His Neck": A Biblical and Ethical Examination of the Harm Inflicted by the Promotion of Transgender Identities Among Children

Introduction

In Matthew 18:6, Jesus issues a stark warning:
"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea."

This passage reflects Christ’s deep concern for the spiritual and physical well-being of children, condemning those who would lead them into harm or deception. When applied to contemporary issues, this warning bears directly upon the promotion of transgender identities among children, an initiative largely driven by adult ideological agendas rather than the organic development of the child. While some proponents of transgender affirmation claim to act in the best interests of children, their influence often results in irreversible harm—physically, psychologically, and spiritually. This paper argues that the encouragement of transgender identities in children constitutes an unintentional yet grievous form of indoctrination that disrupts natural developmental processes, erodes biblical understandings of human nature, and ultimately leads to long-term harm.

1. The Biblical Concept of Childhood Innocence

Scripture consistently presents childhood as a unique stage of innocence and dependency, wherein children require protection and proper instruction rather than ideological manipulation. In addition to Christ’s words in Matthew 18:6, we see this principle in Psalm 127:3—"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward." Children are not to be treated as social experiments but as image-bearers of God who need safeguarding from harmful influences.

The modern push to affirm transgender identities among minors violates this biblical paradigm. Children lack the cognitive maturity to comprehend the long-term consequences of gender transition, particularly in cases where medical interventions such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, or surgical procedures are involved. Proverbs 22:6 instructs, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Yet the current cultural climate seeks to do the opposite—guiding children down a path of confusion rather than truth. To impose an ideology upon children that denies their God-given biological sex is to lead them into sin, violating the natural order established by the Creator (Genesis 1:27).

2. The Distinction Between Intent and Harm

While some may argue that those promoting gender ideology among children do so with sincere motives, sincerity does not negate harm. The distinction between intentional and unintentional wrongdoing is well established in biblical ethics. Under the Mosaic Law, there was a clear differentiation between murder and manslaughter (Exodus 21:12-14), yet both were considered serious transgressions requiring justice. Likewise, the dissemination of transgender ideology among children—whether driven by malice, ignorance, or misguided compassion—has disastrous effects.

The comparison is particularly apt when one considers the irreversible nature of many medical interventions. Studies have shown that puberty blockers can result in bone density loss, cognitive impairment, and lifelong sterility. Cross-sex hormones increase risks of cardiovascular disease and other long-term health complications. Even in cases where no medical interventions occur, the psychological and emotional toll of social transition—separating a child from his or her God-ordained identity—inflicts severe damage. The increasing number of “detransitioners” testifies to the regret and suffering caused by premature and ideologically driven interventions.

3. The Cultural Shift Toward Ideological Indoctrination

A crucial component of this issue is the role of adult influence in shaping a child’s perception of gender. Historically, childhood has been understood as a stage of development where identity is gradually formed through familial and societal structures grounded in reality. However, in recent years, there has been a marked cultural shift toward what can only be described as ideological indoctrination. Schools, media, and medical institutions actively promote transgender identities to children, often encouraging them to socially transition without parental consent. This aggressive affirmation is not a neutral or benign act but rather an intentional effort to reshape foundational understandings of human nature.

From a theological perspective, this movement represents a form of moral and intellectual deception. Romans 1:25 speaks of those who “exchanged the truth of God for a lie.” Promoting the idea that gender is fluid and disconnected from biological sex is a direct contradiction to the truth revealed in Scripture. Moreover, it is an attempt to usurp God’s authority over creation, placing human self-perception above divine design.

4. Legal and Ethical Considerations: A Call for Reassessment

Given the serious harm inflicted upon children through the promotion of transgender ideology, it is imperative that these practices undergo rigorous legal and ethical reassessment. Governments and medical institutions must recognize that children cannot give informed consent to decisions that have lifelong consequences. Scripture repeatedly affirms the responsibility of authorities to uphold justice and protect the vulnerable (Proverbs 31:8-9; Romans 13:1-4). Those in positions of power must heed the warning of Matthew 18:6 and ensure that their policies do not lead children astray.

Several legal avenues exist to address this crisis. First, laws should be implemented to prohibit medical and pharmaceutical interventions for minors experiencing gender dysphoria, recognizing that their developing minds cannot grasp the full implications of such treatments. Second, parents must retain the primary authority over their children’s upbringing, as commanded in Deuteronomy 6:6-7. Any attempts by schools or governments to usurp parental rights in these matters should be challenged and resisted. Third, those suffering from gender dysphoria should receive compassionate, truth-based counseling that aligns with God’s design rather than ideologically driven affirmation.

Conclusion

Jesus’ warning in Matthew 18:6 is not a mere figure of speech but a dire pronouncement of judgment upon those who cause children to stumble. The promotion of transgender identities among children represents a clear violation of this principle, as it subjects vulnerable youth to confusion, medical harm, and spiritual deception. While intent varies among those advocating for these ideologies, the harm remains undeniable. As a society, we must reevaluate these practices and ensure that legal and ethical safeguards are in place to protect children from irreversible damage.

Above all, the church must stand firm in proclaiming the truth about human identity as revealed in Scripture. Rather than capitulating to cultural trends, believers are called to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16), exposing falsehoods while extending grace to those ensnared by them. Only through faithfulness to God’s Word can we hope to rescue the next generation from deception and guide them toward the abundant life found in Christ.