In a startling freedom of conscience issue, a Christian charity worker in Malta faces prosecution for sharing his personal testimony regarding homosexual activity on the radio.
Matthew Grech, 33, a trustee of the Christian nonprofit Core Issues Trust, will face trial on Feb. 3, 2023, at the Court of Magistrates in Valetta, along with the presenters of a media outlet, PMnews Malta. Prosecutors claim Grech and the presenters violated Chapter 567, a Maltese law banning “conversion practices.”
What is his crime?
He told his personal story and advocated for a therapist’s freedom to counsel clients who come to them for help without government intervention.
Grech said he was confused about sexuality during his teenage years, and he started a same-sex relationship when he moved to London, keeping that relationship secret from his family.
“When I was in London, a woman came up to me and began to share the gospel with me, and she started telling me about Jesus and what He did for us on the cross,” he said. “I went into a church, and I can say that I loved it. I felt accepted. I felt loved.”
“Jesus consumed my life,” he added. “His presence brought a freedom, a freedom that I never had, joy and continuous peace in my life.” He read the Bible and saw clear condemnations of homosexual activity. “This is the basic gospel, that one needs to repent from sin, and homosexuality is not the only sin.”
Grech spoke out against a law banning “conversion therapy”, noting that certain forms of counseling therapy to address emotional trauma may deal with some unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria.
“Many forms of therapy involve that you control one aspect of yourself,” he said. “To control yourself is not a bad thing. One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit from a biblical perspective is self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7).
“Many times, people discover that when someone helps them overcome trauma and pain that was behind their homosexual attractions, or their transgenderism… they find that they no longer look at the same-sex in the same way,” he explained. “Nobody said to them, ‘If you do this, or hear this, or stop doing this, you will become straight…’ These people were genuinely in emotional crisis and looked for help.”
For his testimony and comments, Gretch was issued a summons by the police.
Police claim Grech advertised “conversion practices” and promoted their efficacy. “They claim that both the program as well as the ‘advert’ go against provisions of article 3aiii of Chapter 567 in Maltese law.” Authorities are also charging the presenters for providing a platform for the “advertisement.”
Please pray for this Christian brother, and..
Get ready.
Get ready for your Christian testimony to be in violation of government law, as was Paul’s testimony in Jerusalem (Acts 21-22). The world wants you to stay in your sins, why? Because the world is at war with God’s Law (Romans 8:7).
Choose today who you are going serve—the world or the Creator God. There is no other option.
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“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you” (Romans 8:7-8).