Today, the debate on gender is extremely sensitive and dangerous. Anything short of showing full support for de-coupling sex and gender identity is denounced as transphobic.
As Christians, it poses a problem for us to overcome. We don't want to hurt others and our kind words are sweet for the soul (Proverbs 16:24), our tongue is like a tree of life (Proverbs 15:4), and made to bless God and those created in his image (James 3:9-10).
But are we to bless each person by acknowledging them as they see fit?
We need to turn to God's word and understand his stance. The best place to start is in Genesis.
Man and Woman
Mankind is introduced in chapter 1, verse 26 when the Lord makes us in his image. He created us in his likeness, which means we are capable of displaying God's attributes such as love, truth, and mercy.
After declaring how he would create mankind in his image, he creates them:
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:27 ESV
God created mankind in two categories, male and female. These terms of male and female are tied to their reproductive sex, the thing that makes them physically distinct.
In Genesis 2 we have another account of mankind's creation but with more detail.
The Lord God created man from dust and spirit (Genesis 2:7), he appointed the man to work the ground and care for Eden (Genesis 2:15), he saw it necessary that man should not be alone (Genesis 2:18), but among all the livestock that the man named there was none that were suitable helpers (Genesis 2:19-20).
Therefore God created a woman from the rib of man (Genesis 2:22). The response of the man is one of extreme joy:
Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
Genesis 2:23 ESV
In the same way that we would call family our blood, the man (Adam) rejoices that she is made of his flesh and bone. We know that Adam is referring to family because the same phrase is used when Laban finds out that Jacob is his sister's son, declaring 'you are my bone and my flesh' (Genesis 29:14).
Their role as man and woman is tied to their reproductive and familial roles. We see this most plainly in the verse immediately following:
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Genesis 2:24 ESV
A man fathers, a woman mothers. These verbs are tied to reproduction and they will either have a son or daughter. A son is a young male, a daughter is a young female.
There isn't a third category introduced for non-reproductive humans because their God-given purpose is to fill and subdue the earth (Genesis 1:28). Therefore, as Christians, we cannot separate man and woman from biological and familial roles.
Gender Identity
Having already demonstrated that the Bible has a binary view of humanity, it's still important to discuss gender identity.
Although humanity has always been classified as man and woman, there is modern movement to abandon bioligical classification in favour of self identification.
We shouldn't be surprised that mankind wants to define good and evil. Our rebellion has long been one where we define good and evil for ourselves; distorting the truth that a man fathers and a woman mothers is a new flavour of the same old sin.
We must not be swept away with the world's thinking, but we should speak tenderly or not at all.
If a man wishes to call themselves a woman and dress to female stereotypes, bite your tongue and let them do so without impedance. Likewise if a woman wishes to call themselves a man and dress to male stereotypes, let them also do so without impedance.
All will stand before God and answer for their sin, it's not for us to judge.
However, by no means join in with their definition. We can avoid gendered terms, giving no cause for them to reject the gospel. As Paul encouraged us to do so, we can become all things to all people (1 Corinthians 9:22) and bear all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).
Final Remarks
We as Christians are aware that all have fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). God gives life and he alone decides who he will show mercy and compassion (Romans 9:15).
It is not how a person defines them self or how they dress that condemns them, but their rejection of God's great salvation through Jesus Christ. Resist bitterness, avoid quarrelsome behaviour, but stand firm in the power and truth of God.
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