Bishop Eddie Long, the pastor of Newbirth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, has denied charges that he lured four young men into sexual relationships.

In court filings on Monday, Long said he was only a mentor to the men who have filed civil lawsuits against him.

In denying the allegations he said the "claims of sexual misconduct are not true."

"I feel like David against Goliath," he said in a sermon in September. "But I got five rocks, and I haven't thrown one yet."

The men, who were 17 and 18 at the time, said Long abused his spiritual authority, enticing them with cars, jewelry and cash.

Two of the men say he targeted them after they enrolled in the church's LongFellows Youth Academy. It is a program that taught teens about sexual, physical and financial discipline.

Bishop Long has been outspoken in opposing gay marriage and his church has even counseled gay members to become straight.