Bible Question: Was it a sin to have had an abortion?

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Bible Question:I had an abortion. Is that a sin? And if it is, how do I make it right?

Bible Answer: Yes, God says abortion is a sin. In the Old Testament, God called for the death of one who takes the life of another. Listen to Exodus 21:22-23

If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman's husband demands and the court allows. But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise. (NIV) Exodus 21:22-25

God's message is clear. If someone causes the fetus to die, it shall be life for life. If God's law was followed today, many mothers, fathers, doctors and nurses would not be alive today. God says "life for life" if an abortion occurs. The passage reveals the heart of God about the developing fetus in a mother's womb. God considers the fetus to be a living human being (Ps. 139:13-15).

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (NIV) Ps. 139:13-16

Abortion is a sin.

What Must I do? Listen to what happened with David after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and maneuvered to have her husband killed,

Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die. "However . . . the child . . . shall surely die." (NASB) 2 Samuel 12:13-14

God forgave and then took the life of the child from him. There was forgiveness and there was a penalty. In the same way, if you are a Christian, God has forgiven you. He may allow you to suffer to some degree. But many Christians inflict themselves with guilt excessively. Our initial feelings of guilt occur because we sin (2 Cor. 7:10-11), but to many Christians refuse to forgive themselves and suffer "sorrow of the world" as Paul talks about (2 Cor. 7:10).

God wants you to forgive yourself. He wants the time you spend "beating yourself up" to be time spent with Him. Can I encourage you and anyone else to thank Him for having ALREADY forgiven and forgotten your sin? God says thankfulness is a sacrifice. So sacrifice to God. Thank Him for forgiving you,

. . . let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. (NASB) Heb. 13:15

Conclusion:Yes, abortion is a sin, but God has forgiven. Thank Him for forgetting about it. Choose to love Him with all your heart in whatever you do (Matt. 22:37). May I encourage you to read, "I had an abortion a year ago." and "I was wondering if birth control is wrong according to the Word of God?"