Bible Question:
I was wondering if birth control is wrong according to the Word of God?
Bible Answer:
Before we consider the question of birth control, we need to understand God’s gift of sex and his design for it. Sex is a gift from God. From the beginning, God encouraged a husband and wife to have children, the natural result of the sexual union.
And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth . . . Genesis 1:27-28 (NASB)
God has never discouraged a husband and wife from having sex together. But sexual relations with anyone or anything other than a spouse of the opposite biological sex is wrong. The seventh commandment warns us to not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 20:10). Leviticus 20:11-12, 17-20 defines incest for us and wants us to flee us activities. Having sex with someone of the same biological sex is wicked (Leviticus 20:13). Leviticus 20:15 states that anyone who has sex with an animal was to be put to death.
God encourages a husband and wife to have sex. One of the most remarkable passages in the Bible is Song of Solomon 4:1-5:2. It is an entire chapter describing a “love symphony” between a husband and wife on their wedding night. The chapter is poetic and symbolic, but the allusions are clear and unavoidable. Now why would God have an entire chapter in the Bible written about this subject? Because God gave it for pleasure to a husband and wife. There is no discussion about children in the passage. There is no “prayer” before they have their “love symphony.” Nor is there any Bible study. God knew what He was doing. In fact, later in Song of Solomon 5, Solomon comes asking his new bride for a “love symphony” and she refuses him. What is amazing, God then spends two entire chapters 6 and 7 to describe her repentance, her pursuit after him, and then her request of him to go into a vineyard to have a “love symphony.” Why does God use four chapters in the Bible to show us a married couple having sexual pleasure with each other? Because He approves of marital sex!
Another remarkable passage in scripture is found in 1 Corinthians 7,
But because of immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 1 Corinthians 7:2-5 (NASB)
Here God encourages a husband and wife not to refuse one another. And He tells us that we do not own our bodies. Our spouse owns our body. That is a strong message! It is especially true in our culture where we are told we have control over our own bodies.
Birth Control
Birth control is never really discussed in the Bible, other than to condemn abortion. Ancient literature tells us that abortion was a common form of birth control. God condemns this with,
“Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker – An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’ Or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’? “Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What are you begetting?’ Or to a woman, ‘To what are you giving birth?‘” Isaiah 45:9-10 (NASB)
We should never question the babies God brings into this world! Today, many couples question what God is bringing into this world and they choose to kill the baby. In the Old Testament, God called for the death of one who takes the life of another. Listen to Exodus 21:22-23,
And if men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she has a miscarriage, yet there is no further injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband may demand of him; and he shall pay as the judges decide. But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life . . . Exodus 21:22-23 (NASB)
Birth Control Methods
God says “life for life” if an abortion occurs. This was the Old Testament principle. It reveals the heart of God about the developing fetus in a mother’s womb. God considers it life (Psalm 139:13-15). Any birth control method that causes the fertilized egg to abort is wrong. While it is sin to murder another life, God forgives if you are a Christian and admit you were wrong (1 John 1:9).
Conclusion:
God designed sexuality for pleasure between a husband and wife. Someone may ask, “Does God want us to have as many children as possible?” Then why did He prevent some Old Testament women from having children? Why does Paul encourage Christians not to marry (1 Cor. 7:8)? God wants a husband and wife to have children. He leaves the “how many” up to each couple.
Suggested Links:
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