Birth Control, Biblical or Unbiblical?
What does God say about birth control? Birth control is worth mentioning, as one challenge within our modern society, as to the reason the Church, in particular, has stopped having big families. The Bible clearly indicates that the Lord opens and closes the womb.
Why does our society think using pills to stop women's bodies from functioning as the Most High intended, is supposedly a good thing? Nothing has changed in the way God has constructed humanity. Marriage and procreation is part of the plan. His commands on the subject are everlasting.
There is a documentary on the subject called, "Birth Control - How did we get here?" You can find a copy of this film at, www.thebirthcontrolmovie.com.
The production offers a great overview as to the history of how birth control came to be so popular today and in particular within the Church. It is quite an eye-opening lesson to watch and it is sobering to learn how much ungodly propaganda surrounds the topic of children in this day and age.
Condoms and Diaphragms
When discussing condoms and diaphragms things get somewhat more "grey" as to what is okay or not. The story of Onan is the only example that is loosely related to this topic. He was suppose to give his brother's wife a child, as was the custom regarding a widow with no offspring.
9 But Onan knew that the heir would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother. 10 And the thing which he did displeased the LORD; therefore He killed him also. (Genesis 38:9-10 NKJV)
What displeased the LORD? It seems as though redirecting the emission onto the ground, with the intention of not impregnating his brother's wife, is what displeased the LORD. In God's eyes, Onan's actions and heart were incorrect. He spilled his seed on the ground because the child would have been his brother's, not his.
This story and example begs the question. Does using condoms and diaphragms look the same in God's eyes, as spilling seed onto the ground? What was the issue? Not impregnating his brother's wife? His hard heart? Perhaps a combination of actions caused the Lord to kill Onan?
Natural Family Planning
"Natural Family Planning" (NFP) has to do with recording the wife's cycle. Couples abstain from intercourse during the ovulation period. From a biblical perspective, NFP seems to make the most sense regarding birth control. Abstaining from intercourse during ovulation will most likely prevent one from getting pregnant. Yet, still gives room for conception.
5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (1 Corinthians 7:5 NKJV
This scripture loosely suggests abstaining from sexual relations for birth control purposes. The couple could refrain from relations during ovulation. It’s not directly contextualized using this as birth control, but to simply draw closer to the Most High God. One could make an argument, for or against birth control in this scripture reference.
Women Saved in Childbearing
Take a look at some Scripture in the New Covenant:
11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control. (1Timothy 2:11-15 NKJV)
It is interesting that Paul says women are saved in "childbearing." What a profound statement to make.
Childbearing saves women? Obviously it does not mean women receive eternal salvation through childbearing. Throughout Genesis and the entire Bible, women desire children. The more children, the more God was revealing His blessing upon her life, because He alone opens and closes the womb. The scripture above is no doubt a controversial one in the Church today. Some commentaries conclude, rather than teaching or holding authority over men, women should find true fulfillment in raising godly children, continuing in faith, helping their husbands and stewarding the home.
The TV show on TLC, "19 and Counting..." with the Duggar's is a reality TV Series about a Christian family who raises 19 children. Mr. and Mrs. Duggar trusted the Lord with conception, by not using birth control. It takes tremendous faith in God's ability to provide financially and His goodness upon people who trust Him with fertility. Their story is definitely an inspiration. 19 children! Wow! This family is clearly an extreme example of what it means to be fruitful and multiply. God's blessing abounds upon them.
Fact of the Matter…
It is easy for one to say, "Have as many babies as the Lord allows." This is no easy topic because there are so many factors that go into developing a family. It takes faith to follow the Living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in marriage and in having children. There is a deep level of respect that is required for a husband and wife to go down this road in developing a family of any size. It is a lifelong commitment. May God’s people continue to follow His Word, as much as possible, with amazing faith. May the LORD Jesus Christ speak to each individual’s heart His truth, in this delicate subject of what "being fruitful and multiplying” should or shouldn't look like. Thank you for joining the process of asking the tough questions as to God’s purposes in marriage.
Prayer
Father in Heaven, let Your purposes in family be fulfilled in the earth. Let Your ordained marriages and couples come together at the time You have determined. Let marriages be pure and undefiled. Let Your marriages last to the fullness of days, with godly offspring. I ask for couples to arise in the earth with maturity in Your Word, character and integrity so as to glorify Your purposes of family in the earth. Thank You for the beauty of husband and wife marital relationships. Thank You for Your goodness and endorsement upon holy matrimony. I ask all of this in Jesus' name. Amen.