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The Bible and Abortion: What Does God Say?
Christian Bible Study on God, Abortion and the Bible
Compiled by Doug Britton, MFT
Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers? (Job 31:15).
God, the Bible and abortion: Introduction
In some situations, an unplanned pregnancy can be one of the hardest things facing a woman or man. If you are in such a situation and wonder if you should have an abortion, I pray that the following verses from the Bible—God's Word—will help you make your decision, regardless of your religion. If you have had an abortion in the past, may these Scriptures help you come to a godly resolution.
God creates life.
What does Christianity say about abortion? The Bible does not use the word "abortion." But the Bible lets us know that every life is precious to God. He is the one who gave us life.
Jesus Christ, God's son, is pro-life. Read these Scriptures:The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being (Genesis 2:7).
You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit (Job 10:12).
Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3).
Life is a gift of God.
• It should be cherished.
• It should be nourished.
• It should be protected.
God treats a fetus (baby) in the womb as a living person.
Some people say, "The Bible does not say anything about abortion." Let's look at that statement.
Although the Bible does not use the terms "abortion" or "pro-life," does that mean God doesn't care about abortion? Not at all. There are countless wrong things that are not mentioned by name in the Bible. But rather than list everything that would be against God's will, the Bible gives us guidelines and principles that we can apply to the issues that come up in our lives.
As the following Scriptures show, Christians (or members of other religions) do not need to wonder what God thinks about unborn children or whether he considers a fetus a child.
Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers? (Job 31:15).
Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast. From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God (Psalm 22:9-10).
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 (Psalm 139:13-16).
This is what the LORD says—he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you...(Isaiah 44:2).
Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you (Isaiah 46:3-4).
And now the LORD says—he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength (Isaiah 49:5).
The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:4-5).
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy" (Luke 1:41-42, 44).
God says murder is sin. (Abortion kills the fetus.)
The Bible does not specifically use the word "abortion," but it's clear about "murder."
You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13).
God calls us to protect the defenseless, including children.
One of the key themes throughout the Bible and historical Christianity is that we should be concerned about the welfare of the poor, weak, and helpless. Many Scriptures make this very clear. In addition to the following verses, read what James wrote in the New Testament about religion that is pure and faultless (James 1:27). Although James was not writing about abortion, the principle is clear: We should be concerned about those who are unable to care for themselves.
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked (Psalm 82:3-4).
Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done? (Proverbs 24:11-12).
The Bible says God forgives those who had an abortion when they ask.
Everyone has sinned in many ways. Scriptures throughout the Bible reassure us of God's love for us and let us know that when we confess our sins, he forgives us and purifies us. Christianity is more than a religion, it is an opportunity to know God intimately. Learn more about Christianity here..
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin (Psalm 51:1-2).
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:9-10).
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One (1 John 1:9-2:1).
Ask God to reveal his love for you. (Click here for info on God's love for you.)
Sometimes we think of God as being a big meanie in the sky, yet just the opposite is true. God's love for us—and God's love for you—is amazing. Even his commands, which sometime seem like a bummer, are for our good. Take a minute to read this Bible study on God's love for us. There's nothing more strengthening than to bask in God's love.
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