The issue of birth control is complex and opinions among Christians vary widely. There are a few key principles found in Scripture that can help guide Christians as they make personal decisions about birth control.
1. Children are a blessing from God
The Bible makes it clear that children are a gift and blessing from the Lord (Psalm 127:3-5, Psalm 128:1-4). God is the author of life and the one who opens and closes the womb (Genesis 29:31, 1 Samuel 1:5-6). Children are to be received joyfully as a reward from Him. However, Scripture does not dictate the timing or spacing of children for couples. The Bible promotes wisdom and planning in family matters (Proverbs 24:3-4).
2. Marriage is for companionship and intimacy
According to Genesis 2:18, God created Eve to be a companion and helpmate for Adam. Marriage serves many purposes, one of which is the pleasure and intimacy between husband and wife. Paul encourages married couples to render the marital debt to one another, except for agreed upon times of prayer and fasting (1 Corinthians 7:3-5). So sexual intimacy is very much encouraged and highlighted as a key aspect of marriage in Scripture.
3. Be open to God’s will in family planning
As mentioned earlier, God opens and closes the womb. Ultimately, He is the one who grants the gift of children. There are examples in Scripture of women who struggled with infertility and others who conceived against natural odds in their older years. This reminds us that God’s timing and will for our family size may differ from our own plans. Christians should acknowledge in prayer that their family plans are subject to God’s sovereign will (James 4:13-17).
4. Children place responsibilities and strains on parents
Although children are a blessing, the Bible recognizes they also bring challenges. Parents are called to raise godly offspring, which requires time, energy and resources (Ephesians 6:4, Proverbs 22:6). Scripture warns that children with foolish parents bring them grief and sorrow (Proverbs 10:1, 17:21). Practically speaking, parents need wisdom to determine their capacity to provide and care for their offspring.
5. Be responsible and care for your family
A key principle in Scripture is that anyone who does not provide for their relatives, especially their immediate family, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (1 Timothy 5:8). Parents should prayerfully consider their ability to provide for existing and potential children. Family planning can be motivated by a desire to be responsible stewards.
In light of these principles, Christians have freedom in determining the use of birth control in family planning. The Bible does not directly prohibit measures to prevent pregnancy. At the same time, marriage and children are strongly encouraged in Scripture. Prayerful wisdom is needed to balance these factors.
Common Methods of Birth Control
There are a variety of birth control methods available today. Some are controversial among Christians. Here is an overview of some of the most common forms of contraception:
Natural Family Planning
This involves avoiding intercourse during a woman’s fertile period each month to prevent conception. It relies on tracking ovulation and menstrual cycles. Some Christians prefer this as it works with the body’s natural rhythms.
Barrier Methods
These include condoms, diaphragms and cervical caps that form a physical barrier to prevent sperm from meeting the egg. Many Christians approve of these as they do not interfere with conception itself.
Hormonal Contraceptives
Birth control pills, patches, shots and implants use hormones to regulate ovulation, thickening cervical mucus and other bodily functions to prevent pregnancy. These are controversial to some believers who argue they may sometimes work by disrupting implantation of a fertilized egg.
Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)
IUDs are small devices inserted into the uterus by a doctor that prevent fertilization. Some types may also affect implantation, raising ethical issues for some Christians.
Sterilization
Surgical methods like vasectomy and tubal ligation permanently prevent conception. These approaches are generally discouraged by Christian leaders, though some couples prayerfully choose them.
Key Factors for Christian Couples
For Christian husbands and wives considering birth control, here are some key points to consider:
- Pray together and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance on family planning decisions.
- Consider health factors, risks and effectiveness of different contraceptive methods.
- Weigh your motivations – is it for godly stewardship of resources/time or convenience/materialism?
- Carefully evaluate birth control methods that may prevent implantation of a fertilized egg.
- Consider the long-term implications of permanent sterilization procedures.
- Seek wisdom from biblical teaching, Christian doctors and mature believers.
- Make decisions according to your Spirit-guided conscience before the Lord.
Important Considerations
In summary, here are some important points for Christians to remember regarding birth control:
- The Bible encourages both fruitful multiplication and responsible family planning.
- Married couples have freedom to determine the use of contraception in their marriage.
- Be prayerful, seek wisdom and evaluate methods in light of biblical principles.
- Consider health factors, effectiveness and family stewardship motivations.
- Methods that may prevent implantation after fertilization raise ethical concerns.
- Permanent sterilization approaches require careful thought and counsel.
- God is sovereign over the womb and family planning is subject to His will.
In conclusion, the Bible does not definitively prohibit nor mandate the use of birth control. Christian couples must seek the Lord’s guidance concerning if and which family planning methods to utilize. Wise stewardship, faithfulness to Scripture and yieldedness to God’s will should mark the decision-making process. Married believers must follow their conscience as they trust the Lord and rely on His grace in these personal matters of family size and planning.