Birth Control and the Bible

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Does the Bible permit the use of birth control pills, condoms, and so on to prevent pregnancy?

Birth control, as well as guidelines concerning intercourse within marriage, can be found within the pages of the Bible. Scripture states that a husband and wife can decide to refrain from such intimacy for Christian purposes such as spiritual needs. They can also decide, out of love, to enjoy intimacy but not have it lead to the production of children. They are allowed to enjoy it for its own sake.

The Apostle Paul said a husband and wife can refrain from intercourse by mutual consent, certainly a form of preventing birth, so they can fast or pray (1Corinthians 7:1 - 6, NKJV). However, each mate must not defraud each other to fulfill their needs.

If both love each other, they will try to keep each other content in the martial relationship. Since they are Christians, they should also consider what each is able to fulfill in bed. One mate should not take advantage of the other or use abstaining under the guise of that it is being done as a form of birth control. Intercourse should not be weaponized as punishment towards a mate.

God Himself made the fertility cycle in a woman where she can only become pregnant when she ovulates. God therefore gives us an example of the physical control of birth (she can only get pregnant at certain times of the month).

Economics could be a reason not to have intercourse because one should be able to afford any humans they choose to bring into the world. Under such a rational loving consideration for the marriage, they can refrain from having children. Obviously, this does not mean not having any intimacy, as that would lead to adultery, which is sinful (1Corinthians 7:9). Therefore, preventing pregnancy through certain methods is permitted if doing so is the best for the family and is based on love.

There is nothing in God's word that is against limiting the number of children. Condoms are just another way of not getting pregnant just like abstaining from intimacy when a woman is in her fertile period. Using pills that block conception accomplishes the same purpose. Using these drugs, however, is each person's free right to decide since every drug has a side effect and may be dangerous to one's health.

Abortion (which some perversely believe is a form of controlling birth) is wrong and a sin since once a sperm and ovum is united a new human exists. Killing that new life is murder in God's eyes. According to the word of God, the only requirement when sperm from the man is spilled is that they both should wash with water to keep themselves clean so disease is not spread (Leviticus 14 - 15).

A scriptural example related to controlling or preventing birth concerns the refusal of a man to continue his brother's family line with his widow. God stated it was a sin when the brother spilled his sperm on purpose so that the family line would not continue (Genesis 38:8 - 10).

When we search the Bible, we find God makes sense and everything He says and does is out of what is good for us because He loves us. This especially includes his principles regarding birth control and the use of contraceptives.

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