Does Bible permit using methods
to prevent pregnancy?

Does Bible permit using birth control methods such as
pills and condoms to prevent pregnancy?

Q. What does the Bible say about using birth control pills, condoms, withdrawal and timing sex activities to prevent pregnancy? I understand that children are a big responsibility, and that you shouldn't have any unless you feel ready, but I believe that involves not having sex at all, until you are ready for that level of responsibility.

(Submitted by: Josh)

A. On your question about birth control and how God directs a Christian about the sex life between a husband and wife, the Bible is very clear. 1 Corinthians 7:2-6 states:

"Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: [It is] good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, [to avoid] fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except [it be] with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. But I speak this by permission, [and] not of commandment. "

Leviticus 15, in the law of God, covers all the times he, the husband, must refrain from having sex with his wife such as during her menstrual period. Therefore, if the wife is sick or has some other problem, he should consider the wife and refrain from sex. Likewise, the wife must consider the husband if he has a problem and not force or coerce sex. Sex, according to God, must be a mutual love experience where both are capable and desirous to have sex.

Now to answer your question concerning birth control. Since the Bible clearly states a husband and wife can decide to refrain from sex for Christian purposes such as spiritual needs; it also sets the example they can also refrain from sex for other loving needs. Economics could be a reason not to have sex because one has too many children or cannot afford to support any. Under such a rational loving consideration for the marriage, they can refrain from having children.

Obviously, this doesn't mean not having any sex as that would lead to adultery, which is sinful (1 Corinthians 7:9).

Therefore, birth control is proper with God if doing so out of what is best for the family and each mate's capability as long as it is based on love.

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

Also, as stated previously, the Apostle Paul said couples can refrain from sex for reasons of love for the good of the family such as spiritual and other family needs. Therefore, not having sex when she is fertile is just fine Biblically.

There is nothing in the Bible that speaks against using condoms. Condoms are just another way of not getting pregnant just like abstaining from sex when a woman is in her fertile period.

Using birth control pills accomplishes the same purpose. Using birth control pills, however, is each persons free right to decide since every drug has a side effect and may be dangerous to health.

Abortion is Biblically a sin since once a sperm and ovum is united a new being exists and that would be murder in God's eyes.

The only requirement when sperm from the man is spilled is that they both should wash with water to keep themselves clean so disease doesn't spread (Leviticus 14-15).

The other Biblical restriction concerns the refusal of a brother to continue the family line with a widow of his brother. God states it is a sin if the brother spills his sperm on purpose so the brother's widow would not be able to continue the family line (Genesis 38:8-10).

When we search God's Word, we find God makes sense and everything He does is out of what is good for us because He loves us.

Answer Given By: Art Mokarow