Question: What the Bible Says About... Abortion

What do Christians believe about abortion? How do you respond to non-Christians about what you believe? The Bible actually has a lot to say on the subject of life, death, and pregnancy. Here is some scripture to understand the Christian stance on abortion.

Answer:

Is Abortion Wrong?

Many Christians believe that abortion is wrong, because of their belief that the act of abortion is murdering an unborn baby. While people argue the point of conception and the viability of a fetus, there is no doubt that the Bible does condemn the taking of another person’s life. Thus, the question of whether or not abortion is wrong depends on whether or not you believe aborting a fetus is murder.


Genesis 9:5 – “Murder is forbidden.”


The Beginning of Life

A Christian’s view on when life begins has a lot to do with whether or not he or she believes abortion is wrong. A point of contention between pro-choice and pro-life groups is the beginning of life. When does it begin? Many Christians believe that life begins at the moment of conception. Still, others question the beginning of life. Is it at the point of fertilization or when the heart begins beating? The Bible states that God knew us before he even placed us in the mother’s womb, so some Christians take the scripture to mean that an abortion may prevent a person God wanted to create from entering the world, making it wrong.

Psalm 51:5 – “I was born a sinner – yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.

Jeremiah 1:5 – “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.


Who Owns Your Body?

Many people are pro-choice because they believe that they have the ultimate say over what happens to their bodies. However, the Bible says that God has the ultimate say. He is in control of your body, because your body is God’s temple. Others argue that God gave us free will, thus allowing us to make a choice with our bodies. However, free will does not always mean we are free from sin. Whether you believe abortion is a sin or not, it is still biblical to care for our bodies.

1 Corinthians 6:12-13 – “You may say ‘I am allowed to do anything.’ But I reply, ‘Not everything is good for you.’ And even though ‘I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything…But our bodies were not made for segxwal immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies.


1 Corinthians 3:16-17 – “Don’t you realize that all of you together are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in You. God will bring ruin to anyone who ruins this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you Christians are that temple.


Forgiveness

No discussion about abortion would be complete without discussing forgiveness. There is no sin that God cannot forgive. Whether you have had an abortion or know someone struggling with the possibility of having an abortion, there is room for forgiveness. The Bible is clear that God will forgive sin, and He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for that sin.

1 John 1-9 – “If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.

Isaiah 1:18 – “No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as sand.


The Gray Areas

Like most topics that spark Christian debate, the topic of abortion comes with areas that make our heads shake with questions. What about the woman who is going to die if she has her baby? What about the baby that is totally malformed and probably won’t live anything more than a few days? Again, decisions about abortion aren’t always easy. Even pro-choice groups do not promote abortion, just the right of a woman to choose.

Abortion has consequences, whether or not you believe it is a sin. Few women who have had abortions do so in a casual manner. Pregnancy comes alongside a number of emotions that can be difficult to deal with after an abortion, and teens that get pregnant have many more burdens to carry. While, in many societies, abortion is legal, it is still something to be considered very carefully.

Talking to friends about abortion does not always make the topic clear either. If you are a Christian considering abortion then you may want to talk to a Christian counselor. Discuss what you are feeling, why you want an abortion, and look at alternatives.

Meanwhile, it is encouraging to know that, even if you have had an abortion and feel you have sinned, forgiveness is yours for the asking. In many cases God provides us with forgiveness before we can forgive ourselves. Know that you are not alone, God is alongside you, and listen to what He has to say. Be encouraged that God loves you.

Whether or not you believe abortion is wrong, it is not wrong to stand up for what you believe. You can be a Christian and be pro-choice. You can also be a Christian and be pro-life. Just be sure you stand with God in your choices.