What does the Bible say about birth control?
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The Bible presents children as God’s good gift and calls married couples to receive them with faith, wisdom, and reverence, while not giving a direct command that forbids every form of birth control. Genesis 1:28 blesses humanity’s fruitfulness, and Psalm 127:3-5 celebrates children as a heritage from the Lord. Genesis 38:8-10 warns against selfishly refusing the covenant responsibilities connected with marriage and offspring, though it should not be treated as a simple rule about all contraception. Christians should reject any practice that ends a developing human life, honor marital faithfulness, seek godly counsel, and make family-planning decisions prayerfully before God.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Psalms 127:3-5
[3] Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward. [4] As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the children of youth. [5] Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won't be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
- Genesis 1:28
God blessed them. God said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
- Genesis 38:8-10
[8] Judah said to Onan, "Go in to your brother's wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her, and raise up seed to your brother." [9] Onan knew that the seed wouldn't be his; and it happened, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest he should give seed to his brother. [10] The thing which he did was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and he killed him also.
- 2 Peter 3:3
knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts,
- Luke 23:29
For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.'
- 1 Timothy 4:3
forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
- 2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;
- 2 Timothy 2:22-26
[22] Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. [23] But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. [24] The Lord's servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient, [25] in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, [26] and they may recover themselves out of the devil's snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.
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