(Remember: we are looking at what the Bible says – not what man thinks). The Bible says that “children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3-5). Large families are commanded by God in Jeremiah 29:4-6. If Christians had large families we could fill the land with born-again believers (Exodus 1:7). In the Old Testament it was considered a sign of God’s displeasure and of sin in a family or clan for women not to bear children (Genesis 20:17-18). 

The only direct reference to birth control I could find was definitely in a negative context. In Genesis 38:8-10, we read that Onan was killed by God for practicing it. The Bible says what Onan did “displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him.” I believe that if you read the story, you will agree that Onan wanted the fringe benefits without the responsibilities. Sound familiar…?

In Hebrews 13:4 we are told, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled…” I do not desire to tell a husband and wife how to decide on this private issue. I believe, however, that one piece of important advice should be considered.

Life begins at conception. Any form of birth control that ends the life of a baby after conception is murder. If you are going to prevent a pregnancy, it must be done prior to conception. Once the sperm has fertilized an egg you are dealing with another life. Ladies…many birth control pills do more than prevent fertilization. Some also work by prohibiting an egg that has been fertilized (the baby) from attaching itself to the uterine wall. In this latter case a baby has been unknowingly aborted by passing out of the uterus on your cycle. I am not a doctor. Please check with a doctor on EXACTLY how your birth control pills do what they do. Remember, however, that ignorance is never an excuse with God.