21. Birth Control
Many God-fearing husbands and wives believe that
some form of birth control can help to keep their marriages strong and healthy
and at the same time enable them to have a better cared-for family. There is
nothing in the Bible that condemns the wise and unselfish use of some methods of
birth control. (Of course, care is obviously needed to avoid those that may be
harmful to health or involve the use of dangerous drugs.)
The fact that children are a gift of God does not
mean that pregnancy need always be an unexpected event. Not all gifts come by
surprise!
There are some churches that teach that the only
lawful method of birth control is abstinence during the times of increased
fertility. Paul had a more real appreciation of the needs of marriage than to
offer such advice. Instead, he wrote:
“Deprive not one the other, except it be
with consent for a time that you may give yourselves unto prayer; and come
together again, that you be not tempted” (1 Cor.
7:5).
In the same chapter he tells both husbands and
wives alike to satisfy their partner’s reasonable sexual needs (v. 3).
Therefore the most satisfactory methods of birth control are those which enable
a married couple to follow Paul’s teaching above, but at the same time
enable them to limit their family sensibly.
As to the “proper” size of a family
(if there is any such thing!), a further point may be appropriate: Paul
states:
“If any provide not for his own, and
specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse
than an infidel” (1 Tim. 5:8).
It is hardly right for married couples to bring
into the world children whom they are not able to support.
