Many sincere Christians differ on whether or not abortion is ever justified, especially in difficult situations, such as rape or incest, or when tests reveal that the unborn child has severe abnormalities. While those on one side of the issue stress a woman's right to choose whether or not to give birth, people on the other side stress the right of the unborn dhild to be born.
Whether you are struggling with the guilt of a past abortion or are now considering having an abortion, we commend you for looking to God for guidance. God wants to direct your path. But, He first wants to have a relationship with you. The only way to have a relationship with God is through Jesus Christ (see "Knowing Peace).
CONSIDERING ABORTION
The Bible says, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (Psalm 139:13-16)
The Bible teaches that the unborn child is fully human. The Word of God says that our lives are of inestimable worth to God, who created us in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27); who sustains us (Job 12:10); and who reconciles us to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
If you're considering an abortion because you're not married, or not married to the father of your child, or because you're afraid of the responsibility, we urge you to consider having the child. Having an abortion won't eliminate your problems. It will only complicate your situation and compound your guilt. God can bring good from the experience as you commit yourself and your child to Him (Romans 8:28). If you're concerned about not being able to care for or support the child, prayerfully consider adoption.
God loves you and has compassion on you in your situation. He wants to direct your decision. Prayer and ask God to give you the strength and courage to trust Him: "In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth." (Psalm 31:1-5)
DEALING WITH A PAST ABORTION
Paul writes, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)
Many who have gone through with an abortion suffer from guilt. Often feelings of guilt mean that God is speaking to you. God gives us His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth who convicts us when our lives do not please Him. This conviction is meant to cause us to go to God and confess our sin and repent.
The Bible tells us of King David's repentance after committing adultery and conceiving a child with Bathsheba: "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." (Psalm 51:10-12)
God has an answer to every situation; you can trust Him to work for good in your life. He wants to offer you forgiveness and lift the burden of guilt from you when you're willing to repent (1 John 1:9).
When a crowd was ready to stone a woman caught in adultery, Jesus told them that the person who had not sinned should be the one to cast the first stone. No one cast a stone because each knew he or she, too, had sinned. Jesus then told the woman, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." (John 8:11)
Take your burden to God, confess your sin to Him; receive His forgiveness, and let Him set you free from your guilt. |
