Deliberate Childlessness

I was typing up some old Seminary notes from the last 2 classes and a comment that a teacher had made really took hold of me. She talked about how having a child gave you a deeper view into God, one that those without children could never understand or know. I sat there and thought on that and it is so true. There is a greater view into God and the love he had for His Son and all that entails about the parent/child relationship. It was truly a view that God wanted us to have as he made us to reproduce.

Then I was reading an article from Voddie Bauchman about the child prevention that has seem to become the thing to do lately. One of the links lead me to the following article of which I got my title for this post.

I'm not talking about those who can't have children and are unable - that should cause sadness for those who are unable.

Here is a quote from the article:

"Christians must recognize that this rebellion against parenthood represents nothing less than an absolute revolt against God's design. The Scripture points to barrenness as a great curse and children as a divine gift. The Psalmist declared: "Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate." [Psalm 127: 3-5]"

You can read the full article HERE.

Are there modern-day Hannah's who cry out because of their barrenness anymore or is it rather that Hannah being barren is a symbol of rejoicing for some. Barrenness would be glorified in this society today to some, rather than mourned as the scripture so clearly teaches us!

Then on the flip-side, I'm not of those who say never prevent pregnancy. Although I don't use abortifacients to prevent pregnancy, I have prevented it because of my severe health issues. If it would kill a woman to conceive, then I think wisdom comes into the picture and you do prevent pregnancy in those situations.

However, just because "times are bad" right now isn't a good enough reason to prevention. From Voddie's post on this, he shows how even in dark times of the Bible, which were FAR WORSE then what is going on now in America.........what did God tell the people to do? Can you believe he told them to get to making babies!? Yep......

Jeremiah 29:6
"Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished."

But doesn't God understand things are just to wicked right now to bring children into this. On the contrary my dear friend! We need more Godly seed, more children raised up in Godly homes! If anything, there should be an increase in children in Christian circles. Lately, I have noticed quite an influx of babies in my church lol - God has given many families here blessings!! It is such a wonderful thing.

Motive is what it comes down to. Only you and God know your motives for why you prevent your children. Are the motives pure? Do my motives line up with the role that God has given me through scripture? Am I trying to play God in my body? These are some questions I asked myself when seeking to truly learn from God in this child prevention topic. It is a personal one but it can't be denied God's view about children and our role as bearing children.

I know that not everyone shares our views and you are free to decide for yourself. I'm just sharing this for those who have told me they would like to know our views on this. I don't post this for contention or to even say that YOU are wrong if you feel God wants you to remain without children for whatever reason. I'm simply sharing things to support our view.