Full Answer
What does the Bible say to those struggling with infertility?
In wrestling with some of those decisions, here are a few things the Bible has to say to those facing infertility: God understands the desire for children. He planted that desire in a woman’s heart.
What not to say to someone going through infertility?
To say having a miscarriage ... that only those who have gone through it can truly understand. “We often do not talk about miscarriages, and many people go through this process in isolation.
When should you see a doctor about infertility?
Should you see a fertility doctor? If you're under 35 and have been actively trying to conceive for 12 months or more without success, make an appointment with a fertility doctor, or reproductive endocrinologist (sometimes referred to as an RE). If you're over 35, wait only six months before getting help.
What can you do to help infertility?
To protect your fertility:
- Don't smoke. Men who smoke cigarettes are more likely to have low sperm counts. ...
- Limit alcohol. Heavy drinking can lead to reduced testosterone production, impotence and decreased sperm production. ...
- Avoid lubricants during sex. ...
- Talk to your doctor about medications. ...
- Watch out for toxins. ...
- Stay cool. ...
What the Bible say about fertility?
In Genesis 1:28, God said: "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it." Similarly, the psalmist says: "Behold, children are an heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is his reward. Like arrows in the hand of the warrior, so are the children of one's youth.
Does God approve of IVF?
Most major religions have indeed come to tolerate — and even embrace — IVF, which was originally viewed with equal alarm. But the increasingly commonplace procedure is still condemned at the highest levels of the Catholic Church.
Is fertility a gift from God?
Fertility is not a right, and children are not trophies, but they are incredible gifts of God, which ultimately go back to God for all eternity.
What does the Bible say about preventing pregnancy?
The Bible never explicitly approves of contraception.
Why is IVF a sin?
The Catholic Church believes that IVF is never acceptable because it removes conception from the marital act and because it treats a baby as a product to be manipulated, violating the child's integrity as a human being with an immortal soul from the moment of conception (Donum Vitae 1987).
What does the church say about IVF?
In addition, the church opposes in vitro fertilization because it might cause disposal of embryos; Catholics believe an embryo is an individual with a soul who must be treated as a such.
Is infertility a punishment?
Infertility is not a punishment inflicted on you for something you did or didn't do. Lisa Notes, an infertility patient, who was unsuccessful in treatment, but became a mom through adoption, posted some sage advice in the Creating a Family Facebook Support Group.
What does God say about barrenness in the Bible?
God's love for humanity is limitless. Hence, in respect to barrenness, He says: “there shall be no barren in the land.” His Words are to be taken for what it is, for He can never lie. “Has He said a thing and it did not come to pass?” (Isaiah 46:8-11).
Who was infertile in the Bible?
As I searched the scriptures during this time, I noticed there were many couples who suffered from infertility: Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel, Elkanah and Hannah, and Zachariah and Elisabeth.
Does the Bible prohibit contraception?
Indeed, while Judeo-Christian scripture encourages humans to “be fruitful and multiply,” nothing in Scripture explicitly prohibits contraception. When the first Christian theologians condemned contraception, they did so not on the basis of religion but in a give-and-take with cultural practices and social pressures.
Is it a sin to use birth control?
A Mortal Sin On New Year's Eve 1930, the Roman Catholic Church officially banned any "artificial" means of birth control. Condoms, diaphragms and cervical caps were defined as artificial, since they blocked the natural journey of sperm during intercourse.
What Christianity says about contraception?
The Church teaches that using artificial contraception is wrong because: it is against 'natural law' it breaks the natural connection between the procreative and the unitive purposes of sex. it turns sex into a non-marital act.
Who were the infertile people in the Bible?
For the most part, infertility was cured with the birth of a significant character, including Isaac ( Genesis 21:7 ), Esau and Jacob ( Genesis 25:21 ), Samson ( Judges 13 ), Samuel the prophet ( 1 Samuel 1 ), and John the Baptist ( Luke 1 ). The godly men involved in infertile relationships seemed to care more for their wives than any potential ...
Why do we need children in the Bible?
Children are a blessing ( Psalm 127:3-5 ). Children are required to fulfill God's purpose for mankind that we "be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth" ( Genesis 1:28 ). At least twice, God used fertility to reward or comfort women ( Genesis 29:31; 2 Kings 4:8-17 ). Yet nowhere does God condemn a woman because of infertility.
What was the pressure to bear children in the Bible?
The pressure to bear children in Bible times was more cultural than theological. Except for the Greeks, who often left their infants on the street to die during rough times, most Bible-era cultures valued children and fertility.
Who was Samuel's father in the Bible?
Instead, he prayed that God would open his wife's womb ( Genesis 25:21 ). Both Jacob ( Genesis 29:30) and Elkanah , Samuel's father ( 1 Samuel 1:8 ), fiercely loved their wives despite troubles with infertility. The pressure to bear children in Bible times was more cultural than theological.
Who was Abraham's wife in Genesis 16?
Abraham was apparently content with his wife Sarah; it was Sarah who pushed her handmaiden Hagar onto Abraham as a surrogate heir-bearer ( Genesis 16 ).
Is it good to mourn infertility?
So much so that it is possible He wants our hearts for Himself, without the distraction the blessing of children would incur. It is good and appropriate to mourn infertility. It is not good to place the desire for children above the desire for a relationship with God ( Exodus 20:3 ).
What does God say about fish in the sea?
Genesis 1:28. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”.
Is procreation in the Bible?
But despite this blessing, there is the occurrence of infertility in the Bible. The idea that procreation is not for everyone is discussed in the New Testament, where an alternative is for one to adopt. Paul even recommends that some Christians should ...
What does the Bible say about infertility?
8 Bible Verses about Infertility. By faith [Abraham] received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age—and Sarah herself was sterile—for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy. – Hebrews 11:11. We know that, with God, nothing is impossible.
Why did women not conceive in the Bible?
Many Bible stories tell of women who could not conceive but who then bore children because of the mercy of God. Abraham and Sarah conceived a son at extremely old ages—long after they considered it possible.
What to do when you are experiencing infertility?
If you are experiencing infertility or difficulty conceiving, know that you are not alone. God is walking this path with you. While you may take solace in talking with others who are going through the same trials you are, it is only God who truly understands you. It is only God who weeps with and for you.
What does doubt mean in the Bible?
Doubt puts a divide between us and God. And Satan wants nothing more than to see God and His children divided. So when we start to feel doubt creeping in, we can look to Scripture and to God’s word. They will fortify us. Isaac entreated the Lord on behalf of his wife, since she was sterile.
What does the Bible say about people?
The people in the Bible experienced many of the same things we experience. They understand pain, loss, sadness, strife, and loneliness. The stories teach that God was there for them. And just as He was there for them, He will be there for each of us.
Why is it important for men to pray?
Men struggle too. That’s why it’s just as important for men to have faith, to pray, and to put their trust in God. And it’s equally important for couples to pray together, to talk about their feelings, and to work together to discern God’s plan for them.
Who in the Bible Struggled with Infertility?
The Bible is full of people with struggles that reflect our modern problems, including infertility. Understanding their stories can inform an understanding of how to cope with the problem today. While some of these cases were supernaturally resolved, others were not. Some of the most prominent cases of infertility mentioned in the Bible are:
What Does the Bible Say about Infertility?
Infertility is the inability to conceive a child through the natural course of things. In modern times, there are some conditions that cause infertility that can be addressed through medicine, but for millennia this was not the case. As far back as Abraham, there are stories of families struggling to have children.
Bible Verses about Infertility
The Word of God does not just tell the history of the world from God’s point of view, it also is a source of comfort and guidance for those who are struggling. Verses for those who are having a hard time conceiving include:
Is Fertility a Gift from God?
Because God intended for creation to participate in continuing itself, fertility is a gift God gave to living creatures to be a part of that process. The Psalmist wrote, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.
A Prayer for the Couple Struggling with Infertility
Thank you for loving us enough to bring us together as husband and wife, a family that represents your Son as the bridegroom and the church as His bride. Lord, we come to you with a deep hurt. We want to have a child, but conceiving has been difficult.
A Prayer to Encourage a Friend Who Is Struggling
Thank you for the friends in my life. Thank you for the bonds of love between us, and I praise you for being the greatest of friends. Lord, my dear friend is struggling with infertility right now. You know the deepest desires of the heart, and know their sincere desire for a child.
Sources
Forbus, Beth. Surviving Infertility What the Bible Says about Your Baby Hunger. Crossbooks, 2011.
What is in vitro fertilization?
In-vitro fertilization is the process of joining a sperm and egg together outside of a woman’s body, then placing the fertilized egg, or zygote, in the woman’s body so that she can become pregnant. In-vitro fertilization is a controversial issue among Christians, and the Bible does not address it.
Why do fertilized eggs end up being frozen?
Because the fertilized egg is a living human, there are some moral implications to consider. Often, couples decide to harvest more eggs than they plan to use , which means that some of the embryos end up being destroyed, or frozen for later use.
Can fertilized eggs be miscarried?
There is, of course, a high risk that at least some of the fertilized eggs will miscarry, but this way it would be a natural expulsion instead of purposeful destruction. This also means that the woman may have to go through additional procedures and expense to have more eggs harvested later on.
Is in vitro fertilization a biblical issue?
In-vitro fertilization is a controversial issue among Christians, and the Bible does not address it. Therefore, it becomes a matter of conviction from the Holy Spirit. God values every human life; He creates and plans for every birth.
What does the Bible say about in vitro fertilization?
In vitro fertilization is the act of fertilizing a woman's egg outside the body. (In vitro means "in glass," reflecting how the first scientific trials of the method were done).
Why are implanted eggs removed?
But in most cases, all but one or two implanted eggs are removed for the health of both the mother and the remaining embryos. This is basically abortion. The second issue is similar. Invariably, more eggs will be fertilized than will be used.
Can fertilized eggs implant?
And there is nothing unbiblical about the fact that many of those fertilized eggs will not implant; God is in control of even man-assisted pregnancies. But there are a few major issues that must be taken into consideration. The first comes into play when more than one fertilized egg implants.
Can you use left over embryos in abortion?
If life begins at conception, this is also abortion.
Can Christians have in vitro fertilization?
That a child would be allowed to die for such trivial reasons is a horror no matter what her age. In vitro fertilization is not forbidden for Christians.
