What The Bible Has To Say About Abortion:
The question of whether or not abortion should be legal has become increasingly controversial over the years. Many individuals say that an abortion merely eliminates a "clump of cells," using this claim to justify what others see to be the taking of an innocent life. From a biblical perspective, abortion is viewed as unethical. And though the Bible does not explicitly refer to abortion, we look to Scripture to better understand how God regards human life and examine why we should oppose the legalization of abortion.
The Bible teaches that God creates and knows each of us even before we are born. One passage that illustrates this truth is Psalm 139:16, where David reflects on God’s intimate involvement in his formation: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. Your eyes saw my unformed substance.” This verse affirms that God is directly involved in the creation of every human life. While conception requires a mother’s egg and a father’s sperm, everything that follows is shaped by God’s design. He intentionally determines each individual trait of the developing child. Ending this life is unnatural and dishonors the work of God, who has lovingly crafted every person, including us. Even if the circumstances of conception may be considered an “accident,” God’s work never is. Each life is the result of His deliberate intention, demonstrating that He knows, forms, and values us long before our birth.
Our second text is from Exodus 20:13, the sixth commandment, which says, “You shall not murder.” The taking of innocent life is strictly forbidden by God's moral law. Murder is commonly defined as “the unjust taking of an innocent life,” which is precisely what abortion is. What can justify killing a baby who has never sinned, much less committed a crime?
If intentionally killing a born child is universally recognized as murder, why do we permit the killing of an unborn child? This principle is reinforced in Proverbs 6:16–17, where Scripture lists the things the Lord hates, including “hands that shed innocent blood.” To commit such an act directly opposes God’s character and His commandments.
The third and final biblical truth I want to emphasize is the call Scripture places on both communities and individuals to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. Proverbs 31:8–9 instructs believers to “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” From this perspective, the unborn represent the most vulnerable and voiceless among us. Babies in the womb depend entirely on the compassion, courage, and conviction of those outside the womb to protect their right to life.
This means we are called not only to care about their wellbeing but also to actively advocate on their behalf. Defending these innocent lives requires confronting what many believe to be a “form of women’s healthcare,” and responding with a commitment to protect and preserve life wherever it is threatened. These children rely solely on our willingness to intervene, speak out, and stand firm in their defense.
In light of these biblical truths, it becomes clear that the question of abortion is not merely a political or cultural debate, but a deeply moral and spiritual one. Scripture consistently affirms the value of human life from God's intimate involvement in our creation, to His commands against shedding innocent blood, to His call for His people to defend the helpless. When we view the unborn through a biblical perspective, we realize that they are not simply "clumps of cells," but treasured persons with purpose and intentions created by the Creator Himself.
Therefore, opposing abortion is not just rooted in disapproval but in a profound respect for the sacred gift of life. As believers, we are called to uphold God's standards, to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, and to reflect His love by protecting the vulnerable. In this way, we can honor God's design and the immeasurable worth He has placed on each human life.
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