The Preventative Antidote to Abortion

The abortion debate will rage on from state to state.  Those who believe that God created human life to begin at conception will not get equal time in most media outlets.  Those who focus on the mother’s right to terminate the life of her fetus are likely to get more airtime.  As noted in my last submission, over 85% of women who abort have become pregnant out of wedlock (1).  The 15% of married who opt for abortion is not the focus on these articles.  That is not to minimize their importance or the serious and complicated factors that may lead to their decision.  But the largest contributor to unwanted pregnancies is a view of sex which has come out of the Sexual Revolution.  It says sexual intercourse without a lifelong commitment to another in marriage is fine.

Two thoughts come immediately to mind.  One, large segments of our culture think sexual abstinence apart from marriage is an archaic notion and an attack on freedom.  In that regard many would consider someone who says, “Extra-marital sex is wrong,” to be narrow minded, unenlightened, and judgmental (2).  How to communicate ideas to people who dismiss our message and, therefore, shut off discussion by simply turning away is a quandary. After all, our conviction is based on the fact that we actually care about people’s well-being.

Although we may struggle to find the right approach, even given the mistakes we may make, we must still communicate the truth. Jesus wanted everyone to embrace his message, but he never hesitated to let people walk away because he told the truth (3).  The truth is what sets people free, not avoiding the truth for fear of people’s reactions.

Two, some would argue that stressing sexual abstinence apart from marriage ends up being nothing more than preaching to the choir.  In other words, only those who already hold to such a view of sexual ethics will applaud the message.  So why bother?

However, so-called preaching to the choir is crucial.  Scripture often tells us that without constant reminders we are prone to relax our standards or become anesthetized to the dangers of sin.  Sexual purity is not a given in the choir (i.e., among believers).  Google ‘sexual scandals in the church’ and you will find story after story of dedicated Christians who betrayed God’s design for sex.  The message of abstinence apart from marriage must be delivered regularly, especially to the faithful.

Believers must safeguard their own sexual choices.  But reminders of the importance of sexual purity encourages them to be the voice of Christ in the marketplace.  They have family, friends, and associates who may be influenced by their “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-16).  This is the setting where many Christians have earned respect by lives well lived.  That respect translates into opportunities for people to listen to our message because they have come to trust us.

Some would object by saying, “Yes, but you can’t stop the wind from blowing.  People will have sex outside of marriage.  Get real!”  People are going to use opioid drugs.  Should we stop challenging people to avoid them?  People will drink and drive.  Should we stop urging them to change their behavior? Having sex outside of marriage often leads to sexually transmitted disease and a world of psychological or relational complications.  It also leads too often to unwanted pregnancy and abortion.  Restraint and self-discipline are the antidote to a major social crisis.

As far as getting real, I’m under no illusion that when we advocate sexual abstinence outside of marriage everyone will see the wisdom in that and comply.  Hardly!  Our desire is for everyone to see and apply what’s obvious.  Abortion becomes a non-issue when sexual restraint is exercised outside of marriage.  But I’m not naïve enough to think we can reach everyone.  The goal is not to reach everyone, but to reach some.   As Paul said about sharing the gospel, along with its implications for godly living, I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some (1 Corinthians 9:22 ESV).

Every person who catches the vision of the Bible’s preventative antidote to abortion is one more person spared from facing a life altering decision.  Conservative churches and Bible believing Christians do a good job of supporting biblical wisdom on sexual ethics.  Still, there are reminders and possible approaches that can help us do better.  Our next article will address some of these.

Notes:

(1)  See my previous post, The Abortion Crisis: A Root Opportunity at https://wordaliveenterprises.com/blog/

(2)  Many who conclude that we are judgmental tend themselves to be judgmental in their assessment of us and our position.  We must not allow accusations to move us away from our convictions.

(3)  See when many of his disciples walked away (John 6:66) because he told them the truth (John 6:26-59).