Abortion is a highly controversial topic in our society today. On the one hand, some claim that the fetus is not a human being, and thus abortion is not the intentional killing of a human (i.e. murder). On the other hand, some say that the fetus is a human being at conception and thus abortion is the intentional killing of a human. Back in the day when we did not have much knowledge it did seem as if those who said the fetus is not human were right. However, with the advent of modern science, we now understand that human life begins at conception. This fact is so indisputable that even the most ardent pro-choice advocates no longer deny it. Their new argument is the "bodily autonomy" argument. They claim that no human being has the right to live off of another human being without their consent. This argument falls flat when you apply it to newborn babies because if no human being has the right to live off of another human being without their consent, well, newborn babies live off of their parents without their consent. Should we reserve the right to murder them? I would certainly hope that no one would seriously argue for that. However, the question still remains for those of us who are Christians who submit to the word of God, what does the Bible say about abortion? In this blog, I shall discuss exactly what the Bible says concerning abortion and then I will discuss some of the devastating effects that abortion has on a woman's mental health. I will admit that the word "abortion" actually appears nowhere in the Bible, but we can make some general inferences on what God's stance is concerning this topic based off of a few key texts of Scripture. First, if we turn to Genesis 1:27, we read,
"So God created man in his image. in the image of God, he created him; male and female he created them"
Here, we see that human life is sacred solely because we were all created in the divine image of God. This means that every human life has intrinsic value. Actually, this is the very basis for the pro-life movement because we believe that all human life is sacred. We should not be ashamed to stand in this position because it is what God's word says. A pro-life atheist would have a much more difficult time justifying their position than a Christian should. The next passage that I'd like to turn your attention to is Psalm 139:13-16. This passage says,
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them"
As you can clearly see, it is the Lord who forms each human being inside the womb. We are all "delicately woven" together. Modern science tells us that when the sperm meets the egg a brand new human being is formed with their own unique DNA. The word of God tells us that this amazing thing is literally a work of God Himself. Also, I would like to direct your attention to the part of the text that says, "Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them". This is a very important point because according to God's word, all of our days were planned out for us before we were ever born. The Sovereign God of creation knew our days from beginning to end because He literally planned it all. This means whether you were born from natural consent or from rape/incest, God is the one who planned your existence and He is always good. I know that this sounds like a hard teaching but we must not shy away from it. The next passage that I'd like to turn your attention to is Jeremiah 1:5. In this text, God tells the Prophet Jeremiah,
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations"
As you can see by this text before Jeremiah was even born The Lord knew him. "Knew" in the biblical sense has connotations of intimacy. What God is saying here is that He was intimately acquainted with Jeremiah before He was even born. How could God be intimately acquainted with someone before they are born unless He alone is the creator of human life? Also, notice how God had given Jeremiah a purpose for his life before He was born too. All of our days are marked out for us because the Lord is the Sovereign who ordains everything that comes to pass. The next text I want to bring your attention to is Luke 1:39-41. This text says,
"In those days Mary arose and went with haste to the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb"
In this text, we see that the baby John was alive inside his mother's womb. How else could he respond to Mary's greeting? A blob of cells cannot do anything let alone leap for joy. This is evidence that Baby John was much more than just a mere blob of cells. So what does all this say concerning the topic of abortion? It obviously says that human life begins inside the womb. Our society is working really hard to suppress this truth because they want to justify murdering babies. So, what if the Bible says human life begins inside the womb? How does this justify saying that murder is indeed wrong? To answer that question, I will now direct your attention to Proverbs 6:16-19. This text says,
"There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers."
The Lord hates the one who shed innocent blood. Why does He hate this so much? The answer lies in Genesis 1:27. Human beings are made in God's image and thus human lives are sacred. This is why the shedding of innocent blood is so grievous in His sight. So, what does all of this have to do with mental illness? I am glad that you asked that question. Pro-choice advocates will attempt to tell women that abortion has no ill effects. They want women to think that abortion is as harmless as getting one's tonsils removed. However, we know better than that these days. As a matter of fact, so many women who have gotten abortions have reported certain emotional disturbances that psychologists have labeled this experience as Post-Abortion Stress Syndrome (PASS). What exactly is PASS? According to Helpline.org,
"Post Abortion Stress Syndrome (PASS) is the residual pain of abortion felt through feelings of grief, anger, shame, guilt, or other mental or physical turmoil. Many people experience depression, anxiety, anger, and abandonment following an abortion and these feelings can continue for months or even years afterwardafterwards"
What are some signs that one is experiencing PASS? The signs of this syndrome include the following:
1) Bouts of Crying
2) Depression
3) Inability to forgive yourself
4) Intense grief/sadness
5) Anger/rage
6) Emotional numbness
7) Sexual problems or promiscuity
8) Eating Disorders
9) Lower Self-Esteem
10) Drug and Alcohol Abuse
11) Nightmares and sleep disturbances
12) Suicidal urges
13) Difficulty with relationships
14) Anxiety and panic attacks
15) Flashbacks
16- multiple abortions
17) Patterns of repeat crisis pregnancies
18) Discomfort around babies or pregnant women
19) fear/ambivalence around pregnancy
As you can see PASS is a serious thing that should be talked about. Abortion is nothing like getting your tonsils removed. It is the senseless killing of another human being. There is absolutely no justification for this heinous sinful act. Please do not listen to the pro-choice advocates who try to minimize the effects of abortion because abortion does deeply affect the mother and it kills the baby.
I hope that this blog has really shed some light on a very difficult topic. If you were someone who was on the fence about abortion, I will challenge you to look up the Scriptures I cited above and really meditate on them. Truth is not determined by how we think or feel but by what the word of God says. God's word never changes and that is why it endures throughout all time. If you are someone who has had an abortion, I want you to know that there is forgiveness in Jesus Christ. He bore all of our sins on the cross and took the punishment that we deserve upon Himself. Then, The Lord literally rose from the dead to give us a new life in Him. If you confess your sins to the Lord and trust in His sacrifice then you will be saved from the wrath of God. Do not let another day go by without turning to the Lord for forgiveness. Today is the day of salvation! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and I hope that it blessed you. May the grace of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ richly bless you all!!! See the victims that abortion leaves in its wake
-David Lee Chu Sarchet
Christian Mental Health Advocate
Check out the Christ-Centered Mental Health Ministry Website
Check out the other Christ-Centered Mental Health Ministry Website
"So God created man in his image. in the image of God, he created him; male and female he created them"
Here, we see that human life is sacred solely because we were all created in the divine image of God. This means that every human life has intrinsic value. Actually, this is the very basis for the pro-life movement because we believe that all human life is sacred. We should not be ashamed to stand in this position because it is what God's word says. A pro-life atheist would have a much more difficult time justifying their position than a Christian should. The next passage that I'd like to turn your attention to is Psalm 139:13-16. This passage says,
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them"
As you can clearly see, it is the Lord who forms each human being inside the womb. We are all "delicately woven" together. Modern science tells us that when the sperm meets the egg a brand new human being is formed with their own unique DNA. The word of God tells us that this amazing thing is literally a work of God Himself. Also, I would like to direct your attention to the part of the text that says, "Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them". This is a very important point because according to God's word, all of our days were planned out for us before we were ever born. The Sovereign God of creation knew our days from beginning to end because He literally planned it all. This means whether you were born from natural consent or from rape/incest, God is the one who planned your existence and He is always good. I know that this sounds like a hard teaching but we must not shy away from it. The next passage that I'd like to turn your attention to is Jeremiah 1:5. In this text, God tells the Prophet Jeremiah,
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations"
As you can see by this text before Jeremiah was even born The Lord knew him. "Knew" in the biblical sense has connotations of intimacy. What God is saying here is that He was intimately acquainted with Jeremiah before He was even born. How could God be intimately acquainted with someone before they are born unless He alone is the creator of human life? Also, notice how God had given Jeremiah a purpose for his life before He was born too. All of our days are marked out for us because the Lord is the Sovereign who ordains everything that comes to pass. The next text I want to bring your attention to is Luke 1:39-41. This text says,
"In those days Mary arose and went with haste to the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb"
In this text, we see that the baby John was alive inside his mother's womb. How else could he respond to Mary's greeting? A blob of cells cannot do anything let alone leap for joy. This is evidence that Baby John was much more than just a mere blob of cells. So what does all this say concerning the topic of abortion? It obviously says that human life begins inside the womb. Our society is working really hard to suppress this truth because they want to justify murdering babies. So, what if the Bible says human life begins inside the womb? How does this justify saying that murder is indeed wrong? To answer that question, I will now direct your attention to Proverbs 6:16-19. This text says,
"There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers."
The Lord hates the one who shed innocent blood. Why does He hate this so much? The answer lies in Genesis 1:27. Human beings are made in God's image and thus human lives are sacred. This is why the shedding of innocent blood is so grievous in His sight. So, what does all of this have to do with mental illness? I am glad that you asked that question. Pro-choice advocates will attempt to tell women that abortion has no ill effects. They want women to think that abortion is as harmless as getting one's tonsils removed. However, we know better than that these days. As a matter of fact, so many women who have gotten abortions have reported certain emotional disturbances that psychologists have labeled this experience as Post-Abortion Stress Syndrome (PASS). What exactly is PASS? According to Helpline.org,
"Post Abortion Stress Syndrome (PASS) is the residual pain of abortion felt through feelings of grief, anger, shame, guilt, or other mental or physical turmoil. Many people experience depression, anxiety, anger, and abandonment following an abortion and these feelings can continue for months or even years afterwardafterwards"
What are some signs that one is experiencing PASS? The signs of this syndrome include the following:
1) Bouts of Crying
2) Depression
3) Inability to forgive yourself
4) Intense grief/sadness
5) Anger/rage
6) Emotional numbness
7) Sexual problems or promiscuity
8) Eating Disorders
9) Lower Self-Esteem
10) Drug and Alcohol Abuse
11) Nightmares and sleep disturbances
12) Suicidal urges
13) Difficulty with relationships
14) Anxiety and panic attacks
15) Flashbacks
16- multiple abortions
17) Patterns of repeat crisis pregnancies
18) Discomfort around babies or pregnant women
19) fear/ambivalence around pregnancy
As you can see PASS is a serious thing that should be talked about. Abortion is nothing like getting your tonsils removed. It is the senseless killing of another human being. There is absolutely no justification for this heinous sinful act. Please do not listen to the pro-choice advocates who try to minimize the effects of abortion because abortion does deeply affect the mother and it kills the baby.
I hope that this blog has really shed some light on a very difficult topic. If you were someone who was on the fence about abortion, I will challenge you to look up the Scriptures I cited above and really meditate on them. Truth is not determined by how we think or feel but by what the word of God says. God's word never changes and that is why it endures throughout all time. If you are someone who has had an abortion, I want you to know that there is forgiveness in Jesus Christ. He bore all of our sins on the cross and took the punishment that we deserve upon Himself. Then, The Lord literally rose from the dead to give us a new life in Him. If you confess your sins to the Lord and trust in His sacrifice then you will be saved from the wrath of God. Do not let another day go by without turning to the Lord for forgiveness. Today is the day of salvation! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and I hope that it blessed you. May the grace of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ richly bless you all!!! See the victims that abortion leaves in its wake
-David Lee Chu Sarchet
Christian Mental Health Advocate
Check out the Christ-Centered Mental Health Ministry Website
Check out the other Christ-Centered Mental Health Ministry Website
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