But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 NASB
It saddens me to think about the views that christian women have that are down right unbiblical. Just a few years ago I was one of those women who had been deceived in many areas of my life.
One of the areas that we have been led astray is in the area of childbearing. Even though I didn't say it, I believed that I was in charge of my body. I decided when and if I would get pregnant by the use of birth control pills. I considered tying my fallopian tubes in hopes of preventing future pregnancies. I gladly signed the papers, but for some reason (God's hand), the surgeon was unable to tie my tubes due to an excess of scar tissue. At the exact moment I heard the doctor inform me that he was unable to tie my tube, I knew that God had other plans. Just last year I joined a ladies Bible study from Nancy Leigh DeMoss titled "Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Us Free". I don't remember her exact words, but she stated that God should be Lord over ALL of us- including our womb. She also mentioned that it was God who opens and closes the womb. It really got me thinking. I went straight to the Word of God (something I should have done in the first place) and I studied and found the following verses:
God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth." Genesis 1:28 NASB
How great it is for christian families that are devoted to Christ to embrace the blessing of children and to train them up in righteousness and in the ways of the Lord! Think of the impact we could make as christians if every christian woman allowed God to be Lord over their womb. For example- my parents were only supposed to have one child. I grew up and am on my 4th child. If my kids grow up and have 4 kids that will be 16 great grandkids. If those 16 children grow up and have 4 children each that would be 64 great, great grandkids for my parents. That would be a total of 84 people that are alive within 100 years just because a couple decided to have 1 child. This total can greatly be affected because not all children will have 4 children. Some may have none, one, or 10. This example shows the impact that christians can have on a society if we embraced motherhood as a blessing and each family raised their children up in the fear and wisdom of the Lord.
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. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. Psalm 127:3-5
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine Within your house, Your children like olive plants Around your table. Psalm 128:3
Even though we as christians are against abortion does NOT mean we are Pro-Life. In fact, most christian women are pro-life just as long as they are not responsible for raising them.
We have more than a handful of reasons why we don't want any more children which include:
1. We can't afford another child. (Can you afford a new car, a cell phone plan, a manicure, to get your hair done, Sonic happy hour?)
This isn't meant to condemn, but to challenge you to think. We need to think about the "why" behind our beliefs. Does our beliefs come from the views of a heathen and feminist society or from the Word of God?
2. I can't handle anymore... the kids I have already drives me crazy.
I hear this one all the time. Most of the time, the kids are driving us crazy because we see them as burdens instead of blessings. We don't want the inconvience. We are selfish and want to spend our time on what we think is important. We haven't taken the time to discipline and instruct them in the ways of the Lord. We will always reap what we sow.
3. I have one boy and one girl so I'm done.
Have you asked the Lord if you're family is complete? Most of the time we don't even think about asking Him.
4. I want to go back to my job and get the kids in school.
Is this what we base our life around? Our career? The kids being in school so we don't have to be "burdened" with their company? Again, I'm not doing this to condemn you. Several years ago I had this same reason for not wanting anymore children. I wanted to be done. I had my boy and my girl. Friends and family told me that it was the perfect time to stop having children. I wanted to finish college and get the kids in school so I'd have time to do other "important " things. I thought anyone who homeschooled had lost their mind. Then one day God called ME to homeschool. I've always thought God has a sense of humor, but this had gone a little to far. I only had one baby in the house and was on my way to an empty house during the day and some "me time". But you know what, I obeyed and God changed my heart. He gave me the DESIRE to homeschool and He gave me the love for my children that I was lacking and revealed my selfish motives.
God doesn't call all women to be mothers. He may call you to have one, two, three, ten, or 19 like the Duggars.
Some of you may have already had your tubes tied and made choices that you cannot take back. God forgives. All you have to do is repent and admit the choices you made in ignorance. I could have easily been in your shoes. Believe me, I tried to have my tubes tied.
I look at my 3rd child and know that I'm looking at a miracle. I already had a boy and a girl. Why would I want anymore? She could have never been born and I would have never known what I was missing. Her fine blonde hair, saucer blue eyes, and a sweet little voice calling me "mama" I might have never known. Eliana (Ellie) Faith is my miracle baby. The doctor told me after one child, "no more children", "protect your health", but God had other plans. God has preserved my health.
Today I am almost 12 weeks pregnant with my 4th child. I am due in December.
This child is also a miracle baby. I signed the papers at my last c-section in hopes of tying my tubes. I couldn't handle anymore children. We couldn't afford anymore. We were done. I had always said I wanted all my kids before the age of 30. I just turned 32.
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
Are we devoted to Christ in all areas? Do we base our beliefs on the Word of God or do we let society determine our actions? Let's be faithful to spend time studying His Word and seeking His will for our lives so we can be sure we're not led astray from Christ.
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