Does the Bible say birth control is wrong?
Asked by: Yadira Zemlak | Last update: February 5, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (75 votes)
The Bible doesn't directly mention modern birth control, so whether it's a sin is a matter of interpretation, with different Christian groups holding varying views: some see it as a personal liberty and a way to steward resources, citing passages about companionship in marriage; others view it as contrary to God's command to "be fruitful and multiply," drawing parallels to the story of Onan (spilling seed) or believing only God opens and closes the womb; and the Catholic Church specifically forbids artificial contraception as an intrinsic evil, emphasizing procreation as a primary purpose of sex, while permitting natural family planning.
What does God say about birth control?
(If you are wondering about Onan, feel free to scroll to the bottom of this article.) Nowhere in the Bible does God command that a couple must or should use birth control at any stage in their marriage. Likewise, nowhere in the Bible does God explicitly forbid the use of birth control.
Is it a sin to take birth control?
But the Church does not condemn things like the pill or condoms in themselves. What is morally wrong is using such things with the intention of preventing conception. Using them for other purposes is fine - for example, using the pill to regulate the periods of a woman who is not in a sexual relationship is not wrong.
Is contraception a mortal sin in the Bible?
Paul VI condemns contraception. Therefore, according to Persona Humana, contraception is objectively serious or an object of grave matter. So, if someone contracepts having full knowledge that such an act is grave matter, and deliberately consents to it, such a person will incur the guilt of mortal sin.
Is the pull-out method a sin in Christianity?
The Catholic Church's teaching on the regulation of births makes it clear that the withdrawal method (coitus interruptus) is a sin. Pope Paul VI's landmark encyclical letter, Humanae Vitae (On Human Life, 1968), reaffirmed the Church's perennial teaching that contraception is an intrinsic evil.
What does the Bible say about contraception?
Why don't Christians believe in birth control?
In the Christian tradition, birth control had long been associated with promiscuity and adultery, and resolutely condemned. However, after the Anglican Church passed a resolution in favor of birth control at its 1930 Lambeth Conference, other Protestant denominations began to relax their prohibitions as well.
What does the Bible say about taking pills?
Medications are not sinful.
He is the Healer (Psalm 103:2-3; 147:3). But the Lord has graciously allowed mankind to develop knowledge of healing arts and medicines, and He uses them in the healing process. Medicines are not sinful, and there is no biblical restraint against using them.
What birth control can Christians use?
Catholic doctrine believes that “natural family planning”—timing intercourse around a woman's fertility cycle—is the only God-approved method of birth control.
Is masturbation a sin in Catholicism?
Consequently, the Church has always definitively taught—and will always teach—that masturbation (CCC 2352) is “an intrinsically and gravely disordered action.” And when committed with full knowledge and complete consent (CCC 1859), it is a mortal sin (see CCC 1854-64).
Is vasectomy a sin in Christianity?
We realize that some denominations (e.g., the Roman Catholic Church) and certain movements within the Christian community (e.g., Natural Family Planning) are firmly opposed to any type of contraception and regard voluntary sterilization as both presumptuous and sacrilegious.
In which religion is birth control not allowed?
It also calls men, not women, to procreate and forbids men from masturbating, thus Judaic law does not forbid women from practicing contraception. The Roman Catholic church forbids contraceptive use because it is a sin against nature. Some Protestant denominations have allowed contraceptive use.
What birth control was used in biblical times?
For example, "myrrh" (a resin made from the African commiphora plant) is mentioned 17 times, mostly in association with sexual intercourse. It was used as a contraceptive among other purposes. Myrrh is sometimes thought of as a narcotic and a poison.
Is birth control for acne a sin?
It would be permissible to use birth control when the intent of the medication is for something other than pregnancy prevention if it is consistent with the principle of “double effect,” whereby the effect of the action that is presumably “good” (eg, treating a medical condition such as acne) is intended and has more ...
Why is birth control not a sin?
Nowhere does the Bible explicitly condemn birth control. In this matter, the principle outlined at Romans 14:12 applies: "Each of us will render an account for himself to God." Married couples, therefore, are free to decide for themselves whether they will raise a family or not.
Why are Christians against the morning after pill?
They argue that despite the term “emergency contraception,” the drug actually can have an abortifacient effect, claiming it sometimes works to prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the womb, about a week after conception.
What does the New Testament say about procreation?
God blesses mankind with a mandate for procreation. This is the first command God gives us in scripture: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
What does the Bible say about self-pleasure?
The Bible doesn't directly mention "self-pleasure" or masturbation, but Christian interpretations link it to broader themes like lust, self-gratification, and honoring God with one's body, with viewpoints ranging from viewing it as sinful lust (Matthew 5:28) to a neutral act if not tied to lust or selfishness, emphasizing that sex's proper context is marriage for procreation and mutual pleasure (1 Corinthians 7:4-5). Key principles involve seeking God's pleasure over self-pleasure (1 Corinthians 10:31) and avoiding lustful thoughts (Matthew 5:28), making the heart's intent and potential for addiction or selfishness central to whether an act is considered sinful.
Are Catholics allowed to pull out?
Prohibited acts with contraceptive effect include sterilization, condoms and other barrier methods, spermicides, coitus interruptus (withdrawal method), the Pill, and all other such methods.
Is it a sin to mastaurbate if you're single?
Whether masturbation is a sin when single depends heavily on religious perspective, with many Christian views seeing it as lustful/sexual immorality, while some Jewish traditions cite a biblical prohibition against wasting seed, though interpretations vary, and Islamic views are diverse, ranging from permissible to major sin depending on context and school of thought, but many sources suggest focusing on self-control, honoring God with your body, and seeking satisfaction in God.
Does the Bible say anything against birth control?
Birth control is a Christian liberty.
Thus, it would be wrong to say that refraining from birth control is a good work, since that is not commanded in the Bible.
Is the withdrawal method a sin in the Bible?
The withdrawal method is the practice of intercourse in which, just prior to ejaculation, the man withdraws so that his semen does not ejaculate into the vaginal cavity of the woman. This is called “coitus interruptus.” Some have condemned withdrawal by labeling it “the sin of Onan” (Genesis 38:8-10).
Does the church support birth control?
Roman Catholic Church Reaffirms Its Position Against Birth Control. The Roman Catholic Church's stance against artificial birth control has been a significant aspect of its teachings since the early 20th century, particularly following the 1929 Lambeth Conference where the Anglican Church accepted contraception.
What is the biggest sin that God will not forgive?
In Christianity, the "unforgivable sin" or "eternal sin" is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which involves persistently rejecting God's grace and attributing the work of the Holy Spirit (like Jesus' miracles) to evil, showing a hardened, final refusal to repent, as described in Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-29, and Luke 12:10. While some traditions point to pride as the original sin, blasphemy against the Spirit is specifically identified as the unpardonable act in the Bible.
What would Jesus say to a drug addict?
Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Addiction is a heavy burden, but Christ offers a rest and peace that no drug or drink can provide. When we turn to Him, admitting our need for help, God meets us with open arms.
What does Jeremiah 33:3 say?
Jeremiah 33:3 is a promise from God to the prophet Jeremiah (and by extension, believers) saying, "Call to me, and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known" (ESV, NIV), offering a powerful invitation to prayer, divine revelation, and hope, even in desperate times. It's a foundational verse about God's availability, encouraging people to seek Him for wisdom, guidance, and to reveal plans beyond human understanding.