Is infertility a sin?
Asked by: Jennings Boehm | Last update: August 5, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (14 votes)
But infertility is not sin. Neither is it uncommon. The Mayo Clinic reports that about 10-15% of couples are infertile, with infertility being defined as “not being able to get pregnant despite having frequent, unprotected sex for at least a year.” Nor is infertility just a woman's problem.
Is infertility a punishment from God?
The sterility of Sarah, Rebekah and Rachel cannot be said to be God's punishment for their sin. The author of Genesis simply shows their infertile condition without an explanation of the cause of the sterility. God promised that Sarah would give birth even though she was infertile.
What does God say about infertility?
Isaiah 54. 1 “Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.
What does the church say about infertility?
The Church strives to treat each human embryonic life, the least of our brothers and sisters (see Matthew 25:40), with dignity and respect. The Church, as Mother, shows great concern for those couples who suffer from infertility. “Couples who discover that they are sterile suffer greatly.
What does the Bible say about not having a child?
God does not command us to have children. Psalm 127:3 says children are a blessing and a reward from the Lord. However, it is your decision whether not to have them.
Is IVF an Option for Christians Struggling with Infertility?
Is it a sin to not reproduce?
Many believe it is wrong for fertile couples to never have children. However, an analysis of the purpose of marriage, natural law, and the biblical evidence suggests that though marriage as a general principle ought to lead to procreation, it is not morally wrong for married couples to never have children.
What does the Bible say about a childless woman?
The barren one has become the mother of us all (Galatians 4:26,27). She is the church. And all her children are miracle children — born when their mother was desolate, carried to her on the shoulders of kings and queens (Isaiah 49:20-23).
Are fertility treatments a sin?
Most Protestant denominations do not have a firm position for or against in vitro fertilization (IVF). However, the Catholic Church condemns it as immoral.
What do Christians believe about childlessness?
The Eschatological Perspective on Childlessness
Based on these, in some Christian circles, childlessness has been regarded as a sign of sinfulness or at least lack of faith. Several Bible passages have been used in this regard: … and none will miscarry or be barren in your land (Exodus 23:26).
Who in the Bible struggled with infertility?
It's surprising how many biblical stories involve infertility. Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 11-21), Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 25), Rachel (Genesis 29-30), Samson's parents (Judges 13), Hannah (1 Samuel 1-2), Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1) all experience the pain of infertility.
Is it a sin to prevent conception?
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.
Can infertility be spiritual?
Although infertility is identified, at first, as a physical problem, it is a broad and holistic experience commonly associated with psychological, emotional and spiritual distress [15,20,21,22,23].
Why did God close Rachel's womb?
Jacob's overt favoritism toward Rachel had prompted God to keep Rachel's womb closed, but Rachel's love was ultimately redeemed when she gave birth to a boy named Joseph, Jacob's favorite (Genesis 30:24-25).
Is not having children a curse?
Answer: No, of course you are not cursed for not having children! Many of the greatest and most righteous personalities were in your situation. Your life has meaning and purpose despite not having given birth to physical children.
Is infertility a consequence of sin?
But let me assure you, infertility is not a punishment for sin. Like all sickness, infertility results from a fallen world, not a penalty placed upon individuals by God. One of the most common biblical examples that I like to point out to others to help answer this question is in Luke Chapter One.
Does God allow birth defects?
It is natural to question why suffering exists and why God allows it. However, Scripture assures us that God can use even birth defects and other tragedies for our ultimate good and His glory. In John 9:2-3, Jesus encounters a man who was born blind.
Is it wise to not have children?
It's completely normal that some people, both men and women, won't desire children in their lifetime, Ambardar says. Even if this life choice is still viewed as unconventional in society, it's important that people who are contemplating a child-free life avoid conforming just to fit in.
What is conceived without sin?
We celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the way God prepared Mary to receive the child Jesus on the first Christmas. The Immaculate Conception is the dogma that says that Mary was conceived without sin. The concepts “without” and “sin” are negative concepts.
What does the Bible say about preventing pregnancy?
Psalm 127:3-5 - children are a gift of favor from God and blessed is a full quiver. Married couples must always be open to God's precious gift of life. Contraception, which shows a disregard for human life, has lead to the great evils of abortion, euthanasia, and infanticide. Hosea 9:11; Jer.
Can you get pregnant with sin?
Women with SIN had histological signs of salpingitis more often than women without SIN, but SIN complicated with salpingitis did not influence the number of children or tubal pregnancies. Women with SIN had a greater risk of two or more tubal pregnancies than women without SIN.
Does God allow contraception?
There is no explicit biblical passage that speaks to the topic of birth control. Some have attempted to use Onan's spilling of his seed in Genesis 38 as biblical grounds for not using birth control, but that passage is not about birth control, but fulfilling the duties of levirate marriage.
What not to say to infertility?
- Don't assume everyone wants or can have children. ...
- Don't suggest stress plays a role with infertility. ...
- It's not always easy to get pregnant. ...
- Avoid asking intrusive questions about reproduction.
What does God say about people that don't have kids?
God didn't reserve the blessing of children for the women who showed the most faith. He didn't look down and say, “Sarai… since you laughed at me, I'm not going to give you children.” God has a plan, and your actions cannot and will not change that. The only control you have is over your reaction to your situation.
Can Christians get a hysterectomy?
In 2019, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) issued a statement that a woman could morally undergo a hysterectomy to avoid serial miscarriages if her uterus were incapable of sustaining a child until viability because the procedure would not constitute a direct sterilization.
What does God say about fertility?
In Genesis 1:28, God said: "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it." Similarly, the psalmist says: "Behold, children are an heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is his reward. Like arrows in the hand of the warrior, so are the children of one's youth.