Disobeying God's Commandment ?

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iraasuup

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#1
#1
Genesis 1:22 (NKJV) And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and mulitply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth."

Genesis 9:1 (NKJV) So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth."

Genesis 9:7 (NKJV) And as for you, be fruitful and mulitply; Bring forth abundantly in the earth and multiply in it.

Okay, so I think the commandments in these scriptures are pretty clear and self-explanatory...but they got me to thinking (funny how scriptures do that) anyway so my question is this...

Do you think people who intentionally choose not to have children are disobeying the commandments of the Lord? (By that I mean, just because well, they don't want to have them...not because they can't or whatever... for no other reason than the fact that they have a choice and are choosing not to.)

I'd love to know your thoughts on this (trust me, there's a reason for my question :) ) I know there are alot more verses in reference to this too, but I just chose a few that I thought might apply. Let me know what you all think!
 
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heyitsme

Guest
#2
#2
I can now say that the gift of having children has been the third best blessing in my life. 1.Salvation, 2.Godly Wife, 3.Children
We have two sons and one daughter in law and it has been a lifelong ride of laughter, love, pain, and even sometimes disappointment but I wouldn't trade my life for another's life in the fact that raising children has to be a faith walk like alot of other things. It has shown me many things in my own life that has grown me up in Christ. I would rather know that I have had children and lived through it all than to come to the end of this life here and regret never knowing the Joy that can come from having them. But i think if you want a real life answer ask a person that had lived without them to see, for asking me will be somewhat biased because i know what it is like to have them. It's kinda like me being able to truly encourage one who has lost a spouse.....I can't because i havent had to walk that road. If you know someone who is older and never had children I think they would share with you how they have felt about wether or not they would do it differently if they had a second chance at it.

Be Blessed and the Generations to come after you.....I say Be Them Twice Blessed For Having Parents who Know and Learn what it is to Love And Who Also Share It!

Greg
 
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Slepsog4

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#3
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iraasuup,

I appreciate your question. It is my opinion that those who marry who are explicitly set against having children are extremely selfish. They want privilege and pleasure without responsibility. They want sex with no consequence while trying to appear to take the moral high ground by being married.

The commands that you noted from Genesis are very interesting, but I do not know that they have permanent and universal application. The earliest reference is at the beginning of time when there were no other humans on the planet. The next is after the flood when there was only a handful of people left on the earth. Both scenarios are about filling the earth.

Most folks today would say that the earth is pretty full now with multiple billions of people. I am not convinced that the world is "over" populated as a whole. But there are places and circumstances where it can pose problems with available resources.

Oddly, the developed western cultures which tend to have the greatest resources are failing to replace themselves. It is the non-christian 3rd world that seems to be doing more than its share of reproducing. It is little wonder that Europe is being gradually taken over by other nationalities and religious views.
 
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Mango_Nugget

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#4
I would tend to agree that having children is what God intended. My fiancee and I both want children, and there may be physical issues when it comes to it that prevent us from having them.

Reading through the Bible, I have yet to see anyone who was married and didn't have children that couldn't. From what I understand of it, it has only been in the last couple of centuries at most, where people have been married and not wanted to have any children.

((You asked for our thoughts... you've got mine now! lol))
 
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ThereIsHope

Guest
#5
#5
Well don't shoot me down here; but I believe we live under the law of Grace. I do not believe that is a sin not to have children if you choose not too. Many people make that choice based on the status of economical issues, political issues and the state that the world is now.

Christ said the two greatest commandments are 1) to love the LORD the GOD with all Your Heart, Mind and Soul and 2) love your neighbor as yourself. The commandments in the Old Testament where meant to show us that we all needed a Savior henceforth the law of Grace.

All that is coming to mind here now is that there are truly people who would not make good parents and they don't want the kids. Then what adoption? Or the worst thing abortion?

This was not an issue that Christ or his disciples preached on so I would say that it is not a sin to not want children.

By the way, I have 4 boys lol so I fulfilled my obligation don't cha think? LOL

Respectfully, Hope
 
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1still_waters

Guest
#6
#6
This is a hard one. I know at the time there was a HUGE need for population of the world. Maybe that needs to be taken in to consideration?
 
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iraasuup

Guest
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#7
Thanks, for your thoughts guys. Those have all been really interesting and helpful responses :)
 
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shinethelightforever

Guest
#8
#8
No it is not a sin to not have a children. It is personal choice between the wife and the husband.
 
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Piano_hero

Banned
#9
Apr 19, 2009
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If you are married and are able to , you have to have children. Its obvious that the Bible wants us to have kids , and God has commanded it
 
mercyswolf

mercyswolf

Banned
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Feb 9, 2009
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iraasuup said:
Genesis 1:22 (NKJV) And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and mulitply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth."

Genesis 9:1 (NKJV) So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth."

Genesis 9:7 (NKJV) And as for you, be fruitful and mulitply; Bring forth abundantly in the earth and multiply in it.

Okay, so I think the commandments in these scriptures are pretty clear and self-explanatory...but they got me to thinking (funny how scriptures do that) anyway so my question is this...

Do you think people who intentionally choose not to have children are disobeying the commandments of the Lord? (By that I mean, just because well, they don't want to have them...not because they can't or whatever... for no other reason than the fact that they have a choice and are choosing not to.)

I'd love to know your thoughts on this (trust me, there's a reason for my question :) ) I know there are alot more verses in reference to this too, but I just chose a few that I thought might apply. Let me know what you all think!
Click to expand...

Iraaa,

I personally believe that it's a personal choice rather or not you have children. I recall this discussion with you a while back actually and my viewpoint remains the same. I think that when you're ready you will have children but not until such time. Thus, I don't see anything wrong with waiting until you are ready to have kids. I can tell you from personal experience that if I could do it over again I would've waited til a bit later in life to have my first one but hey life happens right. Getting back to the point, I believe that you will make the right choice. Hang in there and I'll be praying for you.

God bless you,

Mercyswolf
 
NoahsDad

NoahsDad

Senior Member
#11
Oct 30, 2006
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Piano_hero said:
If you are married and are able to , you have to have children. Its obvious that the Bible wants us to have kids , and God has commanded it
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and besides thaT ............ITS JUST FUN WHOOPIN THEM........JUST KIDDIN.........
 
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carpetmanswife

Guest
#12
#12
i would have to say thats a personal choice, some ppl just arent meant to be parents, for numerous reasons.
 
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missy2shoes

Guest
#13
#13
....I too believe it is a personal decision between the husband and wife........it can be a divisive subject.....some say 2 children is enough, others say have as many as God gives you....for example, Jim and Michelle Duggar have 18 and still going.....if we aim to satisfy people with the choices we make, we'd all fail miserably because different people have different opinions.....each of us must give an account to God alone, so it makes sense to me to be guided by Him.....
 
Kakashi

Kakashi

Senior Member
#14
Jan 3, 2007
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Yea, like someone said, the population wasn't exactly numerous for obvious reasons lol. So they HAD to multiply. If a few couples here and there choose not to have kids, then why not? The earth is populated enough as it is and it's their personal choice in the matter IMO on the matter.

But that's just me!
 
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sweetnshy

Senior Member
#15
Sep 10, 2003
219
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I don't think it's a sin to not have children. I think if a couple is struggling financially, for example, it would be more selfish for them to have children that they can't support than to make the choice to not have kids. Also, there are a LOT of people out there (including some good Christian people) who are not fit to be parents. I'm sure many of you disagree that a Christian could fall into that category, but I think it's true.
 
Kakashi

Kakashi

Senior Member
#16
Jan 3, 2007
626
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sweetnshy said:
I don't think it's a sin to not have children. I think if a couple is struggling financially, for example, it would be more selfish for them to have children that they can't support than to make the choice to not have kids. Also, there are a LOT of people out there (including some good Christian people) who are not fit to be parents. I'm sure many of you disagree that a Christian could fall into that category, but I think it's true.
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Your 1st point is very valid! I forgot about that. Some people can't really afford kids so avoinding having an would be a better decision. i dunno bout your second point. I think everyone can improve being a better parent, they just have to work on it. Some people just have to work a lot harder at it! haha
 
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Dragoon9

Guest
#17
#17
Hello everyone,

In looking over the posts so far, I've had a couple of thoughts come to mind.

1) In regards to birth control, if God desires us to have children, there is no 'birth control' that will stop Him. Sarah was barren, yet through God. she was able to bear Abraham a son in his old age (Ge17-21).

2) There has been a fair amount of talk about financial insufficiency or fear of being a bad parent. We are absolutely to be good stewards, but if we are feeling convicted by God to bear children, but refuse to because of fear... isn't this really a lack of trust in God and His ability to provide or to lead? A Christian life is not one of luxury and ease. It is instead a life of joy in adversity.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. (Rev 3:19)
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? (He 12:7)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (Ja 1:2)
...in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds. (2Co 7:4b)


When we pray away trouble, we can be taking away the very things that God has put there to grow us in faith and maturity. Remember that when Jesus sent the 12 he told them, "Take nothing for the journey- no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic " (Luke 9:3 ). Their trust and their needs were to be entirely in JHVH Jireh... the God who provides. Similarly, on the night before He was crucifie, Jesus prays for his disciples. He does not pray that they do not experience troubles, but rather that they "will not fall into temptation" (Luke 22:39-46).

When we experience these troubles, and see the deliverance and providence of a faithful and all-powerful God, we grow in our relationship to Him.

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As to the original question, I think the phrase 'intentionally choose" is key. Is our choice made in prayer, meditation on the word of God, and fasting? Or is it made ignoring God; looking only at our human and wordly needs and desires?

Which of these two is 'sinful' and which is in obedience to God?
 
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iraasuup

Guest
#18
#18
You have all made some very interesting and valid points, thankyou. I guess the thing I'm struggling with is that my husband and I have differing opinions. I want nothing more than to have a baby... he couldn't think of anything worse. He's not scared, he's just selfish..and it's not a matter of just waiting, it's a matter of NEVER. He has made it very clear to me that he NEVER wants children... EVER. He never told me this before we got married, and so now, I don't know what to do, as I need to submit to him and the decisions he makes for us... but I feel he's being incredibly selfish. I guess all I can do is pray.

However, you have given me some interesting points to think about, so thankyou again.
 
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missy2shoes

Guest
#19
#19
iraasuup said:
You have all made some very interesting and valid points, thankyou. I guess the thing I'm struggling with is that my husband and I have differing opinions. I want nothing more than to have a baby... he couldn't think of anything worse. He's not scared, he's just selfish..and it's not a matter of just waiting, it's a matter of NEVER. He has made it very clear to me that he NEVER wants children... EVER. He never told me this before we got married, and so now, I don't know what to do, as I need to submit to him and the decisions he makes for us... but I feel he's being incredibly selfish. I guess all I can do is pray.

However, you have given me some interesting points to think about, so thankyou again.
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Gosh I feel for ya.....this happened to my Aunt, so I'm gonna share her experience as food for thought.....my Uncle was dead set against having any children too......but my Aunt 'tricked' him into parenthood by saying she was using contraception when she wasn't....their first son was a result, followed by a girl.....she felt, that if he just got a chance to see his baby, his views would change.....long story short....his views never did..

To this day, his relationship with his children is strained and my Aunt and Uncle divorced after 17 years of marriage....

Now, I'm not saying this will happen to you.....some couples work it out.....but what I do what you to consider, is that until he really wants children ( and that's gonna take a change of heart) having them at this point is a risky thing to do....

During this time, I pray that God's peace will sustain you........love this verse in Isaiah 26 v 3 ....'You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You.' ~ God bless :)
 
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Dragoon9

Guest
#20
#20
I guess all I can do is pray
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Remember what prayer is. Prayer is not a wasted breath. Prayer is not a weak person's response to the world. Prayer is not a cry because there is no hope.

Prayer is the immense privilege of being able to speak to the Holy One. The Alpha and Omega, the Creator of the Universe, desires you to communicate with Him... without ceasing! He has promised us that the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective (James 5:16). He has told us that what we ask, we will be given (Luke 11:9).

Of course, this does not mean that if we ask evil of God He will do it, but rather that the prayers of the righteous will conform to the desires of God. When we ask Him to do what is right, He takes great pleasure in hearing our prayers.

Please do pray Sister... but pray in the knowledge that your prayers are not wasted breath. He hears and He is faithful.

...though being God, the way He answers our prayers are seldom how we expect ;)
 
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