For You From The Word
I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:27, ESV)
For You To Think About
Different voices speak into the life of a woman or man who faces an unplanned pregnancy. Those voices include the clergy.
Yet some spiritual leaders selectively read the Bible’s teaching when it comes to choosing life.
Fifteen religious leaders, writing a Pastoral Letter to Patients issued by the Clergy Advocacy Board of Planned Parenthood, say the following to women and men in the throes of a decision about pregnancy:
“Many people wrongly assume that all religious leaders disapprove of abortion. The truth is that abortion is not even mentioned in the Scriptures – Jewish or Christian.”
While the term “abortion” is not recorded in scripture, neither are terms such as gambling, racial discrimination, drug abuse, or addiction – yet spiritual leaders readily accept overarching biblical principles to guide their positions on those topics.
The inconsistency points to the critical tipping point among spiritual leaders: seeking the whole counsel of God from scripture, which reveals a biblical principle. A biblical principle is an overarching truth from God’s revealed word. Biblical principles are especially helpful in communicating and applying God’s truth as it bridges cultures and generations on topics not directly referenced in scripture during Bible times.
As Paul addressed church elders before his arrest, he admonished them to seek “the whole counsel of God” when leading other believers.
While the term “abortion” may not be directly cited in scripture, the Bible certainly has plenty to say about creating man, valuing life, the uniqueness of each individual, protecting the innocent, and murder.
More than enough to determine what God has to say from scripture about the unborn … if spiritual leaders seek and then speak the whole truth.
For You To Pray
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your Word. Move in the hearts of our spiritual leaders to teach using the whole counsel of God and share the truth about the value you place on the unborn.
In Jesus name, Amen.
More Devotionals about Spiritual Support for Pregnant Women
One Birth Mom’s Story: “My Baby Led Me to Jesus”