Pregnant

<<with child, expectant>>

There are several accounts in the Bible of women being unable to conceive children until there was divine intervention (Gen 11:30, 21:1-7, 25:21; Jdg 13:2,3,24; 1 Sam 1:5,20; Lk 1:36). The wonder of the new life developing in the womb is also recorded and the increasingly documented proof of the baby within the womb responding to outside stimuli (Ps 139:13-15; Eccl 11:5; Isa 44:2; Lk 1:39-44). Mary, the mother of Jesus, was the only pregnant virgin ever; the Son she bore was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Mt 1:25; Lk 1:35).

With society’s crumbling morals, being pregnant and unmarried does not carry the stigma of past generations. Pregnancy out of wedlock is not the sin, sex outside the marriage relationship is. Such immoral activity is condemned in the Bible (Mt 15:19; 1 Cor 6:9,13, 7:2; 2 Cor 12:21; Gal 5:19; Eph 5:3). Although the woman carries the bulk of the shame and consequences, it is just as much a sin for the man as for the woman. Whatever influences and pressures lead to this crossing of moral boundaries, the ‘obvious’ sin can’t be hidden. The termination of a pregnancy in God's view is sin and so should not be undertaken, even though it is increasingly considered a woman's right. It’s crucial to keep a ‘Kingdom perspective’ moving forward, providing support for the mother and baby – they are precious and loved by God as much as any other. Standing with an unmarried pregnant teen fosters an environment in which the child is valued as a blessing, making abortion a much less desirable option, while also encouraging the father to take responsibility without fear. If she can rest in her parents’ acceptance, support and loving guidance the mother-to-be will be able to make much wiser decisions about herself and her baby’s future – whether to adopt or keep the baby. The parents must be clear about the level of support they can provide in raising the child if it is kept. Although there may be incredibly tough times ahead for the pregnant mother-to-be and her family, God is the God who redeems and can bring joy and blessing even out of our sin if there is repentance and humility. Because of the sin in the Garden of Eden one of the penalties inflicted on women was the increase in pain at birth, yet although bringing to birth is painful it can also be a joyful time (Gen 3:16; Jn 16:21).

In the natural world the capability to conceive and give birth to children is the exclusive function of the female, while in the spiritual both male and female can ‘conceive, carry and bring to birth’ and on into maturity, a God-given dream. What is conceived in the natural is born unless there is a major intervention. However what is conceived in the spiritual sense becomes a target of Satan's attacks, as

Am I ‘pregnant’ with the purposes of God

he endeavours to prevent whatever is of God materialising through temptation, deception and discouragement. We must do all we can with God's help to protect, nurture and bring into reality what is God's calling for us in advancing His Kingdom.

Wrong desires sown into the heart can result in a devastating harvest, for what is conceived in the mind, the body endeavours to bring into reality (Prov 4:23; Mt 15:19). Just as there is a time in the natural world for a baby to be born, so it is in the spiritual for that which is of God to come forth for "God is not a man, that He should lie...Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfil?" (Num 23:19; Isa 26:17, 66:9).

Those who are unmarried or infertile can find fulfillment in ‘bearing’ and nurturing spiritual children (Gal 4:27).