Is It Really ‘My Body, My Choice?’

Written By Haley Cleveland

When I was pregnant, a sweet lady at church encouraged me to read and meditate on Psalm 139 throughout the pregnancy. Typically when we think of this verse, we remember verses 13-18 which demonstrate God’s care for reborn babies in the womb. I recently revisited this Psalm and was encouraged by the entirety of it and what it tells us about God’s character. Before we continue this triggering question, please take some time to read Psalm 139 and answer the following questions:

      • V. 1-6- What are some differences between God and us?

      • V. 7-12- Where is God’s presence found? What does this mean for us?

      • V. 13-18- How is God’s power displayed in these verses? What about his care, and who is it directed towards?

      • V. 19-24- How is God’s holiness portrayed? What does God’s holiness motivate his people towards?

A Framework for Life

Today we will answer the question, Is it really ‘my body, my choice’? As we look at issues like abortion, transgender ideology, and really every aspect of the LGBTQ+ movement, we find that it all relates to the message of Psalm 139. We need a Biblical framework of life before we can really understand these messages.

First, we must acknowledge that God is the giver of life. Consider the following verses:

      • Psalm 139:13 “For you formed my inward parts; you wove me together in my mother’s womb.”

      • Genesis 1:27 “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

      • Genesis 2:7 “Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

      • Psalm 148:5: “Let them praise the name of the lord, for He commanded and they were created.”

      • Rev. 4:11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”

How encouraging is this widespread message throughout Scripture? God was and is the only active participant in giving life. By His will and power He creates, and we exist. Psalm 93:1 says, “The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord has clothed and girded Himself with strength; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.” Not only is God the giver of life, but God is sovereign in His creating and in control of life, and the entire world.

So how does this affect us? From Genesis 1-3, we also learn that human life is made in the image of God. The One Who created us in His very own image gets to define us. God has provided boundaries on how we are to live; for example, in Genesis 1-3 we learn that God has given two specific genders and two roles within a marriage. Later in the New Testament, we see further elaboration on roles for men and women within the church and boundaries within a marriage.

A Framework for Our Bodies

We must also look at what the Bible says about our bodies and our immaterial selves. When describing our physical body, the Bible sometimes uses the word flesh (other times, flesh refers to the sin nature as explained below). 2 Corinthians 4:7 refers to our bodies as “earthen vessels” and 1 Corinthians 6:18-19 describe believers’ bodies as a “temple of the Holy Spirit”. Verse 18 also talks about how sexual sin is different from other sins in that you sin against your physical body.

Interestingly, the Bible spends more time talking about our inner self than it does our physical body. Our physical bodies are changed, altered, directed by our inner self, especially after salvation.

Here are six aspects of that “inner self” that the Bible talks about:

    • Soul: This encompasses the personal life and emotions; for believers, this is set against the flesh (1 Peter 2:11)

    • Spirit: This is the “higher aspect” of the inner self containing our thoughts. All humans have one (1 Cor. 2:11) and it can be corrupted or defiled (2 Cor. 7:1).

    • Heart: This is the concept of the immaterial nature, referring to the intellect, emotions, and spiritual life (Hebrews 4:12, Matthew 22:37).

    • Conscience: The conscience is a witness and guide to right and wrong, but can also be corrupted by sin (1 Peter 2:19, Hebrews 10:22).

    • Mind: Here is where our understanding is contained. This is corrupted by the fall but can be renewed in Christ (Romans 12:2).

    • Flesh- This is the immaterial part of sin nature; this will always exist, but will be eradicated at death.

These are paraphrased from the Charles Ryrie NASB Study Bible.

Our immaterial self is the most important part of us. Our bodies are simply the vessel or tool to embody whatever is happening inside us. What we do with our immaterial self will also affect our physical bodies.

Secular philosophy, which centers on our minds, mainly emphasizes the ability to reason. Yet, the ability to reason in and of itself does not make a person a human. Rene Descartes famously said, “I think, therefore I am.” This important philosophy equates the ability to reason equals life. This doesn't work with what the Bible says. God gives life, as we’ve seen above, and the inner self is incredibly complex. Life (and right to life!) is not based merely on thinking capacity but on the fact that God gives it. Think of how this might change our view of abortion, assisted suicide, or a lower value of the elderly or those with mental handicaps. Life is life, and life is good!

Abortion: Rejecting God’s Gift of Life

Abortion is the killing of pre-born babies in the womb. Why is abortion an option, and why do men and women fight for the right to do this?

Ultimately, they are rejecting God and His gift of life. (Genesis 1-3, Psalm 139). An article published by Focus on the Family called “A History of Christianity and Abortion” says this, “Christians understood that abortion was actually telling God, ‘I know what is best. You cannot be trusted and Your gift of life is not good.’” We recently talked about a history of feminism, which pushed access to birth control as part of “liberating” women. Some forms of birth control, even hormonal ones, are abortive and should be avoided by the Christian (if this is relevant to you, I encourage you to study it more in depth and find a solution that works with your conscience!). Abortion at any stage, from after conception to birth, is rejecting God’s sovereign gift of life.

Abortion also stems from an incorrect view of children. God calls children a blessing in Psalm 127:3: “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.”. Jesus’ own actions in Mark 10:13-16 show is value of children. Children were not a distraction to Jesus; He loved and valued them.

Our culture has made an enemy of God’s design for families. They hate that God command humans to be fruitful and multiply, and they don’t act like children are a blessing. Instead, culture tells women to pursue their own happiness, and to not let children get in the way of that. Culture even makes it easy for men to be absent or abusive fathers.

We might know that abortion is wrong morally, but with a framework of God’s design for life, and God’s design for family, and even God’s design for our bodies and our inner self, we can see that abortion mocks what God says is good.

Understanding arguments for abortion

The simple answer to why abortion is wrong is that abortion murders a pre-born baby. However, it’s worth it to look at some more popular arguments to see if they are logical or have a point.

“I wouldn’t get an abortion personally, but others should have the choice.”

    • Why would you not get an abortion personally? (What are they basing their personal ethics on? Is this subjective?)

    • Abortion takes the life of an innocent, pre-born person.

    • The Bible gives us a moral standard against murder.

    • God’s gift of life is good, and God knows what is best.

“Abortion is Women’s Healthcare and therefore a right.”

    • Abortion takes the life of an innocent, pre-born person.

    • Murder should not a right.

    • In a pregnancy, there are two bodies involved with two different DNA codes. Thus, women’s healthcare should only extend to her own body and not harm another body.

    • Pregnancy does have temporary affects on the mother. These are typically not life-threatening. This does not change the fact that an unborn baby is a person.

    • In situations where the mother’s life is said to be at risk, there are always alternatives to treat or help the baby and mother besides an abortion.

“Abortion is ok in certain situations (Rape, Incest, etc.)"

    • Abortion takes the life of a healthy, pre-born person.

    • The circumstances involving conception do not change that fact.

    • One evil is not solved by another.

    • A Christian worldview helps us find peace and answers in these situations.

    • From Students For Life website: The Elliot Institute surveyed 192 women who conceived during a rape or incest. Of those victims, 70% carried the baby to term and either raised the child or made an adoption plan, 29% had an abortion, and 1.5% had a miscarriage.

      • 43% of these women said they felt pressured to abort from family or health workers.

      • 78% of those who aborted had regrets and said that abortion was the wrong solution.

      • None of the women who gave birth said they regretted their decision.

“Abortion is OK if the baby will be disabled, unwanted, or have a bad quality of life.”

      • Abortion takes the life of an innocent pre-born baby.

      • It is not compassionate to kill a person who is suffering, or who we think will suffer.

      • Eliminate the suffering, not the sufferer.

      • When the baby is in the womb, doctors can only know so much. Likewise, we cannot know the future.

      • A Christian worldview helps us find peace and answers in these situations.

“Pro-lifers are only pro-life until birth.”

      • Pregnancy Centers disprove this. The services they offer shows that they care for the expectant parents and children with many different resources.

        • From Students for Life website:

          • In 2017, pregnancy centers provided  almost 2,000,000 people  with free services, with estimated community cost savings of  at least $161 million annually. 

          • 2,752 center locations nationwide provide vital services including medical services, parenting programs, and sexual risk avoidance education. 

          • 295,900 moms and dads attended parenting courses. 

          • 24,100 after-abortion support clients were seen in 2017 (services include support, counseling, and referral to professional help when appropriate for both women and men). 

          • More than 1 million students  attended community-based sexual risk avoidance education presentations in 2017. 

        • This is also where the local church can help reinforce the Biblical message of the value of life! Churches typically are involved in their communities, and Christians individually should be displaying Christ’s love to those around them in these difficult situations.

Think about it: What are some practical ways that you can love someone who has had an abortion? What can the church do to help women being tempted with this option?

LGBTQ+: Rejecting God’s Design for Life

What does the killing of pre-born babies have to do with two people of the same gender (seemingly) harmlessly getting married? Or with the male who feels like he is a female trapped in a man’s body? It turns out, a lot. Just like pro-abortionists reject God’s gift of life and God’s plan for life, the LGBTQ+ communities rejects God’s design for life.

Some definitions will be helpful in this conversation, although they can change daily.

  • gay: can refer to a man sexually attracted to men, or as an umbrella term for some in the LGBTQ community

  • lesbian: woman who is sexually attracted to women

  • asexual: Person who experiences no sexual attraction

  • bisexual: Person who is attracted to both genders

  • genderfluid: Someone who “experiences gender different ways at different times”

  • queer: umbrella term for members of LGBTQ+ community, formerly derogatory term but now used in defiance/pride

  • transgender: person whose gender identity does not match sexual anatomy

  • transition: process by which a transgender person changes their physical appearance to match the gender they identify with

  • non-binary: person who identifies as an intermediate or third gender, or more than one gender, no gender, or fluctuates between gender identities

From University of Connecticut Rainbow Center Dictionary

Consider these statistics on the rise of the LGBTQ+ community:

These statistics are staggering and disturbing. All aspects of the LGBTQ+ movement undermine the Genesis account of men, women, and marriage. Let’s look at a few:

Transgender Ideology:

Gender is not something made up based on how we feel; it is more than a role or a show. It is being and it matches the sexual anatomy that we are born with. Genesis 1-3 very clearly demonstrates God’s design of two genders: male and female.

Transgender ideology attempts to change what God has created. Drag queens, non-binary, and other ‘identities’ make a mockery of God’s design. Those engaged in these activities or identities claim happiness, while at the same time exist in chaos, confusion, pain, hurt, etc.

Homosexuality:

The homosexual lifestyles rejects God’s design for marriage. The Bible only describes marriage between one man and one woman. In fact, homosexuality is always mentioned in a negative light in Scripture.

What do you do with those who have homosexual desires? Can you be a ‘gay Christian’? Let’s look at the Revoice Conference, which was founded in 2018 and is held at a Presbyterian church in Chicago. This conference promoted the idea that the sexual identity is a fundamental part of a person; if you have homosexual desires, God created you that way. However, this conference does hold to the traditional, orthodox sexual ethic. Thus, even if individuals have these desires, and they were created with them, they still have to live according to the Biblical sexual ethic. Typically, Christians identifying as gay or lesbian attending are encouraged towards celibacy.

This interesting framework attempts to deal with homosexual desires by affirming that identity, while also trying to hold to a Biblical sexual ethic. The problem here is the sexual identity. No Christian should be known by sin. Consider if someone identified as a “Lying Christian” or “Promiscuous Christian”. We understand that those identities are an oxymoron. One cannot be a “Lying Christian”—they just don’t go together. However, think about someone identifying like this: “I was once a chronic liar. I was dead in my sin, but God saved me through Jesus Christ. Yes, I still struggle with being tempted to lie, but with the Holy Spirit I am able to fight against sin and live towards holiness.”

We all were born sinners; homosexual attraction is a temptation to sin and we must fight against it. Sin cannot have a foothold in any Believer’s life, but in Christ we can overcome sin.

Those who struggle with homosexuality often feel a sense of relief in “coming out of the closet”, when they choose to make public their sexual orientation and often step into the homosexual lifestyle. This sense of relief comes because they no longer have to “struggle” anymore since they are choosing to identifying and embrace it. They also can feel relief because the LGBTQ+ community is known to be very accepting and encouraging. Thus, it is tempting for those with homosexual desires to do this. We must remember that feelings do not equal truth.

What about love and acceptance?

Two ideas permeate the LGBTQ+ culture: “love is love” and the idea of allyship. If someone loves someone else of the same gender, who are we to stand against it? Who are we to judge them? In fact, even if people to do not identify personally as LGBTQ+. they are encouraged to identify as an “ally” or supporter of those who do.

Christians, it is not loving to affirm sin. A great definition of sacrificial love is found in the Bible, and love always rejoices in the truth.

The Slippery Slope

Romans 1:25 says, “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” This severe passage mentions several sins, including homosexuality, and describes how some who are steeped in sin can be “given over” to a lustful lifestyle. This thought is chilling. When we reject God’s design, we are rejecting God Himself.  “The pagan rejection of God the Creator produces the inevitable consequence of perverted sexuality.” (TruthXchange)

As you leave the authority of the Bible, and with it the Biblical sexual ethic, it becomes more and more dangerous the further you get. In fact, there really is no stopping point. Those in this lifestyle will scream about their happiness and fulfillment, while at the same time seeking more depravity to provide those very things. The high level of transgender suicide rate does not support “happiness and fulfillment” for those who transition. An article from Answers in Genesis states, “Embracing the transgender identity at the cultural level does not produce happiness and wholeness. It goes hand in hand with personal confusion and disorder.”

This isn’t an area of that we can be neutral; it’s an area where the world is actively pushing this agenda on us and our children. We can’t only be on guard against it, we also have to be proactive in learning, teaching, and believing a Biblical view of sexuality. And we must be examples of truth, grace, and love in a confused and pagan culture.

God’s Overcoming Grace

If the serious description of sin in Romans 1 discourages you, reflect on the wonderful truth of God’s grace! 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 tells us that former homosexuals are among those who have been redeemed. No one is ever too far gone, or too sinful, to partake of God’s forgiveness. As long as there is the Gospel, there is hope!

Perhaps you have those in your life whom you have “lost” to the LGBTQ+ movement. Perhaps you are grieving a sinful choice in your past, or current temptations towards sin. Maybe the woman who sits across the aisle in church is considering abortion and you feel strong condemnation towards her and her lifestyle. Believers, drink of God’s grace and be bold in proclaiming it!

There are many testimonies of Christians who have been loving, gracious, and hospitable towards women considering abortions or those in the LGBTQ+ community. These Christians don’t avoid the truth, or try to make someone feel better. They rather show love and care for the person as an image-bearer of God. Both by the verbal testimony and physical actions, they have won many to Christ. Don’t believe the world; it is possible to lovingly interact with someone who is engaged in sin.

Here are some practical encouragements to do this:

    • Ask Questions. How did they arrive at this point? What influenced their decision? What books/articles/people shaped their opinion? What do they think about ____?

    • Don’t be rude. There is a difference between being bold for the truth, and in being gracious about the battles to fight. Pray to God for wisdom if you aren’t sure how to handle situations or don’t know what words to say.

    • Practice hospitality. Get to know them beyond whatever label you might be tempted to put on them. Be kind and welcoming.

    • Ask to read/study the Bible together. Let God’s Word do the work. Scripture is powerful.

    • Focus conversations on God and His character (not just on their sin). Realizing God’s bigness—and our smallness— is the first step towards repentance.

    • Most importantly, pray for them. Only God can change hearts. Only God can remove foolish and depraved thinking. Pray that He would do a work in the lives of those who are far from Him.

God’s Body, God’s Choice

We poised the question, “is it really my body, my choice?” at the beginning of this article. Scripture makes it clear that God is the giver of life and the creator of our bodies. Our choices, then, must align with the boundaries and follow the design that God has given. Let’s bring glory and honor to God by using our bodies according to His design, and lovingly sharing the truth with those who reject God.

Haley Cleveland
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