Bodily Autonomy
As I’ve been contemplating some of the posts that have come across my social media feed in the last week, I’ve been beset by the messaging of the rich and famous as they question the idea of “bodily autonomy.” It seems that some big voices on very big stages have been overcome with who has "ownership" over them and what their "rights" are. As a modern Christian woman who wasn’t always a Christ follower (yes, there is a difference), I too remember being consumed by the idea a few decades ago. If someone were to ask me back then, “who owns the “rights” to your body?” my answer would have been unequivocal; “well, of course I do! It is my body and therefore my choice as to what I do with it.”
Going back in time, I would not have been able to answer that question in the same way. Historically speaking, as a black woman, I would not have had the legal right to say what happened to my body until 1865. It wasn’t until then that it became illegal to force reproduction upon black women either by breeding or rape. Bodily autonomy- the right to do with your body as you please- was a novel concept to us and understandably, it was embraced with vigor. It makes perfect sense then that anyone who attempted to take overt steps to control black bodies after 1865 deserved the fight they got.
Now, as a devoted Christ follower, I am tasked with seeing the whole idea of “ownership” of my body through a different lens. As I listen to famous and influential people talk about their “right” to reproduce whenever they want and their “right” to keep or dispose of their child whenever they choose, I must have empathy for them given our similar history. But how do I have a loving conversation about what the bible says in regards to bodily autonomy which is shaped by my desire to understand a different point of view? After all, truth be told, I held similar views to these celebrities in the not too distant past. It is a sticky situation indeed but one that we must continue to confront by using our authority which is the Word of God. You see, as a Christ follower, I surrendered to His authority on matters of ownership; and it was the Word of God which changed my thought patterns. I recognized that in order to walk in line with God’s word, following in Christ’s footsteps, I had to reconcile my will with the will of God on this matter. I no longer walk in the way of the worldview that occasionally espouses Christian beliefs when it is convenient and ignores those same beliefs when it is inconvenient; I did that for far too long.
So, what does the bible have to say about who I am, who I belong to and why it matters? I’m hoping this list of biblical truths about you as a Christ follower is helpful-It would have cleared up some questions I had before I chose abortion and really gave my life to Christ.
Who made me? Psalm 139:13 NLT13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Who does God say that I am? Romans 8:15-17 says: NLT 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father." 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
Why am I here? Eph 2:10 NLT 10 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
How much did it cost God? 1 Corinthians 6:20 AMP 20 You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.
How do I know that what God makes is good? Psalm 139:14 NKJV 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And [that] my soul knows very well.
How do I know that taking the lives of children is wrong? Psalm 106:38 NLT 38 They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters. By sacrificing them to the idols of Canaan, they polluted the land with murder.
How do I know that children belong to God? Mark 10:14 NLT] 14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.
What are the things God hates? [Pro 6:1-4, 16-35 AMP] 16 These six things the LORD hates; Indeed, seven are repulsive to Him: 17 A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others], a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that creates wicked plans, Feet that run swiftly to evil, 19 A false witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths], And one who spreads discord (rumors) among brothers.
As a Christ follower, why should I care what God thinks? Ephesians 4:30 AMP 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [but seek to please Him], by whom you were sealed and marked [branded as God's own] for the day of redemption [the final deliverance from the consequences of sin].
How should I feel about my sin? James 4:9 AMP 9 Be miserable and grieve and weep [over your sin]. Let your [foolish] laughter be turned to mourning and your [reckless] joy to gloom.
Why does “popular opinion" discount God’s viewpoint? 1John 3:1 AMP 1 See what an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us, that we would [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
How can I have hope that hearts can change? 2 Corinthians 5:18 AMP 18 But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him],
The problem comes, as I see it, when we listen to people other than God. I wanted to do what I wanted to do and I chose to listen to society and not to listen to any message that said God is sovereign or Jesus is King. Instead, I placed myself in Their position and so I erred by thinking I had a “choice” about my body and my childs' just because society said I did. On a macro scale, society at large tries to take God’s plan and circumvent it either through unjust laws or through sheer brutality upon the weak because: a. there is commercial benefit. b. seeks to control the population and c. it believes there are no consequences to going against God's plan.
Our propensity to take away the voice of those seen as “less than” or powerless breaks God’s heart especially when it comes to children. Psalm 106:38 NLT says: 38 They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters. By sacrificing them to the idols of Canaan, they polluted the land with murder. It doesn’t matter who thinks they have the legal standing to own someone and then do with them what they please, it has been and always will be morally wrong to take the life of the innocent. God’s message has not changed on either the micro or macro level.
So, the next time you get tempted to be influenced by someone famous on the issue of bodily autonomy - someone who, by the way, didn't MAKE you or SAVE you from a life of sin - go to God’s Word for the real answer about who you belong to. And be sure to share this list with Christians who may be on the fence.
Many blessings, Sylvia
Sermon: “Who Do I Belong to?” Priscilla Shirer
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