The human desire to influence or control outcomes, particularly regarding the gift of children, is a deeply ingrained aspect of the human experience. This longing can sometimes extend to the desire for a child of a specific gender, leading to questions about what Scripture says. Navigating such desires requires a careful and prayerful examination of God’s Word, which offers profound truths about His creative power, His purpose for each life, and His ultimate sovereignty over all things. In the face of our questions and longings, the Bible remains our steadfast anchor, revealing the heart of our loving Creator.
Scripture is not a static book of ancient rules but a living, active Word that speaks directly to our present realities and challenges. These verses are not merely words on a page but spiritual tools, divinely provided to equip us, transform our thinking, and deepen our trust in God’s perfect plan.
The purpose of this collection is to provide clarity and encouragement by focusing on the foundational truths of God’s creation and His unfailing love for every individual. Through these verses, we aim to foster a deeper intimacy with Christ, renew our minds with His perspective, and cultivate a heart of gratitude for His sovereign will.
This section delves into the foundational biblical principles of God’s creative authority and His intentional design for every human life. Believers who are wrestling with questions about gender, identity, or the desire to influence the sex of their children will find here a reminder of God’s ultimate control and His good purposes for all individuals He brings into existence. These verses will help anchor faith in His wisdom, not human intervention.
1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 (ESV)
– This foundational verse establishes God as the ultimate Creator, the source of all existence, including the intricate process of human life. It reminds us that every aspect of creation, including the determination of gender, falls under His sovereign authority and design, not human manipulation.
2
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 (ESV)
– This verse highlights God's intentionality in creating both male and female in His image, underscoring the inherent value and dignity of each gender. It speaks to a purposeful design that predates any human desire to alter or select it, emphasizing that both are equally reflections of the divine.
3
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV)
– These verses offer a deeply personal perspective on God's intimate involvement in our formation, even before birth. They speak against the idea of gender selection as an external process, pointing instead to God's direct, loving, and intricate work in knitting each individual together according to His perfect plan.
4
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV)
– This verse reveals God's foreknowledge and purpose for individuals even before their physical existence. It suggests that God has a specific calling and plan for each person, independent of their gender, and that this divine appointment is the true measure of their significance.
5
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)
– This proverb speaks directly to the human tendency to plan and desire certain outcomes, while affirming that ultimate control rests with the Lord. It cautions against overstepping God's authority by attempting to establish our own predetermined paths, including the gender of our children.
6
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father. Matthew 10:29 (ESV)
– Jesus uses this example to illustrate God's providential care over even the smallest details of creation. If God is concerned with the fate of sparrows, how much more so with the lives He has intentionally created, including the distinct identities of male and female.
7
For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
– This verse emphasizes that believers are God's unique creation, designed for specific purposes. It shifts the focus from predetermined physical characteristics to the spiritual calling and good works God has prepared for each individual, regardless of gender.
8
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (ESV)
– This rhetorical question encourages a perspective of trust in God's overarching plan and His unfailing support for those who belong to Him. It prompts us to ask if our desires for gender selection stem from a place of trust in God's provision or a fear that His plan might be insufficient.
9
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 (ESV)
– This verse teaches that all good things, including the gift of children, originate from God, the unchanging Father of lights. It suggests that attempting to manipulate the gender of a child might be akin to questioning the perfection or goodness of the gift God Himself bestows.
10
The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. Psalm 145:9 (ESV)
– This psalm reminds us of God's universal goodness and His compassionate care for all His creation. It implies that His good and compassionate nature extends to every individual He creates, regardless of their gender, fostering an attitude of acceptance and gratitude for His workmanship.
These verses collectively reinforce the profound truth that our existence, including our gender, is a divine gift orchestrated by a sovereign and loving God. They steer us away from the notion of human control over creation and toward a posture of humility, trust, and deep appreciation for His intentional design in every life.
Embracing God’s Design: Identity and Value
This section explores the biblical perspective on human identity and the inherent value God places on each individual, irrespective of their gender. For those who may feel pressure from cultural narratives or personal desires to define or alter gender, these verses offer a steadfast reminder that true worth and identity are found in being God’s creation, known and loved by Him.
11
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 (ESV)
– Reiterating this foundational verse, it emphasizes that both male and female are created in God's image, establishing equal dignity and inherent value. This means neither gender is superior or more desirable than the other in God's eyes.
12
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13 (NIV)
– This verse underscores God's personal and intimate involvement in the formation of every individual. It highlights that our very being is a masterpiece of His design, suggesting that any attempt to alter or pre-select aspects of this design might overlook the profound artistry of the Creator.
13
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (ESV)
– This powerful declaration of God's affirmation encourages believers to stand firm in their identity in Christ, knowing that His support is unwavering. It prompts us to consider if our anxieties about gender are rooted in a lack of trust in God's ultimate approval and provision.
14
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (ESV)
– This verse offers a profound promise of divine peace that transcends human comprehension, guarding our hearts and minds. It is a powerful antidote to the anxiety and uncertainty that can arise from desires to control outcomes like gender, pointing us toward God's peace found in surrender.
15
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
– This transformative verse speaks to a new identity found in Christ, where our past limitations and desires are superseded by a new creation. It encourages believers to focus on their spiritual identity in Christ, which is not defined by gender but by their redeemed status.
16
So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 (ESV)
– This passage encourages living with confidence, understanding that our true home is with the Lord and that we are called to walk by faith, not by the limited perspective of our physical senses or worldly desires. It calls us to trust God's unseen plan over our visible preferences regarding gender.
17
For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
– This verse emphasizes our identity as God's workmanship, created for specific purposes. It shifts the focus from physical attributes like gender to the spiritual calling and good works God has prepared, reminding us that our ultimate purpose transcends our physical makeup.
18
And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live all over the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place. Acts 17:26 (ESV)
– This verse highlights God's sovereignty in determining the place and time for all humanity, implying His hand in the diversity and distribution of peoples. It suggests that God's intentionality extends to the broader picture of human existence, including the very existence and characteristics of individuals.
19
The Lord sustains all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down. Psalm 145:14 (ESV)
– This verse speaks to God's constant support and care for all His creation. It encourages a reliance on His sustaining power, rather than on attempts to control life's circumstances, including the gender of a child, reminding us that He is our ultimate sustainer.
20
And you are complete in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. Colossians 2:10 (ESV)
– This verse offers profound assurance that believers are made complete in Christ, possessing all they need in Him. It counters any sense of deficiency or inadequacy that might lead to seeking external means to fulfill perceived lacks, including desires related to gender.
The theme of identity and value in God’s eyes is paramount. These verses guide us to find our deepest worth not in our physical attributes or in the outcomes of our desires, but in our status as beloved children of God, uniquely and intentionally created by Him.
Living by Faith, Not by Sight
This final section focuses on the importance of trusting God’s plan and providence, even when our desires or understanding fall short. For believers facing the temptation to manipulate outcomes or question God’s will, these verses encourage a life lived by faith, surrendering control and embracing His perfect timing and wisdom.
21
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
– These verses are a cornerstone for living by faith, urging us to prioritize God's wisdom over our own limited understanding, especially when it comes to life's complex decisions. They call us to acknowledge God in every aspect, including our desires for children, trusting He will guide our paths.
22
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)
– This profound passage highlights the vast difference between God's perfect wisdom and our limited human perspective. It encourages humility and surrender, reminding us that God's plans for our lives, including the specifics of His creation, are far beyond our full comprehension.
23
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (ESV)
– This verse is a powerful assurance that God orchestrates all circumstances for the ultimate good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. It invites us to trust that even if His plan for our family differs from our desires, it is ultimately for our good and His glory.
24
Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
– This command to be still and know God is an invitation to quiet our anxious hearts and recognize His supreme sovereignty. It encourages a posture of trust and worship, acknowledging that God is in control and will ultimately be glorified through all His works.
25
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21 (ESV)
– In the midst of profound loss, Job's response exemplifies radical faith and submission to God's sovereign will. This verse challenges us to bless God's name regardless of the circumstances, trusting His goodness even when we don't understand His ways.
26
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)
– This verse reminds us that salvation, the greatest gift, is received by grace through faith, not by our own works or efforts. It sets a precedent for receiving all of God's good gifts with gratitude and humility, rather than striving to control them.
27
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
– This promise assures us that God is our ultimate provider, meeting all our needs according to His abundant riches. It encourages us to trust that He will provide for our families in ways that align with His perfect will, rather than seeking to fulfill needs through human intervention.
28
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
– This verse directs our focus to the eternal priorities of God's kingdom, promising that our earthly needs will be met as we seek Him first. It encourages us to invest our energy in spiritual pursuits rather than in trying to manipulate the physical outcomes of life.
29
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14 (ESV)
– This repeated exhortation to wait for the Lord is a powerful call to patience and trust in His timing. It encourages us to resist the urge for immediate gratification or control, resting in the assurance that God's plans unfold perfectly in His time.
30
For the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens toward the end; it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV)
– This verse speaks of God's faithfulness to His promises and His perfect timing, even when things seem delayed. It encourages perseverance in faith, trusting that God's purposes will be fulfilled exactly when and how He intends.
As you reflect on these truths, may your heart be anchored in the certainty of God’s sovereign love and perfect design for every life. We encourage you to choose one verse that has resonated most deeply and commit it to memory this week, meditating on its truth during your quiet times, trusting that God will continue to shape your understanding and deepen your faith.