Proverbs 24:11-12
Rescue those being led away to death;
hold back those staggering toward slaughter (NIV).
Why do we focus on Proverbs 24:11 at Human Coalition? Because it’s a command that does not come with exceptions for political discomfort or cultural opposition, and it has so much to do with abortion in our country.
In 2025, abortion killed an estimated 1,126,000 babies in their mother’s womb. That’s 1,126,000 innocent children “being led away to death” in just one year, and more than 67,863,067 since Roe v. Wade, beginning in 1973.
The reality is, abortion has to do with “those (babies) being led away to death”, and not being hidden behind slogans like “choice,” “women’s healthcare,” “compassion,” and “reproductive healthcare.”
Of all people, Christians know that God is the author of life and that every person (born or preborn) is holy to the Lord – set apart. Each person has intrinsic value because they bear the image of God.
So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them (Gen. 1:27 NIV).
But when children are “slaughtered” for career, school, finances, fear, extra chromosomes, not the right time, or any other reason, what does that say about our society? What does it say when one in four women in our country have had an abortion, and seven in 10 identify as Christian?
We have lost our moral compass, and Proverbs 24:11 commands us to do something about it. That’s why we take the Proverb so seriously. This is not a suggestion, a nice little saying to make us feel good; it’s a command that demands action. And when it comes to abortion – the killing of God’s image bearers – we are required by God to stand in the gap, to “rescue” and to “hold back,” regardless of the cost.
Jesus loves children. Mark 10:14, 16 tells us, “When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these…’ “And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” We are called to care for children just as Jesus did – full of love, respect, and compassion.
Proverbs 24:12 wraps up the calling from verse 11 by giving a stern warning:
“If you say, ‘But we knew nothing about this,’
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?”
In any sane society, abortion would be unthinkable. Instead, abortion is celebrated in our society by actors and musicians, politicians, and thought leaders. What are we doing as Christians to make abortion unthinkable and unnecessary?
Isaiah 61:8 tells us, “For I, the Lord, love justice;” Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” We are called to love justice – to right what is wrong and uphold the righteousness of God.
As Christians, we can’t afford to compromise our words or avoid the abortion issue. Scripture doesn’t call the death of innocent babies “reproductive freedom.” No, there’s no freedom when innocent blood is thrown away, especially when it is abandoned every day.
Abortion advocates cannot possibly defend the reality of what abortion does to a child, but what is the Church doing about it?
Unfortunately, the Church, as a whole, has remained too silent. Pastors and church leaders have avoided – and still avoid – standing in the gap when it comes to abortion, because they “feel” the topic is too political.
There is nothing political about defending innocent life. Abortion is a spiritual battle where human beings – babies made in the image of God – should be given respect and regarded worthy of life, even before they are born.
The Bible never treats human life as “disposable tissue” as seen in Psalm 139 where it declares:
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
In addition, Jeremiah was known by God before birth. John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth’s womb in the presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb. Scripture is clear that every baby in the womb is known by God, created with a purpose, and worthy of protection.
We cannot say, “But we knew nothing about this” when abortion is in the news every day. And a church that refuses to confront this evil has forgotten its calling. It is pointless to plead ignorance before God who sees everything. And God will hold us accountable to what we know. “Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?”
Pastors must boldly preach the truth from the pulpit, even when it invites criticism. Believers must stand in the gap for the preborn even in the face of pro-abortionists who are screaming insults at them.
We as Christians cannot retreat into silence. Are we too afraid of public backlash and cultural pressure to literally save babies’ lives? We must “Rescue those being led away to death.” It is our right and responsibility as a nation founded on the principle that all people are “created equal,” to protect each and every one, especially the most vulnerable.
What Can We Do?
First, Pray. Pray for yourself or anyone you know who has been a part of an abortion. Pray for forgiveness, pray for the church and leaders to stand up, and use their power for good. And ultimately, pray for the end of abortion in our country. Pray that it will be unthinkable and unnecessary in the hearts and minds of our fellow citizens and in the moms who carry our youngest and most vulnerable.
Second, Act. volunteer, donate, become an advocate of ministries like Human Coalition whose mission it is to “Rescue children from abortion throughout America.”
Third, Awaken your church. Encourage your pastor and church leaders to boldly stand in the gap against abortion. Start an advocacy group in your church. Here are some helpful tips.
Sixth, believe in the power of Scripture to touch the hearts of those you share with, convincing them of God’s love for every child – preborn and born – who has been created in His image.
Take action, because we are encouraged, called, and commanded to do so in Proverbs 24:11. The New Living Translation says, “Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don’t stand back and let them die.”
Now is the time to stand in the gap for those who cannot do so for themselves.
