Proverbs 14:34 declares, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (NASB1995) [1]. This timeless principle underscores the foundational truth that a nation’s moral fabric determines its destiny. For America, a nation once rooted in Judeo-Christian values, the widespread acceptance of abortion—over 63 million lives lost since 1973 [8]—stands as a stark betrayal of this biblical mandate. The rejection of righteousness has not only brought national disgrace but echoes ancient pagan practices of child sacrifice, directly opposing Christ’s explicit love for children and His warning against harming the vulnerable.
Righteousness vs. Sin in National Identity
The contrast in Proverbs 14:34 is stark: righteousness elevates, while sin degrades. Historically, America’s greatness was tied to its commitment to justice, liberty, and human dignity [3]. However, the legalization and normalization of abortion have inverted these values, with the U.S. now leading in abortion rates among Western nations [7]. This systemic sin has corrupted the nation’s moral authority, as “sin is a reproach to any people” [1] [2]. The cultural shift toward radical individualism and moral relativism has eroded the collective conscience, leaving America spiritually adrift in a post-Christian era [7].
Jesus’ Love for Children and the Sanctity of Life
Jesus unequivocally affirmed the inherent worth of children, stating, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14) [5]. He reserved His fiercest condemnation for those who harm children, warning that “it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea” (Matthew 18:6) [5]. This divine protection of the vulnerable stands in direct opposition to abortion, which denies children their most basic right—life. By dehumanizing the unborn, America has rejected Christ’s call to defend the “least of these.”
The Wages of Sin and the Hope of Redemption
Scripture is clear: “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) [6]. Abortion, as state-sanctioned child sacrifice, incurs both temporal and eternal consequences. Just as ancient pagan nations faced judgment for offering children to idols like Molech (Leviticus 20:1-5), America’s embrace of abortion mirrors this abomination [8] [10]. The spiritual death wrought by sin, however, is not irreversible. The same verse in Romans proclaims that “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” [6]. National correction—beginning with the abolition of abortion—is the path to restoration, but it is for each individual to confess and forsake sin. (Proverbs 28:13) [4].
Abortion: America’s Modern Child Sacrifice
The parallels between abortion and ancient pagan rituals are undeniable. Just as Canaanites sacrificed children to gain favor with false gods, modern society sacrifices unborn lives to the idols of convenience, autonomy, and sexual liberation [8] [9]. Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the U.S., operates as a “temple” to this ideology, profiting from the destruction of over 374,000 lives annually [8]. This systemic evil reflects a spiritual rebellion akin to Satan’s hatred for God’s image-bearers, making abortion not merely a sin but a cultic act of defiance against the Creator [10].
A Call to Repentance and Renewal
While abortion is uniquely heinous, America’s moral decay extends to other sins: pornography, greed, and the erosion of family structures [7]. Yet abortion remains the linchpin, as it normalizes the devaluation of human life. The church must lead in repentance, rejecting apathy and complicity (Galatians 5:9) [4]. Legislative efforts, crisis pregnancy centers, and cultural witness are vital, but ultimate hope lies in Christ’s transformative power. As Proverbs 14:34 reminds us, righteousness—not political power—exalts a nation. Only through returning to God can America escape the reproach of sin and reclaim its calling as a light to the world.
Citations:
[1] https://www.bible.com/bible/compare/PRO.14.34-35
[2] https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/proverbs-14-34.html
[3] https://www.lwf.org/pdfs/1865-The-Only-Hope-America-PTR-July2024.pdf
[4] https://allofchrist.org/abolition-of-abortion
[5] https://www.compassion.ca/blog/jesus-protecting-children/
[6] https://biblehub.com/romans/6-23.htm
[7] https://europeanconservative.com/articles/dreher/america-is-a-post-christian-nation/
[8] https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1247&context=hsgconference
[9] https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1036&context=cedar_ethics_online
[10] https://theleaven.org/abortion-is-the-child-sacrifice-of-our-times/