Exposing the Harmful Practice of Bridal Pregnancy Tests in Nigerian Churches

For over two decades, as the founder of Covenant Singles and Married Ministries, I have witnessed countless misconceptions that plague Christian marriages in Nigeria. Among the most troubling practices is the requirement for brides to undergo pregnancy tests before their church weddings. This practice, widespread in many Nigerian churches, inflicts untold pain and misery on Christian women. Today, I aim to shed light on why this practice is both unbiblical and harmful to the spiritual and emotional well-being of these women.

Why Pregnancy Tests for Brides Make No Sense

Many churches enforce pregnancy tests on brides under the mistaken belief that this will maintain purity among young people. However, a pregnancy test cannot determine fornication—it only reveals pregnancy. A woman may have engaged in sexual activity without being pregnant, and conversely, a woman may become pregnant through assisted reproduction like IVF without ever engaging in sexual intercourse. Therefore, subjecting brides to this test is misguided.

Moreover, the Bible clearly encourages those who have engaged in premarital relations to marry, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 7:9. The act of marriage sanctifies the relationship and prevents further sin. Given this, why deny brides the sacrament of marriage based on a pregnancy test?

Misinterpreting the Scripture: The Root of the Problem

Church leaders often cite Hebrews 13:4, which speaks about honoring the marriage bed, to justify these tests. However, this scripture pertains to married couples, not singles. The “marriage bed” refers to the vows and covenant of marriage, not the actions of singles before marriage. Misunderstanding this verse has led many church leaders to place unnecessary obstacles before couples seeking to wed, thereby causing harm where the Bible offers grace.

The Harmful Consequences of Bridal Pregnancy Tests

Subjecting brides to pregnancy tests has far-reaching consequences, including delayed marriages, increased abortions, and even childlessness. Many brides feel pressured to terminate pregnancies to ensure they pass these tests. Tragically, some women, after aborting, find it difficult or impossible to conceive again. The story of Yetunde is a heart-wrenching example of the long-term damage this practice can cause.

Yetunde’s Heartbreaking Story

Yetunde was a devout Christian who, after completing her traditional wedding, found herself pregnant. Despite her husband’s and family’s pleas to forgo the church wedding or delay it, she chose to abort the pregnancy to pass the church’s pregnancy test. After the wedding, she was never able to conceive again. Years later, her marriage fell apart, leaving her childless and without a husband. This tragedy, sadly, is not uncommon in Nigeria, where misguided church doctrines lead women to make irreversible decisions out of fear of judgment.

A Biblical Solution to This Issue

The Bible provides clear instructions regarding those who engage in premarital sexual relations: they should marry. Exodus 22:16-17 and Deuteronomy 22:28-29 both state that men who engage in sexual relations with unmarried women should pay the bride price and marry them. This simple teaching would reduce the prevalence of fornication and encourage timely marriages. Pastors should focus on teaching the biblical path to marriage rather than enforcing harmful practices that lead to pain and destruction.

Why This Practice Must End

The gospel of Christ is about freedom, not bondage. Any practice that causes pain and prevents people from embracing the blessing of marriage cannot be from God. Rather than subjecting brides to invasive tests, church leaders should focus on promoting love, understanding, and adherence to biblical teachings that encourage marriage as a path to righteousness.

It’s time to stop forcing women into impossible choices. Let’s allow people to marry, support them in their journey, and avoid practices that bring misery instead of joy.

Your servant in the Lord,
Pastor Chris Ojigbani