Articles From Our Bulletins
Paternity Tests
The arthritis specialist sent me to the lab for more blood work. The tests my regular doctor had me do two weeks earlier apparently didn’t cover everything he wanted checked. OK, so we head back to the lab. There was a young woman with an infant and a middle-aged woman we assumed was her mother checking in. After they moved to the waiting room and we got me checked in, I went into the other waiting room where they were along with a young man and (again) a middle-aged woman we assumed was his mother. While the young woman and her mother cared for the infant on one end of room, the young man sat with his head down on the other end with his mom. Though the two groups were in the same waiting room, it soon became obvious that they were NOT together, though they were there for the same reason: paternity tests for the infant. A conversation between the two middle-aged women, which we could not help but overhear, made that pretty plain. To her credit, the young man’s mom made it clear that if the child “was his, we will support it 1000%.” But then she added that “until then” (the test results), she “didn’t want any attitude” about the situation. How sad. But we’re not done.
As this discussion was wrapping up, another young man barged in the door and up to the check-in counter. He was obviously not happy about being there. He told the receptionist that he was there to get “tested,” but quickly added that “she was supposed to have already paid for it.” No name was given. No test was specified. The receptionist looked at her computer, and even went to the back to ask the technician, but no one had been in to pay for any tests for him. He stormed back out uttering profanities. Not long afterwards, two young women came in to pay for the tests. Again, we had no choice as to whether or not we overheard the ensuing conversations. We ALL heard them. Apparently this paternity test was by court order. The man eventually returned, but it was readily evident he did NOT want to take this test. He had shaved his head (paternity tests typically use head hair, but also needs the follicle to be present), and claimed to have even shaved his armpits (also commonly used for the test evidently). The technician explained that though the test was court-ordered, she could not make him provide a usable sample. Again, how sad.
After I was taken called back to get my blood drawn, it was obvious that both the technician and the receptionist, who entered the room to ask more questions about alternative sources for the shaved-head man, were both upset. I wryly reminded them that I was just there for arthritis testing (after all, you don’t want an upset phlebotomist drawing your blood!). They both smiled and apologized for the “scenes” we had witnessed. But, these things got me to thinking….
“Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard,” Proverbs 13:15 (KJV). Obviously, I have no specific knowledge of these two situations, or the number of people affected beyond those present. It was not my intention then, nor is it now, to “judge” any of these people. I’m just sorry for them. Sorry that choices were apparently made contrary to God’s will and way that produced what such decisions usually produce- not the child, but embarrassment, legal wrangling over “fault” and “responsibilities,” court orders, and shame, not to mention “sin.” Sorry that all involved were now having to reap what had been sowed, Galatians 6:7-8. These things are NOT what God wants for us.
So, He instead provided:
- That we become husbands and wives BEFORE becoming dads and moms, cf. Genesis 2:22-24; 4:1ff. It was pretty obvious that none of these young people were married, at least not to one another. God’s way is not only right, it is best for us (and children and society). How very sad that the paternity of the child was in question and that medical testing had to be employed. Sadder still if the mothers themselves were unsure of paternity. Husbands and wives who are faithful to God and one another in the holy covenant of marriage never need such services, cf. Hebrews 13:4. And,
- That we “Flee immorality” (1Corinthians 6:18) and “behave properly as in the day… not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality…” (Romans 13:13). Sexual immorality is sin whether it produces a child or not. As such, it has eternal consequences. It also often has earthly consequences. But abstinence still works every time it is practiced. If such was/is impossible or impractical, God would not have commanded it. But He did just that, cf. 1Corinthians 7:1-5.
Another thing or two before we quit. Spiritual paternity also has a test, “By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious; any one who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother,” 1John 3:10. My purpose in sharing these things is not to judge or condemn those involved. God is eminently capable of such, and will handle these things as He sees fit without my input (cf. 2Corinthians 5:10). I’m just sorry that these young people (and/or their parents) weren’t provided a “good understanding” of the way of the Lord, or if they were, that they didn’t hear and heed it. I’m sorry that another child will likely grow up with a father who, in one of the cases at least, tried his best to deny and disown him (or is yet unknown). Or conversely, I’m sorry that his mother required medical testing on him to even determine whom his father actually was, if that is the case. I’m sorry that lives are so often filled with such sadness, heartache, and misery because we’re unwilling to just do what God says. God doesn’t provide laws to restrict or prevent our happiness and well-being, in fact, just the opposite is true. But make no mistake about it, God’s way is ALWAYS best now and forever.
- Paternity_Tests.pdf (88.63 kB)
