What is the Christian view of suicide? What does the Bible say about suicide?
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Asked July 01 2013
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Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Holly Kramer
Some of the answers seem to be lacking in the concept of compassion, love, and empathy. I find it interesting that suicide is never specifically stated as a "sin" in the Bible. The words used by some are quite strong showing a bias that suicide is worse than other sins. The Bible states a sin is a sin.
I am concerned that the responders have an overly strong bias that they could miss the opportunity to help those who suffer from mental illness, are misguided, or have lost their way. People do not lightly fall in to such depression that suicide seems to be best solution to a problem.
A person who is on the path to suicide needs help not judgement. I do not read in the Bible that God is as judgmental on this subject. I believe He may understand better the pain and black emptiness that can fill people when they suffer from mental illness.
Ned Hozale
I think God will be a fair judge of all people. While reading the answers a couple things come to mind, like if a man from the world trade centers who jumped to his death was a christian, call it what you want its still suicide, that person felt like he had nowhere to go,no hope,fire all around,thinking there was no way out. And King David who killed to get what he desired, how much better is that than
suicide? Or Paul who put christians in prison and cast his vote for their death, maybe he even killed these christians, a man so blinded with religion, he forgot about, thou shall not kill, so I think God is more compassionate on people. A couple of years ago I hurt my back, and when I moved the pain was so bad that even my head felt like exploding.I couldnt take the pain.In those momments I didnt think about my wife and children,only a gun came to mind. This unbearable pain almost took my life, So it is with some loving christians they feel their life is unbearable at those moments. So thank God (people who have never had to go through pain and suffering) who knows how some people would react if they were in someone else's shoes
Daniel Riggs
The "Spirit" of suicidal thoughts is exactly that. A spirit. I know this because my deliverance of this spirit is what led me to getting saved. I attempted suicide more than once and thought about it every single minute. The enemy comes against your mind and is trying to kill you. If he succeeds in his attempt you will spend eternity with him. That is the definition of dying in your sin. But where God shines his light darkness has to flee.
So if you know someone or are someone seek deliverance in Jesus name. The spiritual world is just as real as the physical. However we have to learn how to war in the spirit. He who The Son sets free is free indeed.
Mischelle Tankersley
"So, according to the Bible, suicide is a sin. It is not the "greatest" sin-it is no worse than other evils, in terms of how God sees it, and it does not determine a person's eternal destiny."
Someone I was speaking with the other day asked me "Is suicide a forgivable sin?" I told him I would further investigate his question and get back to him.
My question is there Scripture to back up that suicide does not determine a person's eternal destiny? If so, could you please reference them?
Looking forward to your response.
Gary Wainwright
Mischelle, firstly Jesus said there is only one unpardonable sin (Matthew 12:31-32) and it is not suicide. Secondly, ‘For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons… nor anything else… will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 8:38-39). Not even suicide can quench God’s love or cancel the salvation that His love bought for the believer (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:24).
Danny Hickman
Mischelle, a better question is: is there a scripture that says suicide determines a person's final destination? I can answer that one: No. Someone made that up long ago and it still haunts people to this day. There are many scriptures that tell us who the redeemers are: those who call on the name of the Lord. Those who repent. Those whose robes are washed in the Lord's blood, etc. Those are the ones to focus on, they are in the Bible. What mama 'NEM said ain't....
June Williams
I get what all of you are saying! I have always felt that suicide was akin to murder and I too wondered how God saw it! The only thing I could find was the commandment, Thou shall not kill! And isn't that what suicide is?
I received a call from my brother today concerning a dear friend of his, a Christian brother, who committed suicide over the weekend! To say I was shocked is putting it mildly! The story goes that his cancer had come back! He had said that he would not go through chemo again! Having gone through chemo I can say, I get that, 100%! Apparently, he was in pain and out of pain meds and could not get a refill until today or tomorrow! (Personally, that should be something cancer patients should get as needed!) Anyway, he made his way down to the garden, his wife grew concerned when she thought he'd been gone too long, and found him there! He had shot himself! Why?
I'm trying to understand and be strong for my brother but it was such a shock! My first thought was,"Did he blow his chance at heaven? Was he really a Christian?" I've been reading and hearing a lot about that! Matthew 7:21-23 It has made me think about my relationship with our Lord! I don't want to hear those words from Him!
So while I can understand how he must have felt, I have to wonder about why? God would have made a way! Amen? Amen!
Danny Hickman
Suicide is self inflicted. Murder is harming another person. How can they be the same?
Judas hung himself; David and Moses both, committed murder. Moses, out of anger, David, for conspiratorial reasons. He wanted to cover up his adulterous relationship with another man's wife. Judas couldn't bear to live with what he'd done. David and Moses loved God. Judas is the son of perdition (Jn 17:12, 2 Thess 2:3). Perdition is damnation, spiritual ruin, death. That's who and what Judas was before he hung himself.
A person who does harm to themselves is mentally unstable. A person who murders (not simply causes the death of, but murders) has a different meaning and mindset than a person who's going through something that makes dying seem desirable.
But let's get to the important points.
God sees us as little children in distress. Many scriptures tell us that; take your pick.
God doesn't have a torture chamber waiting for his delinquent children.
The wages of sin is (eternal) death (not torture in a fiery furnace) but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 6:23) (emphasis all mine).
The lost DON'T WANT to live in eternity with the Lord, the saved do. The Lord gave the saved the desire to live in eternity with Him. He has put eternity in [our] hearts... (Eccl 3:11).
God knows what's in our hearts; He put it there. We believe in Jesus because we've been enlightened (Eph 1:18). Job 33:30 says 'God does it, enlightens us with the light of life.'