What Does The Bible Say About People Who Commit Suicide?

robin_williams

Yesterday we found out that the beloved actor Robin Williams died of apparent suicide. I personally have watched some of his movies while growing up and was saddened to hear these tragic news. Buckets of digital ink have already been spilled regarding the reason and mystery of why this happened. If you are reading this and contemplating suicide, I want to plead with you to reconsider and seek out someone to talk to. I want you to understand that God is for you and God loves you. In this blog post, I want to expound on what the Bible says about people who commit suicide.

As a pastor, my job is to tell you the truth about all things related to life – no matter how tough or unpleasant they may be.

Below are two sermons that I hope will help you in understanding exactly what the Bible says about suicide.

Both of the sermons deal with what God has to say about murder in the Bible:

What The Bible Says About Suicide And Murder: (Sermon in English)

What The Bible Says About Suicide And Murder: (Sermon in Russian)

Suicide In The Bible:

The Bible cites six specific instances in which people ended their life, by taking their own life – ultimately committing suicide:

  1. Abimelech (Judges 9:54)
  2. Saul (1 Samuel 31:4)
  3. Saul’s armor-bearer (1 Samuel 31:4-6)
  4. Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23)
  5. Zimri (1 Kings 16:18)
  6. Judas (Matthew 27:5)

Five of these were wicked and sinful men. Not enough information exists to make a judgement call about the character of Saul’s armor-bearer.

One may consider Samson as a case of suicide. But upon closer inspection, Samson’s goal was to kill the Philistines, not himself (Judges 16:26-31).

What Questions To Ask?

The wrong question to ask is this:

Will the person go to heaven if they committed suicide.

The right question to ask is this:

Under what condition does a person not get admitted into heaven and is condemned to hell.

The Deciding Factor:

Whether a person commits suicide or not – this is not the deciding factor for their admission into heaven. If a person who is outside of Christ (not saved) commits suicide, there is no Scriptural support that they will end up in heaven. But that person who was unsaved and committed suicide will ultimately end up in hell for rejecting salvation through Christ, NOT because he committed suicide.

What Does The Bible Say About A Christian Who Commits Suicide?

From the moment we genuinely believe in Jesus, we are granted eternal life (John 3:16).

Those who are in Christ can without a doubt know and be assured that they possess eternal life (1 John 5:13).

Nothing can separate a follower of Christ from the love of Christ (Romans 8:38-39). If no “created thing,” can separate a follower of Jesus from the love of Jesus, and a follower of Christ is a “created thing,” then not even suicide can separate a Christian from the love of God.

Jesus died for all of our sins – past, present and future (Col. 2:13-14).

If a genuine believer, in a time of weakness and despair, commits suicide, that is still a sin covered by the blood of Christ.

I want to be very clear: Suicide is still a serious sin against God. It is wrong. It is sinful. It is a sin equivalent to murder (Exodus 20:1321:23). At the same time, it can be forgiven like other sin.

What Happens To A Genuine Believer If They Commit Suicide?

If a true follower of Jesus commits suicide, he or she will be received into heaven (Jude 24). One can choose to doubt the authenticity of an individual’s salvation who has committed suicide. But that remains between the individual and God. The Bible says that just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment (Heb. 9:27). God is the judge, we are not.

I believe there are no circumstances that can justify someone, especially a follower of Jesus, to take his or her own life.

Just like we do not determine when we are born – we also do not have the right to determine when we die. The decision for us reaching the finish line is God’s, not ours.

Why Would We Question The Authenticity Of Salvation Of Someone Who Commits Suicide?

The Bible is very emphatic about providing hope to those who follow Jesus and declare Him as Lord (Acts 24:15Romans 5:2-58:242 Corinthians 1:10).

In addition, one who habitually ponders upon committing suicide, is practicing sin in their heart (Prov. 23:7). The Bible says that no one who is born of God practices or lives in, habitual sin (1 John 3:9).

Very often, the act of suicide occurs when the individual denies the fact that Jesus is Lord over their life and presumes to be the appointed lord over their own life, by taking their life.

Who will hear the words of Matthew 7:23 upon meeting Jesus is a question I cannot answer in this life – but it will be posed to some people, in their next life.

Why You Should Not Consider Or Commit Suicide:

No matter how difficult your situation is, nothing is impossible with Jesus (Luke 1:37).

No matter how many times you have been rejected or despised, Jesus identifies with you and loves you (Isaiah 53:2-6). Because Jesus suffered, we do not have to.

Because Jesus gave up His life to give us a life, we do not have to take our life.

Jesus endured everything so that you would not be led to despair, because ofanything (Psalm 50:15).

No sin in your life is too great for Jesus to forgive (2 Cor. 5:17).

Jesus is able to repair your life, even if it is shattered to pieces (Isaiah 61:1-3).

Jesus will never reject you when you come to him with a broken spirit and a contrite heart. He will accept your prayer of repentance and grant you forgiveness (Psalm 51:1215-17).

In conclusion:

Is it possible for a true believer to commit suicide?

Yes, but I believe it is an unusual occurrence.

Is it possible for a true believer to go to heaven, if they commit suicide?

Yes (see above)

Is it possible for someone who is unsaved to go to heaven, if they committed suicide?

I cannot find any Scriptural evidence for this to be true.

Ultimately, it is not about people, but rather all about Jesus. People do not go to hell for being bad. They go to hell for rejecting Jesus and His gospel.

Conversely, people do not go to heaven because they were good. People go to heaven because Jesus was good on our behalf. Thanks be to the Holy Spirit who prompted us to realize this – that only Jesus is good. This happens not by any of our own work, will or exertion. We believe by grace through faith upon that old rugged cross where our Savior rendered to us our salvation.

If you found this podcast episode helpful, please share it with your social network. 

Question: What have you been led to believe about suicide? What would you say to someone who is contemplating committing suicide? 


Comments

3 responses to “What Does The Bible Say About People Who Commit Suicide?”

  1. ragamuffinpc Avatar
    ragamuffinpc

    Agreed on all accounts.

    Here is my question with his whole thing (not YOUR whole thing, but with the discussion overall). If we understand depression to be a clinical condition which drastically alters the very mind’s ability, what do we do with the address of someone with this condition’s outright inability to not ponder these things?

    It is clear to me with confidence that God can heal all that he wishes, but in the case that he does not for the broken person with a great mind-altering depression, how do we determine what of this is sin?

    You know what I mean??

    1. Yes I hear you where you are coming from. Are you basically asking if suicide was a result of mental illness or some other situation where the individual was not consciously aware of what they were doing?

    2. Ragamuffinpc I think you’re right about the fact that due to many different issues someone could take their own life while not being in their right mind. This, however does not justify their action or make it right! Taking your own life is always wrong, whether you are in your right mind or not.

      Ultimately we can not know the mind or the intentions of heart of the person who commits suicide, but God knows perfectly! God also knows if the person has Christ or not and he will make the final judgement determined upon that fact!

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