Will you really go to hell if you commit suicide?

This is a tough one. If you are truly a Christian, you cannot go to hell. However, would a true Christian commit suicide? Perhaps that is the question. So going to hell because of suicide would not be a punishment for a Christian, but would rather be a possible sign that someone may not be a Christian.

When loneliness, depression, or tough times hit, it’s natural to feel despair. We must remember that these bodies are only tents. Our true home is above and we are here to serve and glorify Christ. We go through despairing times so that we are sanctified and so that we, as God’s agents on Earth, can help others through similar times. We are on a mission here on Earth; it is not about us. The world can make life a real pain and can make it feel like a dreadful nuisance, but please always remember that you are a child of God with an inheritance in heaven. This life is simply a test and a mission so that we can glorify Christ and gain crowns in heaven. Committing suicide for a Christian should never be an option when we have Christ as our Lord and are Have a “children of God” mindset.

Yes, this life drives me nuts and to despair sometimes. But I go to the Psalms and start to read the New Testament through. Try the NIV audible bible. Close your eyes and listen. And pray and absorb His word. This usually gets me to slap myself awake and remind me that Satan has been whispering in my ear again.

JI4M said:

Hi Everyone,

I know this question has been asked a million times so thank you for answering if you do.

So if you commit suicide, will you got hell? And can you point me to passages in the Bible where this is talked about, especially about the hell part?

My daughter's father commited suicide years ago and I would like to know how to answer this when it comes up. I am also curious to know myself. It haunts me to think of him being in hell, however, don't sugar coat it for me. Tell me the truth because I really need to know the truth. Thank you.

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Suicide is still sinful however there is no reason to see it as unforgivable. We are not a sum of the bad and good things we do, but instead if we are recipients of grace from Christ we are forgiven and there is no more that needs to be said on the subject. In the end however it is God who does the judging so there is no answer with certainty because only God sees the heart.

There is also a subject of what Hell is too as the word is often used as a catch all word for a mismatch of western folklore regarding the bad part of the afterlife starting with the word "Hell" itself and heavily influenced by dante's inferno. So we need to educated yourself as to what "Hell" actually is and what it is not.

Hades is more of biblical terminology but even then there is biblical Hades and there is Greek mythical Hades and again we should not confuse the two. When we read about the spiritual revelation in the Bible we should be careful not to marry it with all things that use the same language or terminology outside of the bible as this is going to muddy the revelation.

Biblical Hades is described inconsistently in terms of the physical characteristics in the bible but consistently in terms of severity. This leads me to believe the physical descriptors are there to show us how extreme it is not to show us that it is a place of physical consequence but rather spiritual consequence and this is the same for heaven. These are spiritual places where physical descriptors are going to be limited. Certainly what we do know is we don't want to go there and that God rescues us from it but when we think of Heaven and Hell is it important that we are responsibly informed about it from the bible not from 2000 years (or more) of story telling and make believe.

Well seeing as how murder is a sin and yourself is murder I believe you will go to hell for it.

BobRyan said:

Lucifer lost it.
Adam and Eve lost it and had to have the Gospel to save them.

Matthew 18 teaches the lesson of forgiveness revoked.
Gal 5:1-5 "Severed from Christ... fallen from grace"
Romans 11 "you stand only by your faith ... you should fear for if He did not spare them neither will He spare you".

Matt 7 "you cannot get bad fruit from a good tree"

The bible is filled with warnings to get people away from the idea of do evil and go to heaven anyway.
1 Cor 6 Paul has an entire teaching on it starting with "do not be deceived"

At the point of justification a person is born-again -- "a new creation" -- the "good tree" - but that person can then go on to choose evil and the Bible has all those warnings about our need to not do that.

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Also in Matthew 18 though when Peter asks how many times to forgive someone who trespasses against them, Jesus tells him 70 times 7 times (I don't think the number is meant to be taken literally, but just be forgiving is the basic concept). So, if it's true that you can "lose your forgiveness" because of a sin, you can also get it back by repenting and asking for forgiveness again, and not being a hypocrite and holding grudges yourself.

salt-n-light said:

That's a deep lost my condolences. Suicide is a deep subject, but nothing too deep for God so here we go..

Before I would have said absolutely, they go to Hell. But suicide is not this one sided act. I think its more important to look at the driving motive. It brings me back to Samson, where he knew that destroying the temple to kill off his enemies would mean he will die(Judges 16). By definition, its a suicide, but he gave his life. Jesus gave his life. The disciples gave his life. Except for Judas, he took his life. Judas felt guilty of what he done, but he took it on himself instead to ask for forgiveness, to take his own life. Other instances, the person may not be aware that they are committing suicide, such as a mental issue. Or they had no choice but to die.

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The above examples aren't suicide but sacrifice.
e.g Samsons sacrificed his life to ensure the death of his enemies.

sunshineforJesus said:

Well seeing as how murder is a sin and yourself is murder I believe you will go to hell for it.

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David committed murder, I don't think he's in hell.

ABCthings said:

The above examples aren't suicide but sacrifice.
e.g Samsons sacrificed his life to ensure the death of his enemies.

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Sacrifice is still killing yourself.

Carl Emerson said:

Just give me the bible... not experiences !!

Mmmm... The authors of the bible wrote about their experiences...

My friend wanted to take her life - and Jesus spoke to her and said "If you take your life I wont love you any less..." !!!

That Word from above broke the oppression and set her free.

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Glad for your friend, but, we know that the authors of the Bible were inspired of God; can't guarantee anything about your friend.

JI4M said:

Hi Everyone,

I know this question has been asked a million times so thank you for answering if you do.

So if you commit suicide, will you got hell? And can you point me to passages in the Bible where this is talked about, especially about the hell part?

My daughter's father commited suicide years ago and I would like to know how to answer this when it comes up. I am also curious to know myself. It haunts me to think of him being in hell, however, don't sugar coat it for me. Tell me the truth because I really need to know the truth. Thank you.

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Not an easy question. My own father committed suicide, and it troubled me for 10 years after I got saved. I had no clear answer to this question, but, a quote from Abraham gave me peace:

That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Genesis 18:25.

OK, OK, still no clear answer, but, I know that God will do the right thing. (Point being, if the suicide is in Hell, it is the right thing, and if in Heaven, it is the right thing. Same as if a Sinner v. Christian dies in a car wreck).

JI4M said:

Hi Everyone,

I know this question has been asked a million times so thank you for answering if you do.

So if you commit suicide, will you got hell? And can you point me to passages in the Bible where this is talked about, especially about the hell part?

My daughter's father commited suicide years ago and I would like to know how to answer this when it comes up. I am also curious to know myself. It haunts me to think of him being in hell, however, don't sugar coat it for me. Tell me the truth because I really need to know the truth. Thank you.

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You can't go a place that doesn't exist. You will however, end up in the second resurrection, with the majority of mankind.

JI4M said:

Can you explain this part to me in more detail please? Thank you so much

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Sorry, which part? Can you be more specific?

goldenboy said:

Glad for your friend, but, we know that the authors of the Bible were inspired of God; can't guarantee anything about your friend.

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Sad that that He no longer speaks or inspires us - even although He is in residence within us...

I guess C.S. Lewis was wrong when He wrote "He is there and He is not silent."

By the way, where is scripture does He say we shall not be able to hear Him ?

JI4M said:

Hi Everyone,

I know this question has been asked a million times so thank you for answering if you do.

So if you commit suicide, will you got hell? And can you point me to passages in the Bible where this is talked about, especially about the hell part?

My daughter's father commited suicide years ago and I would like to know how to answer this when it comes up. I am also curious to know myself. It haunts me to think of him being in hell, however, don't sugar coat it for me. Tell me the truth because I really need to know the truth. Thank you.

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I don't think anyone can tell the truth about this, because no one here has committed suicide and finds themselves either in heaven, or in hell.

Personally, I believe, and trust, in a merciful, compassionate and loving God.
If someone takes their own life, it's likely to be because they are in hell in this life - depressed/abused/broke/homeless/extremely ill and so on. Many honestly believe they are a burden to those around them and that others would be happier, or not even miss them, if they were not here.
Would they then receive more of the same for the whole of eternity? If they have deliberately and knowingly rejected the Gospel, Jesus and all opportunities for forgiveness and new life; possibly. If they have never heard the Gospel and don't know what they are rejecting; probably not - imo.

If a believer who has accepted Jesus as their Saviour and confessed him as Lord was to end their life? Some would say, "yes, they go to hell because murder is a sin and they could not repent from it." Some would say "yes, because if they are depressed, they are not trusting in God", (I've seen that expressed on here). Others say that one act, committed in despair and desperation, cannot negate their Christian faith or separate the person from God's love so, no.

In the end, God knows, God is judge, and we can trust him to act with love, mercy and compassion.

JI4M said:

Hi Everyone,

I know this question has been asked a million times so thank you for answering if you do.

So if you commit suicide, will you got hell? And can you point me to passages in the Bible where this is talked about, especially about the hell part?

My daughter's father commited suicide years ago and I would like to know how to answer this when it comes up. I am also curious to know myself. It haunts me to think of him being in hell, however, don't sugar coat it for me. Tell me the truth because I really need to know the truth. Thank you.

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The truth of the matter is that only God knows the answer to this question. The only thing that we can do is to pray to God and ask that mercy be shown to any friend or loved one who commits suicide. Yes, I know that most here in CF do not believe that such will do any good. However, we do not know this for certain and it certainly cannot hurt.

Jamdoc said:

Hey how about you actually read my posts?
I have said now, and repeated, that they went to Paradise, not Heaven.
Paradise is not Heaven. Not in the context Jesus was referring to.
Did Jesus tell him "Verily, I say unto thee, Today shalt thou sleep until the end of the world, and then I'll come back and thee will be with me in Heaven."
No.
He said "Verily, I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."
If it did not happen Today, then Jesus would have lied. Does Jesus Lie? No. Jesus didn't sin. Lying is a sin. Jesus doesn't lie.

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Jesus does not lie nor did He sin, we all know that so please refrain from making foolish statements/questions in that regard ... however ... is it possible you (and others) understanding of the verse(s) are not correct? Is it possible Paradise and heaven are describing the same places? Yes, of course.

That is ... in fact the case.

First, Jesus told the thief on the cross, "Truly, I say to you today you will (in the future) be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). The reference to Paradise indicated that Jesus accepted the faith of the man on the cross and provided salvation to him that day ... provided salvation (saved the thief that day) ... and the thief will indeed be in the first resurrection because Jesus saved him that day.

Second, Paul referred to paradise when speaking of a heavenly vision. He wrote, "And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows" (2 Corinthians 12:3). Even Paul was not sure whether he was really in heaven or not. In either case, he described heaven as "paradise."

Third, Revelation 2:7 used the "paradise of God" as a reference to the place where believers would dwell: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."

The tree of life is in heaven (paradise) where God's throne is

Revelation 22:1-21

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. ...

Heaven and paradise are the same place according to the Bible.

eleos1954 said:

Jesus does not lie nor did He sin, we all know that so please refrain from making foolish statements/questions in that regard ... however ... is it possible you (and others) understanding of the verse(s) are not correct? Is it possible Paradise and heaven are describing the same places? Yes, of course.

That is ... in fact the case.

First, Jesus told the thief on the cross, "Truly, I say to you today you will (in the future) be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). The reference to Paradise indicated that Jesus accepted the faith of the man on the cross and provided salvation to him that day ... provided salvation (saved the thief that day) ... and the thief will indeed be in the first resurrection because Jesus saved him that day.

Second, Paul referred to paradise when speaking of a heavenly vision. He wrote, "And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows" (2 Corinthians 12:3). Even Paul was not sure whether he was really in heaven or not. In either case, he described heaven as "paradise."

Third, Revelation 2:7 used the "paradise of God" as a reference to the place where believers would dwell: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."

The tree of life is in heaven (paradise) where God's throne is

Revelation 22:1-21

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. ...

Heaven and paradise are the same place according to the Bible.

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He didn't say someday in the future, He said today.

also, I have to point out Revelation 6:9-11 These are the souls of dead people, in Heaven, conscious, asking the Lord when He will take vengeance on those who murdered them.
This is distinct from Jesus' story of Lazarus, after Christ arose, I believe that the dead in Christ have their bodies sleep, but their souls are with the Lord in heaven waiting for resurrection, but conscious, where before Jesus ascended to Heaven Himself, the souls of the old testament saints were conscious, but in a place of comfort that was not Heaven, adjacent to Hades but not tormented like those who are in Hades.

fbow said:

David committed murder, I don't think he's in hell.

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He repented.

JI4M said:

So if you commit suicide, will you got hell?
My daughter's father commited suicide years ago and I would like to know how to answer this when it comes up.




I am also curious to know myself. It haunts me to think of him being in hell, however, don't sugar coat it for me. Tell me the truth because I really need to know the truth. Thank you.

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When that comes up best to say
that's in God's hands.

The rough area here seems to be
once one kills themselve
there's no time left for repentance.

M

Jamdoc said:

He didn't say someday in the future, He said today.

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I agree to disagree .... important to take the whole of scripture whenever possible ... not just one verse .... I encourage people to study or re-study this out for themselves.