Is suicide a sin???

[Kristy]

Ok  The only place I have found where the bible speaks against suicide is thou shalt not murder. suicide being murder upon oneself.

So is suicide gonna send you to hell????

I only ask because I couldnt find the answer to it myself.

 

[Lynn]

I firmly believe that suicide is a result of an illness, depression. Dying from an illness such as heart disease does not condemn us. Neither does dying from a disease called depression.

When my brother killed himself, I spoke with my pastor about this very subject because I was so worried. He told me that he also believed that Mark would not be condemned because of this awful result of his illness.

I know that many feel differently about this. All I can do is hold onto the belief that God is merciful to the sick.

lynn

 

[Sharky]

that's a real hard one for me. Suicide i agree is murder to oneself but the problem here is that you can't repent for suicide (since your dead!). So i'm not sure what God has to say for that even for a saved person.

No sorry, really don't know on this part.

 

[ZiSunka]

It is self-murder. So, yes, it is a sin.

But, suicide is not necessarily a ticket to hell. If your sins are covered by the blood shed by Christ at the cross, then ANY and ALL your sins are forgiven, even suicide.

Christians who commit suicide are not sent to hell for doing so.

As for the unsaved, they are going to hell whether they kill themselves or die a natural death after a long life. It isn't the manner of death that condemns a person, it is whether or not they took Christ as their savior.

 

[Awake]

I have had to wrestle with this question.  I had a friend in my past who committed suicide.  Alone in his room at college, he essentially gutted himself with a massive knife.  It was a beautiful, extremely sharp, and vicious knife meant for display that I had given him one birthday several years before to compliment his collection.  I had no idea that he was in that bad of a state of mind or I would have either been with him 24/7 or taken the knife collection away or both.

He was raised a Christian like most in my little group of, well, decadent evil miscreants.  When his parents found out some of the things we were all doing, they disowned him and even got their priest to boot him out of their church.  The priest even told him to his face that his "sins are unforgiveable and your fate is sealed in an eternal lake of fire".  Well, he was having enough difficulty before telling his parents.  Now he saw no point in prolonging his life.  I won't go into the details of the self inflicted wound.  The coroner said that, from her best estimates, the time of the injury to time of death was separated by some 4 to 6 hours of horribly blinding agonizing pain unlike anything imagineable. 

I loved my friend (still do), and would have done anything to save him from that fate.  I have tried to justify his final action in my mind.  It tears me up inside to think of him suffering for all of eternity.  As much as I want to believe that he somehow was shown mercy at his final judgement, I haven't found much to support my hope in that.  He destroyed his gift of life, and denied God the chance to use his life for good.  My only hope is that, during his darkest hours of pain, he realized his mistake and made his peace with God through Christ. 

If anyone has anything that can help Kristy and myself beyond this, please do speak up.  If there is something in scripture I have overlooked, I beg of you please help me out here.

 

[Jenna]

I think that suicide is a sin, but then again, it's just one of many that we commit every day in our attempts to be perfect like Jesus. Do I believe that suicide damns? No. I believe that only rejecting God leads to the death of a person's soul.



Jenna

P.s.- Awake.... I know how it feels to not know whether or not a person was right with God when they died. It's hard enough to deal with the awful details of a suicide, let alone be plagued by that worry. Just remember that God is loving and just. He always does what is right.

 

[ZiSunka]

He was raised a Christian like most in my little group of, well, decadent evil miscreants. When his parents found out some of the things we were all doing, they disowned him and even got their priest to boot him out of their church. The priest even told him to his face that his "sins are unforgiveable and your fate is sealed in an eternal lake of fire". Well, he was having enough difficulty before telling his parents. Now he saw no point in prolonging his life. I won't go into the details of the self inflicted wound. The coroner said that, from her best estimates, the time of the injury to time of death was separated by some 4 to 6 hours of horribly blinding agonizing pain unlike anything imagineable.

This sounds more like murder than suicide. The priest who told him he was irredeemable murdered him with his words. Your friend merely completed the murder of his spirit by killing his body.

 

[SUNSTONE]

I don't think suicide will land you in hell.

 

[Jenna]

I completely agree with you, Lambslove.

 

[Help-me-learn]

Ditto what Lamb said. The reason suicide is a sin is because it is a selfish act. You are saying to God that you dont trust Him to help you through and what is not of faith is sin. But if sin sends you to hell then we are all going. But it doesnt because Jesus paid the payment for sin and now we do not owe it. So now we wil not be seperated from God because of sin.
Praise God

 

[Angelo]

The Bible is extremely vague when it comes to suicide. If it said that all who did it would go to hell, then the families wouldn't be able to live with the thought of thier loved ones in Hell. But if it said you could still go to Heaven, then every Christian would commit suicide. So I don't know if it is or not as the Bible mostly avoids it.

 

[MatthewDiscipleofGod]

Lets just put it this way. No Christian should ever do it for an easy way out thinking it will just get them right into Heaven.

 

[Help-me-learn]

The bible tells us enough things about going to heave and even things that will keep us out. Do people even worry about these?

 

[MatthewDiscipleofGod]

Ok well I guess I will tell you what I believe. I believe in a majority of cases. Even if the person is a supposed Christian they will end up in hell. Reason being I myself struggled with suicide for over a year. Got very close to doing it but knowing if I took that final step there was no turing back. When I was in that state and I think it would be very hard to argue other wise, I was not in a loving relationship with God. A person isn't going to purposly take their life and murder themselves and the temple of God if they honestly think God loves them and they love God and want to please them. I think one exception though would be someone that starts the process but then tries to stop but the way they are doing it can't turn back and HONESTLY repents and asks God for forgivness before it's finished they will be saved. God though knows the true state of our hearts so a person that starts process and them mubbles words of repentence knowing that was the plan from the start won't be saved though. There honestly could be other exceptions as well but there easily may not be. It's hard to think someone you love may be in hell but really a lot of people we love are probably going to go there (of course lets all hope most people we love don't) and it's a reality we have to face but lucky in heaven that sadness won't be a part of us.

 

[Pastor N.B.]

Originally posted by Awake
I have had to wrestle with this question.  I had a friend in my past who committed suicide.  Alone in his room at college, he essentially gutted himself with a massive knife.  It was a beautiful, extremely sharp, and vicious knife meant for display that I had given him one birthday several years before to compliment his collection.  I had no idea that he was in that bad of a state of mind or I would have either been with him 24/7 or taken the knife collection away or both.

He was raised a Christian like most in my little group of, well, decadent evil miscreants.  When his parents found out some of the things we were all doing, they disowned him and even got their priest to boot him out of their church.  The priest even told him to his face that his "sins are unforgiveable and your fate is sealed in an eternal lake of fire".  Well, he was having enough difficulty before telling his parents.  Now he saw no point in prolonging his life.  I won't go into the details of the self inflicted wound.  The coroner said that, from her best estimates, the time of the injury to time of death was separated by some 4 to 6 hours of horribly blinding agonizing pain unlike anything imagineable. 

I loved my friend (still do), and would have done anything to save him from that fate.  I have tried to justify his final action in my mind.  It tears me up inside to think of him suffering for all of eternity.  As much as I want to believe that he somehow was shown mercy at his final judgement, I haven't found much to support my hope in that.  He destroyed his gift of life, and denied God the chance to use his life for good.  My only hope is that, during his darkest hours of pain, he realized his mistake and made his peace with God through Christ. 

If anyone has anything that can help Kristy and myself beyond this, please do speak up.  If there is something in scripture I have overlooked, I beg of you please help me out here.

**************
Dear friend:
I can tell you what the Word (Christ) Himself says, John is my favorite person! His works are printed the sharpest for my understanding. But let me say first, that NO ONE KNOWS the mind & heart, (mind reading) only God.

OK: John 5:16-17 in part & hightlighted.
"If any man see his [brother] sin a sin which [is not unto death] ... he shall ask, and [he shall give him life for the sin *not unto death.] There [is a sin UNTO DEATH].

[All unrightousness is sin]: and there is a sin [not unto death]."

So the question is, is the sin of taking ones life the unforgiveable sin? No.
If it was, no one would be saved, for ALL of us are killing ourselves even doing [our best] with eating habits. (but we best work on it! Phil. 4:13)

But, let me qualify the NO remark? It could be so, that one was guilty of the sin against the Holy Ghost! King Saul for one. If it was done in [Maturity of ones probation]. (Cain for another! Gen. 4:6-7) There is the beginning of sin & there is and end of sin in maturity. Let me try explaining it this way, James 4:17 says "therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." SO we will say that we have KNOWLEDGE! Then if we sin, it is easier the next time to do so, and on & on we go (if we do) until we grieve or quence the Holy Spirit away. So what John has penned, is that it never is just ONE ACT OF SIN that does this, OK?? (one might never know how close King David came to this fate, before his conversion?)

Let me give you a verse of 'his' from Psalms 19:13. David prayed a prayer with words to look at close! Notice the highlights: "Keep back thy servant [[ALSO]] from [Presumptuous] sins: (sin need not be presumptous-these ones are done with prior knowledge) but even they can be forgiven & overcome if they are recognized, & that the [end] results, when full, are fatal!! All know sins can be dangerous for the Christian person, yet its the ending of the one, that is not forgiveable! (full cup)

See Matt. 12:31-32 & the ones who are the [most] responsible in Luke 12:47-48? Pastors will be the most responsible for the sin of OMISSION that leads to the Sin against the Holy ghost. Heb. 6:6

Do you have 'Faith' read John 5:16-17 again! It says pray for your 'brother'. Hope this helps ---- P/N/B/

 

[Lost]

QUOTE:  Posted by Project 86:  "A person isn't going to purposly take their life and murder themselves and the temple of God if they honestly think God loves them and they love God and want to please them." 

When I was under a doctors care for constant pain he had me on a glut of prescriptions and I was all alone.  I did not know about our bodies being a temple of God, had very little learning.  (I plan to learn a lot at this site!)  I was awful close to suicide myself at this time. I was only following my Dr's directions.  I loved God VERY much and felt his love for me!  I was going thru very bad times and my church elders were more interested in brunch after services....even though I was crying and reaching out to them. They let me walk off in tears.

QUOTE:  Posted by Project 86:  "God though knows the true state of our hearts"

I believe you are very right with this statement.  God knew I wasn't trying to murder myself.  He knew everything in my heart and what I was thinking, feeling.

QUOTE:  Posted by Lynn:  "I know that many feel differently about this. All I can do is hold onto the belief that God is merciful to the sick." 

Lynn, had I went thru with it I believe God knew I was ill and would've been merciful.  He knew what was in my heart. 

QUOTE: Posted by Awake:  "I loved my friend (still do), and would have done anything to save him from that fate"

"If anyone has anything that can help Kristy and myself beyond this, please do speak up.  If there is something in scripture I have overlooked, I beg of you please help me"

Awake, I'm not versed in scripture but have been close to suicide so I want to assure you, do NOT feel guilty. Your friend knew you loved them!  My heart goes out to you for your loss.  I've said a prayer for you. Please do not blame yourself!  

   I was baptised when I was a teen and feel that the only reason I did not commit suicide is because God answered my prayers.  But, I have to ask myself:  Since I was in a really bad way what would've happened if I hadn't heard his answer?  I felt it was wrong, but still had all those problems.  No one was listening to me.  Lonliness and feeling like know one cared is an AWFUL feeling!! I HAVE to believe that I would've went to Heaven.  I was definitely ill.  God is loving and merciful.

 

[Annabel Lee]

I can't believe that a loving God would condemn someone who was suffering from a mental illness.
Suicide is not a selfish act. It's a final, desperate attempt to make the pain of living go away.
How could God punish anyone who is suffering through that kind of torment?
God wouldn't. He would welcome them into his loving arms.

 

[Angelo]

Perhaps if they are truly suffering or in a state of mental illness, God would forgive it. Since there is no sin that can't be forgiven.

 

[Pastor N.B.]

Pastor N.B. here: (added emphasis)
I wonder how many here realize that the only thing the Ruler of the Jews, (the one named Nicodemus of John 3:1-10) needed was an understanding of this subject of what it [takes] to BE BORN AGAIN?

How closely related to salvation, is suicide? (try Matt. 10:34-*39)
God, REQUIRES TOTAL COMPLETE [*SPIRITUAL] SUICIDE! I give UP LORD, [WHAT WILL YOU] HAVE ME TO DO??? From Saul to Paul, in Acts 9:6---From a lost murdering professed God loving open sinner, to a Born Again coverted Christian believer! Wow!! None, bar/none, will be in the kingdom of God any other way! Acts 4:12. Regardless of professing to be 'c'hristian.

Yet, this is where the [WORK] at that time, NOW, first begins! (Conversion-New Heart) This is ONLY the [starting] point! try Phil. 4:13 & 2 Cor. 12:9-study Heb. 5 through Heb. 6.
(again, thanks for a very loving & 'spiritual' post)
P/N/B/
************

Originally posted by Lost Sheep
QUOTE:  Posted by Project 86:  "A person isn't going to purposly take their life and murder themselves and the temple of God if they honestly think God loves them and they love God and want to please them." 

When I was under a doctors care for constant pain he had me on a glut of prescriptions and I was all alone.  I did not know about our bodies being a temple of God, had very little learning.  (I plan to learn a lot at this site!)  I was awful close to suicide myself at this time. I was only following my Dr's directions.  I loved God VERY much and felt his love for me!  I was going thru very bad times and my church elders were more interested in brunch after services....even though I was crying and reaching out to them. They let me walk off in tears.

QUOTE:  Posted by Project 86:  "God though knows the true state of our hearts"

I believe you are very right with this statement.  God knew I wasn't trying to murder myself.  He knew everything in my heart and what I was thinking, feeling.

QUOTE:  Posted by Lynn:  "I know that many feel differently about this. All I can do is hold onto the belief that God is merciful to the sick." 

Lynn, had I went thru with it I believe God knew I was ill and would've been merciful.  He knew what was in my heart. 

QUOTE: Posted by Awake:  "I loved my friend (still do), and would have done anything to save him from that fate"

"If anyone has anything that can help Kristy and myself beyond this, please do speak up.  If there is something in scripture I have overlooked, I beg of you please help me"

Awake, I'm not versed in scripture but have been close to suicide so I want to assure you, do NOT feel guilty. Your friend knew you loved them!  My heart goes out to you for your loss.  I've said a prayer for you. Please do not blame yourself!  

   I was baptised when I was a teen and feel that the only reason I did not commit suicide is because God answered my prayers.  But, I have to ask myself:  Since I was in a really bad way what would've happened if I hadn't heard his answer?  I felt it was wrong, but still had all those problems.  No one was listening to me.  Lonliness and feeling like know one cared is an AWFUL feeling!! I HAVE to believe that I would've went to Heaven.  I was definitely ill.  God is loving and merciful.

 

[Othniel]

Suicide is a rejection of God's grace. Christ said, ""To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life," (Rev 2:7), not to him who quits and murders himself. The author of the Hebrews also says "it is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in teh Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again." (Heb 6:4-6) If I rest my salvation in that "I have been crucified with Christ and no longer live, but Christ lives in me," (Gal 2:20), then who am I killing when I commit suicide? Not myself, for I have died to myself, and put on the new man in Christ. Rather, it is the Holy Spirit whom I cast out.

Sin is real. The more we try to dismiss it, the more its leven will control our own lives. It is the Word of God and grace of Christ in given in Holy Spirit which sanctify us, not the works of the Law. But it is the Law which will condenm those who cast away the most wonderous gift ever given: New Life in God through faith in Christ.

May our hearts be open to God's will, whatever it is.
Peace