Introduction

The apostle Paul writes, in Romans 14:7, For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or self-harm, please call this number immediately 1-800-273-8255.

There are a lot of troubled people in the world today who think their life is worthless. They believe that their family and friends would have a better life without worrying about them all the time.

However, God shows the importance of life in Isaiah 42:5, Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it.

In Jeremiah 1:5 it is written, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” If God knows us, and created us, then there is a reason for us to live.

Definition of Suicide

From the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary, Self-murder; the act of designedly destroying one’s own life. To constitute suicide the person must be of years of discretion and of sound mind.

Although the word isn’t used in the bible, the concept is not foreign to them. Here is a statement from the Int’l. Standard Bible Encyclopedia listed under crimes:

Suicide

No special law is found against this crime, for it is included in the prohibition against killing. Contrary to the practice and the philosophy of paganism, the act was held in deep abhorrence by the Hebrews because of the high value placed on human life. It was held inexcusable that any but the most degraded and satanic should lay hands on their own lives. Only the remorse of the damned could drive one to it, as witness Saul (1 Sam. 31:4) and Judas (Mt. 27:5).

Suicide isn’t Painless

There are variety of reasons people intentionally take their own life. Some of those include: Bullying at school or by peers, stress and tension on the job, anxiety of the family unit, and illnesses that are terminal.

Sometimes it might simply be depression and a person might say, “I just want to die.” They see death as the fix-all solution to their problems.

When a person does commit suicide, they leave a series of problems behind. Not their problems, but problems of other people that are now created by that person’s absence. Death, in whatever form it happens, has a ripple effect. The pain is not resolved but, rather, shifted to others to carry with them for years to come. In other words, your absence in the world elevates the number of problems by thrusting them on those who were around you.

Everyone is affected by someone’s death: Family, Friends, Loved ones, Classmates, Co-workers, Congregations, etc. Even the death of a beloved celebrity has an impact on society. Suicides are that much more intense for those left behind as it comes unexpectedly and, sometimes, the signs are not clearly seen.

Suicide in the Bible

I’ll share two examples of suicides as discussed in scripture. First, in the Old Testament, there was King Saul. Chosen by God to serve as King (1 Sam. 9:17) of His people, his reign was turbulent. In the end, Saul took his own life (1 Sam. 31:1-4) and his death had such an impact that his armorbearer took his own life as well (vs. 5).

In the New Testament we learn of Judas Iscariot. He was one of the 12 disciples of Christ (Lk. 6:13-16), He sought money to betray Jesus (Mt. 26:14-16), betrayed him with a kiss (Mt. 26:48-50), was remorseful of his deed (Mt. 27:3), then committed suicide by hanging himself (Mt. 27:5; Acts 1:16-18). Although he betrayed Jesus, he could have fully repented of this sin and be accepted by God into his kingdom. But instead, he was so full of guilt that he chose the “easy way out”.

What About Samson?

There has been mention, amongst religious people, that Samson is an example of someone who committed suicide and was approved by God. But did he really commit suicide?

As we stated earlier, the definition of suicide is self-murder. Suicide is a selfish act as no one else is involved in it. At the end of Samson’s life (Judges 16), we see him devoid of his strength because God had left him (vs. 20). He was taken by God’s enemies, The Philistines, and served as a token of their victory (vs. 23-24). As his hair grew back; his status as a Nazarite resumed (Judges 13:5; Num. 6:2,5). With a penitent heart he prayed to God in verses 28-30, “O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!” And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars which supported the temple, and he braced himself against them, one on his right and the other on his left. Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.

As we see here, his death was not selfish given that he didn’t want to simply take his own life. Rather, his focus was on destroying the enemies of God’s people. The fact that he said, “Let me die with the Philistines” is more of a sacrifice for the interruption of his Nazarite vow than that of suicide.

Furthermore, this is one of the judges, God’s chosen, and he is mentioned among the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. If his death was suicide, God wouldn’t have approved it, nor would he be listed as a hero.

Suicide Is Murder!

As the definition states, suicide is murder of self. Our lives were given to us by God as Paul states in 1 Corinthians 6:19, Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

Scripture also teaches that life is a gift from God (Ps. 127:3-4; Jas. 1:17). Therefore, we DO NOT have the right to take away our own life! To commit suicide is to tell God that you do not want His gift.

And finally, the apostle John writes, “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8) Suicide, filed under murder, is one of the fastest ways to get to Hell and that is eternal damnation!

My Own Personal Experience

When my wife announced that she wanted a divorce, I thought that my life no longer had any meaning. No longer was there an opportunity to see my daughters graduate, walk them down the aisle at their wedding, spend time with them and the grandchildren during the holidays, etc. All of that was ripped away from me.

I asked myself, ‘What’s the purpose of continuing to live?’ Then I remembered that I was a Christian and that God still loved me. He still had work for me to do. So, I rolled up my sleeves and immersed myself in study.

It’s been a long road and, though I never came up with a plan for suicide, nor did I attempt it, I realized that living for God is worth all the pain in the world!

Paul writes, For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. (Philippians 1:21-24)

I still have work to do for the local congregation as well as for those who aren’t yet Christians. These articles won’t write themselves when I’m gone, so as long as I have breath in this body, I need to keep going.

Conclusion

Once again, if you or anyone you know is contemplating suicide, contact this number immediately 1-800-273-8255. God knows that your life is precious as He believes all life to be precious. Seek help for your troubles and realize that suicide is not the answer.