In this current generation, suicide cases have risen due to mental illness and life challenges. When one dies through suicide, their loved ones can’t help but hope that God forgives them and grants them eternal life. However, how does God view people who take their own life? Does God forgive suicide?
It is unclear whether God forgives suicide or not, as no scripture in the bible talks about what happens to a person who committed suicide in the afterlife. However, the Bible clearly states through Deuteronomy 32:39 that God alone is the giver and taker of life, meaning that suicide is a sin, as the person would have committed self-murder. This should not discourage believers or people who have lost their loved ones through suicide. Jesus revealed through various New Testament scriptures that he could forgive any sin except Blasphemy against the holy spirit.
So, why do Christians believe suicide is a sin? Does God forgive suicide if you repent before the last breath? Bible verses to help with suicidal thoughts. Read on to learn the answers to these questions.
Why do Christians believe suicide is a sin?
Before we dig deep into this topic, let us understand the simple definition of suicide and sin. According to 1st John 3:4, sin involves breaking God’s law. “Whoever sins is guilty of breaking God’s law because sin is a breaking of the law.”
On the other hand, suicide can be defined as taking or causing one’s death. In the Bible, suicide can be equated to murder, as the person who committed suicide took their own life, and God is against murder as Exodus 20:13 says, “Do not commit murder.”
Back to our topic as to why Christians believe suicide is a sin. The first reason Christians believe so is that committing suicide disregards God’s image, as human beings were created to be like him. Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, “And now we will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us.” The Bible tells us that after God had created human beings on the sixth day, he looked at them and was not only pleased but was very pleased. Taking your own life may imply that you were displeased by how you were created in God’s image, therefore taking his glory away from you.
Christians also believe that suicide is a sin, as it is considered murder in the Bible. Murder is among the deadliest sins a person can commit, as the Bible warns us about it through commandment number six; “Do not commit murder.” In addition, we see how God severely punished several people in the Bible after committing murder. For instance, Cain was cursed by God after killing Abel.
Christians firmly believe that God is the giver and the owner of their lives, and taking it away without his permission is a sin. As a result, they think that only God knows the right time to take one’s life, and no human being is supposed to end what he started. Consequently, we see Jeremiah emphasizing that no one is the master of their destiny or has control over their life, proof that every human life is precious to God. Jeremiah 10:23 says, “Lord, I know that no one is the master of his destiny; no person has control over his own life,”
The last reason why Christians believe suicide is a sin is that God calls them to honor their bodies, as they are the temples of the holy spirit; as 1st Corinthians 6:19-20 states,
“Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the holy spirit, who lives in you, and was given to you by God; he bought you for a price. So, use your bodies for God’s glory.” By taking their own’s life, Christians will disobey God’s temple.
Does God forgive suicide if you repent before the last breath?
The forgiveness of a Christian after suicide is still debatable among Christians. Some believe that a person who has committed suicide can not seek forgiveness and repent and will, therefore, not be forgiven. However, we do not know what a person says to God before committing suicide. This brings us to whether God will forgive a person after repenting right before committing suicide.
Since no scripture in the Bible reveals the fate of a person who commits suicide in the afterlife, many theologians and bible scholars have been left to speculate if one will be forgiven for suicide after repenting right before dying. Some scholars have argued that a Christian will be forgiven after committing suicide, as nothing (which in this case is suicide) can separate them from the love of God, as the book of Romans 8:38-39 reveals.
“For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor love, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below; there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Some bible scholars also speculate that a person who commits murder will be forgiven after repenting, as they will have acknowledged Jesus as their savior and cannot be judged. John 3:18 states, “Those who believed in the Son are not judged; but those who do not believe have already been judged because they have not believed in God’s only son.”
This point is also usually supported by bible scholars who refer to Romans 10:9-10 when Moses revealed that whoever confesses their sins and repents will not be disappointed. Confessing your sins and believing in Jesus is one way of repenting, and some scholars believe that people who repent before taking their own lives do so. “If you confess that Jesus is the Lord and believes God raised him from death, you will be saved. For it is by our Faith that we are put right with God; it is by our confession that we are saved.”
Bible verses to help with suicidal thoughts
With all of the above said, Christians need to know that it is okay to feel discouraged and worthless sometimes, as great men of God in the Bible passed through that too. However, before committing suicide, Christians should first turn to God and their Bible for encouragement. Below are different scriptures that can help you overcome suicidal thoughts.
Psalms 34:18-19 “The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope. Good people suffer many troubles, but the Lord saves them from all.”
Psalms 94:19 “Whenever I am anxious and worried, you comfort me and make me glad.”
Psalms 55:22 “Leave your troubles with the Lord, and he will defend you; he never lets honest people be defeated.”
1st Peter 5:7 “Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.”
Isaiah 53:4 “But he endured the suffering that should have been ours, the pain that we should have borne. All the while, we thought that his suffering was punishment sent by God.”
Psalms 34:17 “The righteous call to the Lord, and he listens; he rescues them from all their troubles.”
Joshua 1:9 “Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for I, the Lord your God, am with you wherever you go.”
Psalms 23:4 “Even though I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me. Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me.”
Christians can learn one thing from the above scriptures: God is always there to comfort and strengthen you. If you are going through suicidal thoughts as a Christian, seeking refuge and comfort from your church is also advisable, as the church’s role is to encourage its members at their lowest.
References
- If a Christian commits suicide, is they still saved?
- What does the Bible say about suicide?
- If you ask God for forgiveness as you die from suicide, do you end up going to heaven?
- Bible Verses About Suicidal Thoughts- Get Hope from God
- I want to die-Can the Bible Help Me When I Have Suicidal Thoughts?
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
