Suicide is intentionally taking one’s life. In a world full of evils and heartaches, people become desperate and lose the meaning of living. To end their troubles, they turn to suicide. It is crucial to discuss this subject to know if there is hope for those who commit suicide. So, is suicide a sin?
The Bible implies that suicide is a sin because it can be equated to murder. A person who commits suicide murders himself. Exodus 20:13 says: “You shall not murder. God forbid the children of Israel from committing murder.
In this article, we will cover what the Bible says about suicide and why Christians believe that it is a sin. We will also discuss whether a person who commits suicide can be saved or whether it is an unforgivable sin. You will learn about people who committed suicide in the Bible and why it is not right for a Christian to commit suicide.
What does the Bible say about suicide?
The Bible forbids murder, and Christians’ view on suicide is that it is murder. No one except God can decide when a human life should end. The Psalmist declares that his time is in God’s hand: My times are in your hands. Psalm 31:15. This statement is true for everyone on earth. Committing suicide is a wrongful decision to take charge of one’s time against God’s will. Since God is the giver of life, He should also be responsible for taking it away.
God is the giver of life, and committing suicide outright rejects God’s gift of life. Our life is a gift from God. Many people desire a longer life, but God has other plans. So, if it is the plan of God that we are alive, we should gladly accept the gift and preserve the gift. Committing suicide is equivalent to saying no to God’s precious gift of life.
The Bible persuades us to choose life. In the book of Deuteronomy, God persuaded the children of Israel to choose life. He says This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you, life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life so that you and your children may live. Deuteronomy 30:19. God advises us to choose life not only because of ourselves but also because of our loved ones. This passage implies that God does not expect anyone to choose suicide because it is a rejection of his blessings.
Reasons for suicide according to the Bible
The Bible suggests some things that can cause a person to give up on life and choose death but does not in any way indicate that one should do so. Anger is one of the things that can drive a person to suicide. In the Bible, Jonah was so angry with God that he wished for death. The Bible says: When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, “It is better for me to die than to live. Jonah 4:8. Although Jonah did not commit suicide; this passage suggests why a person can choose suicide.
The Bible also points out desperation as a reason a person can decide to take their own life. In the Bible, Elijah was depressed and fearful that he wished to die. The Bible says: But he went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers. 1 Kings 19:4. In this case, we see fear and desperation driving a great prophet to desire death. Denison Forum notes that desperation is a major cause of suicide. They further note that even successful people despair and result in suicide.
Also, the Bible alludes to the feeling of emptiness as a possible cause of suicide. Although Solomon was rich and had everything he needed, he still felt emptiness and considered everything as vanity. At one point, he expressed his hatred for life: So, I hated life because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 2:17. Solomon had everything but a feeling of emptiness and hated life. Suicidal thoughts and suicide have a significant link to the feeling of emptiness.
Why do Christians believe that suicide is a sin?
Christians believe that suicide is a sin because the Bible, in the ten commandments, prohibits murder. In Exodus 20:13, God commanded the Israelites not to commit murder. Christians view suicide as murder; hence, they believe it is a sin. Christian’s view of suicide as a sin is majorly linked to the commandment against murder.
Christians believe that suicide is a sin because it is linked to Judas, who betrayed Jesus. Judas committed suicide after betraying Jesus: Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple, departed, and hanged himself. Matthew 27:5. Judas, the disciples who betrayed Jesus, is viewed in a negative perspective by Christians because of his action. Christians view suicide as Judas’ trademark and so believe it is a sin.
Christians believe that suicide is a sin because it destroys God’s temple. The Bible suggests that the body is God’s temple because God dwells in it. The Bible says: 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? For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which is God’s 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Since the body is God’s temple, we can deduce that suicide destroys God’s temple. The Bible says that whoever defiles God’s temple, God will destroy him: If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. 1 Corinthians 3:17. The Bible suggests that committing suicide destroys God’s temple, which Christians consider a sin.
Can someone who commits suicide be saved? Is suicide an unforgivable sin?
Although suicide is a grave sin equivalent to murder, it cannot prevent the person from being saved, and it is not an unforgivable sin. Suppose a person commits suicide when he is a believer. In that case, he does not become an unbeliever because all his sins, including the suicide ones, are forgiven as implied in Colossians 2:13-14 which says And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses. All trespasses in this verse refer to past, present, and future sins; hence, a believer who commits suicide is already forgiven for the sin.
Also, it is crucial to note that the Bible implies that believers cannot be condemned. The Bible says: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1. Christianity is not based on laws whereby once you break some laws, you stop being a believer. Christianity is a change of nature that is not reversible by what one does. So, a person can’t change his righteous nature through what they do, including committing suicide. A believer who commits suicide dies a righteous person, just as he was before suicide. However, it is very rare for a true believer to commit suicide, and a person who commits suicide may not have been a true believer.
Are there people who committed suicide in the Bible?
Several people in the Bible took their lives which implies suicide. To begin with, is Abimelech: Then he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” And his young man thrust him through, and he died. Judges 9:54. The passage implies that Abimelech committed suicide because he did not want his death attributed to a woman.
Saul, the king, also took his life. The Bible says: Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore, Saul took his sword and fell upon it. 1 Samuel 31:4. Saul did not want to be killed by uncircumcised Philistines, so the Bible implies that he committed suicide.
Saul’s amour bearer committed suicide after Saul. The Bible says: And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell on his sword, and died with him. 1 Samuel 31:5. The Bible implies that he committed suicide because his master and king did the same.
Ahithophel took his life because his advice was ignored. The Bible says: When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father. 2 Samuel 17:23. The Bible implies that he was desperate for people to follow his advice, and when they didn’t, life lost its meaning.
The Bible implies that Zimri committed suicide after his city was taken: When Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the king’s house and burned the king’s house over him with fire and died. 1 Kings 16:18.
The Bible suggests that Samson committed suicide to kill the philistines: And Samson said to the young man who held him by the hand, “Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean against them.” 27 Now, the house was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there, and on the roof, there were about 3,000 men… Judges 16:26–31
Finally, Judas hung himself because he was remorseful about betraying Jesus: Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. Matthew 27:5.
Are there people who wanted to commit suicide in the Bible?
The Bible implies that several people wanted to commit suicide. They include Solomon, who the Bible says that he hated life: So I hated life because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 2:17.
Jonah was angry with God and wanted to die: When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, “It is better for me to die than to live. Jonah 4:8
References
Self-Murder, sin, and Crime: Religion and Suicide in the Middle Ages.
What does the Bible say about suicide?
What does the Bible say about suicide?
Study shows links between ’emptiness’ and suicidal behavior.
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.
