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Sunday, October 27, 2019 pm                                                    Problems Index                                    MP3                    PP

 

PROBLEMS CHRISTIANS FACE
Is Suicide a Sin?

     More than once, I have been asked by brethren, “What do you think about suicide?”  It is certainly a problem today, and as with so many others, it needs to be addressed from a Biblical viewpoint. 

We are living in times, where suicide is a great concern.  According to the CDC[1] (Center for Disease Control), in 2017, suicide was the tenth leading cause of death in the Us (with more than 47,000 suicides).  Among the young (ages 10-34) it was the SECOND leading cause of death, behind unintentional injury, and the 4^th leading cause in ages 35-54.  While there are variants, they can be found in all classes of people, including Christians from time to time. 

And with so many other things, our society

And when there is a suicide, it almost always lead to the question, Why?  AND it brings up discussions among Christians about whether or not suicide is a sin.  That is something worthy of consideration.   So let’s take a few moments and examine God’s word about this subject. 

NOTE: As we present this lesson, it is with the understanding that those who have committed suicide, AND those considering it, have troubled hearts for various reasons.  Clearly they are not happy with life and as such they need help and understanding.  They need to understand the consequences of what they are doing and how it affects others.  And if it is something considered, we hope they will speak up and get some help to deal with their struggles (AND that someone will listen to them).  And sympathy needs to be extended to family and friends of those who are dealing with one who has committed suicide.  But, as always, our goal is to consider God’s word on this subject. 

 I.                     The Bible and Suicide –

a.       Typically suicide is a consideration when someone has given up hope and living lives of utter despair. 

b.       The Bible nowhere sanctions the taking of one’s own life.  And it does not portray a good light upon those who do. 
While more and more people, even among believers are advocating the right to commit suicide, the Bible does NOT anywhere portray this as a viable option for the sane individual. (I do not have an answer for those who are mentally incapable of clear thinking – they are in God’s hands, as is everyone). 

c.        Biblical concerns –

                                                   i.      It is a violation of God’s command to not kill – you are intentionally killing yourself.  There is the command, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13, Romans 13:9, etc.)   Revelation 21:8 describes the lake of fire as the eternal place of murderers. 

                                                 ii.      It devalues the sanctity of life – Genesis 1:26-27 – we are created in God’s image.  He tells us to value life.  Even after the first murder (of Abel by Cain), came with severe consequences for Cain.  God gave special instructions that men were not eat blood because in it is life (Leviticus 17:10-11, etc.).  After the flood, the death penalty was instituted by God (Genesis 9:5-6, Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man’s brother I will require the life of man. “Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.
We are troubled in our society today because life has been devalued – abortion, euthanasia, doctor assisted suicide.  You must also add to this the rejection of the idea of God, as well as the “don’t judge me” attitude. 
Friends we are created with soul that will live somewhere eternally.  God loves us so much, he sent Jesus to provide an atoning sacrifice (John 3:16). 

                                                iii.      It is an act of selfishness – we understand that we are supposed to live our lives for others, even if we are facing difficulties.  Philippians 2:3-4 – we look out not for our selfish interests, but the interests of others. 
Almost always there is residual damage – people left hurting, often there are problems left unsolved that someone else has to now deal with, etc.
Typically, the person considering this act is NOT thinking about this.  In fact, in many cases, he thinks he will make life better for others.  But it is NOT the case!

                                                iv.      It doesn’t solve your problems, even your sinfulness - Consider that many carry out this act because they have so many problems or sins that they don’t want to face them.  But, the act of suicide doesn’t result in repentance and it doesn’t take care of one’s sins.  In fact, it HASTENS one’s time to stand before God unprepared (maybe if he had sought help, he could have repented of his sins).  We will see this in some of the examples below.

d.       Examples dealing with suicide (and suicidal thoughts)

                                                   i.      King Saul – at the end of his rebellious and sinful life, he was severely wounded and fearful of what his captors, the Philistines, would do to him.  So he asked his armor bearer to thrust him through (assisted suicide).  The armorbearer refused, so Saul killed himself.   1 Samuel 31:4-5.  Then the armorbearer committed suicide. 
Consider the condition of Saul.  He had been living in rebellion against God and bitter toward David and others.  His life was tragic, both physically and spiritually.  His end hastened his appearance before God where he would give account for that life.  I would not be hopeful. 

                                                 ii.      Ahithophel – 2 Samuel 17:23. He was advising Absalom who was pursuing and seeking to defeat his father, David.  His advice was good, but Absalom chose the advice of others.
Ahithophel then went home, put his house in order and hanged himself. 
We find here, one who is upset because he didn’t get his way.  Rather than dealing with it, he hanged himself.   Surely there are better ways to deal with rejection.

                                                iii.      Judas Iscariot – Matthew 27:5. Most prominent example.  After he realized what he had done in betraying Jesus he regretted it, but the consequences were there.  Rather than dealing with those consequences, he went out and hanged himself. 
Contrast that with Peter who in the same timeframe, denied Jesus 3 times (cf. Luke 22:31-34, 54-62).  He was devastated as what he had done and likely even doubted himself (cf. John 21:15-17).  But we see what he became after this. 

                                                iv.      Job – after losing everything, Job wishes he had never been born.  Job 10:1 says that he loathed his life.  Job 3:1-2 – he cursed the day he was born.  Also vs. 20-21 he expresses lack of understanding for the one who lives in misery and is bitter of soul in his life, “Who long for death, but it does not come, and search for it more than hidden treasures.”
Even his wife, seeing his misery, told him to curse God and die – Job 2:9-10. But Job rebuked her for saying that.  And then his friends made him more miserable.
Job, while he would have welcomed death to escape his misery, NEVER saw suicide as an option.  In fact, when we consider perseverance, he is cited as an example to follow (James 5:11). 
Others had similar thoughts at times – Elijah and Jonah, but they did not see suicide as the way out.  They wanted God to take them out of this world, but that is different.

                                                  v.      The Philippian jailer – Acts 16:26-28, after Paul and Silas were put in prison, there was a great earthquake and the prison doors were opened.  The jailer, fearing some had escaped drew his sword and was about to kill himself (some Eastern cultures advocate honor killing), but Paul stopped him saying we are all here.
The Jailer fears and asks Paul what he needs to do.  His “trauma” leads to his conversion. 

                                                vi.      Other examples of suicide and despair could be cited.  The one thing they have in common is that it is never views as an honorable and godly alternative to a situation. 

 II.                   Dealing with Suicidal thoughts –

a.       Appreciate your value – God created you.  You are worth something to Him (hence the sanctity of life).  Romans 12:3 calls for you to have a good view of yourself – WITH humility.  Ephesians 5:28 – it is normal to love yourself so that you will take care of yourself (also Matthew 22:39, etc.).

b.       Realize that you are loved – even when you don’t feel like it, others love you.  God loves you and Jesus loves you – they have proven it.  Your brethren love you.  Friends and family love and care about you. 

c.        Repent – If there is sin involved in your life that is bringing about misery, you need to repent and pray for forgiveness (Acts 8:22).  Realize that it is a fearful thing to face God in a sinful state (Hebrews 10:31).  Being right with God, others and yourself will often alleviate your suicidal thoughts. 
FORGIVE YOURSELF – if you have done what God tells you to do, you are likely still going to deal with consequences – some seemingly unbearable – but you must accept that you are forgiven.  Therefore, forgive yourself and resolve put the past where it belongs (cf. Philippians 3:13-14)

d.       Work to deal with the source of your struggles – whether they are sinful or not, resolve to work through them and determine the future will be better than the past. 

e.       Don’t give up – resolve to make the best of the situation.  Let the trials you are dealing with make you a BETTER person in the future – James 1:2-4; Galatians 6:9 – don’t lose heart.

f.         Get help – Sometimes this takes courage because it will involve ADMITTING YOUR PROBLEMS. 
Turn to brethren – James 5:14-16.   Brethren ought to be a source of comfort and encouragement.  If you need professional guidance, get it – BUT make sure it is someone who respects God’s will. 

g.       For those who observe one struggling – seek to help them.  Be kind and compassionate.  B patient with them.  Pray for them.  And encourage them to get whatever help they need – 1 Thessalonians 5:14.

 

There may be other things to consider as we deal with this troubling subject, but it is my hope that we have established that suicide is not a viable alternative to God, to the struggles of this life.  I realize that if someone is in emotion pain (or otherwise) that their struggles are real.   It is easy to give advice.  It is sometimes very HARD to apply it, especially when you are in despair, but you can do it.  Don’t give up and if you need help, get it!