Question 1

Can a believer have suicidal thoughts?

Accepted Answer

Jeremiah 15:10Then I said, “What sorrow is mine, my mother. Oh, that I had died at birth! I am hated everywhere I go.”Jeremiah 20:14-18I curse the day I was born! May no one celebrate the day of my birth. . . . Why was I ever born? My entire life has been filled with trouble, sorrow, and shame.Jeremiah was a faithful prophet who always spoke God’s truth, yet terrible things happened to him during his ministry. He was mocked, tortured, and imprisoned. He saw his nation—and even God’s Temple in Jerusalem—destroyed by invaders. He watched his people and his nation, still unrepentant, scattered into exile in foreign lands. Even though he kept serving God faithfully, there were times he wished he had never been born to experience all these tragedies.Job 1:1There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.Job 1:19-22“The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. . . . In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.Job 3:1-17At last Job spoke, and he cursed the day of his birth. . . . “Why wasn’t I buried like a stillborn child, like a baby who never lives to see the light? For in death the wicked cause no trouble, and the weary are at rest.”Job was a blameless man, a man of complete integrity. Even after losing his wealth, his health, and people he loved, Job stayed faithful to God. Yet Job also longed for escape from his pain, even wishing he had never been born. Having suicidal thoughts does not make you weak or an inferior believer.1 Kings 18:36-39At the usual time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. . . .” Immediately the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The Lord—he is God! Yes, the Lord is God!”1 Kings 19:1-4When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.” Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”After years of Elijah’s faithful service, lsrael finally saw beyond the shadow of a doubt that Elijah served the one true God. Yet somehow, this great victory only led to more persecution from Ahab and Jezebel. Sometimes, we may feel as though our ministry and our purpose on earth has reached a dead end. Even Elijah, one of the most famous prophets of all time, experienced doubt, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts.

Question 2

How did people in the Bible respond to hopelessness and suicidal thoughts?

Accepted Answer

1 Kings 19:3-4Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day.After Elijah’s greatest victory ended in only more persecution, he not only fled from his persecutors—he distanced himself from everyone else, even his faithful servant. Perhaps he felt like his presence would put his servant’s life in danger. Perhaps he simply didn’t want others to witness his struggle. Whatever the reason, suicidal thoughts often lead us into self-isolation, which only adds to our feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, and hopelessness.1 Kings 19:4He [Elijah] sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”1 Kings 19:9-10The Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”When we are wrestling with suicidal thoughts, prayer is often difficult. It may feel like we need to say all the right things and pretend our feelings aren’t so bad. We may even try to hide our suicidal thoughts from God, entirely out of shame. But that is not the prayer Elijah prayed. Elijah was brutally honest about his discouragement and his desire for death. Such prayer may seem hopeless, but in fact, it was a powerful first step. Elijah was honest about his experience, and through that honesty, he drew closer to God, rather than pushing God away.Jeremiah 15:15-18Then I said, “Lord, you know what’s happening to me. . . . Why then does my suffering continue? Why is my wound so incurable? Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook, like a spring that has gone dry.”Lamentations 3:48-50Tears stream from my eyes because of the destruction of my people! My tears flow endlessly; they will not stop until the Lord looks down from heaven and sees.Lamentations 3:18-21I cry out, “My splendor is gone! Everything I had hoped for from the Lord is lost!” The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.Jeremiah is known as the “weeping prophet,” and his book of Lamentations is devoted to his grieving. Jeremiah was a faithful prophet, but his warnings to his people were rejected—sometimes violently. In time, that rejection of God led to heavy consequences: the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians and the exile of the people of Judah. Jeremiah had a great deal to grieve over: the apparent failure of his faithful ministry; the personal rejection he faced from his people; the war, destruction, and death that overcame Jerusalem; the poverty, homelessness, and suffering he and the rest of his people now faced in exile; and the fear and pain of feeling abandoned by God. Jeremiah shared his grief freely in his lamentations—honest cries to God of his hopes, fears, frustrations, and sorrows—and Scripture invites us to do the same.Lamentations 3:20-24I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”Lamentations 3:31-33No one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.Lamentations 5:19-22Lord, you remain the same forever! Your throne continues from generation to generation. Why do you continue to forget us? Why have you abandoned us for so long? Restore us, O Lord, and bring us back to you again! Give us back the joys we once had! Or have you utterly rejected us? Are you angry with us still?Jeremiah experienced more grief and loss than most of us will ever know, and that grief affected him in ways he would never forget. Yet he still dared to hope. Jeremiah was honest about his feelings, yet he was also honest about God. Amidst his grieving and doubt, he reminded himself of the truth God’s love, mercy, and faithfulness, even when it conflicted with his feelings and immediate experiences.

Question 3

What does God say about suicide?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 139:13-16You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.These words are not just nice poetry—they are inspired words that describe God’s creation of each individual. Each of us was known by God before our birth. Every one of us has a purpose in his plan.1 Samuel 16:7“The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”Jeremiah 1:4-5The Lord gave me this message: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, was ignored, ridiculed, and even imprisoned for prophesying. The warnings he gave his people fell on deaf ears. From a human perspective, his ministry was a hopeless failure. Yet God chose Jeremiah for this task, and God never regretted that decision. Jeremiah was often discouraged, even suicidal. Still, he remained faithful even when it seemed fruitless, and God’s plan for his life was brought to completion. What would Jeremiah have thought if he had known that thousands of years later, people all across the world would be reading his words?Psalm 34:18The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.Matthew 10:29-31“What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”God does not only love us in a general “God loves everyone” sense. He loves each one of us at the deepest, most personal level. He made us. He knows us like no one else ever could. Nothing happens in our lives that he is not aware of, and no grief comes our way that he does not grieve over himself.Isaiah 43:1-3Now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”Luke 15:4-5So Jesus told them this story: “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?”2 Timothy 2:13This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.Isaiah lived through tumultuous times in Israel and Judah. The fire of oppression Isaiah’s people faced was the invasion of the Assyrian Empire, possibly the most brutal empire of the ancient world. In Israel’s case, this was a deserved consequence for their widespread sin and idolatry, yet God still reaffirmed his love for them and protection over them. Israel abandoned God over and over again, yet over and over, God remained faithful and drew his people back to himself. No matter how far we fall or how hopeless we feel, his love for us is relentless.John 11:33-36When Jesus saw her [Mary] weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. “Where have you put him?” he asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.” Then Jesus wept. The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!”We have a God who grieves with us. No matter what we are going through, we are never alone.Genesis 1:27So God created human beings in his own image.Matthew 28:20“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”John 16:33“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”1 Corinthians 6:20God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.Ephesians 2:10We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for each of us so that we could have life. Sometimes, that life will be difficult—Jesus promises us as much. However, he also promises that he will be with us every step of the way and that our lives will be a part of something good.

Question 4

How can I deal with thoughts I have about suicide?

Accepted Answer

1 Kings 19:4He [Elijah] sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”Job 30:20“I cry to you, O God, but you don’t answer. I stand before you, but you don’t even look.”Psalm 69:1-3Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck. Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me. I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me.Lamentations 3:49-50My tears flow endlessly; they will not stop until the Lord looks down from heaven and sees.Elijah, Job, David, and Jeremiah are some of the most famous heroes of the Old Testament, yet each of them experienced horrible griefs, frustrations, discouragements, and doubts. They felt hopeless, helpless, and worthless, and sometimes even questioned God’s care for them. Yet they valued their relationship with God too much to be dishonest with him or avoid him—they shared everything with him. That helped them cling to God even in their darkest times.1 Kings 19:9-18The Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” . . . Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came . . . and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. . . . I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”Elijah felt alone in his service to God. He felt like his mission had been a failure. He was weary and wanted to give up. God didn’t rebuke Elijah. Instead, he listened to Elijah’s concerns, offered him hope and encouragement, and led Elijah to a new partner in ministry who would one day carry on his work.Job 38:1-4Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much.”Job 40:1-2Then the Lord said to Job, “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”Job 42:1-6Then Job replied to the Lord: “. . . I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. . . . I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”Job 42:12So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning.The book of Job teaches a powerful lesson about God’s sovereignty. Job was the most righteous man in all the earth, yet he experienced terrible suffering—to the point where he was crying out to God, questioning his justice, and demanding answers. God did not provide Job with all the answers, but he changed Job’s perspective. How could Job know God’s grand plan? How could Job understand such power and wisdom? In the end, God not only restored Job’s fortunes, but he also used Job’s time of suffering to teach countless generations of believers. Our suffering, like Job’s, may not be fair. It may not make sense. But God can still work through it in ways we cannot imagine.Jeremiah 29:10-11This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”Ezra 1:1-5In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom: “. . . Any of you who are his people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild this Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you!” . . . Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the Lord.The promise of Jeremiah 29:11 was given to the people of Judah at a time when hope was far away. Judah was about to fall to the Babylonians—the tragedy of war would destroy even God’s holy Temple. What is worse, the exile would last seventy years. Most of the people who received that promise wouldn’t see its fulfillment in their lifetime. Yet priests, Levites, and leaders remembered their faith and kept that hope alive for future generations, and when God fulfilled his promise, the people rose to the occasion. In our own lives, we may experience times of “exile,” and those times may be long and wearying. But just as God had a plan for the people of Judah, he has a plan for each of us, and in time that purpose will be revealed.Psalm 57:2-3I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me.David composed Psalm 57 while he was on the run from King Saul—an exile that likely lasted several years. In the midst of desperate and unjust circumstances, David’s response was endurance and hope. He trusted God to not only bring justice to Saul, but to fulfill his plans for David’s life.Matthew 28:20“And be sure of this: I [Jesus] am with you always, even to the end of the age.”When it seems everyone has abandoned us, God is beside us, ready to comfort and help us.Jeremiah 1:5“I [the Lord] knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”When you feel hopeless, remind yourself that God has a purpose and a plan for you. It may not be the same plan you had. For instance, Jeremiah never expected to be a prophet, much less to suffer so thoroughly for his faithfulness. Yet God used Jeremiah in incredible ways that encourage believers even today—and he can use you, too, even if it feels like you have nothing you can give.Deuteronomy 4:29“But from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.”James 4:8-10Come close to God, and God will come close to you. . . . Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.If you look for God, you will find him. He loves you and has a purpose for you.Joshua 1:9“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”Matthew 28:20“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”John 16:33“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”Do you ever feel that life is a battle and that you are on the losing side? Life can be discouraging. When we are tired or when the obstacles seem overwhelming, it is easy to feel hopeless, helpless, or even worthless. The battle we are fighting isn’t one we win on our own strength—but it is a battle we will win. No matter how bruised, battered, and broken we may feel, God is always walking beside us, there to lift us when we fall. The journey will not be easy, but our victory is assured.

Question 5

How should I respond to friends and loved ones who may be contemplating suicide?

Accepted Answer

2 Samuel 17:23When Ahithophel realized that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey, went to his hometown, set his affairs in order, and hanged himself.Ahithophel committed suicide by hanging himself—but not before setting his affairs in order. Some suicides are planned out, and such suicides are often accompanied by warning signs: giving away belongings, making a will, saying goodbyes, and withdrawing from relationships. If we have loved ones who are struggling, we should watch for warning signs that they may be giving up on life.Ruth 1:4-16About ten years later, both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband. . . . But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi. “Look,” Naomi said to her, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.” But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”Naomi felt bitter and hopeless—in fact, she even told people to call her “Mara,” which means “bitter.” Naomi felt that Ruth would be better off starting a new life without her, and she tried to push Ruth away. Naomi listed out reason after reason for why Ruth should leave. Yet Ruth stayed. This didn’t change Naomi’s bitterness or cure her grief, but Ruth’s quiet hope and love kept Naomi afloat during her grieving. In time, with the help of Ruth’s faithfulness, Naomi learned to have joy again.Proverbs 27:5The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.Galatians 6:2Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.Ephesians 4:15Instead, we will speak the truth in love.If you suspect a friend or family member is contemplating suicide, don’t be afraid to ask them. An honest conversation will not encourage more suicidal thoughts—instead, it will offer them a lifeline. Be present with them, offer them hope and encouragement, and communicate your love for them.Luke 10:34-35“Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’”Like the good Samaritan, we can care for others as the opportunity allows; yet like the good Samaritan, we may not have the availability (or even the skill) to provide all the help that person needs. The Samaritan was on a trip, and his schedule didn’t allow for him to stay with the man for days as he healed, so the Samaritan entrusted the injured man with the innkeeper. Don’t be afraid to seek help for a suicidal friend. You are not responsible for keeping another person alive, and often, the best thing you can do is to bring in someone more equipped to meet their needs.Proverbs 17:27A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.Proverbs 18:13Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.1 Corinthians 16:14Do everything with love.If someone shares that they are suicidal, don’t respond with judgment or belittle the significance of their feelings. They likely already feel ashamed, and sharing with you is likely difficult. Take time to listen. Your compassion will speak more than arguments.Ephesians 4:15-16Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.Hebrews 10:25Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.Community offers us strength where we are weak, encouragement when we feel hopeless, and love when we feel alone. If you know someone who is wrestling with suicidal thoughts, be sure to check in on them and invite them to be part of a community, whether that be church, a friend group, or some other social context. Sometimes, they may resist, but the reminder that they are wanted and not forgotten will not go unnoticed.

Question 6

How should I respond to someone else’s suicide?

Accepted Answer

Job 2:11When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him.Romans 12:15Weep with those who weep.Even if there were warning signs, suicide is a brutal shock to friends and family. People often feel guilty even though they are not responsible for someone’s death. Grieving alongside others and processing your feelings together will help you all feel less alone.1 Samuel 31:2-6The Philistines closed in on Saul and his sons, and they killed three of his sons—Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malkishua. The fighting grew very fierce around Saul, and the Philistine archers caught up with him and wounded him severely. Saul groaned to his armor bearer, “Take your sword and kill me before these pagan Philistines come to run me through and taunt and torture me.” But his armor bearer was afraid and would not do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. When his armor bearer realized that Saul was dead, he fell on his own sword and died beside the king. So Saul, his three sons, his armor bearer, and his troops all died together that same day.2 Samuel 1:12They mourned and wept and fasted all day for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the Lord’s army and the nation of Israel, because they had died by the sword that day.2 Samuel 1:17-19Then David composed a funeral song for Saul and Jonathan, and he commanded that it be taught to the people of Judah. It is known as the Song of the Bow, and it is recorded in The Book of Jashar. Your pride and joy, O Israel, lies dead on the hills! Oh, how the mighty heroes have fallen!Saul had long been an enemy of David, actively seeking to hunt David down and kill him. Yet David still respected Saul as God’s anointed king. After Saul died by suicide, David also showed respect, praising Saul’s admirable qualities and mourning over him. It is important to remember what we love about people, even if we are hurt and angered by their suicide.Ephesians 4:26And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.James 1:20Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.Anger is often a natural part of processing grief. It is natural to be angry that your friend decided to take their own life. Yet very often, anger sparks behavior that is hurtful to us and others. Sometimes, that anger may lead us to blame other people for the suicide. We should not stifle and ignore our emotions as we grieve, but we should also recognize the danger of unleashing that anger on those around us or ourselves.Galatians 6:2Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.It’s okay to get help. Sometimes, we may feel like our grief is a burden for others and try to hide it, but Scripture commands us to share our burdens with one another. That doesn’t only mean a willingness to help others. It also means a willingness to allow ourselves to be helped.Psalm 34:18The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.Matthew 5:4“God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”1 Corinthians 15:26The last enemy to be destroyed is death.1 Thessalonians 4:13Now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.Scripture affirms our grieving. Yet it reminds us that we can grieve with hope. Hopeful grieving does not deny the pain of loss, but it does ground our grieving in the truth that death is not the end.

Question 7

Should I have seen the warning signs of my loved one’s suicide?

Accepted Answer

1 Samuel 16:7“The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”Psalm 139:2You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.There are warning signs of suicide—giving away possessions, isolating from friends and family, talking about being a burden, acting out in aggression, and many others. Yet these signs can be confusing, especially for someone who hasn’t been trained to recognize them. Often, a suicidal person will even seem to be improving in the days before their death. While it is good to be attentive to others and their needs, we should recognize that we are not God. We cannot see what is truly going on in someone’s inner thoughts, and it isn’t healthy to lay guilt on ourselves for that limitation.Matthew 23:37“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.”Romans 9:2-3My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them.Free will is a beautiful and a terrible thing. Someone can choose to love and trust Jesus as their Savior, or they can choose to mock and reject him. Jesus longed for the salvation of the Jewish people and sacrificed everything to make it possible. Paul, too, offered everything he had to give in order to open his people’s eyes to the truth. Yet many still chose to reject that salvation. In a similar way, we can offer love, truth, and comfort to suicidal friends and family, but even if we do everything perfectly, we cannot control the choices of others.

Question 8

Is suicide an unforgiveable sin?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 27:4-5“I have sinned,” he [Judas] declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.Mark 14:31“The Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!”Acts 1:25“He [Judas] has deserted us and gone where he belongs.”Some point to Judas as an example that proves suicide leads to hell. However, this ignores the far greater sin Judas committed. While Scripture gives us reason to believe Judas is suffering eternal torment, the reason given is not his suicide but his betrayal and rejection of Jesus.1 Samuel 31:2-4The Philistines closed in on Saul and his sons, and they killed three of his sons—Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malkishua. The fighting grew very fierce around Saul, and the Philistine archers caught up with him and wounded him severely. . . . So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.2 Samuel 1:17-19David composed a funeral song for Saul and Jonathan, and he commanded that it be taught to the people of Judah.The Bible records several suicides but does not single suicide out as a particularly heinous sin or categorize it for special treatment. David grieved in the same way for both Jonathan who died in battle and for Saul who died by his own hand.Ephesians 2:8-9It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.Romans 8:38I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.Hebrews 10:12Our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time.Suicide is a final sin that does not allow time for repentance. Because of this, some Christians fear that suicide breaks a Christian’s relationship with Christ and takes away their salvation. But nowhere does Scripture tell us that we lose salvation every time we sin. If that were the case, every believer who died before repenting of a sin would lose salvation! Sin is destructive. It damages our relationship with God and others, and it harms our witness to the world. We should never take sin lightly, particularly a sin so far-reaching as suicide. However, giving in to despair in a single moment is different from rejecting God and embracing sin day after day. Scripture gives us good reason to believe that the power of Christ’s love and sacrifice is not so easily lost.