Primer on How a Christian Should Think About Suicide

The topic of suicide has captured the attention of our society recently with the unexpected suicides of Anthony Bourdain, a celebrity chef and host of Parts Unknown, and then Kate Spade, a fashion designer best known for her sophisticated handbags.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, there are 123 suicides per day or 44,965 per year, and it is the 10^th leading cause of death in the U.S. Most suicide methods include either a firearm (51%), poisoning (about 15%) or suffocation (about 26%).

Suicides brings confusion, great sadness, and many questions. It is a subject none of us want to talk about, but it’s a subject we need to talk about as Christians, and we need to have answers for people when they ask for help to understand why this happens.

As Christians who have hope (Romans 5:2-7), we should be able to dictate why Jesus Christ can save someone from taking their own life. And all that begins with answering the following questions.

What is suicide?

The World Health Organization defines suicide as “self-injury with varying degrees of lethal intent.” It is death that was self-inflicted.

Why do some people commit suicide?

There is a plethora of answers to that question, and not every person will fit the same criteria. However, the most common reasons are as follows:

• The belief that he/she cannot tolerate the intense pain and suffering they are enduring

• An overwhelming sense of hopelessness and belief that their circumstance(s) can never improve

• A sense of being completely isolated from others, and the belief that he/she will never experience nurturing or support from others

• A general sense of unhappiness about one’s life and a commitment to no longer live the way they are

• Self-pity and/or pride

• To seek revenge or punish others by “getting the last word”

• A great loss of status or affluence or loved one(s)

• Poor health

• The belief that taking your own life will end the pain

What can we learn from the suicides in the Bible?

The Philippian jailer (Acts 16:25-34) was ready to commit suicide due to the overwhelming guilt and responsibility he felt for the escape of prisoners that occurred under his watch. However, Paul informed him that no prisoners had left their cells after the earthquake, and the removal of this guilt led to the jailer coming to saving faith.

King Saul’s suicide (I Samuel 31) came because of a feeling of military defeat and the loss of his sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua.

The most tragic suicide in Scripture must be Judas (Matthew 27:5). No person was closer to Jesus as a companion but so far away from Him in salvation. Judas’ temporary sorrow for betraying Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane led to him committing suicide and never genuinely repenting of his sin.

When suicide occurs in Scripture, the reasons are normally guilt, perceived defeat (e.g., Abimelech in Judges 9 or Zimri in I Kings 16), disappointment (e.g., Ahithophel in II Samuel 17) or upcoming judgment.

Is committing suicide a sin?

The answer to this question is not one that we can or should avoid. It is permissible to say that not every suicide may have been a sin, because some who commit suicide may have not intended to kill themselves (e.g., dementia patient).

However, suicide is a form of murder, and murder is a clear violation of the 6^th commandment (Exodus 20:13). Murder is murder – no matter what form it takes. When someone takes life that is not theirs to take (Job 1:21), it is sin.

It is noteworthy that when men like Moses (Numbers 11) or Jonah (Jonah 4) ask for God to kill them, God does not honor their request. God’s view of their desire for self-destruction is not honored, and their lives were extended.

Another reason suicide is sinful is because killing yourself demonstrates to God he/she believes there is no other way of escape, even thought God has promised one (I Corinthians 10:13). God says there is no temptation that can overtake us, and He always provides a way out, but committing suicide is a way of telling God, “You are lying! There is no way out.”

The reason we usually don’t like the conclusion that suicide is sin is because we want to empathize with the one who has died and the loves ones that are left behind. But we must be careful in these moments to not allow our emotions dictate the objective realities that are dictates in scripture. We must help people think biblically. Suicide is sin, because suicide is murder.

And that leads us to a very tricky question.

Can a person who commits suicide be saved?

What makes this question tricky is the sense and feeling of hopelessness that usually leads a person to commit suicide. Christians are people of confident hope (Romans 5:2-5; II Corinthians 1:10) not utter despair.

Also, suicide is a declaration to God that he/she is “lord” of his own life, and thus is committed to taking their own life, and that is contrary to what a genuine Christian is committed to (Acts 16:31).

On the other hand, Paul says that our sins in the past, present, and future will be forgiven (Colossians 2:13-14) and that nothing can truly separate a Christian from the love of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:38-39). David and Moses are both examples of murderers (Exodus 2:11-13; II Samuel 11:14-27) who were redeemed.

In short, if a genuine Christian committed suicide – which is probably rare – they will be received into heaven (Jude 24). Salvation is not based upon your last act on this earth but on the work of Christ on the cross.

How can we help those who are suicidal?

• Encourage the suicidal to examine themselves to see whether they are truly in the faith (II Corinthians 13:5). As stated above, the usual reasons for he/she to be suicidal are so foreign to how the Bible describes a Christian mindset.

• Show compassion. Give them a shoulder to cry on. Weep with them (Romans 12:15).

• Determine where their distorted thinking exists. Seek to understand why they are hurting. Ask them why they believe suicide will solve the problems that are causing them pain. What triggers the suicidal thoughts? Help them understand what it means to renew their mind (Romans 12:1-2).

• Look for evidence he/she is preparing to commit suicide (e.g., writing a note, giving valuable possessions away, talking to friends or family about taking their life, access to a gun or lethal drugs).

• Show them God’s grace is sufficient to help them through whatever struggles they are experiencing (I Corinthians 10:13; II Corinthians 1:3-5).

• Encourage them to seek accountability with others. Tell he/she to find someone who will not just call them to make sure they’re “okay” but will re-iterate the biblical counsel they are given.

• Pray for and with them often (Psalm 86:7; I Thessalonians 5:17).

• Remind them why they have reasons to be hopeful – God has a purpose for our lives (Genesis 1:26-27; Isaiah 43:7), God intends to bring us life (Jeremiah 29:11; John 10:10), the promise of future rest from difficulty (Matthew 11:28), and the promise of eternal life with God (John 10:27-29).