Can a Believer Commit Suicide?
Some ask: What happens when a believer, under extreme conditions, commits suicide? Will he go to heaven? The Bible says that “The just shall live by faith” (Galatians 3:11). Generally those that commit suicide lose hope and faith.
And because the Bible teaches “Thou shalt not kill”( Exodus 20:13), suicide is considered a sin. God is the giver of life. He gives life, and He takes it away (Job 1:21). No one has the right to end life. Christians should yield their destiny to God saying, “My times are in your hands” (Psalm 31:15).
Some people in Scripture felt deep despair in life like Solomon (Ecclesiastes 2:17), Elijah (1 Kings 19:4), Jonah (Jonah 4:8) and Paul (2 Corinthians 1:8). However, none of these men committed suicide. God sustained them all with His grace and power (2 Corinthians 1:3).
Jesus promised to carry all our burdens. He said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). There is hope for all who suffer for “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).
God loves His children to death (John 3:16) and He is willing to give them all the help they need during their most difficult times. David the prophet encourages the believers saying, “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).
Therefore, the believer should not give up but keep his faith steady in God for “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).
However, there are rare exceptions like Samson who gave up his life to save others (Judges 16:30). Such individuals may be ending their lives with the motive of love rather than hopelessness. This death is considered an act of self sacrifice and not despair.
There are other Christians who have ended their lives due to mental disorder or a chemical change in their bodies that was beyond their control. Only God can judge these cases and decide their eternal destiny because He is the only One that can read their hearts and evaluate their motives. We can rest assured that He who sacrificed His life for the world will be the most fair judge (John 15:13).
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
