Suicide

[preston39]

This is a bit of a split topic. Some say you will, others say not. And there's no clear cut reference to this in the bible.
As far as if you attempt and fail and die later I'd say no. There's only one unforgivable sin and that's not it.

What part of .....thou shall not kill...do you not understand?, et al.

 

[preston39]

The bible says all sin will be forgiven.

I think suicide is included.

Really?.....Please help with logic here;
After suicide how would one repent?

 

[preston39]

As the step-mother to a daughter who committed suicide, NO it is NOT murder. She was bipolar, in a horrible relationship, and other factors which led to her clinical depression. There is only 1 unforgiveable sin. This subject is very dear to my heart.

Mental illness would be excepted...I would think...applying common sense.

 

[Subhumanoidal]

What part of .....thou shall not kill...do you not understand?, et al.

Come down off your high horse then maybe I can explain the obvious.

 

[star]

Today March 27, 2019 marks the 8th year that my step-daughter took her own life. Some things just refuse to heal.

 

[cv5]

A sensitive topic and agree with what flyingdove has posted.

From my observation people commit suicide or attempt to because they are in despair or lose hope. And some believers do because they want to be in heaven sooner rather than later, I dont understand that rationale.
Cant say that the act of suicide itself makes puts one in hell.. but if we ourselves are unable to forgive theres a danger that our Father wont forgive us. And often suicidal people find it hard to forgive, themselves as well as others.

Judas did commit suicide and he did not seek forgiveness. Saul also fell on his own sword rather than face up to God. The one unforgivable sin is the blasphemy of the holy spirit..not forgiven in this life or the next.

One could argue that those two men, judas and .saul did commit this unforgiveable sin seeing how they behaved, well God knows their heart.

For redeemed Christians, there is no "unforgivable sin".

 

[Garydavid]

Made an account out of concern for the topic. SPECIFICALLY the person that posted this thread.

I understand that the internet is VERY impersonal when it comes to deep seated pain and feeling alone in a dark world.

I have been thinking about this since friday and my first thought was have you prayed about it? Any time I've been crushingly low there has also been "some response".

I'll post back again a little bit later a bit more in depth to some of the responses on this thread because it is a rather varied state of mind with varied motivations accompanying it.


I "almost" COMPLETELY understand feeling like you have nobody to turn to and the internet is VERY impersonal in this regard. My advice to you would be to write out some of your feelings on paper and any response that you feel applies to your situation write it out also. Take it away from the computer/phone. Sit in the silence or put on some calming music and open your heart to what the Spirit has to give you in your situation. I say "almost" because I'm not omniscient. I can't know to a tee what it feels like to you personally, just that I've gone through some valleys that have led to depths that I'm not prepared to speak of quite yet.

I would further ask, if you are still checking the thread. What is your motivation? You can be vague and I'm not trying to pry but sheer loneliness? Shame? Feels of unworthiness? Talking yourself through the motivations can open the door in ways you wouldn't expect. Sometimes we need tough love in ways we are in error and other times we need a warm blanket wrapped around us.


WRITE...you'd be surprised how much more therapeutic it can be. These are real people here based off the replies, but much like listening to the radio, it can be impersonal in regards to physicality and sometimes that is where we feel the most lonely.
writing out your thoughts and putting down a scripture on a notecard and setting your mind on it. Putting it near your computer or in your car or in your pocket can be of great help.

I'll post some scriptures in a few hours that have helped me in dark valleys when it feels like no one gets me, no one can hear me, and the Spirit seems to be moving at a glacial pace. In reality this is not the case, but in the "moment" it seems that way. This is a lie.




I also throw in a random idea if you are like me and sometimes spontaneity can force me out of a funk. It's odd, but sometimes going and finding a random church with people you don't know and reaching out for prayer can have unexpected results. You'd be surprised at people's capacity for strangers in need and it can be VERY encouraging. Personally, it comes from a slight embarrassment about needing others and as such may not apply to your situation. Just a thought.

I was at this funeral for a suicide and the family of course were rocked but they did not want to discuss it. They put their heads in the sand. The funeral was held in a church but the body was cremated, and the celebrant said if you ever have these dark thoughts TELL SOMEONE. The funeral was packed with all these young people...and many were getting drunk at the wake cos that was the way they dealt with their feelings.

I had a neighbour I found out had tried to comitt suicide, but he of course did not tell me he was thinking of it, if hed been sucessful I would have gone to his funeral instead. The thing is people think about it for many years before they might try and do it, several times. The only thing you can do is say to them, God is here, you can tell Jesus anything. Whatever darkness you are going through, reach to the light.

As for pain of those left behind, you cant comfort them by saying this person is in heaven if youhavent talked to God about it. And you cant say they are in hell even though they may very well be condemned. Anyone affected needs to ask God about the matter, but this is not to say the pain and grief is not real. Anyone losing anyone and seeking answers needs to ask the comforter. And the holy spirit knows.

Hello. I just felt the need to thsnk you for attempting to help this individual out the way that you are. I hope this individual can sense the compassion that you are offering because that is the one ingredient that brings words offered to life. Nice job and God bless you....

 

[Garydavid]

For redeemed Christians, there is no "unforgivable sin".

For redeemed Christians, there is no "unforgivable sin".

It is difficult to understand just what particular reason one might have for taking ones life. Just the other day a father of a little girl that was shot and killed at sandyhook elementary school took his own life. That did hurt when i heard that. I dont think one has to know to much more than to understand that an individual can only withstand so much pain before something snaps. Thats just to sad. God bless him and his family and you as well......

 

[preston39]

For redeemed Christians, there is no "unforgivable sin".

Your point needs clarity, please?

 

[Lanolin]

I want to come back to this, because I was reading book of Jonah. It was a very short book but one which many people can relate to...Jonah was told to go to Ninevah and preach to them. God was going to destroy them and gave them 40 days notice but amzingly the ninevites repented and God spared them. Now Jonah didnt want to go to the ninevites at all and took a ship to go the other way! It took a storm where he threw himself off a ship (suicide attempt number one?) and being swallowed up by a whale to get him to Ninevah, so he told them Gods message and sat, waiting for destruction. When it didnt happen, boy was he angry! In fact he was so angry that he said he wanted to die! (Attempt 2)


But God then made a gourd grow over Jonah to shade him and comfort in his grief. jonah was glad for the gourd. Then God caused it to wither and die the next morning, then it was hot on Jonah and again he said he wanted to die. (Attempt 3)

Man Jonah had some problems. And suicial tendencies! He had pity for the plant, that was only alive for one day but he didnt have pity for the ninevites.
God is a forgiving God and people need to know He can forgive anything, even to us what might seem unforgiveable. The ninevites didnt know right from left, they were ignorant. The only unforgiveable sin is blasphemy of the holy spirit.

I wish I knew what the Lord said after that to Jonah because you try talking sense to someone whos suicidal. They are angry at God for something....maybe things dont go their way all the time. Well thing is, thats reality, we arent God...and Gods ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Each time Jonah tried to kill himself or spoke words of death...God saved him.

The thing is, you cant run away from God. Hes going to deal with your heart. Even if you try to kill yourself or ask to die, Gods not going to go away. You cant run away from His presence, as Jonah tried time and again.

And you know what Jonah still fulfilled Gods purposes I mean how many of us can preach to a city and the entire city repents? Anyway, Jesus did use Jonahs example of preaching. He said no sign is given to that generation cept the sign of Jonah.


All he said was Gods going to overthrow your city in 40 days.

If that doesnt get peoples attention, nothing will.
If you only had 40 days to live, what would you do?

 

[cv5]

I want to come back to this, because I was reading book of Jonah. It was a very short book but one which many people can relate to...Jonah was told to go to Ninevah and preach to them. God was going to destroy them and gave them 40 days notice but amzingly the ninevites repented and God spared them. Now Jonah didnt want to go to the ninevites at all and took a ship to go the other way! It took a storm where he threw himself off a ship (suicide attempt number one?) and being swallowed up by a whale to get him to Ninevah, so he told them Gods message and sat, waiting for destruction. When it didnt happen, boy was he angry! In fact he was so angry that he said he wanted to die! (Attempt 2)


But God then made a gourd grow over Jonah to shade him and comfort in his grief. jonah was glad for the gourd. Then God caused it to wither and die the next morning, then it was hot on Jonah and again he said he wanted to die. (Attempt 3)

Man Jonah had some problems. And suicial tendencies! He had pity for the plant, that was only alive for one day but he didnt have pity for the ninevites.
God is a forgiving God and people need to know He can forgive anything, even to us what might seem unforgiveable. The ninevites didnt know right from left, they were ignorant. The only unforgiveable sin is blasphemy of the holy spirit.

I wish I knew what the Lord said after that to Jonah because you try talking sense to someone whos suicidal. They are angry at God for something....maybe things dont go their way all the time. Well thing is, thats reality, we arent God...and Gods ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Each time Jonah tried to kill himself or spoke words of death...God saved him.

The thing is, you cant run away from God. Hes going to deal with your heart. Even if you try to kill yourself or ask to die, Gods not going to go away. You cant run away from His presence, as Jonah tried time and again.

And you know what Jonah still fulfilled Gods purposes I mean how many of us can preach to a city and the entire city repents? Anyway, Jesus did use Jonahs example of preaching. He said no sign is given to that generation cept the sign of Jonah.


All he said was Gods going to overthrow your city in 40 days.

If that doesnt get peoples attention, nothing will.
If you only had 40 days to live, what would you do?

It seems quite clear that Moses wanted to die, and asked to die. Several times in fact.....

 

[Deade]

Really?.....Please help with logic here;
After suicide how would one repent?

Preston, you are missing the point, see below.

For redeemed Christians, there is no "unforgivable sin".

Your point needs clarity, please?

You just don't understand: It is not like that. Sin, then repent, sin again, then repent, on and on. No, Christ's blood has us covered for past and future sins. We don't even have to bring up each and every sin while praying. When we slip-up we can just say: sorry Lord, and move on.

 

[cv5]

It seems quite clear that Moses wanted to die, and asked to die. Several times in fact.....

Come to think of it, same goes for Elijah. He just couldn't take it anymore.

 

[preston39]

I want to come back to this, because I was reading book of Jonah. It was a very short book but one which many people can relate to...Jonah was told to go to Ninevah and preach to them. God was going to destroy them and gave them 40 days notice but amzingly the ninevites repented and God spared them. Now Jonah didnt want to go to the ninevites at all and took a ship to go the other way! It took a storm where he threw himself off a ship (suicide attempt number one?) and being swallowed up by a whale to get him to Ninevah, so he told them Gods message and sat, waiting for destruction. When it didnt happen, boy was he angry! In fact he was so angry that he said he wanted to die! (Attempt 2)


But God then made a gourd grow over Jonah to shade him and comfort in his grief. jonah was glad for the gourd. Then God caused it to wither and die the next morning, then it was hot on Jonah and again he said he wanted to die. (Attempt 3)

Man Jonah had some problems. And suicial tendencies! He had pity for the plant, that was only alive for one day but he didnt have pity for the ninevites.
God is a forgiving God and people need to know He can forgive anything, even to us what might seem unforgiveable. The ninevites didnt know right from left, they were ignorant. The only unforgiveable sin is blasphemy of the holy spirit.

I wish I knew what the Lord said after that to Jonah because you try talking sense to someone whos suicidal. They are angry at God for something....maybe things dont go their way all the time. Well thing is, thats reality, we arent God...and Gods ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Each time Jonah tried to kill himself or spoke words of death...God saved him.

The thing is, you cant run away from God. Hes going to deal with your heart. Even if you try to kill yourself or ask to die, Gods not going to go away. You cant run away from His presence, as Jonah tried time and again.

And you know what Jonah still fulfilled Gods purposes I mean how many of us can preach to a city and the entire city repents? Anyway, Jesus did use Jonahs example of preaching. He said no sign is given to that generation cept the sign of Jonah.


All he said was Gods going to overthrow your city in 40 days.

If that doesnt get peoples attention, nothing will.
If you only had 40 days to live, what would you do?

So did Moses and Job, et al.
That is not suicide. Call it frustration, etc., as you wish...it is not suicide.

 

[preston39]

When a person takes their own life it affects all within the their family, friends, and co-workers causing untold grief and sorrow.
I knew a Christian who committed suicide who was backsildden after living a long period of time in disobedience to God.
This person was once saved, but went back into their previous unsaved lifestyle of sin in the world.
Four suicides come to mind found in the bible.
Saul (1 Sam 31:4-5)
Ahithophel )2 Sam 17:23)
Zimri (1 Kings 16:18)
Judas (Matt 27:5)
My personal opinion is Samson did not commit suicide because he willing gave his life as a sacrifice in destroying the enemies of God's people. Samson knew his actions would mean certain death yet he chose to give his life for a noble cause (if you can call it that).
Their is no record of the four individuals listed above calling out to God in repentance in their final minutes upon this earth. So I must conclude that they died lost (just my opinion).
But what about the Christian friend who backslid and later on committed suicide during his life? Did he make Heaven?
I don't know! I do know that Scripture says, "That whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Did this disobedient believer do so? I hope so! I hope to meet him in glory one day when I leave this earth.
Some things must be committed and left in the hands of God. In the case of a Christian suicide, whether serving God or in rebellion,
I must trust in God's infallible promise: "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Gen18:25
Final closing comments:

I am new to this forum and this is my first post.
As tragic as a Christian suicide is (or any suicide is for that matter) I would be extremely embarrassed to meet the Lord unexpectedly or prematurely due to me taking my own life. Scripture clearly states that their are promises for the believer who is an overcomer and rewards to be received at the Bema seat of Christ for Christian service given for the cause of Christ in this life.
It would be regretful to forfeit all that because of suicide. Even though the suicide may make heaven, that individual would have no heavenly treasure to lay at Jesus feet because of suicide. Of coarse this my opinion and I am always open to correction. Blessings!

Call upon the Lord and be born again ( not saved). But, that is the start...not the end.

 

[LW97]

I don't believe in OSAS but I don't believe that a person who commits suicide is per se damned

 

[MadHermit]

Ron, a now deceased member of my church, shared this marvelous testimony of God's grace. An alcoholic in Ron's former Florida church couldn't defeat his sickness and was very depressed by his helplessness. So he decided to commit suicide by lying on railway tracks. But the train only cut off his legs and he amazing survived, still enslaved by his addiction. So he was eager to attempt suicide again. This time he took his wheelchair to a lakeside dock, determined to throw himself into the lake and drown himself. But when he launched himself into the lake, an unseen hand rocketed tke wheelchair back up on the dock and there he sat, stunned but unharmed! This gracious divine intervention finally convinced him that there was a God who valued and loved him after all. So he eventually headed up the AA groups in Ron's Florida church and shared his testimony with great effect.

 

[preston39]

I don't believe in OSAS but I don't believe that a person who commits suicide is per se damned

That is an opinion. Now, where is support scripture?

 

[JohnRH]

If you commit suicide do you go to hell? What if you have failed at suicide then later die of natural causes?

If you're born again and commit suicide you won't go to hell.
If you're not born again and commit suicide you will go to hell.

 

[preston39]

For redeemed Christians, there is no "unforgivable sin".

Preston, you are missing the point, see below.


You just don't understand: It is not like that. Sin, then repent, sin again, then repent, on and on. No, Christ's blood has us covered for past and future sins. We don't even have to bring up each and every sin while praying. When we slip-up we can just say: sorry Lord, and move on.

That is not scripture AT ALL .......unless you repent. Where in the world/bible did you conclude that from?

Very miss leading.