To listen to Nancy’s answer on Moody Radio listen here.
NO. Suicide is a mental illness issue.
Many Christians have been told that if they commit suicide they will go to hell. Not only is dealing with such a loss excruciating, but also having to deal with the guilt of thinking that something could have been done to prevent it. The loss of a loved one by this means never goes away. Add to that the thought of a person spending eternity in hell because their death was self imposed it is more than most can bear. Such teaching is absolutely not found in the scriptures. Security of our salvation is supported in the Bible.
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
1 John 5:13 ”I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”
Romans 8:38,39 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Is suicide a sin?
Yes. God gives us life. It is up to Him to appoint when we live and die. It is not the unforgivable sin.
Putting an end to your own life is a sin. It is a sin, however, that is covered by Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross.
Before rushing to judgment, remember that God looks on the heart and we need to as well. Few understand the mental condition of the person who snuffed out his own life. Mental illness is the blame for most life ending events and needs to be seen in that light. No mentally healthy person would or could do that. This is where compassion from the church must be shown to those who suffer in this way. Such people need medical help, and we need to walk with them and not shame them for that to happen.
Suicide is the number 2 killer of teens today. This generation is the most depressed generation to have ever lived.
Why?
Today’s culture has diminished the value of human life to the point that young people have no idea of who they are and the purpose God has given them in this life. Through social media, many are encouraged to take their own lives when times get tough. Drugs, satanic fascination, lack of awareness of God and His love for them is missing. Satan’s desire for all of God’s children is to kill and destroy while God’s desire is that we all have life to the full! (John 10:10)
We must as the church begin to talk with teens and adults about these things and encourage those who struggle to get some help. The National suicide prevention lifeline is: 1800-273-8255. You can also text 988 suicide hotline to talk with a trained crisis counselor.
Many just want someone to understand, to be with them and to pray for them. It is critical that we walk with them no matter how long it takes. Being the church is a beautiful thing and can save lives!
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” Psalm 43:5.