What Does The Bible Say?
Question – What does the bible say about suicide?
Answer – The term suicide is never mentioned in the Bible. Judas, Zimri, Ahithophel and Saul are the only bible characters we see attempting to engage in self-murder and none of them were approved by God by doing so. All life is precious to God and He wants us to sustain life as long as we can. We are very specially created by God and He wants us to glorify God in our fleshly bodies as they are the temple of the Holy Spirit according to 1 Cor. 6:19-20, “do you not know that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought with a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” In this passage we see that all of those who have entered into an obedient relationship with God have given themselves to serve Him and to honor Him in their bodies. That prohibits us from abusing our bodies by dissipating them in any way. We also are to honor our lives in our flesh. Psalm 90:10-12 tells us a general idea of our expected lifespan, “the days of our years are threescore and ten if by reason of strength fourscore years. Yet is their strength, labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off and fly away… so teach us to number our days that we may apply our heart to seek wisdom.”
Psalm 139:13-14 says that God created our innermost being and knit us together in the womb Praise Him for we are fearfully and wonderfully made. In Jn. 10:10 Jesus says that he came so that we may have life more abundantly. Deut. 30:19-20 says that we should, “choose life, so that you and your children may live and love God, listen to His voice and hold fast to Him for the Lord is your life…” Psalm 34:18 assures us that, “the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saved those who are crushed in spirit.”
Passages for all to remember if they ever feel hopeless and helpless are Psalm 40:1 – “He lifted me out of the slimy pit our of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” God is there to rescue, restore and life up the hopeless and helpless. In Psalm 23 – “He will lead us in green pastures and restore our souls and He will lead us in the paths of righteousness…” Satan wants us to dive into hopeless and depressive states and wants to sap all the joy out of life. Only in Christ can we find true joy and meaning to the lives we live in this flesh. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “cast all of your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
Feelings of hopelessness and depression are real issues that have resolution without the taking of a precious life. There are professionals ready to help you if you are in this condition. Utilize those resources and do not entertain taking your life or anyone else’s. murder is condemned by God. Honor God and even ask Him to extend those days as Hezekiah did in 2 Kings 20:5-6. Honor God with your life and do all you can to be pleasing to him while you are in flesh.
---Stan Adams--- Address all questions and comments to What the Bible Says C/O Maple St. Church of Christ, PO Box 3068, Liberty, Tx 77575.