Q: What does the Bible say about suicide? Will that person enter heaven if he/she was a believer but took their own life? —Denise
A: While some churches have taught that those who take their own lives do not go to heaven because of the unforgivable act of self-murder, there is not biblical evidence to suggest that the final desperate act of a troubled person will prevent him from ever entering the presence of God.
The only prerequisite for anyone’s entrance into heaven is personal faith in God’s offer of salvation (John 1:12, 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9). Once someone becomes a member of God’s family, His promise is that nothing can ever separate that person from the love of God in Christ (Romans 8:35-39). That “nothing” includes a final act of desperate self-destruction. —Tim Jackson
For more on this subject, check out this online booklet: When You’re Left Behind
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bluefigtoast on January 13, 2012 at 12:41 am
Tim –
That is a spot on answer. The only sin that can’t be forgiven is rejecting Christ, imho.
Wayno
R R Kelkar on January 13, 2012 at 8:18 pm
While all of us are going to stand before God’s judgment seat, we often think as if it is we who are sitting there judging others. But we have a Judge who is not only just but loving, a Judge who sets compassion above law. If human judges can exercise so much discretion and can be so liberal while interpreting situations and laws, how unsearchable indeed would be the judgments of that Supreme Judge! This is what gives us hope and a reason to continue to live life in spite of all its failings. Otherwise what a terrible thing it would be to be consumed by the wrath of the Living God!
daisymarygoldr on January 17, 2012 at 3:01 pm
This is a delicate topic to discuss especially with people around us that suffer with incurable wound of suicide pain. We should always sympathize with their grief and comfort them with the reminder that God is just and merciful. He does all things well and will certainly do the right thing for their loved one. To judge who will go to heaven or hell is not our business.
Our responsibility is to teach God’s truth about suicide to prevent Christians from doing this gruesome act. The Bible does not say Christians who commit suicide will enter heaven─ or hell. When scripture is silent, we must be careful not to provide false assurance based on humanistic thinking. For, those who teach as doctrines the precepts of men will be held accountable for the blood of suicide victims.
Believers who take their own lives will go to heaven anyway, is the wrong answer to those contemplating suicide. This is to state, since nothing can separate us from God Christians who murder as a desperate act, will enter the presence of God because we have been forgiven of all─ past, present and future sins. 1 John 3:14-15 says, those who hate fellow Christians are murderers─ and do not have eternal life within them.
Moreover, to say self-murder is not an unpardonable sin, is false. Suicide itself is the very proof of a person’s unbelief─ and rebellion to reject God’s love, mercy and grace. At a time when suicide is increasingly becoming an option in a Godless culture, the Church should clearly teach both young and old to not even think about ending our own lives.
Christians have been bought with a price. We are not our own and our lives belong to God. No matter how deep the despair and hopelessness, we need to have faith in God. He has plans to prosper and not to harm─ to give us hope and a future of abundant life.
mike wittmer on January 17, 2012 at 4:16 pm
This is very helpful. When we put our faith in Christ, he forgives all of our sin–even that which is still in the future–even what may occur in our last act on earth. And some bouts of depression are so severe that it may be difficult to tell to what extent the person is actually culpable/guilty for their suicide. It’s probably best to call the situation a tragedy and lift it up to God.
peaceseeker on May 2, 2012 at 1:13 am
I read over all your commits on this subject. The only christian I know to have killed themself in the bible was King Saul when faced with death by a enemy. He took a sword and fell on it only after his companion refused to do it.
godisgood on May 7, 2012 at 12:22 pm
This is a very touchy subject indeed. As a person who has suffered with severe depression for many years, I have been not only tempted but have almost been convinced to commit suicide on two occasions. From my experience, and I can only speak from my experience and not for someone else, I was not in a good place and I certainly didn’t feel I was as close to God has I should have been. I can remember on those occasions just calling on God to help me as a last resort because I really felt in my heart that I was in a “wrong” place with Him and that I needed to trust God more. All I know is that when I cried out to Him, he was there and from somewhere came this peace that I so much needed at that time.
I’m not going to judge anyone else, I just know how I felt and my experience. Hebrews 13:5 states, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”. We are the ones who make the move to let go of God’s hand, not the other way around. Satan is going about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour God’s people and I feel for me, suicide would have separated me from God had I followed through with it. I still struggle with the disease, but have learned to accept the disease and lean on God to help me through it no matter how “sad” I become. Sometimes I can’t even pray but God knows my heart and I just breath His name and I believe he hears me and sees me in my weakness and helps me when I call on Him even if it’s just a whisper or from my heart.
If you are contemplating suicide, I challenge you to call on God and wait on Him. Psalm 27:14 states, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” I have proven that this WORKS!
May God Bless each one of you today:)
J.C.
tom felten on May 7, 2012 at 3:09 pm
Great verse, godisgood (or J.C.). You have been in my prayers today. I have a friend who also often talks about taking his life. It’s hard to see him struggle with issues of identity that lead to his depressed and troubled state. I thank God that he, and you, continue to pursue God—leaning into His heart and grace, instead of choosing the devastating path of suicide.
godisgood on May 11, 2012 at 7:06 am
Thanks Tom for your prayers. I found that stepping back from “life” and resting in God’s arms sometimes is just what we need. Many times we try to fix things in our lives that we have no business trying to fix because God is trying to work things out for our good. I don’t know what I would do without Him in my life. I used to beat myself up because I was depressed all the time thinking it was my fault or I did something wrong but with God’s help,l have accepted me for who I am, flaws and all. Not to mention I thank God many, MANY times for giving me a husband who is more than supportive to me. I have told him many times that I don’t know how he has put up with me but he just simply replies, “But I love you!”. He is unsaved but very supportive of my decision to serve Christ and very supportive of bringing our children up to go to church. Even now he drives our son 30 mins to church when I can’t go and picks him up again to bring him home. I am just longing for the day when he actually accepts Jesus into his heart and we got to church together. It will be awesome!!
J.C.