“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32.
It's always a tragedy when a loved one dies unexpectedly, and much more so if they've taken their own life, for it leaves those remaining with questions, and self-blame. What had gone wrong? Life isn't supposed to end this way, is it?
And so we pray, seeking comfort for the bereaved, and regarding the deceased with pity for the unknown struggle they could not overcome. Yet there remains one burning question for many, which is the thought of where they will end up in eternity? On one hand, ending your own life couldn't be what God wants; but on the other hand, would the Almighty punish that person by adding eternal suffering to the misery they'd already endured?
We must rely on the Bible for our answers; it will reveal the true mind of God, and provide all we need in any situation; “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” -John 17:17.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” -2 Timothy 3:16,17.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” -2 Timothy 2:15.
After the Lord had snapped me out of my own depressed thoughts for ending my life (I was seriously planning it), the following became my verse to stand against such thoughts in the future;
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” -Hebrews 9:27.
It goes without saying that if our time to die is appointed, then GOD appointed it! Therefore if I take my own life, I've rebelled against God, and put myself in His place to appoint my time- I clearly would not be in right relationship with my creator and judge; this isn't a position we want to be in.
But it was still a few more years until I gave this subject the Biblical study it deserved, and the following results are shared here in this article. The conclusion isn't really surprising, but it's solidly based on God's Holy Word.
The first application is obviously from the Ten Commandments; “Thou shalt not kill” is found in both Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17, it is the 6th commandment; God just doesn't treat suicide differently from other types of killing, so why should we? Additionally, self-termination is a premeditated murder, which is the worst kind (Deuteronomy 19:11-13).
Next, I found there were 5 examples of self-termination in scripture, and none of these men were in right relationship with God. The first is King Saul, and the second his armor bearer in the same passage of 1 Samuel 31:3-6; each fell on their swords to avoid being abused by the enemy.
Thirdly, we have Ahithophel, a highly esteemed counsellor who rebelled with Absalom against God's anointed King David; at one point when he saw his counsel wouldn't be taken, he hanged himself (2 Samuel 17:23).
Next we have the short-lived King Zimri as the fourth; Zimri had killed the rightful King Elah and reigned for just 7 days; when the people of the land turned against him, and when he saw that all was lost he burned down his residence on top of himself. See 1 Kings 16:18, whole story v. 8-20.
The fifth and last one is Judas Iscariot, who betrayed our Lord; his demise is found in Matthew 27:3-5. As you probably know, Judas betrayed the Lord for 30 pieces of silver, but later looked to undo this betrayal-and failed. He finally chose to hang himself, and came to a gruesome end (Acts 1:18).
Yet I believe in the book of JOB we find a solid testimony against suicide, for I doubt there was ever a man in history who suffered like he did (chapters 1&2); first it came by the loss of his children and possessions, then his health, but insult to injury was heaped upon him by his wife & friends, from whom he should have been comforted (Job 16:1-3).
But Job was in right relationship with God, as scripture testifies in Job 1:1;
“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” See also 2:3 for God's direct commendation!
JOB longed for death just as anyone would, but was submitted to the Lord, and waited for the time God appointed. Read these testimonies given through Job during this unspeakable crisis;
“Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!” - Job 6:8,9.
“O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.” -Job 14:13,14.
You can well see from these verses Job's longing for God's appointed time; praying for it, & waiting.
We know that God is merciful to those who cry out to Him, but not so to those who insist upon controlling their own lives, doing it their way, and not submitting to Him. I've found that for a person to take his/her own life broadly indicates they're NOT in right relationship with God, and had a desperate need for Jesus' atoning work within-which it will be too late for after death.
Be patient, quick to hear, and slow to speak (James 1:19,20) with those who've been bereaved by a loved one who ended life; but if you need speak they must hear the truth; and not false words of comfort like a false prophet would give (Jeremiah 6:13,14). One who kills is a murderer, and after dying there's no more opportunity for forgiveness.
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;...murders...and such like: of the which I tell you...they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” -from Galatians 5:19-21.
“...and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” -from 1 John 3:15.
Here is a link to the YouTube video https://youtu.be/3hPZ-GogPyc and video Short https://youtube.com/shorts/uNyopT9vyDE?feature=share that I also did on this subject.
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