Bible Question:

Just this week we had a recently saved friend commit suicide. What does the Bible say about this and how can we help counsel the family?

Bible Answer:

Suicide is a tragic event. It is the end of the road of life on this earth. It is the result of pain in the heart. It is a cry for the pain to stop. That is why Judas committed suicide,

Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” And he threw the pieces of silver into the sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. (NASB) Matthew 27:3-5

Judas had committed a terrible sin and he could not live himself any longer. He hated life. He hated himself. Life seemed empty and hopeless. When life seems to not be worth living, men and women remove themselves. The pain seems to be to great. There are other men in the scriptures who committed suicide for these same reasons: Saul (1 Samuel 31:4), Ahithophel (2 Sam. 17:23), and Zimri (1 Kings 16:18-19).

God Forgives

Our next question is, “What happened to them when they died, did they go to hell?” The following verse will help.

Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. (NASB) Matthew 12:31

There is only one sin that God will not forgive – blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This sin is called the unpardonable sin or the unforgivable sin. It is believing in your heart that Jesus was not God. It is believing that He did His miracles by the power of Satan. All other sins God will forgive. That includes suicide. Notice the scripture said, “any sin . . .shall be forgiven men, but . . .” Now that includes suicide. If the friend was a Christian, they went to heaven. If they were a non-Christian, I am sorry to say, they went to hell and will eventually spend eternity in the Lake of Fire.

Conclusion:

Suicide is a sin that God forgives. He loves the broken hearted, desperate, suffering and those who feel hopeless.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted . . . (NASB) Ps. 34:18

Does this describe anyone reading this? If so, this poem is for you,

God understands your sorrow,
He sees the falling tear,
And whispers, “I am with you,”
Then falter not, nor fear,
God understands your heartache,
He knows the bitter pain;
O, trust Him in the darkness,
You will not trust in vain.
He understands your longing,
Your deepest grief He shares,
Then let Him bear your burden,
He understands and cares.
Oswald J. Smith

We will be praying with you for His comfort . . .

Suggested Links:

How can God forgive someone who commits suicide?
Did Samson go to heaven? – Did Samson commit suicide?
Can someone who commits suicide go to heaven?
How could dad commit suicide?
Is suicide a sin against the body?
Do people who commit suicide go to hell since they cannot repent?
What does the Bible say about self-mutilation/suicide, if anything?