Biblical Hope in the Face of Suicide...

[Michie]

According to the World Health Organization, levels of anxiety and depression have risen by 25% globally since the COVID-19 pandemic. In many countries, suicide rates are also on the rise, particularly among men. In 2023 alone, nearly 40,000 American men took their lives—one death every 13 minutes.

Against this alarming backdrop, Christianity offers a message of hope. Although the Bible never discusses the morality of suicide directly, it does give us the resources both for understanding why suicide is wrong, and for continuing to trust in God even in the face of tragedy.

The Grave Sin of Suicide​

Suicide is a relatively rare occurrence in the Bible. When it does occur, the biblical authors tend not to dwell on it. Nevertheless, we know from the Bible’s teachings as a whole that suicide is a serious evil.

First, suicide is an offense against God, and a direct violation of the fifth commandment: “You shall not kill” (Ex 20:13; cf. Dt 5:17). Suicide fails to respect the fact that we are created in God’s image and likeness, and our lives are a gift from Him: “you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Cor 6:20). The Catechism explains:

Everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life. We are obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it for his honor and the salvation of our souls. We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of. (§2280; cf. Evangelium Vitae §66)

Second, suicide is a sin against one’s own self. The person who commits suicide neglects one of the most basic principles of the moral law: love of self. We cannot hope to fulfill Christ’s command to love our neighbor (see Mt 22:39; cf. Lev 19:18) unless we first show a healthy affection for our own life and body.

Finally, suicide is a sin against one’s neighbor. It is an act of deep selfishness showing a callous disregard not only for one’s loved ones, but also for the emergency services who will likely attend the scene of the tragedy, and for society as a whole. The person who takes his own life violently turns his back on the community of persons into which he was born, and he risks setting a terrible example for other vulnerable members of that society.

In sum, suicide must always be firmly rejected as a temptation from the evil one, the father of lies, who wishes to see our lives end in ruin.

Hope for People Tempted By Suicide​

Continued below.

Biblical Hope in the Face of Suicide - St. Paul Center

stpaulcenter.com

 

[RileyG]

I keep suicide victims in my permanent prayers. It’s all I can do.

 

[Bob Crowley]

I leave the judgement to God. There were four people I knew personally who committed suicide.

The first was an alcoholic (I didn't find out till after he'd died); the second was one of my old pastor's sons who had manic-depression (bipolar disorder - and he had it badly); the third was a chap I worked with (this one really took me by surprise); and the fourth was a fellow I went to school with who was facing public political and media pressure.

In each case they were under stress for one reason or another, and I don't presume to judge. Of the four I suspect the pastor's son had the most difficult condition and I don't think he's lost. I think he might have spent or be spending time in Pugatory but I doubt if he was "written off".

I'm less certain about the other three.

 

[RileyG]

I leave the judgement to God. There were four people I knew personally who committed suicide.

The first was an alcoholic (I didn't find out till after he'd died); the second was one of my old pastor's sons who had manic-depression (bipolar disorder - and he had it badly); the third was a chap I worked with (this one really took me by surprise); and the fourth was a fellow I went to school with who was facing public political and media pressure.

In each case they were under stress for one reason or another, and I don't presume to judge. Of the four I suspect the pastor's son had the most difficult condition and I don't think he's lost. I think he might have spent or be spending time in Pugatory but I doubt if he was "written off".

I'm less certain about the other three.

May God grant them eternal rest and peace.