What you think about Suicide?

[Followtheway]

Luke 13:3 ...unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

Acts 17:30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,

Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place -- unless you repent.

Me and my wife had a disagreement tonight about this topic because we work at a youth ranch and some of the girls have people in their live that have commited suicide. I believe that it is murder and just like all sins must be repented for, but since it would be to late to do so that person would end up in hell, I also believe that if they are truly living like-Christ (Christian) they wouldn't be doing that.

She believes the once saved always saved stuff.

So what are your thoughts

[BrckBrln]

I believe that it is murder and just like all sins must be repented for, but since it would be to late to do so that person would end up in hell

I have never understood this line of thinking. First, I was under the impression that once you're a Christian your sins have been forgiven. Second, if you have to repent after every single sin you've ever done then not too many people would be in heaven. Finally, doesn't that make salvation dependent on us instead of Christ?

I'm not saying we shouldn't repent and I do agree that suicide is murder and that it's not something a Christian should do, but if they're a Christian then I don't see why they wouldn't end up in heaven.

[Joyfulee]

Do you think that on the day that you die, all of your sins will be repented of?

God's Word specifically says that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the only sin that will not be forgiven.

I think it unkind, unloving, even cruel to cause these young people to think that their loved ones are in hell.

Whether they are or not is not for us to judge.

Teach these young girls the paths of God, the love of God, the mercy and grace of God. Teach them to make wise decisions based on God's Word.

But, please, do not heap burdens upon their tender shoulders that they are not able to carry.

Blessings

[uric3]

The idea that all suicides go to hell seems to me to be based on three premises at least two of which have already been mentioned.

1) Suicide is always a sin.

2) A single unrepented sin will cost a baptized believer his salvation until he repents.

3) It is impossible to repent of suicide.

I think (3) is the weakest. In fact, I'm sure it is false. Some methods of suicide leave the suicide time to repent but do not give him the opportunity to avoid to consequence of his original decision. Consider the person who repents after jumping off a building but before hitting the ground, or who survives a self-inflicted wound initially only to die in the hospital from the injuries sustained, or who takes poison or breathes carbon-monoxide and is too weakened to seek help even though he repents.

I also find (1) unclear. It may be a form of murder, but it is not exactly the same as killing someone else. Also, if killing is permissible for Christians in the military (a matter I am unsure of) is it therefore also permissible for a Christian to accept a suicide mission on behalf of the military or take his own life to avoid capture by the enemy if authorized to do so my his superiors?

There's also the matter of when suicide is done selflessly: Can a person kill himself if it is in the only way to save others?

Or what if the person is mentally ill and incapable of understanding his actions?

(2) is an extremely fundamental question that we generally take for granted to be true, but I hate to take anything for granted. I find it smacks of credalism so even that one I'd want to give some thought to.


While this is a valuable topic of discussion, I think the more important question regarding suicide is rarely asked by Christians and that is, "What can we do to prevent suicide?" I think this is a unique question because we normally try to prevent sin by preaching and teaching against it and pointing out the eternal consequences.

I think in this case that not only does not have the intended effect but is counter productive because people who take there own lives are not behaving rationally. They've already had to overcome the basic human survival instinct that we all have. Rationalistic arguments like "do this an you will go to hell" are not going to have any affect on someone in that state of mind.

People don't reach the point of suicide over night. Most start out by fantasizing about it. They don't think of it as something they would ever actually do, but the more the think about it the more their natural aversion to it breaks down. If they are sufficiently depressed eventually that may make a half hearted attempt and eventually a more earnest attempt. Sometimes they are finally successful.

The point I'm making is that even though suicide is a drastic action people generally work up to it in steps. This means there's time for them to get help if anyone realizes they need it.

Pointing out the eternal consequences and selfishness of suicide not only doesn't help the dead, but it also makes those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts ashamed of what they are fealing and therefore hide it when they ought to be asking for their brother's help.

I've thought about this a lot, and I wish we could find a way to take the stigma out of contemplating suicide.

Those who contemplate it are NOT sinners. They are simply struggling with temptation the way the rest of us struggle with temptations for gluttony, sex, dishonesty, selfishness, envy, sloth, violence, or whatever other personal weakness we may have.

Public discussions of suicide often attract the attention of those who are struggling with it. If anyone is reading this and needs someone to talk to they are welcome to contact me. I don't know what I can do, but I will not judge anyone in this matter, nor will I preach any sermons on how it is a sin. Suicidal thoughts are something many people go through and is not something to be ashamed of. If anyone is struggling maybe together we can figure it out.

[uric3]

Do you think that on the day that you die, all of your sins will be repented of?

God's Word specifically says that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the only sin that will not be forgiven.

I think it unkind, unloving, even cruel to cause these young people to think that their loved ones are in hell.

Whether they are or not is not for us to judge.

Teach these young girls the paths of God, the love of God, the mercy and grace of God. Teach them to make wise decisions based on God's Word.

But, please, do not heap burdens upon their tender shoulders that they are not able to carry.

Blessings

Every sin can be forgiven... the unforgivable sin is something that is hard to explain. Here is a link to another thread I posted in that should explain it very well for those who have questions about it.

http://bibleforums.org/showthread.ph...94#post1961994

Hope this helps

[davidharding]

Luke 13:3 ...unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

Acts 17:30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,

Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place -- unless you repent.

Me and my wife had a disagreement tonight about this topic because we work at a youth ranch and some of the girls have people in their live that have commited suicide. I believe that it is murder and just like all sins must be repented for, but since it would be to late to do so that person would end up in hell, I also believe that if they are truly living like-Christ (Christian) they wouldn't be doing that.

She believes the once saved always saved stuff.

So what are your thoughts

jonah tried to commit suicide by jumping ship but God sent a special built whale to swallow him up and spit him out on the shores of nineveh which the people there worshipped the fish-god. they thought he was their God and repented.

sampson committed suicide by collapsing the collumns of the place onto himself but it also killed thousands of phillistines too.

i don't feel suicide in unforgiveable as others claim.

[CommanderRobey]

Actually, I do not believe Samson committed suicide. I believe he knew it would be possible for him to survive the bringing down of that great building.

My reasons for believing this is a simple statement Samson made prior to the feat...

Judges 16:30 (KJV) And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with [all his] might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that [were] therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than [they] which he slew in his life. {me: Heb. my soul}

Notice the request, "Let me die with the Philistines."

I do not think Samson killed himself, but that God took his life. Samson must have known that he could survive, else he would have no cause to say "Let me die with these Philistines."

God may have taken Samson's life ere the first stone fell upon him. He slew more at his death than in his life.

As to suicide, I do not believe a Christian will commit suicide. The Word of God declares that a good tree cannot bear evil fruit. If the last fruit a person who professed Christ was evil, would that not show his heart? Instead of faith in Christ, he chooses to trust another master?

[Gregg]

Nothing can be added to the blood of Jesus to gain salvation.

It is his blood that covers us. It is his blood that prevents us from going to hell. It is a gift. Once we accept the gift he starts changing us. Do any of us stop sinning all together while on this earth? Suicide is just another sin. It is not bigger than our Lord. The timing of repentence is not what saves us. I know all of us have sinned after receiving the gift of salvation. It is not our Lord's intention to put as many of us in Hell as he can, but to save us from it. He also does not want us to judge or to boast. NO WORKS that we do can save us. It is a gift. Receiving a gift is not works, repentence is understanding and not works, repentence is a gift from God. Do not let legalism stand in the way of God's great love and Jesus great gift. NO sin is bigger than Jesus. We will be sin free when he completes the change in Heaven.

[Metalwolf]

As to suicide, I do not believe a Christian will commit suicide. The Word of God declares that a good tree cannot bear evil fruit. If the last fruit a person who professed Christ was evil, would that not show his heart? Instead of faith in Christ, he chooses to trust another master?

A Christian can commit suicide. Suicide is not an 'evil fruit,' but is the thing that happens after the person is unable to find ways to relieve their pain. I have had suicidal feelings, but I still see the results of the Spirit in my life.

Suicide is an immensely scary thing. Usually because its not like some terminal disease, or an accident or whatever. It is an act going against man's greatest instinct, that of self-preservation. It is horrible because it leaves the friends and family members wondering for the rest of their lives if they could have prevented it somehow. It is also horrible because it seems like that to the friends and family, that suicidal person values escaping that pain more then the feelings of the family and friends wishing for them to stick around.
Regarding this, it's not suprising that Christians want to say that person will go to hell, or that a real Christian wouldn't do such a thing.

But thats not true. As long as we are in these corrupted-by-sin bodies, we will have folks who are Christians contemplate suicide.

And Uric3 is correct. Suicide is not usually something that is done on the fly. It is something thought about, contemplated, attempted and then completed. It is a last resort to escape pain.
When I had those feelings, the dominant thought was escape. I wanted to escape a hopeless situation, and a hopeless life. When you feel that bad, nothing else matters but that escape. You aren't doing it to cause anyone else misery (normally,) but because you see no other way out of your extreme misery. Sometimes it's also because you think you are actually a burden to other people, or that nobody loves you or wants you around.

When you do contemplate and attempt, you aren't actually in your right mind, and this is what people must remember.

[Emanate]

I have a bad opinion about suicide. I am against it in all forms.

[karenoka27]

Luke 13:3 ...unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

Acts 17:30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,

Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place -- unless you repent.

Me and my wife had a disagreement tonight about this topic because we work at a youth ranch and some of the girls have people in their live that have commited suicide. I believe that it is murder and just like all sins must be repented for, but since it would be to late to do so that person would end up in hell, I also believe that if they are truly living like-Christ (Christian) they wouldn't be doing that.

She believes the once saved always saved stuff.

So what are your thoughts

I have Christian friends who have indeed tried to commit suicide,at least three that have shared. Two of them, a husband and wife overdosed and just held each other thinking they would die in each other's arms. They didn't. They realized that God indeed was in control of their life,confessed what they did and never had such thoughts again.
I believe that God is in control of the number of days we are here. Does He allow for people to take their lives? Obviously He does, as we all know of someone who has. But the people that I knew that committed suicide were not saved.

Only God knows if a person who takes their life is going to be in His presence. We can only guess.

Sin is sin is sin. Our bodies are the temple of God. Do we have a right to destroy it? no. Do we have a right to be gluttons, or gossips or drunkards with it? No. Does someone who overeats and dies in their gluttony go to hell? We would most likely say no. Then in the same way we can't assume to know who God decides will go and who won't if they commit suicide.

His ways and thoughts are way above ours. Many testimonies have been given by those who have been at the brink of suicide when the Lord made Himself known to them. God knows what is going on. And He knows how to deal with it.

[CommanderRobey]

John 10:4-5 (KJV) And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

John 10:8 (KJV) All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

John 10:10 (KJV) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly.

John 10:27 (KJV) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

I really cannot see Jesus standing by and allowing His sheep to be led off by the voice of the one who came to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus said His sheep will not hear the voice of strangers, thieves or robbers.

God's children will hear the voice of the Shepherd. The Shepherd does not lead His sheep into danger, but rather leads them out of danger.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it]. {common...: or, moderate}

The way of escape Christ provides is not suicide. He came to give life, not destroy it.

His sheep hear His voice and will not listen to another. If a person listens to a voice telling them life is not worth living, and they commit suicide, they cannot be Christ's sheep, for Christ's sheep do not follow strangers, thieves or robbers.

[Gregg]

I really cannot see Jesus standing by and allowing His sheep to be led off by the voice of the one who came to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus said His sheep will not hear the voice of strangers, thieves or robbers.

God's children will hear the voice of the Shepherd. The Shepherd does not lead His sheep into danger, but rather leads them out of danger.

The way of escape Christ provides is not suicide. He came to give life, not destroy it.

His sheep hear His voice and will not listen to another. If a person listens to a voice telling them life is not worth living, and they commit suicide, they cannot be Christ's sheep, for Christ's sheep do not follow strangers, thieves or robbers.

That would mean that you are literally done sinning right now and until the day you die or in your words it would be evidence that you are not saved. That would mean no gossip, never a white lie, never sin in your anger, no judgement of others, love all like you love yourself always. I am glad that the blood of Jesus has saved me from ALL of my sins; past, present, and future. I am glad that the Holy Spirit is working in me to change me and that the work he started will be complete when I go home to be with my Father and Lord and Savior.

[CommanderRobey]

No, many times God's children stumble. But if the last voice a person listens to is that of a shepherd that Jesus said His sheep do not hear or follow, what does that tell you?

Do you think when a person hears a voice telling them to commit suicide, that the Holy Spirit is not going to talk to that person if that person belongs to Him?

Jesus said His sheep hear His voice and they follow Him. How can it be true that the voice that tells one to commit suicide be of God?

This is why it is important that one examine oneself to see whether one is of the faith. One who is of the faith will not willfully commit sin and continue in sin. One who is of the faith will not listen to a lying spirit that tells them the only way out is a gun or rope or poison or some other means. Christ is the way for the child of God. Trusting Him no matter the storm, no matter the trial. He is the answer, not suicide.

[Dani H]

Suicide isn't an option for a believer. If we know that God is God over life and death both, then when we leave here is His decision, not our own.

Having said that, I've been to the point of despair where I've personally entertained thoughts of ending my life, and so I understand how a person can feel so overwhelmed by pain that they see no other way out. Thankfully for me, God was front and center, and told me point blank it wasn't an option and to let all that junk go to Him, and He ministered to me in my hour of darkness and brought me back to a solid footing. I've been there as an unbeliever too, and the only thing that kept me from following through back then was my fear of death, and so there you have it.

Let me ask you this:

If a person commits suicide because they were in despair and nobody bothered to help them, then on whose hands would that person's blood be? Only their own?

People commit suicide for all sorts of reasons. And it is usually a process. There are cries for help that usually take place that go unheeded because people are too wrapped up in their own stuff to notice.

And so, as believers, who hold the answer to such a state because we have God's own life within us, instead of having theoretical discussions about the maybes and coulda shoulda woulda's here, I would encourage all of us to step before the Throne of God, right now, and ask Him to show us people around us, in our lives, who are being attacked to such a point that they're going to be heading that way if nobody does anything. And to cry out for His mercy and His grace, to help us know who these people are, and help them in their hour of need so they can live and God can be glorified.

Remember, we're not going to be judged based on how much we know. We're going to be judged by what we did with what we know. When I read about the judgment seat of Christ, I see nobody's knowledge, interpretations or opinions being exposed for straw and rubble and being burned, only our works.

Let's serve God in deed and truth today, and let's bring His life to people who desparately need it and who will perish without it.



Blessings,

Dani