Name: Donna
Question: I grew up being told by my parents that if a person commits suicide they will go to hell because we destroy what God created and because you have died you cannot ask for forgiveness. I cannot find any subject in the bible where it says you will go to hell if you kill yourself, only that there were suicides. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question.
Answer: Donna, thank you for the question.
It’s definitely a sin to commit suicide. In Matthew 19:18, Jesus said, “Thou shalt do no murder.” When someone takes their own life, that is self-murder, that is a sin. Moreover, “the wages of sin is death” without repentance, (Romans 6:23).
However, that doesn’t mean someone who commits suicide is condemned to the Lake of Fire either. Remember, “hell” is the grave or “the place of departed souls.” That represents the Rich Man and the spirits in prison, (Luke 16:19-31). However, the Lake of Fire is the permanent death of the soul.
Would God judge someone to eternal death if they commit suicide?
While it’s true those who commit suicide can no longer ask for forgiveness, we have to remember the factors at play. When someone takes their own life, they are not in the right frame of mind. Then there are mental illnesses, and so on. We can be sure of one thing, God is fair and just, and He wants everyone to be saved, (Ps 25:8-10, Deut 32:4, Pro 16:11, 2 Pet 3:9).
Suicide In The Bible
There are six people that committed suicide in the Bible.
- Abimelech (Judges 9:54)
- Saul (1 Samuel 31:4)
- Saul’s armor-bearer (1 Samuel 31:4–6)
- Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23)
- Zimri (1 Kings 16:18)
- Judas (Matthew 27:5)
Of these six men, we know five of them were wicked. With respect to Saul’s armor-bearer, we are not told about his character.
Some may consider that Samson’s death was a suicide, but his purpose was to kill the Philistines, not himself. Instead, Samson sacrificed himself for his people, a noble cause, (Judges 16:26–31).
Overcoming Hopelessness And Despair
Thankfully, Scripture also provides us with numerous examples of people overcoming hopelessness and despair.
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In Solomon’s pursuit of pleasure, he reached a point where he “hated life,” (Ecclesiastes 2:17). Faithful Elijah was so depressed, he told God to “take away my life,” (1 Kings 19:4). Jonah was so upset with God that he “wished in himself to die,” (Jonah 4:8). Moses was so burdened by the Israelites, he asked God to “kill me,” (Numbers 11:15).
Lastly, the Apostle Paul and his band of missionaries faced such great pressure “that we despaired of life itself,” (2 Corinthians 1:8).
Despite their troubles and the crushing weight of the world on their shoulders, they never gave up. They never took their own life. Instead, it was in these moments that God was there to lift them up.
In fact, they learned many life lessons from their trials. Solomon learned to “fear God and keep his commandments,” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Elijah was comforted by an Angel and God gave Him a new mission, (1 Kings 19:7, 15). Jonah was corrected by God, (Jonah 4:10). The burden of Moses was lifted when God appointed men to help him, (Numbers 11:16-17).
Even the Apostle Paul learned, even though they “had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead,” (2 Corinthians 1:9).
Always remember, God promised He will never allow you to be tempted above what you are able to bear. When we get to that breaking point, we have to hold on, and latch onto God more than ever before. Then God will provide a way for us to “escape, that ye may be able to bear it,” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Summary
As these examples have shown us, no Godly person ever took their own life. Godly men were certainly tried, and they even asked God to take their life. Yet, they continued to endure. When they were in their weakest moment, when they could not stand anymore, God was there to help them stand.
We never want to forget that. No matter what you may be going through in life, it’s always easier to just give up. It’s so much harder to endure.
Yet, when you endure, you not only show God your obedience to Him, but you overcome and learn lessons that will be with you forever. Lessons, that may even help you save someone else.