Bible Question: Is it a sin to committ suicide? |
Bible Answer: The Scripture tells us that "Whatever is not of faith is sin," [Rom. 14:23] and, "Without faith it is impossible to please God." [Heb. 11:6] So, to commit suicide is to be in despair and not to believe God is or that He can or will take care of the situation. Because of this, it can be dying in sin. However, a person may be suffering from a chemical imbalance and not realize what he/she is doing. In that case, it may not be sin. Only God can judge the situation. I have suffered from depression several times in my life. Because I was taught suicide was a sin by which I would not go to heaven, I did not actually attempt to kill myself. That is not to say that I wanted to live...I did not want to continue in the state of mind I was in. In that depression, I sought God through His word [I believed, but I wasn't sure if I believed]. Through His Word, I came to believe and I repented of my life and had a conversion experience whereby Jesus made Himself known to me and let me know in no uncertain terms that He loved me, died for me, and yet, without any hint of condemnation, showed me that what things had been done to me in my life were not what had made me sick, but my reaction to these things, though seemingly justified were sin and THAT is what had made me sick...and I was saved. Many years later I went through depression because of a severe thyroid problem that as yet had not been diagnosed. I knew the Lord this time, and hung on until I was led to find out what was needed to be done. It was a very different situation that time, though no more comfortable. All I can say from this is we really cannot judge another. For our part, if we are suffering from such a depression, we need to seek medical help and the Lord to remedy the situation...because, if it is a chemical imbalance because of a medical condition, we need to have it corrected so that we may serve the Lord and be in peace, which we should have if we are in the Word and physically well. I hope this is helpful to you. |