Expert: Phillip Senn - 6/18/2009

Question
Hi Phillip,
What do the scriptures tell us about suicide ? Both old & new testament ?
Is suicide forgivable ? Would suicide be concidered an unpardonable sin by
God ?

Your opinion, guidance and advice is appreciated !!
Thank You for taking the time to answer !!
Ron

Answer
Ron,

There are occasions in Scripture where people took their own life. Some took their own life by falling on a sword or in having someone thrust them through with a sword. In the New Testament, we find only one case of suicide, that I am aware of, and that was Judas.

Is suicide unforgivable? There is no indication that it is. Actually, the only sin that is unforgivable is blasphemy of the Holy Ghost.

The reason suicide is often thought of, by some, to be the unforgivable sin, is because they have a misguided concept of how sin is forgiven. They undoubtedly believe that a person must turn from practicing that sin to get forgiveness, and therefore, because they can no longer turn from it, they cannot be forgiven. This is wrong theologically. I know of only One, Jesus Christ, that had a perfect life without sin. He died for those that sin.

The Scriptures make it clear that all people that have received Christ by faith have Eternal Life. They do not get this gift from God through turning from the practice of all sins. They get this life as a free gift, through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. So how does this fit into the scenario of one that commits suicide? If they have received Christ, they will have the Holy Spirit abiding in them. The Holy Spirit guides them NOT to commit suicide or any other sin. He guides them to obey God and seek to honor God in their life. But many do not seek to follow the Lord's direction, or they do not get the proper teaching from Scripture.

In any case, it is our responsibility to seek to honor the Lord in our lives, and we should never even consider dishonoring His temple, which is our body. When we do, we not only sin against him, but also against our body. But that sin is dealt with, as any sin would be, through the blood of Jesus. If we are believers in Christ, we have been justified from all things, and therefore would be with Him in Heaven.

A word of warning is justified though. Every saved person will stand before the Bema (judgement seat of Christ), and give an account for everything done in the body, whether good or bad. The lost, those that have never received Christ, will stand at the Great White Throne judgement, and be judged for all that their works. Forgiveness does not give a blank check to do whatever we want. It frees us to honor the Lord.

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn