Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 11/20/2006

Question
I was having a conversation with someone and he said that the only unforgivable sin is blastfamy. I disagreed and told him that if someone killed themself that they commit a sin and can not ask forgivness. please tell me your thought on this. thank you.
-christina


Answer
Hi Christina,

Thanks for this great question.  Often we form beliefs based upon tradition that has been passed down to us, unfortunately, often that tradition is not what God's perfect word the Bible says.  Here is what the Bible says.

Matthew 12:31-32
31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Suicide is not unforgivable.  God forgives before we even commit sins if we have trusted in Jesus as Savior.

Notice what the prophet Samuel who was called from the dead, who was in Paradise, said to King Saul:

1 Samuel 28:19
19 Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Now look at how Saul died.

1 Samuel 31:2-4
2 And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons. 3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.   4 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.  
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Saul committed suicide, but Samuel said that Saul was going to be WITH ME (paradise).

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don