Question about Suicide

What Does The Bible Say About Suicide?

Suicide is a tragic reality in our fallen world. That people experience desperation to the point that they believe the best option is to end their own lives is heartbreaking. To lose a loved one to suicide prompts a range of questions and a special kind of grief. But the Bible offers hope—both to those who are considering suicide and to those who have been affected by the suicide of another.

To those who are desperate, please recognize that suicide is not the best option. In Christ, there is hope. Also recognize that you are not alone. In fact, the Bible speaks of many who felt deep despair in life. Solomon, in his pursuit of pleasure, reached the point where he “hated life” — Ecclesiastes 2:17 “17 Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.”

Elijah was fearful and depressed and yearned for death — 1 Kings 19:4 “4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.”

Jonah was so angry at God that he wished to die — Jonah 4:8 “8 And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.”

Even the apostle Paul and his missionary companions at one point “were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself” — 2 Corinthians 1:8 “8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:”

How did these guy deal with it?

Solomon learned to “fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” — Ecclesiastes 12:13 “13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

Elijah was comforted by an angel, allowed to rest, and given a new commission.

Jonah received admonition and rebuke from God.

Paul learned that, although the pressure he faced was beyond his ability to endure, the Lord can bear all things: “This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead” — 2 Corinthians 1:9 “9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:”