2 Cents

The other day I taught a class to a group of teenagers on the topic of suicide.

Suicide is a very real danger for teenagers and for many others who struggle with depression.  Satan is very adept at affecting our minds in such a way that we think thoughts that are extremely unreasonable and dangerous.

My heart goes out to anyone who has had a loved one commit suicide and also to anyone who is contemplating suicide themselves.  In my next post, Lord willing, I will speak to the reasons the Bible gives for not committing suicide - not the least of which is the fact that God loves you and has a purpose for you here on earth.

As I expected, during our class one of the questions the teenagers asked was, "If you commit suicide do you go straight to hell?"

The short answer is no, it is not guaranteed that such a person would be condemned eternally.  But this obviously needs more nuance and explanation.

It's very interesting to me how many people believe the Bible teaches that all who commit suicide go to hell.

So much confusion (not just on this topic) would be cleared up if people would actually read the Bible cover to cover.  The Bible never says anything like that.

Here's what it does say.

1. Murder is wrong (Gen. 9:6; Ex. 20:13)
2. Hell is the consequence of failing to put your faith in Christ and obey the gospel (2 Thess. 1:8-9; 2 Peter 3:7; Rev. 20:15)
3. God forgives all the sins of anyone who has become a Christian (Ps. 103:10-12; Acts 2:38)

If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us of all unrighteousness.

Someone who commits suicide can't confess and repent and ask for forgiveness for that sin.  So won't they go to hell?

Not for that reason.

First of all, have you actually asked forgiveness for each and every specific sin in your entire life?  Ever missed one?  Or hundreds?  Do you think that affects your salvation?  Of course not.  Jesus died for all your sins.

Not only that, but this is an incorrect understanding of 1 John 1:9.  In a previous post we talked about the importance of reading verses in context.  And lo and behold, if you look at verses 8 and 9 together our problem is solved.  Verse 8 reads...

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

So verses 8 and 9 are intentionally contrasted or juxtaposed to give us a picture of someone who denies their sinfulness and thus cannot be saved (forgiven) and someone who accept (or confesses) their sinfulness and thus can be saved (forgiven).

But what about the unforgivable sin in Matthew 12:31?  There Jesus says...

Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

Again, reading in context, the preceding verses show us that this "blasphemy against the Spirit" is actually attributing the works of the Holy Spirit to Satan himself.  That really has nothing to do with suicide.

In Conclusion 

If someone who is not a Christian commits suicide, yes that person would be condemned just like any other person who died apart from Christ through some other means.

If someone who is a Christian commits suicide, no that person would not be condemned because Jesus took the punishment for all our sins.