RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2020-11-23	Suicide And The Bible
		There are six specific people in the Bible who committed suicide. (1) Abimelech (Jg.9:54); (2) Saul (1Sm.31:4); (3) Saul's armor-bearer (1Sm.31:4-6) (4) Ahithophel (2Sm.17:23); (5) Zimri (1Ki.16:18); (6) Judas (Mt.27:5). Five of these 6 men were known as wicked, except Saul's armor-bearer of whom nothing is said of his character. Some say Samson's death was suicide, but his intension was to kill Philistines, not himself. The Bible views suicide the same as murder. It is afterall self-murder. So it is a sin. God is the giver of life; He gives and He takes away (Jb.1:21). Suicide is ungodly because it rejects God's gift of life, and we are made in His image (Ge.1:26). When someone takes their life they presume upon themselves God's authority. Suicide is unique among the sins of humanity because the person who commits this sin cannot confess it and repent. There were plenty in Scripture who felt deep despair. Solomon, as he pursued pleasure came to the point that he “hated life” (Ec.2:17). Elijah was depressed and desired death (1Ki.19:4). Jonah was so angry at God that he wished to die (Jh.4:8). Even the apostle Paul “despaired of life itself (1Co.1:8). Yet none of these committed suicide. Solomon learned to “fear God” (Ec.12:13). Elijah was comforted by an angel, and given a new commission from the Lord. Jonah was admonished and rebuked from God and he moved on. Paul learned to “not trust in ourselves” but in the God who raises the dead (2Co.1:9). Suicide again is a sin, but is no worse than other evils in how God views it. Suicide does not determine a person's eternal destiny. It does deeply affect those who are left behind. The painful scares do not heal easily. If you or someone you know is considering suicide consider God your maker and ask for help. No matter how impossible life may seem, there is a God of love who desires you to let Him guide you through the despair. Jesus, the Son of God, is described as “despised and rejected” by everyone (Is.53:2-6). His life was full of sorrow, but the sorrows were not His own, but ours. He was crushed because of our sin, not His. Because of His suffering, our lives can be made whole. If you trust in Jesus He will guide you one day at a time (Ps.32:8; Pr.18:24). The Bible says those who place their trust on Jesus become a “new creation” (2Co.5:17) God stands ready to repair your “broken” life. Jesus quoted the following passage from Isaiah and applied it to Himself (Is.63:1). Isa 61:1 "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; Plus you can call 1-800-273-8255 for help now. You can even call 911. Just get help. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

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