It should never have happened.
Isaiah Gonzales was found hanging in his bedroom closet, having committed suicide. Nearby was a propped-up cell phone, which his family believes he had used to livestream his suicide. He was only 15 years old and was just entering his sophomore year in San Antonio, Texas. Family members described him as happy and kindhearted.
His parents and older sister believe that he had become involved in a social media group game called “Blue Whale Challenge,” or simply called “Blue Whale Game.” The game is believed to have originated in Russia, and it was written off as a hoax by many experts. Hoax or not, it seems to have cost young Isaiah Gonzales his life.
The game itself is a 50-day challenge, where you are given a task to complete for each day. Many of the tasks are nothing more than psychological control by the administrator, and they progress to harming yourself (self-mutilation, such as carving a number on your hand or arm), finally directing you to commit suicide on the fiftieth day. If you fail to complete a task, you are sent threatening messages.
Isaiah had sent pictures of himself completing different tasks to his friends, but they just brushed it off as a joke. What a tragedy that they did not realize the danger that he was in! Meeting a challenge can be addictive to some people, and cyberbullying is evil and can end in death for some impressionable young people. No doubt it all seemed harmless at first, but that quickly changed. The grieving Gonzales family didn’t consider it to be fun and games — they had lost a son and a beloved brother. Now the Gonzales family is warning everyone about this dangerous game so that other tragedies can be avoided.
Two Tragic Deceptions
One school district in Alabama issued a warning to parents about this dangerous game. The game is spread on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. Wikipedia states that two people have been arrested in Russia in connection with this game. One person claimed to be the originator of the game for evil purposes, and the other person had set up a “Blue Whale” group inciting children to self-harm and eventual suicide. Many deaths around the world are supposedly linked to this game, though it is hard, if not impossible, to prove.
Who are you listening to? Isaiah Gonzales listened to the wrong voice, and it cost him his life. The Lord Jesus tells us who is behind lying and murder. He gives us a clear warning about Satan. This is what He says: “He [Satan] was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:4444Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)). Who we listen to and what we believe will determine our eternal destiny, for good or for bad.
There is a tragedy that is taking place all over the world today. People are dying without having found the peace God offers. They do not know God’s way of salvation. Instead, they go out into eternity, separated from God forever. In John 6:47,47Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (John 6:47) Jesus says, “Verily, verily [truly, truly], I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.” Our sins separate us from God. Because God loves us, He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die on Calvary’s cross for our sins. Jesus has paid our sin-debt towards God. It is God’s gift to us! All we need to do is believe it and receive it for ourselves. When our hearts are reached, we realize what a sinner we are before a holy and righteous God. When we repent of our sinful state before God and accept His gift of Jesus’ death for our sins, He promises us eternal life. It is perfect redemption! “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:99That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)).
Read The White Rose, which clearly shows, even on the brink of suicide, that God’s love and peace can be found.