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Suicide is a very common topic today, and a tragically common event. Moreover it is increasingly endorsed as a legitimate, honorable, noble, and even heroic act. The growing popularity of suicide (and “assisted suicide” and euthanasia) is consistent with current general trends toward violence and deception. But, God’s Word, the Bible, plainly presents suicide very differently; and God offers something infinitely better in its place.
This is a serious issue. Please take time to seriously consider an actual case of intended suicide as God has recorded it in His Word. It may help you, and it may help you to help another.
This historic incident took place in Philippi, a city in Macedonia (Greece) about 50 A.D. The account is found in Acts 16:23-32 and involves two prisoners, Paul and Silas (who had been arrested for preaching), and an unnamed jailor:
The Situation
“And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God; and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bonds were loosed.”
Man’s Solution
“And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.”
God’s Salvation
“But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying ‘Do thyself no harm, for we are all here.’ Then he [the jailor] called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out, and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ And they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.’”
This simple and wonderful story is a true case history—full of valuable insights into the subject of suicide:
The Jailor was in a Spot! When the jailor awoke, he assumed the worst. He did not know God. He had no hope in the mercy of God, and he knew what to expect from the Roman authorities if the prisoners for whom he was responsible were gone. He faced public humiliation and probable execution. But, like most who commit suicide, he assumed his circumstances to be worse than they really were. He saw his circumstances as hopeless because he did not see God in his circumstances.
But, God was on the spot! Mercifully, God had His man (Paul) on the scene to warn the jailor before he was able to do himself harm. The jailor heard Paul’s warning and eagerly sought further help.
Where are you? Perhaps you can in some way identify with this jailor. Then God’s message by Paul is for you, too: “Do thyself no harm. … Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Please take this opportunity, as the jailor did, to learn what he learned, and how it applies to you and to your situation.
Meet God. God’s solution to every one of our problems is His salvation, in one form or another. He presents Himself as “Savior God”—to be tried and proven as Savior in all circumstances and in every sense of the word. In the details of our failures, each of us is unique, and God deals uniquely with every man. But, we all have this in common—we all sin, and we all need Divine deliverance—not only from the eternal judgment we deserve but also in the circumstances of our lives. God is available and able to deliver.
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Have you come to God to obtain the salvation of your soul through our Lord Jesus Christ? If not, where would you send your soul by taking your life? Are you sure of going to heaven? Are you prepared to meet God as your judge? He has declared “after death, the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). You may be saved from your sins and from future judgment for them by trusting the Lord Jesus Christ right now. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” That is instant relief.
Now, if you have trusted our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal salvation, can you not trust Him for your difficult circumstances as well? God is still well able to shake prisons and to turn things for His glory. We might have expected Paul and Silas to have felt suicidal in their circumstances. But they prayed; and then they sang. If you are willing to begin by praying in your circum-stances, God can help you to sing in them as well.
Trust Him. Trust Him fully. Trust Him only. His ways and timing are perfect. His power is infinite. He knows every detail and He understands every feeling. His love for you right now is real and perfect; and He cannot fail. See 1 Corinthians 13:8, 1 Timothy 1:15, and 2 Timothy 1:12 and 2:13.
How does God view suicide? We may see God’s goodness in the jailor’s case above and yet be confused by the many arguments made in favor of suicide. However, these arguments, as appealing as they may be, are more false and hollow than a grinning Halloween pumpkin. Let’s face the facts:
Suicide is mortal sin in the truest sense. By definition, it is self-murder—a hideous, immoral, and irresponsible act which is condemned by the sixth of the Ten Commandments: “Thou shalt not kill.” Exodus 20:13. God has plainly condemned it, and that should settle it for us, but there is more.
Suicide has very bad associations. The Bible cites six clear cases of suicide—all ungodly men (Abimelech in Judges 9, Saul and his armor-bearer in 1 Samuel 31, Ahithophel in 2 Samuel 17, Zimri in 1 Kings 6, and Judas in Matthew 27). Suicide is not an act of faith or of the fear of God. One who chooses suicide chooses the worst company in Scripture (and in history as well).
Suicide is cowardly, cruel, and selfish. Consider again the jailor: Awakened suddenly at night and fearing the worst, he acted to take his life—hardly considering the distress his impulsive act might cause his family. But God’s intervention through Paul, included his family: “Thou … and thy house.”
Suicide is futile—a fatally false solution. Instead of diminishing difficulties, it increases them. To the grief and guilt which those left behind may suffer, it adds the burden of burial, unanswered questions, and unfinished business. Moreover, suicide robs God of a special opportunity to glorify Himself in the salvation of the particular individual and the specific situation involved.
Few who read this have suffered as much as Job—the main man in the Book of Job in the Bible. In a rapid sequence of violent events, he lost his children, wealth, health, and even the comfort of his wife, who told him to “Curse God and die.” She virtually suggested suicide. But Job answered her wisely, “Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” Job had begun to learn submission under the hand of God. Ultimately, “the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning.” Job. 42:12. Later in Scripture, we get more light on Job’s terrible trial: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13. “Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” James 5:11.
Suicide is against God’s nature. Life is God’s idea. He created it. Life is good merely because He gives it. He calls Himself “the Living God” and “the God of the living.” The Lord Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10. God says, “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing, therefore choose life.” Deuteronomy 30:19.
In summary, God condemns suicide. It is serious sin—a response to circumstances rather than to God, a reaction of feelings rather than an act of faith. It is not God’s way, and God’s way is best. “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21. If you have been considering suicide, stop now. Choose life—and God’s blessing. Take your despair, distress, and doubts to our Lord Jesus Christ. He invites you now, and His loving invitation is backed by His promises. He is as good as His Word. He says:
“Come unto Me: Hear and your soul shall live.” “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest for your souls.” “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. Isaiah 55:3, Matthew 11:28-29, John 3:16.