What does the Bible say about Suicide and Suicidal Thoughts? | Gotquestions.org

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In today's video I'll answer your question, what does the Bible say about suicide? Then afterward, as always,

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I'll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end. Suicide is a tragic reality in our fallen world.

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That people experience desperation to the point that they believe the best option is to end their own lives is heartbreaking.

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To lose a loved one to suicide prompts a range of questions and a special kind of grief.

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But the Bible offers hope, both to those who are considering suicide and to those who have been affected by the suicide of another.

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To those who are desperate, please recognize that suicide is not the best option. In Christ, there is hope.

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Also recognize that you are not alone. In fact, the Bible speaks of many who felt deep despair in life.

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Solomon, in his pursuit of pleasure, reached the point where he hated life Ecclesiastes 2, verse 17.

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Elijah was fearful and depressed and yearned for death 1 Kings 19, verse 4.

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Jonah was so angry at God that he wished to die Jonah 4, verse 8.

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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

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Corinthians 1, verse 8. But Solomon learned to fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind

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Ecclesiastes 12, verse 13. Elijah was comforted by an angel, allowed to rest, and given a new commission.

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Jonah received admonition and rebuke from God. Paul learned that although the pressure he faced was beyond his ability to endure, the

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Lord can bear all things. This happened that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God, who raises the dead 2

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Corinthians 1, verse 9. You too can turn to God. Paul wrote,

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Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the

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God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

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For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.

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You can experience that same comfort in Jesus. If you have trusted in Jesus as your

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Savior, you are a child of God, you have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and you have continual access to God in prayer.

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Referring to Jesus, Hebrews 4, verses 15–16 encourages, For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet he did not sin.

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Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

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Romans 8, verses 15–17 says, The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again.

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Rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship, and by Him we cry,

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Father. The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

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Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co -heirs with Christ—if indeed we share in His sufferings, in order that we may also share in His glory.

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Cling to the promises of God. Go to Him in prayer. The Book of Psalms might be particularly helpful.

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Reach out to brothers and sisters in Christ for encouragement. Believers are called to encourage one another and bear one another's burdens.

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Allow them to do so. On a more theological note, recognize that God, as our

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Creator, is the only one who is to decide when and how a person should die. We should say with the psalmist, my times are in your hands.

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Psalm 31, verse 15, God is the giver of life. He gives and He takes away.

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Trust Him with your days. Remind yourself of His character and His authority. Other believers are helpful in reminding us of truth.

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Ask them to remind you of truth. Much of the advice I just mentioned also applies to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide.

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Those who are grieving can remember that God is sovereign and each person's days are in God's hands.

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The bereaved can come to God with their grief and their questions. They can invite other believers to mourn with them.

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For the sake of clarity, we should state that suicide is a sin against God and others.

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However, suicide does not determine a person's eternal destiny. Our eternal destiny rests solely on God's grace.

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Those who trust in Jesus Christ are fully forgiven of every sin, and they receive eternal life.

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Those who reject Him remain condemned. If you are considering suicide, please seek help now.

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In the U .S., please call 988 -OR -1 -800 -273 -8255, the national hotline.

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Or get yourself to a hospital, or call 911. Or go alert someone in your home, apartment, or workplace, or wherever you are.

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Do whatever it takes to get help. Want to learn more? Subscribe so you don't miss the next video!

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Visit GotQuestions .org for more great content. And check out the details section below this video, there you'll find one book I recommend, along with links to several related questions.

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If you'd like to learn about Bible Munch, or if you're interested in Bite -sized devotionals, subscribe to Bible Munch on YouTube, it's linked right here.