On Suicide, pt. 2/3

See pt. 1/3

What is suicide?
Suicide is self-killing or self-murder. It is a compound word of sui (self) and caedere (to slay). It speaks of the act of self-killing, which was a crime in Canada until it was decriminalized in 1972.
Historically suicide was an immoral and criminal act, even as sympathy surrounded a situation.

​Today, the pendulum has swung to the opposite extreme where we speak of someone being the victim of suicide (as a mental health illness) and neutralize the language: “taking one’s life” “decided to end one’s life,” “loosing someone to [the battle of] suicide,” “dying suddenly.” This is what suicide is and two different views, one stressing responsibility and the other victimhood.

What does the Bible say about suicide?
As an effect of the Fall, suicide is almost as old as humanity. There are 7 passages that are clearly describe suicide in the Bible: Abimelech (Jud 9:52–54); Ahithophel (2 Sam 17:23); Zimri (1 Ki 16:18); Saul and also his armour bearer (1 Sam 31); Samson (Jud 16:28); and Judas (Mt 27:3–5). These can be categorized as self-sacrifice, cowardice in battle, folly and guilt. The two most famous are Saul (who through a series of faithless choices show himself to be an inglorious king) and Judas (whose guilt overcame him, yet note how Peter likewise betrayed Jesus but chose life…).

These two examples show us that suicide is not portrayed positively in the Bible. It does not love God. It defames the image of God and our responsibility to live the life God gave us to be stewards of, is contrary to our nature to preserve life and does not trust in the Lord but self. It also does not love others, bringing untold harm to first responders, family, colleagues and communities (not to mention breaking responsibilities to them).  Most clearly, it breaks the 6th commandment, thou shalt not murder. Murder is always immoral in the Bible from Cain, to violence in the days of Noah, to the 10 Commandments to Revelation that reminds us that all unrepentant sinners, no matter their crime, will not inherit the Kingdom of God (Rev 22:15).

Such Christian views, and other life-giving forces, formed the bulwark against suicide in the past. Today, with the decline of Christianity has come the rise of suicide. A Canadian Mental Health document notes: “Protective factors: Religious Beliefs- Moral objections to suicide and self-injury tend to be a factor in preventing this behaviour.”[1]

When it comes to suicide, Christians have always leant toward responsibility, all the while seeking to be gracious and sympathetic. We must balance truth and grace.

Biblically, why might someone commit suicide?
            Demonic possession (e.g. Judas)
            Temptation (responding to Satan’s voices)
            To end the pain, fear, guilt, hopelessness or loneliness, often the result of an accumulation of            bad choices (vs. turning from sin and trusting in Jesus, whose Gospel provides a solution to                  each)
            Revenge (yes, some people commit suicide as a twisted form of revenge)
            Believing lies vs the truth, confusion (i.e. the lie that suicide will remove the problem when                   in fact, being outside of Christ, it makes it worse—hell).
            Acute mental disturbance where the mind lacks cognitive ability (itself an effect of the Fall)
​
The emphasis on spirituality, morality and responsibility all strikes modern secularists as out of touch with reality. To them, our being is the sum of our brain and body. If our brain is ill, one cannot help but become the victim of its troubles. While there are mental illness we are born with or arise naturally, the choices we make can lead to a mental health problem and ultimately an illness (as in drunk driving, a series of bad choices can culminate in tragedy that still bears responsibility) (c.f. Martin Lloyd Jones, Spiritual Melancholy). However, even the brain is a mystery, even to leading psychologists. Little wonder, as we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps 139). Our Creator would remind us that we are not simply body, but body, soul and spirit. Here too lies a great mystery. It also reminds us that, in regards suicide, there is an ethical and spiritual component to our health, not merely mental. One needs a holistic view, both in terms of understanding and recovery. 

How to get/offer help?
While the immorality of suicide must be affirmed (truth) we ought also be compassionate (grace) toward those who are in the pit (Ps 40), for people in pits need someone to help answer their cries, ultimately the Lord. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide get help immediately, don’t rob yourself of the future. You can speak with a friend or family member, seek professional help (including a pastor), call help lines like 988 (Canada’s mental health hotline), or most importantly cry out to the Lord. Likewise, if you think someone is at risk of suicide you can call 988 for advise or take the ASSIST course for suicide intervention.


[1] Mental Health First Aid Canada (2019), Section 4, page 2.