Suicide Series

Introduction

I am starting a series of messages that I am calling, “What Does the Bible Say About…?”

I plan to tackle various topics, such as suicide, homosexuality, what happens after death, speaking in tongues, divorce, remarriage, and so on.

These messages will not be an exposition of a passage of Scripture. Rather, they will be an exposition of a particular topic.

In this message, I would like to ask, “What Does the Bible Say About Suicide?”

I hope that we will learn what the Bible teaches about suicide.

Scripture

I would like to read a passage of Scripture to set a foundation for what I want to say. I would like to read from the book of Deuteronomy. Moses wrote the book of Deuteronomy, and the passage I want to read is near the end of the book. It is Moses’ third speech, and in his final exhortation to the people of God, he is urging them to accept God’s covenant.

Let’s read Deuteronomy 30:15-20:

15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you today, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

Lesson

In this lesson, we shall learn what the Bible says about suicide.

Let’s use the following outline:

1. Foundation Considerations

2. Biblical Issues

3. Pastoral Concerns

I. Foundational Considerations

First, let’s look at some foundational considerations.

There are many considerations surrounding the matter of suicide. We cannot cover all of them in this lesson. However, let’s look at several questions.

A. What Is Suicide?

First, what is suicide?

A simple definition of suicide is “the act of taking one’s own life” (Ronald F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison, Thomas Nelson Publishers, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary [Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1995]).

A more comprehensive definition of suicide is “the taking of one’s own life, or causing it to be taken by another, regardless of motive, circumstances, or method used” (J. T. Clemons, “Suicide,” ed. Geoffrey W. Bromiley, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised [Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1979–1988], 652).

Suicide is sometimes described as “self-murder.”

Because suicide is the direct killing of oneself, it is different from indirect, unintentional, and accidental self-death.

The word “suicide” comes from two Latin words: sui, which means “self,” and caedere, which means “to kill.”

The word “suicide” does not occur in the Bible.

There are no laws in the Bible specifically against suicide.

Nevertheless, the Bible does give examples of suicide, which we shall examine shortly.

B. Why Do People Commit Suicide?

Second, why do people commit suicide?

There is no single answer to the question of why people commit suicide.

People who commit suicide have an overwhelming sense of helplessness, hopelessness, or worthlessness. Many circumstances lead to an act of suicide.

Some of the factors that may lead to suicide are unresolved feelings or events that eventually seem impossible to overcome. One writer notes:

Among them are depression, alcoholism, substance abuse, anger, revenge, illness, physical infirmity, loss of a loved one, loss of a close friend, loss of a job or other financial setback, public humiliation or loss of social status, and schizophrenia or personality disorders (Gary Stewart, Basic Questions on Suicide and Euthanasia: Are They Ever Right?, BioBasics Series [Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1998], 16).

Suicide is often seen as a solution to what appears to be an insoluble problem.

Sadly, suicide always causes more pain than it alleviates.

C. What Are Some Myths Regarding Suicide?

Third, what are some myths regarding suicide?

There are several myths regarding suicide. Here are some common myths:

• Myth: People who talk about committing suicide do not actually do it.

• Reality: Eighty percent of those who commit suicide have given some indication, especially in verbal statements. Comments such as, “I can’t see any way out” or, “You’ll be sorry when I’m gone” are definite red flags.