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October 24, 2016

Ep.941: Is Suicide an Unforgivable Sin?

Biblical understanding and the social stigma of suicide

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CHAPTERS

[00:19:00]
How often does the Bible talk about suicide and despair?


[00:37:11]
Once you acknowledge despair, where do you go?


[01:14:52]
Where do you find hope when you are so overwhelmed?


[01:32:54]
Once we see hope as a real possibility, what should we do next?


Theme Scripture: Psalms 38:4

Sometimes we forget that life is precious and it is worth fighting for. When someone dies as a result of suicide, that fight has been lost. When we lose a loved one to suicide we might ask ourselves; have we become so entangled in the web of social standing and status that we somehow stepped over and ignore our loved one who was struggling with being able to hold onto the sacredness of life? Were we so absorbed in our own stress and schedule that we were blind to our loved one’s battle or did they do such a convincing job of hiding their pain that the whole thing was just a shocking tragedy? What happened to our loved one that they found themselves drawn downward into a vortex of torment and suffering so dark that they despaired of life itself? How do we better understand and cope with suicide? How does God treat those who take their own lives?

Continue Reading

It goes without saying that suicide is difficult to talk about for several reasons.  First, it hits way too close to home - you probably know someone who has taken their own life or attempted to do so unsuccessfully.  Second, it is a grief-filled issue - no one wants to look at or think about death by suicide and its ripple effects.  Third, it is really hard to understand - what triggers such a dire and final choice?  For me, these three reasons made this a trying podcast to research and deliver and yet, ultimately researching and delivering it was the best thing that I could have done.  I learned a lot!

The necessary research of suicide put understanding right in front me.  I tend to have an analytical mind and listening to the several individuals who attempted suicide (whose experiences are featured on our podcast) was incredibly enlightening.  Absorbing the thinking, the circumstances and the psychological imbalances they all spoke of satisfied the analytical part of me.  I now better understand the illness and imbalance that are attached to such a drastic choice and have a clearer sense of the need for the right kind of help and medication for those who are in need.  I now understand that suicide is a social issue and not a crime.  These people are not attention seekers or cowards or selfish; they are simply hurting human beings who can no longer cope and who cannot see any other way out of their pain.

The delivery of the suicide research overwhelmed me with compassion.  To read, hear and learn about something is valuable, but to digest and talk about it is life-changing.  Those of us who are in the lives of people who suffer from the debilitating issues that can lead to suicide CAN make a difference – we can make a dramatic and perhaps even a life-saving difference by being aware, being educated but most importantly by being a friend.  We need to look up from our electronic devices, notice the people who surround us, and with heart and compassion be willing to reach out and be available to them.

Please check out our October 24, 2016 podcast, “Is Suicide an Unforgivable Sin?” It is a little tough to listen to due to the intense content but the benefits we hope you walk away with can help to save a life!

 

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3 replies
  1. Donna Bowman
    Donna Bowman says:

    But did we answer the question about suicide being unforgivable? If so, I must have missed it. I listen closely, but heard more of what we should do to prevent..Is it forgivable?

    Reply
    • Christian Questions
      Christian Questions says:

      Thank you for your question. Quoting from the program/CQ Rewind: Suicide is not related to the “unforgivable sin:”
      Hebrews 6:4-6: (NASB) “in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put him to open shame.”
      This talks about denying the ransom as it applies to yourself after you have given your life to the Lord. Is letting the distractions of life interfere with our relationship with God the same as “falling away” from Him? No. That would be interpreting human weakness for a human choice. Sometimes we fall down or get distracted. Sometimes we get depressed, but in our heart if we still want to serve God and be like Jesus, even though we fall down, we are not in line for this type of sin. This unforgiveable sin is a clear and informed decision (not a reaction or emotion) to walk away from God – after having been deeply blessed and filled with His Spirit. Only those individuals who have received the Holy Spirit are even liable to this. It is a conscious choice. The decision for suicide is based in despair, grief, sorrow and hopelessness, and while it is a choice, it is clouded with distress.
      So we believe God forgives suicide and we look forward to the kingdom when the causes of that untimely death are repaired and removed so that those individuals can be healthy again. – Christian Questions

      Reply
  2. Ron Di
    Ron Di says:

    Is suicide then consistent with faith in God, or particularly Christ? Suicide is losing hope, even faith in God. for if you have faith in God, you will continue to have hope.

    Heb 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 
    Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

    Reply

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