Today, suicide has become an alternative choice for relief of ones pain and suffering. It is trendy for the youth as well as the old to use some form of suicide to exit this life. For someone to even consider this means of losing their life it usually means they have lost all hope, it is the last resort. When one has no hope does not know God or have faith, suicide becomes one of the greatest acts of selfishness. For by doing this the individual fulfills his own desires and his own will, ignoring the catastrophic effects it has on others. One is so depressed and engrossed in there own hopelessness that they are not aware of how it affects there loved ones. So it is an end to suffering for themselves but for others it is only beginning.

Suicide is not just an American problem, it takes place the world over. 

Japan Times reports that Suicides in Japan topped 30,000 for the seventh straight year in 2004, with men accounting for more than two-thirds of the number, according to a report released by the National Police Agency on Thursday.

Suicides involving people aged 40 or older numbered 23,868.The report says 47.8 percent of the people who killed themselves were unemployed, and nearly 8,000 are believed to have killed themselves over economic or livelihood difficulties.

Health problems were seen as the most common reason behind the suicides this year, accounting for 14,786, or 45.7 percent of the victims, followed by economic and livelihood difficulties, with 7,947, or 24.6 percent. Family troubles came next with 2,992, or 9.3 percent of the victims, according to the NPA.. (June 3, 2005 - http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20050603a7.htm )

The Bible says we should not kill, this would include ourselves as well. To think suicide is a solution to our problems in this world, no matter how bad, is to be rescued by an anchor, it is not a lifesaver but a life taker. Today we hear about respecting peoples choices so it is applied to a woman killing her own child in an abortion or an adult making the choice to leave this world through committing suicide.  Jesus taught death is an enemy and not be embraced as an alternative. Though it may be popular to say death is only the other side of life and is blessing for all, the Bible speaks contrary to this.

Essentially it is God who is the giver and taker of life. Any time we make the choice in this matter we are saying that we want control over our lives. God is able to give us peace that passes all our understanding through any problem or trial. It is God one needs to seek, not a way out by death.

But we are to speak and act out on this, “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter” (Prov. 24:11). We are to do all we can to prevent death.

It has become fashionable for some to think that we can exit out anytime we want to without any consequences.

Many commit suicide as an alternative to pain believing that they can end they unbearable suffering they experience in their life. Fear of life, guilty conscience are tools of the enemy to overwhelm someone. They become wounded unable to cope and from there depression sets in. It is sin that is the enemy of all and it does not care who it ravages “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:15). David said oh happy is the man whose sins are forgiven. Many times being overwhelmed with guilt brings depression that can lead to one taking their life.

“Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life “ (Prov. 13:11-12). Even successful people commit suicide. Some who worked long and hard for their position and to have it all; when they finally arrive at their goal they find it empty and without fulfillment. Life becomes meaningless and they want out because they can’t cope with the hopelessness they now face. Jesus addressed this saying, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15)  “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and lose his own soul.” The want of the worlds pleasures and luxuries does this and suicide has one lose both their life and soul. Your most valuable possession is your own soul and nothing is worth losing it over or giving it away for.

Suicide is a prominent theme in music as a generation cries out having no hope. Today death and suicide are a consistent part of the Rock music lyrics as the artists voice their own despair in living in a fallen world. This prompts people to take others lives as well as their own. Ozzie Osborne became famous many years ago called the “Suicide Solution”: “Suicide is the only way out ... why don't you kill yourself cause you can't escape the Master Reaper...”, Eric Anderson, a 14-year -old fan committed suicide in response to the song. He told his father that he couldn't cope with the pressure. He then went into his room and took a .22 rifle and killed himself. When questioned about the suicides, Osborne defended himself by saying, “Parents have called me and said, 'When my son died of a drug overdose, your record was on the turntable.' I can't help that. These people are freaking out anyway, and they need a vehicle for the freak-outs.” I’m not sure he holds the same view now.

Dr. Kevorkian has publicly promoted euthanasia a form of suicide, under the guise of allowing people the “dignity” of dying on their own terms. An empty “noble” gesture for those who are in pain unable to take it any longer. While we certainly sympathize with those in the last moments of life, they need the gospel not a quick way out!

“But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death ”(Prov. 8:36).

Today it is popular to have what is termed physician assisted suicide. In Oregon last year the doctors issued 39 lethal injections resulting in 27 deaths. In some countries this is an accepted practice to exit the world when one is in unbearable pain.

In our world today you can find almost anything good and destructive with a few clicks of a mouse. On the internet there are websites that will explain how one can commit suicide. Instead of helping people they are an accomplice to murder, they may even be instigating it. There is no excuse for this.

We hear psychologists say the people that commit death are those with low self esteem, they didn’t love themselves enough. This is hardly true. They actually loved themselves too much and wanted a way out of their pain. For if they did not love themselves they would stay in the pain and like it. But instead they seek relief from their guilt ridden conscience. By not being disciplined in life they try to discipline themselves by the ultimate punishment. They seek release from those circumstances in the most immediate manner possible. Having said this, it does not exclude exceptions depending on certain individual circumstances. Illnesses like bi-polar depression and other conditions that would affect ones clarity of thinking.

Suicide goes against the commandments of God, it is murder. In fact, the sixth commandment tells us, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). This command is based on the sanctity of human life. We must remember that man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). We need to understand that the command, “You shall not murder,” has no specific object. It does not say, “You shall not murder someone else,” or “You shall not murder your fellow man.” It simply says, “You shall not murder.” The prohibition thus includes not just the murder of one's fellow man but even the murder of oneself. This is related to senseless killing without a purpose of protection or defense for life. God had given Israel the mandate to employ the death sentence to individuals who commit heinous crimes as well as for Israel to protect herself in war. For a person to kill another indiscriminately was to be avenged in God’s eyes.

Murder was regarded by God as a capital offense because of the basis of the image of God in man. It was to be punished even when caused by an animal (Gen. 9:5-6). It was reaffirmed to Noah in Gen.9:6 as an eye for an eye. There are numerous stipulations for accidents or killings with different circumstances. “Whoever kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness is not sufficient testimony against a person for the death penalty. 'Moreover you shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall surely be put to death ”(Num 35:30-31).

Having said all this I do not believe suicide is the unforgivable sin. However saying this does not negate what we do, we are held responsible for our actions. And with decisions of such a magnitude and with finality should not be made in a wrong state of mind.

There is no specific punishment mentioned for attempted suicide, (2 Sam. 20:23) no specific law is found in Scripture against this crime; it is inclusive in the prohibition against murder. Contrary to the pagan practices this act was held in deep abhorrence by the Hebrews because of the high value placed on human life. It was held inexcusable that anyone would end ones own life. Only a life that opposed God with unrepentance brought certain individuals to this point of despair, as with overwhelming remorse and regret with Saul (1 Samuel 31:4) and Judas (Math. 27:5).

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death”(2 Cor. 7:10). the sorrow of the world overwhelms people because there is no way out, no hope: unless one turns to Christ in true repentance.

Suicide is not the “unforgivable sin,” blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is (Mt.12). However God prohibits senseless murder of any kind. The exceptions are when it protects others from harm. To give ones life for another is a form of suicide. However it is with meaning and is actually the ultimate form of sacrificial giving. Samson being captured by the Philistines had his eyes plucked out and used as atrophy gloating over Israel. He was once a mighty warrior who backslid Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.” (Judges 16:30) Though blind He was able to see what His life had become. He repented and by his death he took the enemies of God with Him. It was not a useless suicide but had meaning. Samson took his own life (Judges 16:25-31), yet his name listed among the faithful of God (Hebrews 11:32).

Christians can be no different in feeling discouragement or having despair. Actually there are more forces that come against us to discourage a Christian, than there are for the unsaved in the world. When a believer ends his life he ends his opportunity for service to the Lord on earth. We find Christ’s ministry was one of suffering and he was perfected by it. Mark 9:12 “how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt?” All the apostles also went through great difficulty, the apostle Paul certainly did. When God chose him to be an apostle he said, “For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake.” (Acts 9:16) though he suffered the Lord was with him. The apostles were called to suffer and even die” God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death.” (1 Cor. 4:9)

The fact is that suffering is part of this life 2 Cor.1:6: “Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

There are various opinions of what happens to a Christian who commits suicide. This is an area that cannot be generalized and each person has their own story. Some end up committing suicide because of depression and did not get the right help or medicine. There are chemical imbalances that affect people so they cannot see or deal with reality right. Some are so overwhelmed with guilt and sin they see no way out. They have been convinced that God cannot forgive them anymore. Others are not informed and so they are not an overcomer but have been overcome. I don’t think we are able to judge in this area what was going on in a person’s heart at the time of their exit, only God would know. Prov. 14:32: “The wicked is banished in his wickedness, but the righteous has a refuge in his death.”

Any parent would sacrifice their life for their child, is considered by society a heroic act, not a cowardly one. To protect a child from harm where someone may lose their life or a soldier on the battlefield giving his life for another are heroic sacrificial acts.

Humanists and liberals think of Christ committing suicide. But he gave up his life so others might live. It had an eternal purpose and it was fulfilling the plan of God. It was not to end his suffering but the very opposite, he took our suffering upon himself for sin to be forgiven so we could be free.

Christians in the early century and even today die for their faith. Would this be considered suicide? Paul in his conversation with Festus entrusted himself over into Festus’ decision even if it meant death ““For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.” (Acts 25:11)

Jesus said if they lose their life for his sake they will find it. It is better to have lost your life for faith in Christ and gain eternal life than to lose it for selfish purposes. Rom. 8:17: “and if children, then heirs-- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

This kind of dying for Christ had nothing to do with religious groups such as the Jim Jones tragedy where over 900 people committed suicide or the heavens gate tragedy with 39 people. The people were following a lie and did something the bible says not too. They followed the deception of their leader into eternity.

Religions mostly do not approve of suicide with only a few exceptions. Younjin Phillip Moon was only 21, one of the thirteen children of Rev. Sung Myung Moon committed suicide on November 1, 1999, by leaping from the 17th floor of Harrah’s Hotel. Rev. Sun Myung Moon, leader of the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, teaches that he and his family are without sin. Steve Hassan, an expert on cult psychology and a former member of the Unification Church, said regarding the death of Moon’s son, “I feel tremendously sad and great pity for all of [Rev. Moon’s] delusions of grandeur. It must be tremendously tough to be a child of his.” Hassan notes that the church does not publicly condone suicide, but that within the group it is believed by some followers that suicide is preferable to betraying Rev. Moon.

So what is one to do in time of despair? “In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You, For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?” (Ps. 56:11-13)

Whatever life has thrown at you God is greater and he wants to give you a hope and purpose to live, your joy will be found when you allow God to have hold of your life and Christ makes all things new. God has plans that are good for all, The Devil and his kingdom wants to bring one to ruin. To choose the Lord Jesus is to choose life. He is there waiting to deliver you from the darkeness that surrounds you.

“For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, bound in affliction and irons--Because they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High. Therefore He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Ps. 107:9-15)