Is it possible for a Christian to commit suicide?

I saw this mentioned on another forum, but that wasn't the place to bring it up. A few people said they believed that if anyone committed suicide, that means they weren't saved.

But Matthew 12:31 says differently: Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

It couldn't be more clear–any sin it is possible to commit is forgivable. So even though one cannot repent of a suicide, Christ's redemption covers all sins–past, present, and future. And if a Christian commits suicide, it will be just like when a Christian commits any other sin–he won't be thinking in the right terms. Suicide is sin, and probably one of the most stupid sins one can commit–but the only sin that will never be forgiven is the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit; so there's no other sin that it's impossible for a Christian to commit. Also, I think this verse is saying that EVERY sin except blasphemy of against the Holy Spirit will be forgiven someone at some point.

I've actually been thinking about this topic recently, and I agree with everything you just said. There's a reason I've been thinking about it more than usual, but it might be a bit over some of MV's younger users' heads–that's why I didn't post about it on Prayer Requests. So I'll wait to tell you until sometime when you're actually on.

That is a teaching that was originally propagated by the Catholic church, and I think some Protestants have just taken it on unknowingly and without thinking much about the implications. Catholic doctrine makes the distinction of "mortal" sins – sins which will send you to hell if you don't do penance to make up for them. Suicide is one of those mortal sins. And, obviously, if you die as a result of committing a mortal sin, there's no chance for you to do penance and cover over it, so you're basically screwed. =P

That is a teaching that was originally propagated by the Catholic church, and I think some Protestants have just taken it on unknowingly and without thinking much about the implications. Catholic doctrine makes the distinction of "mortal" sins -- sins which will send you to hell if you don't do penance to make up for them. Suicide is one of those mortal sins. And, obviously, if you die as a result of committing a mortal sin, there's no chance for you to do penance and cover over it, so you're basically screwed. =P

Very interesting–didn't know that! I just thought that some Christians, for some reason, thought that if someone bumped themself, it meant they weren't truly saved…

What about 1 John 3:15? It says that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. Suicide is murder; so how could a saved person - who has eternal life - be a murderer? How could someone who has trusted in Christ and repented of their sin, whose heart has been totally changed by God, do such a thing? Because of that verse and for those reasons, I don't think that a Christian can commit suicide, and if a profession Christian does then they really weren't saved in the first place.

What about 1 John 3:15? It says that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. Suicide is murder; so how could a saved person - who has eternal life - be a murderer? How could someone who has trusted in Christ and repented of their sin, whose heart has been totally changed by God, do such a thing? Because of that verse and for those reasons, I don't think that a Christian can commit suicide, and if a profession Christian does then they really weren't saved in the first place.

I agree. Perhaps only in a time of extreme weakness or if they have been overtaken by some mental illness. Christians are repeatedly defined in the Bible as having their hope set on Jesus and finding their strength in Him. To commit suicide shows that you are not trusting in God to deliver you from the trials being experienced. If God wants a Christian to be with Him, He will take his life at the proper time.
http://www.gty.org/resources/questions/QA143/can-one-who-commits-suicide-be-saved

The Bible also says that all liars will have their place in the lake of fire. Do the statements mentioned here mean that no murderer or liar can be saved? Not at all. They're not to be taken literally.

And just because you're not trusting God like you should doesn't mean you're not a Christian. Do you trust God like you should? Of course you're not going to commit suicide, but anyone who kills themself is clearly in a state of extreme weakness. Christians are not immune to even the most heinous of sins.

Amen! Even though I believe you can lose your salvation, I agree with you. (on this point) :)

I Agree with the rest of your post, but where you say <blockquote>They're not to be taken literally</blockquote>
I emphatically disagree, God always means what he says. When we are forgiven by Christ's redemptive work on the cross, we are no longer called murderer, or liar, we are called saints. yes we still are sinners, but as Christians, the Holy Spirit convicts us, and we repent. But we are no longer viewed in God's eyes as blamable; we are already forgiven. We are ex-sinners, given full pardon for all of our sins.

I Agree with the rest of your post, but where you say

They're not to be taken literally

I emphatically disagree, God always means what he says. When we are forgiven by Christ's redemptive work on the cross, we are no longer called murderer, or liar, we are called saints. yes we still are sinners, but as Christians, the Holy Spirit convicts us, and we repent. But we are no longer viewed in God's eyes as blamable; we are already forgiven. We are ex-sinners, given full pardon for all of our sins.

There are countless examples in Scripture of God making general statements, not meaning them literally. For just one example "Behold, I give you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." (I know it was an angel that said that, but an angel wouldn't say something God didn't command him to say.) Well, did it bring tidings of great joy to Herod or the Pharisees? Na-uh.

But still, you have another good answer to the questions asked me.

Amen! Even though I believe you can lose your salvation, I agree with you. (on this point) :)

Here's a very short read about losing salvation; I'll have another one for you when I find it: http://adam4d.com/lose-salvation/

Amen! Even though I believe you can lose your salvation, I agree with you. (on this point) :)

Okay; here's the other one: http://adam4d.com/former-christian/.

I Agree with the rest of your post, but where you say

They're not to be taken literally

I emphatically disagree, God always means what he says. When we are forgiven by Christ's redemptive work on the cross, we are no longer called murderer, or liar, we are called saints. yes we still are sinners, but as Christians, the Holy Spirit convicts us, and we repent. But we are no longer viewed in God's eyes as blamable; we are already forgiven. We are ex-sinners, given full pardon for all of our sins.

I wholeheartedly agree; this is what I was planning on saying. (However, although God does indeed always mean what He says, there are some parts of Scripture that have different meanings than the ones that they have at face value.)

Dude, you're a Calvinist! :-P You can't take every universal statement in the Bible literally.

Dude, you're a Calvinist! :-P You can't take every universal statement in the Bible literally.

Um. Isn't that what I just said? :P

Dude, you're a Calvinist! :-P You can't take every universal statement in the Bible literally.

Um. Isn't that what I just said? :P

No; you agreed with Miles's disagreement of my talking about literalness.

Dude, you're a Calvinist! :-P You can't take every universal statement in the Bible literally.

Um. Isn't that what I just said? :P

No; you agreed with Miles's disagreement of my talking about literalness.

Maybe it's just that "they're not to be taken literally" is not a good wording; it seems to open the door for compromise in other areas…

Dude, you're a Calvinist! :-P You can't take every universal statement in the Bible literally.

Um. Isn't that what I just said? :P

No; you agreed with Miles's disagreement of my talking about literalness.

That's not what I did. Look more closely; I affirmed that the Bible sometimes isn't entirely "literal," but in different words (for the reason that Matthew mentioned).

Maybe it's just that "they're not to be taken literally" is not a good wording; it seems to open the door for compromise in other areas...

Maybe I should have called it a "general statement."

That's not what I did. Look more closely; I affirmed that the Bible sometimes isn't entirely "literal," but in different words (for the reason that Matthew mentioned).

I guess I got confused when you said "I wholeheartedly agree", and got thrown off. You do have a better way of putting it.

I Agree with the rest of your post, but where you say

They're not to be taken literally

I emphatically disagree, God always means what he says. When we are forgiven by Christ's redemptive work on the cross, we are no longer called murderer, or liar, we are called saints. yes we still are sinners, but as Christians, the Holy Spirit convicts us, and we repent. But we are no longer viewed in God's eyes as blamable; we are already forgiven. We are ex-sinners, given full pardon for all of our sins.

There are countless examples in Scripture of God making general statements, not meaning them literally. For just one example _"Behold, I give you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."_ (I know it was an angel that said that, but an angel wouldn't say something God didn't command him to say.) Well, did it bring tidings of great joy to Herod or the Pharisees? Na-uh. But still, you have another good answer to the questions asked me.

But if their hearts had been turned toward God, it would have been a tiding of joy to them. What God says is true. A murderer who had been turned to God by God would suddenly be washed clean in the blood of Christ. But if God had not turned him to Himself, the man would have still been counted as murderer, and been condemned to hell. The same for liars. All men are liars, but those who have been turned to God are covered by the blood of Christ, and therefore are no longer counted as murderers, but as children of God.

By that definition, correct.

One can be depressed and commit suicide due to chemical imbalances in their brain and still be a Christian. Just a thought.

Who are you, again? I've forgotten.

:P

I agree that depression is no excuse. However, when Jesus died for the saved, all their sins were forgiven–past, present, and future. And in a sense, when we get saved, we repent of all the sins we'll ever commit–asking God to cleanse and save us is that of necessity, whether we think in those terms or not. If a Christian stole something and then died right away before having the chance to repent, would they go to Hell?

If a Christian stole something and then died right away before having the chance to repent, would they go to Hell?

That, and - what about a lie? The Bible also says that all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire.
Sin is sin. Murder is worse in our human eyes than lying, but both are rebellion against God. To be consistent with the viewpoint that suicide automatically leads to hell, you must believe that every "little" sin committed by a Christian, if not repented of, would also take them to hell. Which leads to some pretty serious consequences.

King David murdered… after he had clearly demonstrated that he was converted… but he was repentant, so it was clear that he didn't lose his salvation or anything. The key is repentance. I believe a Christian is capable of anything in a moment of weakness.

If people need to repent of their sins before they die, we're all in big trouble every time we sin. What if something horrible happened to us before we had the chance to repent? Is Jesus' sacrifice for us made null? Jesus covered all of our sins, not just the ones that we repent of. When I die, it's very possible there will be sins that I haven't confessed and repented of. Does that mean I need to be in constant fear of dying, because I don't know if I'll have repented in time or not? No. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Before I was converted, I committed millions of sins. When I accepted Jesus, I didn't remember them all! So I couldn't confess them. The same is probably true for everyone. The important thing is that CONFESS THAT YOU'RE A SINNER and repent of THAT.

Ooh, great point about David, Christian! I also like how you put the statement about Christians doing things in a "moment of weakness." I agree; I mean, there are certain sins that we sometimes think of as something a "real Christian would never do", but the Bible never says anything like that… and we know that Christians do sin… (not to excuse it or anything).

If people need to repent of their sins before they die, we're all in big trouble every time we sin. What if something horrible happened to us before we had the chance to repent? Is Jesus' sacrifice for us made null? Jesus covered all of our sins, not just the ones that we repent of. When I die, it's very possible there will be sins that I haven't confessed and repented of. Does that mean I need to be in constant fear of dying, because I don't know if I'll have repented in time or not? No. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Yeah, those are the serious consequences I was talking about. Thanks. =P

Ohhhhh, I think I get what you were trying to say now. Sorry for so grossly misinterpreting that. xP

No one's saying suicide is "not really bad" because of depression. It's still sin; but… well, let me ask this question:

What if I mildly lose my temper and utter something nasty under my breath, forget about it two minutes later, go several hours without repenting, and then forget about it and never recall doing it?

Okay; I'm sorry. I misunderstood you. But now let me ask you this: what if your pastor or your father committed suicide? Would you just assume that they were a false convert?

Okay; I'm sorry. I misunderstood you. But now let me ask you this: what if your pastor or your father committed suicide? Would you just assume that they were a false convert?

!http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/random-ness/images/9/9f/Darth_vader_no.gif/revision/latest?cb=20120616003315!

Or !https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSzQuB7z1GLrpTPy686zip1wuVPpOas-q3l7jOxIhEllzChU482!

I agree with Christian. David had eternal life abiding in him, didn't he? Also, Matthew 12:31 says that EVERY sin will be forgiven save blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. The Bible also says that all liars will have their place in the lake of fire. Have you lied since you got saved? What verses like that mean is that anyone who does such things will go to Hell APART from Christ–by nature.

I would add that "murderer" implies a practice of murdering – just as liar indicates a practice of lying. Christians will never make a practice of unrepentant sin. This is, in fact, what a big portion of 1 John 3 is about. Verses 4-10 deal specifically with the issue of people who make a practice of sin.

Additionally, Christians have been made innocent because Christ took their guilt upon Himself. So in that sense, they are no longer sinners.

I will say, Anna, that I totally sympathize with you and understand where you're coming from. I honestly think it'd have to be very, very rare that this happens – if it ever does. I think, theoretically, it's possible for a Christian to commit suicide, but I would seriously doubt the testimony of someone who committed suicide but had claimed to be a Christian.

And… what kind of problems?

Probably the ones we've been pointing out the whole time…

Probably the ones we've been pointing out the whole time...

I haven't seen any specific arguments against the applying the fact that Christ took on our guilt…

No, the problems she's talking about are the problems with her view that a Christian wouldn't commit suicide. =P

No, the problems she's talking about are the problems with her view that a Christian wouldn't commit suicide. =P

OH! smacks forehead I misread what she wrote. For some reason, I read it as "I see many, many problems with that opinion" where she really said "my opinion."
Okay; nevermind. Sorry for the confusion.

What do you mean by suicide. To me there are two types of suicide! Number one is like jumping off a building because you are depressed or something! I believe that that is wrong and you weren't saved! The other type is you are a christian in Iran or something, and if you go to a certain place then you are going to die or be tortured! I believe the second if done for Jesus (Oh and technically the second would be genocide because they killed him) then it is okay!

What do you mean by suicide. To me there are two types of suicide! Number one is like jumping off a building because you are depressed or something! I believe that that is wrong and you weren't saved! The other type is you are a christian in Iran or something, and if you go to a certain place then you are going to die or be tortured! I believe the second if done for Jesus (Oh and technically the second would be genocide because they killed him) then it is okay!

I mean the first. So okay, you believe that suicide is an unpardonable sin even though Jesus said that blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is the only one?

1 John 1:9 says "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleans us from all unrighteousness" Does that not also include murder or suicide?

But the question is, the person who commits suicide doesn't have time to confess his sin? I'm not saying that they are "unsaved" - I believe in irrevocable salvation except by denial.

Here's John MacArthur's answer to that. Imagine that a guy gets sinfully angry at his wife and yells sinful things at her. Then, he's so mad that he storms out of the house, gets in his car, and drives off. He's so mad that he loses control, crashes, and dies. The crash was an accident, but the last thing he did on earth was mistreat his wife. Will he go to Hell because he never repented?

I understand that there's a difference with suicide: that you know you'll never be able to repent. However, in such a dark moment for someone's soul, they won't be thinking about that. You would repent of it later if you could.

I'd like to point out that you don't "stay saved" by continuing to repent. If you are saved, you will most definitely be continually repenting, absolutely; but a believer who has unconfessed sin at the time of his death will still go to heaven. It's an undesirable possibility, but it's a possibility.

So the question isn't, "Will a Christian who commits suicide go to heaven?" The question is, "Is a person who is a Christian spiritually capable of committing suicide?" I have yet to give more thought to that one.