Our fascination with Suicide

by Mark Congrove

Our world seems to be consumed with the idea of killing its own-- either in the womb or when life gets too hard, or when it just seems unlivable.

Having just finished the book of First Samuel, where we read of King Saul's demise, we dare not move forward without at least a word on the nature of Saul's death. With David's eulogy behind us, we cannot afford to dismiss the reality and difficulties associated with the kind of death he (Saul) died. For the text says that he fell upon his sword and killed himself (my emphasis). (I Sam.31:4). 

We live in a culture that is increasingly more defined by death than life-- fewer children, more toys, abortion still an operative choice for many, and the awareness that at least in certain European countries, their population is declining by rates that will extinguish their culture. It's not about it it will happen, but when.  So a few thoughts relative to suicide, seem to be in order.

First a definition

Suicide is to purposely take one's own life out of a misdirected self-love. There. is a moral difference between volitional suicide and suicide due to physiological factors such as a chemical imbalance, clinical depression, or an altered mental state. 

Some distinctions:

  • Between suicide and self-willed self-sacrifice of one's own life. Self-sacrifice might include military service, dying in defense of a friend (John 15:13), ministering to the sick, mission work, etc. (See also, John 10:18)
  • Suicide almost always occurs in response to suffering or anticipated suffering. This might include physical, emotional, or spiritual in nature and might encompass depression, financial troubles, protests, escape from punishment or from pain.

Arguments for Suicide: 

  • It's my body, I can do what I want with it.  
    • But wait a minute, Is that true? According to the Bible, our bodies are not our own ( I Cor. 6:19-20). Beyond this, we are image bearers and human beings, who live in community. When suicide occurs, grief ensues, with guilt and strained relationships. 
  • Encouraging suicide suggests that we believe there is no answer to despair and no comfort in affliction. 

The Biblical response to suicide: some examples 

  • Satan tempted Jesus to commit suicide: Matt.4: 5-6; Luke 4:9-11
  • The Philippian Jailer proposed suicide: Acts 16: 27-27
  • The Great Tribulation: Many will attempt to commit suicide  but will be unable to find solace in death: Rev.9:6
  • And then, there was King Saul: I Sam.31:1-6
  • Saul's armor bearer
  • Ahithophel: 2 Sam.17:23
  • Zimri: I Kings 16:15-19
  • Judas Iscariot: Matt. 27:3-5; Acts 1:15-19

Concluding thoughts

  • All of the biblical examples of suicide were men.
  • All of the examples are men of less than stellar character-- none are praised for their actions.
  • All were spiritually bankrupt  or went through a period of spiritual demise before their suicide. 
  • Many of the examples were in pain or afraid before the suicide. 
  • Suicide is not an unpardonable sin, but is judged to be sinful (Matt.12:31-32; Mark 3:28-29
  • Suicide is a sin against God as the creator and sustainer of life. It rejects God's sovereignty  with regard to life (Job 12:10)
  • Suicide is a violation of the 6th commandment (Ex.20:13)
  • Suicide clouds the image of God and the sanctity of human life (Gen.1:26-27; 9:5-6).
  • Suicide seems to represent poor stewardship of one's body (I Cor. 6:19-20).
  • Suicide depreciates the value of human suffering (Rom. 5:3-5; 8:28; 2 Cor. 4:17-18; 12:10).
  • Suicide fails to recognize the unnatural nature of death (Rom. 5:12; I Cor. 15:26; I Thess. 4: 13-18).

Suicide in the last word, attempts to wrench the control over our lives from God and make it our own.  While discussions of assisted suicide coming from those enduring great suffering, while difficult, must be answered in favor of God's ultimate control over our lives. 

MJC