The Sin of Suicide?

 

 

What lies beyond this world? "An undiscovered Country," says Hamlet as he contemplates taking his own life. Suicide, the killing of oneself has been around since ancient times. Self slaying is precipitated for several reasons. One is to protect a secret, an example being a CIA agent choosing to bite a tooth with a toxin and die. Another reason to take one's own life is for the sake of honor, an example being The Samurai of Feudal Japan who committed Harry-Kerry (suicide) if they were dishonored. However, the most common reason a person will take their own life is despair.

What becomes of a suicide? What does God do with someone who usurps his hand and takes their own life? Well, many attempts at suicide fail. The estimate is that ten to twenty million people try to take their own lives a year but fail. From that figure we can surmise that Christ, who holds the keys to death and hades did not want them to die. But what if someone succeeds in committing suicide, what then? Well according to Catholic dogma that originated in the Middle Ages, a suicide is sent straight to hell. No purgatory, no absolution. He or she that take their life is sent to the flames or so clergy believe. Martin Luther, the reformer disagreed. Luther instead claimed that suicide was no different than if a robber had assailed a person in the woods and killed them. He asserted that the person who kills themselves was overcome by the devil.

Suicide is on the rise. A friend of mine reported to me that their friend at school took their own life last week. No one is certain what became of the poor person's soul. Suicide is a sin. Is it a damnable sin? I do not know, but it is certainly a sin. It is first and foremost selfish, birthed in self pity and despairing to the point of not caring what will happen to others. A suicide leaves a trail of guilt for their family and friends to follow. Friends blame themselves, saying that if only they had paid more attention or watch for the signs, maybe they could have stopped it. Family members feel that what they had done, how they might have wronged their loved one drove them to this dark deed. The truth, a suicide made the choice, wither under demonic influence or not they slayed themselves.

There are many famous suicides in literature. In the ancient Norse tales, there is a warrior who throws himself on his sword. Romeo and Juliet commit suicide: Romeo with phial of poison and Juliet with a dagger. But these epic demises should not justify taking one's own life. Sucide is pure mutiny to God. It is usurping His Will and thus is very Satanic. I cannot say for certain what happens to a Suicide. Do they go to hell? I know not. But what a person pondering the dagger, poison, waters, and other means of killing themselves should think on is this: once you go you cannot come back. There is no guarantee that God will give you a failed suicide attempt. As one pastor so eloquently put it, "if you commit suicide, you may go to hell, but once in hell, you cannot commit suicide to get out."

I do not mean to mock or cause injury to any who read this post and have suffered the loss of someone to suicide. The Savior wants to comfort you and I wish I could give you a definitive answer on what happens to someone who takes their own life. But alas, there is no answer I can give. I wish like Hamlet I could say, "to die, to dream, yes to sleep," but I have no certainty. What I do know is that when it is our time to die, Christ shall meet us immediately and take us to paradise. Suicide is our selfish desire to escape our pain. But remember, Jesus choose to live to the last breath on the cross. He was crucified so that you may believe in Him and have eternal life. Do not jeopardize that constant truth with the confusion of taking one's own life. The risk is too great.

If you are contemplating suicide or intend to commit it, please call a hotline or talk to someone you can trust. Do not try to reach "the Undiscovered Country." For there you may find flame and torments that cannot be escaped with poison or steel. Turn instead to Jesus Christ and He shall help you find a reason to live. Live! No matter how painful it gets. The greatest recompense you can do to those who have hurt you is to live. Let your revenge be continued breathing, not a last breath. Do not give those serpentine people the satisfaction of slaying yourself! Instead fight back with staying alive and showing those people that they will not drive you to end yourself. Resist suicide and turn to the Lord! For he suffered on your behalf and wants to shower you with His Love! Choose to live and choose Christ! It will not be easy, life is hard, but it is worth it! At the very least live so that you may be certain of entering eternity with Jesus through genuine faith in Him. Finish the race and keep the faith. Do not take your own life, but make your life a light to show others Christ.

Addendum: Actor Robin Williams, know for his movies Hook, Dead Poet's Society, and many others committed suicide in his apartment. I know not if Williams was a born again Christian, pray for his family that in this hour of sorrow they may find salvation in a Christ Jesus.