Is Suicide Demonic?

There are matters upon which the Bible is silent, one of those is suicide. Contrary to Medieval Roman Catholic dogma, Scripture does not mention if a person who commits suicide goes to hell. Martin Luther believed that any individual who commits suicide was “overcome by the devil.” Luther is one of the first Protestants to indicate suicide is spiritual, that demonic powers can entice humans to self slaughter. 

There is support for Luther’s claim in the Old and New Testaments. The most notable suicides are King Saul and the Apostle Judas Iscariot. We are told Saul had a demonic spirit torment him after he disobeyed and turned his heart from God: 

“Now, the Lord’s Spirit had left Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. 15 Saul’s officials told him, “An evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Your Majesty, why don’t you command us to look for a man who can play the lyre well? When the evil spirit from God comes to you, he’ll strum a tune, and you’ll feel better.”

17 Saul told his officials, “Please find me a man who can play well and bring him to me.”

18 One of the officials said, “I know one of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem who can play well. He’s a courageous man and a warrior. He has a way with words, he is handsome, and the Lord is with him.”

19 Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”

20 Jesse took six bushels of bread, a full wineskin, and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul. 21 David came to Saul and served him. Saul loved him very much and made David his armorbearer. 22 Saul sent this message to Jesse, “Please let David stay with me because I have grown fond of him.”

23 Whenever God’s spirit came to Saul, David took the lyre and strummed a tune. Saul got relief from his terror and felt better, and the evil spirit left him.” (1 Samuel 16:14-23) 

King Saul then committed suicide after a battle: 

“Then Saul said to his armorbearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and thrust me through and abuse me.” But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it. 5 And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword, and died with him.” (1 Samuel 31:4-5) 

If we connect that Saul had an evil spirit and committed suicide, we can ascertain there is a link. This hypothesis is strengthened by Judas Iscariot’s story: 

“ Then entered Satan (the devil) into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Jesus unto them.” (Luke 22:3-4) 

The devil entered Judas and after betraying Christ He committed suicide: 

“ When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders.  “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27:4-5) 

Now some may claim you cannot say suicide is produced by evil spirits, but one cannot ignore the connection between demonic possession and suicide; that Saul and Judas were both possessed and both committed suicide. 

Recently a Pastor named Jarrid Wilson committed suicide. Brothers and sisters in Christ are left asking how could this happen? I believe Luther is right, suicide is demonic, it takes the devil or his minions to so oppress someone that they bypass the survival mode in the brain that says “live..live..live.” In fact, those calling this mental illness aren’t wrong, the demonic affects the mind (1 Peter 5:8), and we are at war with the demonic, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) 

Here are some encouraging verses to guard our minds: 

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13) 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:6-8)

“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) 

“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) 

We must guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. As Suicide rates rise in the world, we must remember it is demonic and mental illness can be caused by devils afflicting the mind. Yes sometimes its a chemical problem, but we must not rule out the possibility that Satan or his angels (Revelation 12:4-12) can influence the mind and emotions; for the Apostle Paul was afflicted: 

“We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.  In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from deadly peril, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.” (2 Corinthians 1:8-11) 

and “We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:18). 

If Paul was so resisted and afflicted, we too should expect nothing less! For Paul counted himself the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) and we are all equal in Christ (Galatians 3:28, Acts 10:34 KJV). 

So if you are battling suicidal thoughts, I urge you to tell someone you trust (a parent or friend), call the Suicide Hotline, and to seek Christian brothers and sisters to pray for you, “And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.” (2 Corinthians 1:11). Do not let the devil who hates us men and women who are made in the Inage of God (Genesis 1:26-27) entice you to self destruction. Resist the evil one and his plan to snuff your life out and place your confidence, hope, and trust in Christ Jesus who urged you to live. For The Lord Jesus had you be born, and He holds the keys to death and hell (Revelation 1:17-18, Hebrews 2:14-15). If Christ wants someone home He calls them, you may not force His hand with suicide! For I heard of a man who attempted suicide in front of his wife and kids, and awoke in hell fire, and Jesus told Him he would be allowed to return to this world and must warn those who do not believe (John 3:16-18) of their doom. Place your faith in Jesus and live every second to the fullest! Amen.  

One last thing, we do not know what becomes of a suicide in the afterlife. But I urge that if the Bible is silent on it, do not do it. Who wants to risk an uncertainty and possibly end up in hell.