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SUICIDE: THE WAR FOR YOUR SOULBy Abby Charland In this present time, there has arisen a spirit of fear and despair in some of the people of God, manifesting as the temptation to commit suicide. Many are asking for counsel in regards to this painful and troubling issue. As shocking as it may seem, some Christians are wondering if suicide is sometimes justified, and therefore also wondering if they might still attain eternal life in heaven after killing themselves. Some have even gone so far as to ask men and women appointed to a role of leadership amongst the people of God to validate suicidal inclinations and even to endorse the idea that suicide is understandable, a pardonable sin, covered by the blood of Jesus. There certainly are many disturbing factors to consider here. The most obvious is that such a great many of the Christian faith are so distressed. One realizes, in witnessing the prevalence of this problem currently facing the church, that it is necessary to address it, not from the standpoint of the world, but from a biblical standpoint. Another troubling factor in this situation is the lack of direct relationship with Jesus, who has told us that He is the only Way to God; so many Christians these days, rather than exert the effort to seek out the heart and mind of God, through the Holy Spirit, and in following the example and teaching of Jesus and through study of the Holy Word, instead put their faith in humans and human organizations. This spirit of weakness and, to be direct-- this spirit of laziness-- decays the faith of not only the individual who is struggling, but also can undermine the well-being of the Church as a whole. Each one of us is required to work out our own calling and election. In Philippians 2:12 we read, While it is a good and proper thing for any who count themselves as members in the body of Christ to seek support and encouragement from each other, to “bear one another’s burden” (Galatians 6:2), it can be a pitfall for any Christian, who, rather than develop a true reliance upon Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and God’s Word, instead submits his or her life and will to limited human understanding by seeking the wisdom of men rather than the wisdom of the God. In Galatians 6:4-5 each of us are instructed to “prove” our “own work” and “bear” our “own burden”. So the advice here implies a balancing of responsibility to love one another with the responsibility to hold ourselves accountable to God. In Galatians 6:7 we are admonished, Rather than expect those appointed to leadership in the Church to constantly attend to our needs, perhaps we should seek to become spiritually strong though our own relationship with God through Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and through knowledge of holy scripture. We who rely on the faithful service of those that God has called to leadership might carefully consider how our failure to rely upon God and our avoidance of the study of scripture could distract such people from their endeavors to serve God and the Christian community. There is a distinct difference between asking for encouragement or guidance and spiritual weakness brought about through spiritual sloth. This might seem harsh, but considering the gravity of the consequences of suicide, such a blunt assessment is intended only to warn everyone involved, adequately and honestly addressing the very real dangers inherent involved in this particular issue. This writer does not intend to hurt those who are hurting, but rather to warn them of their peril, and to redirect those who falter at the edge of the abyss to the biblical guidance so generously provided by God to every member of the household of faith. DEFINING SUICIDE To more completely understand what suicide is, it is useful to compare it to the concept of murder, since it is murder which has a comparable degree of intentionality and premeditation to it. Murder is defined by Merriam Webster as: “the crime of unlawfully killing a person especially with malice aforethought.” So, to see how suicide and murder are related, one can see that both require conscious choice, some degree of pre-meditation, and a degree of malice, (“malice” meaning simply that the intent to cause harm underlies the behavior). Murder is the intentional killing of another human without justification, legal or moral. PROPAGANDA OF DEATH This is the typical manipulative propaganda that almost will certainly precede widespread physician-assisted end of life “care” (suicide). Even now, the withdrawal of treatment is increasingly viewed as cost-effective and compassionate. Patients are encouraged to obtain living wills and advanced directives, with the particular intention of limiting life-saving medical intervention such as provision of nutrients and fluids. DNR orders (Do Not Resuscitate) are held in place by rule of law. This prevents medical professionals from reviving a patient, even when they normally would do so and even when the patient would be restored to a conscious state. While in many cases, the endless and costly continuance of life that requires machines to keep the person physically alive while they are “brain-dead” can be seen as a useless interference with the natural death of a person, the DNR is often used in quite a different situation, when the patient has simply determined that they no longer want to live. Whether this is right or not is not the point here. The point is how the public is increasingly being numbed to the idea of the withdrawal of inconvenient or costly care, with the intention of an increased the social acceptance of medically imposed death and assisted suicide. As societies increasingly implement policies of eugenics and genocide such as abortion, homosexuality, population control and war, cultural propagandists also are increasingly using media platforms to encourage and justify murder and suicide. Racist violence, spouse abuse, child abuse, abortion, police violence, political violence, and violence against the self are all on the increase. Torture and genocide are continuously represented as necessary and justified by politicians and in the media.
THE CHRISTAIN PATH In 1 Peter 5:6-11 we read, In this passage quite a bit becomes clear. That it is the hand of God that we must intentionally submit to, and that if we are obedient in this respect, we will ultimately be blessed. That God is the One who we should cast our cares upon, for he cares for and loves us perfectly. That we must be ever watchful for the presence of the Adversary, who seeks to violently assimilate us, and that while he may accomplish this in those who are not saved, our course must be different. That the God of all grace, though Jesus, promises to help and calm us, to perfect us, for the purpose of His glorification and towards the establishment of his kingdom. The new morality of Marxist/Feminists speaks of how women are twice made to be victims if they are “forced” to carry an unwanted pregnancy, as in the case of rape or incest. Facts not tolerated in the discussion include, for example, the reality that the only force involved is the force of the termination of the pregnancy. They want to describe the most innocent and vulnerable of lives as a “fetus” or a mass of cells, even likening it to an invasive tumor. They never want to admit that without imposing violent force, that a human being will be born and live a life. That since this child had no part in the crime that took place at the moment of its conception it should not legally have to pay the ultimate penalty as the ultimate innocent bystander. And the fact that a new life can come into the world as a consequence of a crime, speaks more to the grace and healing love of God than to the victimization of women. This is an example of how the manipulation of definitions and the artful employment of subtle emotional manipulation to obfuscate and confuse is one way that people can be deceived into misunderstanding and error. It is quite legitimate then, to ask if the definitions currently used around suicide adequate to define the spiritual dilemma of the Christian, who is engaged in spiritual warfare. To answer this specific question, one needs to contemplate the point of view of God, the Creator of life, and the point of view of Satan, the enemy of life. For the purpose of this article, we will look to the Holy Bible to apprehend an understanding of these opposing perspectives. In this analysis, it is of also necessary to study the underlying mental processes that affect the individual human, the societal decay that may exacerbate or even foster suicidality, and the innate human strengths and weakness that have been exploited by certain societal structures, such as media, education, and the government. Finally, it is vital to understand suicidal thinking and behavior from a biblical perspective as well. In this examination of the underlying motives of the human being who is struggling with suicide, it is hoped then, to explain and magnify the spiritual prescription for this spiritual dilemma. DIVINE PERSPECTIVE AND HONEST SELF-EXAMINATION IN A SCRIPTURAL CONTEXT How so? Let us first ask some hard questions.
As Christians, we are already under the redemption of the blood of Jesus Christ. We have been saved, therefore, from the curse of sin and death through his sacrifice. In 1 Corinthians 15:22 we read, And in Galatians 2:21, we read, What is the Word of God telling us here? Perhaps that to try to attain redemption through the Law (in self-righteousness or through exertion of self-will) is to frustrate (hold back) the grace of God, and if a professing Christian chooses self-will over the provision of God, he makes the sacrifice of Jesus meaningless. And when a person commits self-murder, they intentionally turn from the will of God to their own (albeit false) self-righteousness. Certainly, there can hardly be a more grievous sin, than in denying the priceless gift of the atoning blood of Jesus. To make his life and death meaningless, would be the ultimate act of arrogance, and certainly a sin against the Holy Spirit. In this light, let us consider the situation of Moses, who, when told by God to “speak” to the rock in the desert, to bring forth water for the people, was disobedient, and instead struck the rock, not once but twice. It is significant that Moses was angry and in this action said, In this bold statement, Moses makes HIMSELF the judge of the people, and expresses HIS OWN authority in the rebellious act of smiting the rock, not just once, but twice. He also puts himself in the role of God as provider, not with grace, but with judgement. This is a picture of a human (Moses) misusing the gift of God’s grace through an action of the human will, rather than asking to receive it, as God had instructed him. There is a warning here to any who feel that it is their proper role to pronounce judgement against themselves or others, especially those of the household of faith. The consequences for usurping the authority of God and misappropriating his blessings are illustrated in Numbers 20:12, where God says, “Because you believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore shall ye not bring this congregation into the land which I have promised them.” In other words, as a consequence of his unbelief, Moses was denied entry into the Promised Land. How does this relate to how God might judge suicide? Let us consider the rest of the story. Consider John 3:16, Because salvation is an underserved gift, the only way, it seems, to be excluded from this gift would be to willfully choose to reject it. It seems that suicide is a particularly dangerous idea because of it is a person’s final act. So it is particularly dangerous for any Christian to take such an action, based on an attitude of judging God’s times and purposes, whether this is out of anger, fear or despair. Suicide therefore can be recognized to be a willful usurpation of power that belongs in God’s hands, and a denial of the gift of salvation by grace. THE CHRISTIAN SACRIFICE So, the acceptable sacrifice of the Christian is to live a life dedicated to God, to lay down that life in daily service to God, to live for Him, out of love, gratitude and obedience, and certainly not to commit self-murder. It is to live a life devoted to the glorification of God, the daily subjugation of the self, and therefore certainly not ever desirous of God’s position or authority. This was beautifully-- and perfectly-- accomplished by our Lord Jesus in his life on earth. It is important to remember daily the heavenly provision of grace. The Adversary accomplishes murder through lies and manipulation. He appeals to human resentments, selfishness and fear, constantly attempting to manipulate us into serving his evil agenda, rather than serving God. Satan wants only death for humanity and the destruction of God’s creation. It seems that suicide of a Christian would particularly delight him, as it enlists our cooperation in the denial of Jesus’ power to save us. When a Christian is engaged in spiritual warfare and contending with the specific question of suicide, in strengthening their belief in the salvation of Jesus Christ he or she can mightily be protected. In Romans 8:28, we are assured, When a person’s faith is challenged, the prayer to God to help our unbelief is probably the most important weapon in our arsenal. In Mark 9: 23 and 24, we read the story of a Jesus casting a demon out of a child: Here we have exactly the same temptation set before Jesus. Notice How Satan uses scripture and also subtly tries to entice Jesus into an attitude of pride in the God’s promise of protection. Jesus’s response clearly puts this promised protection in the context of obedience to God’s will, by responding with the appropriate word (from Deuteronomy 6:16). Notice how the Jesus made use of scripture to refute the temptation. Knowledge of scripture is a strong defense against the treacherous manipulation of the devil. EARTHLY REWARDS VS HEAVENLY REWARDS THE FATHER OF LIES AND THE FIRST MURDERER Now, the serpent knew very well what God said. This question was not asked for the purpose of understanding God’s law, but to treacherously imply that perhaps God was a liar. This kind of insinuation took advantage of the naïve and innocent woman, who did not hear of forbidden fruit directly, but through her husband. The bible tells us in Genesis 2:16 -17 that when God told Adam the “rules”, Eve had not yet been created. So, one can infer that Eve was most likely was relying on what Adam had told her. (The vulnerability of people who rely on the understanding of others cannot be emphasized enough!) Now, one has to note here that many will be offended by this description, in that many these days have a spirit of resentment against God’s laws and the structures of authority that are built into human relationships. In Genesis 2:18 we read that God made the woman to be a helper to the man. This is not in the least bit degrading to the woman, as the Marxist/feminists would have us believe. Rather, it is simply one example of the interdependence and balance in relationships, found everywhere throughout creation. To deny that there is an order to creation is simply to live in delusion. Does anyone deny the obvious fact that animals and plants have an order to them? Does the carrot eat the rabbit? Even the Darwinians must acknowledge the natural order. It is something to resent, for example, that the planets have relationships and defined paths around the sun, or that the electrons spin around the nucleus of an atom? Can any earthly creature rebel against the physical requirements to eat, or to drink, or to sleep—and expect to long survive? Just as a woman relies on her husband for provision and protection, the man relies upon his wife for tenderness and understanding. These qualities are neither superior nor inferior, but complimentary. Likewise, the children are dependent upon their parents for sustenance and guidance. Thus we can see how the in Marxist attacks on the family much has been done to isolate individuals from the natural safety that God built into the relationships of the family. The destruction of the Creator’s protective structure of the family has been brought about insidiously, secretly and deliberately; the subsequent moral and spiritual decay was the means to an end (divide and conquer) and an end in itself, for the perversion and destruction of the created image and likeness of God within humanity is the underlying intent motivating every action of the devil. One thing we can remember from the serpent’s treachery in the Garden of Eden was how he contrived to tempt Eve when she was ALONE. These days, many people have been isolated from the safety and protection of the family, and so have been made extremely vulnerable to the manipulation of the evil one. This is one of the most significant factors when considering how people are increasingly vulnerable to suicide. PRIDE, REBELLION AND ENVY In Ezekiel 28:13-19 we read of the arrogance and pride of Lucifer. We can understand that the desire to usurp God’s authority is rooted in pride. This is the corruption that was found in Lucifer, causing him to be cast out of his previous position. Lucifer did not want to honor God’s creation of mankind, and in fact he envied humanity, thus wishing to destroy what he could not ever have. He wanted praise and power only for himself. He resented God’s authority, and felt that he should be as god. So, in pride he did not submit to God’s authority, and in arrogance, he made war against his own Creator. Not only did he thus fall, but he enticed a multitude of other angelic beings to also rebel against God’s order, and to fall with him. What might be some of the ways that humans were created in God’s likeness that angels were not? One is the gift of procreation. Another, less obvious human quality that is created in God’s likeness is the ability to empathize and to show compassion. This attribute does not appear in scripture in the attributes of the angels. While there certainly is much that we don’t know about angels, when we witness the envious and destructive attacks upon the human heart, one can infer that this attribute of compassion is also envied, at least by the fallen angels. Angels do have superiority to humans in their intellect, and immortality, and power. So then we can see exactly how and where the fallen ones specifically attack humanity, seeking to corrupt and destroy all human life-- from angels leaving their first estate and impregnating human females, to modern day genetic engineering and transhumanism; from cultivating narcissism in our youth to tempting men and women to resent and betray one another. Ultimately, Satan and the other fallen angels misuse their intelligence, immortality and power to corrupt and murder all of humanity. First, they manipulate and pervert our sexuality and our ability to reproduce, interfering with and tampering with the human DNA. Secondly, they manipulate and corrupt our hearts, tempting us to pity ourselves, envy others, and resentfully rebel against God. Thus Satan seeks to re-create humanity in his own ugly image, leading us to share in his condemnation. The unwillingness to be obedient and to conform oneself to the structures and order of God can then be recognized as the seed of all sin. Whether it is a mighty cherub in heaven who aspires to overthrow God, who resents the requirement of obedience, or whether it is men and women who do not wish to be constrained within the structure of marriage and the boundaries of their gender as ordained by the Creator, or even if it is children who have essentially been imbued with narcissism by the corporate State-- it all ultimately amounts to the same thing: pride and rebellion. The father of lies hates all that is godly and beautiful, and he seeks to corrupt and destroy all life. In particular, he seeks to nullify all of God’s promises, including the promise of salvation. Throughout the world, the structures of marriage and the family, as well as all other created moral boundaries have been systemically attacked though law and policy, propaganda, and in the educational system. Thus we have arrived in a day when women murder their own children, promiscuity, betrayal and sexual perversions such as homosexuality, bestiality, sadism, masochism, necrophilia, pedophilia, and transgender mutilation are celebrated. Scientists bring humanity to the brink of extinction out of arrogance and an inability to submit to any boundary of ethics or morality. Transhumanists, in the pursuit of eternal life instead create abominations, and ultimately, the destruction of the human soul. One is reminded of that first lie of the serpent in Genesis 3:4, 5 In the Garden of Eden, Satan interfered in the maturation process of humanity with his envious and murderous lies. And these subtle lies were intended to confuse, to manipulate, to distort, and to blame God for the very intentions that Satan himself actually had. It is Satan that wants to deceive and kill us, and in the beginning he deviously enlisted our cooperation to those ends. For what was the eating of the forbidden fruit, but a sort of suicide? Indeed, there is nothing new under the sun! (Ecclesiastes 1:9) THE ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS THAT FOSTER SUICIDE IN THE HUMAN MIND When contemplating the human mental processes in suicide, one can see some relationships to the serpent’s lies in the Garden of Eden so long ago. First, the enemy introduces leading questions, such as “Why should I have to endure this or that suffering? What is the purpose of it? Maybe God is being unfair, to require this of me. Or, why do I not have the things I think I should have? Why is God expecting me to endure humiliation, or rejection, or ill health, or poverty? Or, I don’t understand, therefore, I shouldn’t have to obey.” This kind of thinking is evidence of the subtle lies and manipulative ploys of Satan insinuated subtly into the human mind. However, in comparing modern day Christian’s contemplation of suicide to the fall of our first parents in the garden, there is one crucial difference. Adam and Eve were naïve. They had no experience of sin or death, and they did not have the example of Jesus to follow. We, as modern day Christians, have access to the divine Word and to the example of Jesus faithful obedience. We not only have an understanding of sin and death, but we should have an understanding of God’s righteous authority and His eternal love. We also have access to his word and are blessed with the Holy Spirit. As followers of Jesus, we cannot claim to be naïve in this respect. And if our first parents, who WERE naïve, were sentenced to death for the sin of disobedience, what then would be a probable outcome for willful, fully knowledgeable disobedience? CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE AND THE HUMAN WILL In other words, even Jesus, who was perfect, the only begotten Son of God, even he had to wrestle at times to bring himself into submission to God’s requirement. One is horrified by what might have been the fate of all humanity if Jesus had NOT been willing to subjugate himself to God’s will, or if in his despair he had taken his own life in order to escape the pain and humiliation of the torture and death on the cross. Can any honest person say that it doesn’t matter, the manner of Jesus’ death? And if not, can anyone say that our manner of death is irrelevant? And if Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, was required in God’s infinite wisdom to humble himself—to be obedient unto death, and faithful in all things-- how can we, as Christian’s, ever please God if we refuse submit ourselves to His perfect will? Shall we decide what it is fitting for the Creator to require of us? And if we do, what are we then saying about His grace? Can a person rebel against God’s will without cutting one’s soul off from such grace? SATANIC DOCTRINES OF DECEPTION The danger in this concept is that it denies the legitimate and beautiful order of God, and it creates a mentality of “anything goes.” So, Satanists say that the pursuit of one’s own will and pleasure is the highest law. The assertion that suicide only harms the individual concerned- and even that harm is considered to be questionable-- obviously lacks depth. Spend a few moments with the families left behind, and then assert that suicide isn’t harmful to others. If there are children involved, the legacy of cowardice and death is a might force for a generational curse. Even modern psychiatry has to acknowledge the greatly increased risk of suicide in those who had a family member that killed themselves. In this highly willful and conscious action, one is taking control away from God and putting that control in one’s own hands. The action of self-murder seems to assume that God’s promises are obligations to us, rather than the rewards for obedience. The consequences of self-murder may not be easily apparent, for example, in the case of the person who despairs at the oncoming one-world government and all the horrors soon to be brought upon Christians as prophesied in the word of God. Why not commit suicide, to prevent the Beast System from delighting in atrocities against God’s people? One could even contend that this enticing of a Christian to self-murder would be the PREFERRED blood-sacrifice, in Satan’s opinion. The evil one must find particular delight when a person of God is turns to service to the father of lies and murder. In John 8:44 Jesus says, THE ARMOR OF GOD AND VICTORIOUS SPIRITUAL WARFARE THE CHOICE While we, as believers, have been offered the most loving and marvelous gift of salvation though Jesus Christ, let’s not be dishonest with ourselves about what is at stake. In 2 Peter 1: 9, 10 we read, Each of us must be sober and vigilant in making our calling and election sure. To grieve the Holy Spirit; to call God a liar; to commit murder; to rebel against God; to make the salvation of Jesus Christ meaningless—these are some of the ways that a Christian, in the act of suicide, would step away from God’s loving provision and away from Jesus. Suicide is a choice. THE GATES OF HEAVEN And further, in 2 Corinthians 6:10 we read, HOPE In 1 Peter 4: 12 and 13 we read, One can find comfort in contemplation of the experience of Stephen, as recounted in Acts 7:59-60: In 1 Corinthians 10:13 we are reassured, Jesus told us that our sins would be forgiven if we are willing to forgive others for wrongs done to us. In Matthew 6:14-15 we read, Therefore, the true Christian must pause and reflect carefully on how suicide might be willfully forsaking Jesus. We must remember each and every promise of the Creator, who so lovingly has provided a covering for our sin, a gracious gift of compassion that humbles the human heart. When frightened, bewildered by the evils of this world, when sorrowful, or lonely, or discouraged, let us consider the words of our Master, Jesus Christ. In John 16:33 Jesus lovingly assured us,
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