I know that blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is the unpardonable sin. But how about suicide? Can it be forgiven or is one who commits suicide condemed to hell?

shygrneyzs

I used to think that a person who committed suicide was condemned to Hell. That was what I always was taught. But then I older and hopefully somewhat more understanding. I read a book that Billy Graham wrote called, "Answers to Life's Problems" and came away with a different thought.

While I still believe suicide is not the answer to life's problems and it is not part of God's plan there are also situations when a person may not understand what he or she is doing because of a mental disability such as depression, paranoia, bipolar, etc. God understands the heart more than we ever can and therefore it is only God who has the say. How could anyone know what the exact circumstances were? We do not walk in that person's shoes.

I had a co worker who committed suicide and never could understand why until I found out she had kept a serious, terminal illness from everyone. Her doctors had given her less than two years. How could I ever condemn her to Hell?

So it also does not mean I think everyone with depression, who committs suicide, will get a pass into Heaven. I am talking about people with severe problems that just take over their lives.

Hope that makes sense to you.

stonewilder

I believe it is an unforgivable sin. I only say that because if you are supposed to ask forgiveness for your sins then it is impossible to ask forgiveness for killing yourself after you've already committed suicide. Honestly it's that way of thinking that has detoured me a few times from taking my life.

Fr_Chuck

I am under the understanding that almost all ( but not all) suicide is done by mentaly distrubed people, who are not under control of thier own mental state. I don't beleive that a person who is basicly crazy will be held responsible for thier choices.

If a perfectly sane person would kill thierself, I don't beleive that would be forgiven.

Choux

People commit suicide because they are IN HELL....major depression, horrible illness like Alzheimer's or schizophrenia, victim of severe child abuse.....death represents the end of terrible suffering.

fallen2grace

I Have no clue. Id like to see more anwsers. I always thought about it though.

MoonlitWaves

I don't believe a person who commits suicide is going to hell, if they are saved, that is. I believe that if you are truly saved then you are always saved. Therefore, lets say for example, I fell asleep before asking God for forgiveness for my sins. I skipped one night of prayer. I died while sleeping. I refuse to believe that our loving and merciful God would send me to hell because I didn't get forgiveness for the sins I committed since my last prayer for forgiveness. No sin is greater than the other. Therefore I will not be sent to hell for my sins and neither will the person who killed theirself and could not ask for forgiveness for that sin.
I had someone converse with me about once saved always saved. This person believed that everytime you sin you have to be saved again (forgiveness). Therefore if I die before asking for forgiveness I will go to hell. Granted this is grasping but here's my thing. Let's say I am in a car accident that kills me on the spot. Right before the collision I think a sinful thought..I cuss on bad instinct or I..oh I don't know think a worldly thought..whatever the sin may be. I don't have time to ask for forgiveness. I refuse to believe I will be sent to hell. We are not perfect...God knows this..God tells us this. He is merciful and loving and someone like He will not send someone to hell for that. It would be a contradiction then wouldn't it? Confusion? Not our God..He is not the author of confusion. Besides where does it say anything about being saved or having to be saved more than once? He doesn't give it and then take it away simply because of sin. Why would He do that when He most definantly knows we will? If you were truly saved then you always will be. If you are saved you WILL go to Heaven. Like I said no sin is greater than the other. Sinning is a moment of weakness on our part. Killing yourself is a sin. Why would that sin/moment of weakness be any different than any other sin? It's not. But I agree with an above poster..don't do it! It certainly wont earn you any favors with God, okay.

Biggie

The Bible does not mention anything about suicide, so this is a popular question. This is what I think. I think a person can be saved and have faith in Christ, but their mind still be a mess, meaning they suffer from depression, etc. The only way you are sent to hell is if you die in your sins and reject Jesus Christ. I think if a person is saved through faith in Christ, yet they commit suicide, they are forever with the Lord. I had a brother who committed suicide two years ago and live in defiance to the Lord. However, just before he jumped, maybe, just maybe he finally accepted Jesus Christ and repented of his sins. If he did, then I know where he's at right now. I sent an email to a minister and asked him his thoughts. He told me the only way my brother is in hell is if he didn't repent and give his life to the Lord before he took his last breath. Of course I won't know if he did or not until I die, but I sure hope he did.

PS There is no unforgivable sin. Jesus died for ALL sin, including blasphemy. Just repent of your sins, trust in Him, and everything will be OK.

N0help4u

I believe God knows your heart and intents. IF someone is so distraught that they have gotten to the point they can not think clear or their mental health is beyond capable rational reasoning how can God hold that against them???

Tj3

Since it is not the unforgivable sin, yes it can be forgiven. But there are factors that need to be considered:

1) Was the person saved?

God said in His word that when we are saved, that all of our sins are covered by the blood shed on the cross. if they are unsaved, then they are on their way to hell because they have been condemned already for rejecting Christ (John 3:18)

2) Why did they do it?

This is a hard one. I know of reports out of China when the communists took over that many Christians committed suicide out of fear of what the communists would do to them. There was also severe persecution of Christians in Cambodia when the communists took over, and it is likely that Christians there committed suicide.

Should they have? We know that the answer is no. But does that moment of weakness mean that the blood that Christ shed on the cross would not cover that sin.

Bottom line - we know that God desires that none perish, and when truly saved people commit acts like this for whatever reason, we have to accept the fact that God is both just and merciful. Jesus died on the cross to open a way for men to be saved - He did not come to condemn us (John 3:16-18). I do not believe that a moment of weakness, a final sin will condemn us, but I also do not know what is going on in the heart of the person who committed the act. God does. We need to leave it in His hands.