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?

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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 every time 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 won't earn you any favors with God, okay.

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.

Good point. He did die for all sins.

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??

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?

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.

There is only one unforgivable sin, as you've pointed out. That's not to say that all suicides will be forgiven. As with any other sin, repentance, confession and salvation are necessary to be forgiven. One who commits suicide will have to answer to God for their sin, with God ultimately deciding whether to forgive that person.

The Bible does not mention anything about suicide
?? How about "Thou shalt not kill?" Yes, that means oneself as well as someone else.

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.

So you are a devout Christian but you just committed a sin, big,small sin doesn't matter sin is sin and before you can confess that sin and thank God for the forgiveness you already have ( if you are a mature Christian you know all sin is already forgiven, we don't ask for it, you received it at conversion) but before you confess and agree with God what you just did was sin, you get hit by a bus, and BAM, your dead, before you confessed it, you go to hell also, right. I don't think so.

People always say "The Bible never mentions anything about suicide". It never mentions anything about seizures, except for people possessed by demons,. but I don't believe that every epileptic is demon possessed, do you? Never the less it does mention plenty about murder. And the fact that we are the temple of God and whosoever destroys His temple, He will destroy them. I am just throwing that in, I struggle more than most with this question. And to say I have less than 0 is an understatement, I am looking for this answer, just not sure anyone really has it. I do however empathize, most days I feel like dead is better,. BUT, I want to meet God having run the good race, having won the prize, having Him say "Well done". I think maybe the question is more how much of the prize Paul spoke of is anyone who ends their own life willing to give up. Or certainly God if anyone, understands that depressed people are not seeing life through clear eyes. I don't have the answer, and I would have to in order to make that drastic a decision. God help you and me find it.

MoonlitWaves QUOTE "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".



I'm not looking for a fight or a long drawled out discussion about being saved. I was saved when I was 16 without a shadow of a doubt, as it's said. I remember when I got saved feeling what felt like a back pack of rocks being lifted off my shoulders. When I stood up off my knees it felt like I could float away like a balloon filed with helium. When I walked out side I seen things I had never knottiest before. The sky was bluer, the white clouds were fluffier, the grass greener and the trees more beautiful than ever. I could see, feel, hear and taste God in everything. I swear I am not exaggerating. That happened 25 years ago and I still remember it like it just happened. It was an experience I had never felt before nor have I felt since. I have no doubt that I was saved that day but since then I have back slid, went back to my Christian roots, then back slid again and again. I have failed as a Christian too many times and have no reason to believe I can ever live up to what is expected of me, so therefore I refuse to try just to fail again. Don't get me wrong, I still believe in Jesus but there are things in the Bible I can not live with in my life... trust me I have tried. I won't get into those things because as I said I'm not looking for a fight nor am I in the mood to be lectured. I have heard in many Baptist sermons that “once saved always saved“. I would very much like to believe that as I have no doubt that I was saved. But how is it that someone who has turned their back as I have could still be bound for heaven? Where dose it say in the Bible that once saved always saved? Where dose it say anything in the Bible at all about being saved? I have asked a few pastors the same questions before and the only answer I really get is something like,“ If you were truly saved you will always feel chastised by God to come back to him and you will desire to live as a Christian.” or something like that. Please give me something better than that because it doesn't seem to apply to me and if my experience at 16 wasn't from being saved then I'm even more confused.
One more question. Life it's self, even as a Christian is or can be hellish. Again, I don't understand if you don't have to fear hell because you are saved then when things feel unbearable what is the point enduring it if you can just end it and go to heaven?

Dear Stonewilder, You just described my salvation experience almost exactly. I am sorry I don't have time right now to give the exact verses and where there found but will find them for you. It does say that once you are in the Fathers hand no one can pluck you out. I will find that exact verse for you. Also almost a 3rd if not more of Paul's writings deal with carnal Christians, Christians who live as the unsaved do. He would not, or rather God would not have had him put that in the Bible if falling away from Christian actions would render you unsaved. Also when you except Christ you make a vow to him but more importantly He makes a vow with you of eternal life with Him. And though we may fall from keeping our vow and cease to be faithful, The Bible says God can never be unfaithful to Himself. So though we can break our vow, God can never break His. I have slipped away from time to time also, but ended up coming back. I don't know if you have children, I do. My daughter got into some really bad stuff awhile back, and during that time she wrote letters saying terrible things to me, but when she was arrested, I spent tons of money getting her out of her trouble and I always loved her even when she was writing me insulting letters. I never got mad, never defended myself never held it against her and when she screamed for help, I was there, and happy to be. There is nothing she could ever do that I would say to her I disown you, you are no longer mine. Now if I, being evil, and no good thing being in me have that attitude toward my child, How much more dose a perfect loving Heavenly Father find it impossible to let go of me or you no matter what we have done. I apologize for the short answer, I am pushed for time right now, but I thought maybe it would be something you could think about. Forgive me if I am out of line.

Dear Stonewilder, You just described my salvation experience almost exactly. I am sorry I don't have time right now to give the exact verses and where there found but will find them for you. It does say that once you are in the Fathers hand no one can pluck you out. I will find that exact verse for you. Also almost a 3rd if not more of Paul's writings deal with carnal Christians, Christians who live as the unsaved do. He would not, or rather God would not have had him put that in the Bible if falling away from Christian actions would render you unsaved. Also when you except Christ you make a vow to him but more importantly He makes a vow with you of eternal life with Him. And though we may fall from keeping our vow and cease to be faithful, The Bible says God can never be unfaithful to Himself. So though we can break our vow, God can never break His. I have slipped away from time to time also, but ended up coming back. I don't know if you have children, I do. My daughter got into some really bad stuff awhile back, and during that time she wrote letters saying terrible things to me, but when she was arrested, I spent tons of money getting her out of her trouble and I always loved her even when she was writing me insulting letters. I never got mad, never defended myself never held it against her and when she screamed for help, I was there, and happy to be. There is nothing she could ever do that I would say to her I disown you, you are no longer mine. Now if I, being evil, and no good thing being in me have that attitude toward my child, How much more dose a perfect loving Heavenly Father find it impossible to let go of me or you no matter what we have done. I apologize for the short answer, I am pushed for time right now, but I thought maybe it would be something you could think about. Forgive me if I am out of line.


I think you worded that very well and I don't feel that it was out of line at all. I do understand how you can never disown your blood, which happens to be part of my problem with the Bible... or more so the so called Christians maybe. I too don't have time right now to really digest what you've said but I promise to get back to it later. I do hope that your daughter is doing better now.

Of course suicide is forgiveable. A suicidal person doesn't know what he or she is doing and is not thinking clearly. If the bible doesn't forgive suicide, that just makes me disagree with the bible more. The victim usually is stressed and needs help and they shouldn't be punished for that.

Im not too familiar with the bible... I get too confused with all the wording. I do have Jesus in my heart though.

I don't think anyone can give you the answer to that. Hearing what others have wrote, Jesus did die for all of our sins, but then again, we are not supposed to commit murder... to anyone!

I personally think no one can answer that question. That's up to the Lord himself to judge.

And if your feeling like taking your life... think again, because you don't know what the Lord has planned for you.