What does the Bible say about SUICIDE?
Is it murder to commit suicide?

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Question: What does the Bible say about suicide? Is it wrong and a sin? My brother committed suicide not too long ago and I need to know what God's word teaches on the subject.

Answer: Several times the Bible sadly mentions suicide.There are at least seven recorded in the scriptures. When anyone commits any sin, it is a very sorrowful event. It is especially hurtful to those who know the sinner and even much more the family. We certainly extend our sympathy regarding your brother's death no matter what the cause.

The world looks upon suicide in a very twisted manner. People tend to categorize sin, but the God of the Bible does not! James the Apostle said if you keep all of God's Law and break one little point you are guilty of breaking all of it: "For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." (James 2:10, NIV). If you just have a THOUGHT in your mind with hatred toward your brother you are guilty of murder:

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' . . . whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.  And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council.  But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire." (Matthew 5:21-22, NKJV throughout unless stated).

Hating yourself, therefore, is murder, and you are breaking the sixth of the ten commandments found in the Bible, which states: "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13). The King James Bible translation renders this verse "Thou shalt not kill." Suicide is murder of oneself and is a sin, but ANY SIN is penalized by death (Romans 6:23). The Apostle Paul said in the book of Romans that all have sinned so we all have the death penalty upon us: "For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . . ." (Romans 3:22-23)

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"If we confess our sins, He is FAITHFUL and just to FORGIVE US our sins and to CLEANSE US from all unrighteousness." (1John 1:9)

"There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1)

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is COMMON to man; but God is faithful, who will NOT ALLOW YOU TO BE TEMPTED BEYOND WHAT YOU ARE ABLE, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (1Corinthians 10:13)

"Yet in all these things we are MORE THAN conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, SHALL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37-39)

"And this is the testimony:  that God has given us ETERNAL LIFE, and this life is in His Son." (1John 5:11)

"And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and HE WILL DWELL WITH THEM, and they shall be His people. GOD HIMSELF will be with them and be their God.

"And God will WIPE AWAY every tear . . . there shall be NO MORE DEATH, nor SORROW, nor CRYING. There shall be NO MORE PAIN, for the former things have passed away.'

"Then He who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW.' " (Revelation 21:3-5)

Thank you for asking what the Bible says about suicide.