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Question: Does God forgive people who commit suicide?

1. Passages which deal with the subject: 1 Sam.31:3-5; 2 Sam.
17:23; 1 Kings 16:18; Matt. 27:5.

2. In none of these passages is there anything to indicate that
this was done with God's approval. There can be no doubt that it is
sinful to take one's own life, just as it would be sinful for one
to take the live of another. Acts 16:28: "Do yourself no harm."

3. There are books available that tell how to plan suicide. Some
seem very much aware of what they are doing, and plan for weeks or
month to take their life. On the other hand, I knew of one young
lady, who was a Christian, whose death was ruled suicide, but there
was a great deal of doubt as to whether she really intended to take
her life.

4. Only God would know to what extent one who commits suicide was
aware of what he/she was doing, and whether he/she was accountable
for the act. Of course, God will be the judge.

Related question: What about assisted suicides?
1. Obadiah 11
2. Rom. 1:32
3. Rom. 12:9
4. Eph. 5:11
5. 2 John 9ff.
6. Prov. 3:5,6


(See also GOT May '93 p.6 (262)

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