10 Bible Verses About Suicide That Prove You're Not Alone
Don't give up hope. You're here for a reason.
pexels Suicide awareness has grown since 13 Reasons Why.
Then when Anthony Boudain and Kate Spade claimed their own lives in 2018, the topic became more openly discussed on social media to promote awareness and to show support for individuals suffering from depression.
The numbers prove that more people feel hopeless than ever before.
Suicide rates are up by 33% since 1999, these are the highest reported rates since World War II.
World stress factors, social media, and an inability to escape life due to the world's interconnection can make it seem like a 21st-century problem.
But, did you know that the Bible also talks about suicide, starting from the beginning of the Bible via the Book of Genesis?
The first couple in the Bible gave birth to two brothers: Cain and Abel.
Able was murdered out of jealousy by his brother. As a result, Cain was sent out from his family and his biggest fear was that others would try to do to him what he had done to his brother.
This is the first conversation where desperate fear could indicate that a person struggled with thoughts of suicide.
Instead, God told Cain that he would mark him in such a way that anyone who harmed him would also be harmed as well.
Instead of judging Cain for his emotional angst, he was giving support, a lifeline, to encourage him to face another day.
There are other stories in the Bible about suicidal thoughts and attempts. King David contemplated suicide when his son was found dead.
In the New Testament, Judas hung himself out of guilt for leading Christ to his captors for money.
King Saul killed himself after a long period of mental illness. King David's advisor, Ahithophel, also claimed his own life.
When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb. Samuel 17:23, (WEB)
Samson's death could be ruled a suicide or a martyr act.
There are many places where scriptures show how people felt sad and hopeless.
As a result, they gave in to their overwhelming sorrow and took their own life.
There are many factors that come into a person's decision on why they should do this, but let’s take a look at one of them, lack of meaning.
In the United States with the decline of religious people, there’s a void of meaning that needs to be filled.
Ways that people fill this void is from possibly politics, glorifying a single leader or cause that leads them into tribalism.
Possibly hedonism, where they search for instant gratification over and over again, then die.
These examples of how to live your life are seen as destructive, according to the Bible. When you start to abandon god you don’t stop being religious.
You can act religious towards atheism or your political party. There are many people who struggle with suicidal thoughts or feelings of desperation.
Even in the darkest of days, you can always choose to either feel hope or sadness. Viktor Frankl a holocaust survivor has shown that’s possible.
People in the Bible go through many twists and turns, God never says that suicide is an unforgivable sin, the only one is not believing in Jesus Christ.
Every human has unwavering potential because he/she was made by our creator. It is not in God's will for people to choose suicide.
He made your body to be as a temple. I may not know you personally, what has happened to you or who might have treated you wrong.
You are not alone, and if you need help there are resources.
So, what does the Bible say about suicide?
Let’s take a look at some of the best bible verses to help you see how your struggles are also those of others who have experienced the same in the scripture.
1. Faith combats fear.
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
"My word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11, WEB).
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11, WEB)
2. Night can be when a person feels most vulnerable.
Suicide happens more at night. The Bible also says that life can be robbed mostly at night.
3. Prayer helps.
Faith can help combat feelings of despair and depression that lead to suicide.
"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (John 4:4, WEB)
"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." (Psalm 55:22, WEB)
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all." (Psalm 34:18-19, WEB)
4. Nothing separates a person from God's love, not even death by suicide.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39, WEB)
5. Be empathetic.
When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” (Matthew 27:3-4, WEB).
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6. People committing suicide with one another is also talked about in the Bible.
In the book of Samuel, chapter 31 Saul was overtaking by guilt and decided he wanted to die. The scriptures say that he asked for one of his soldiers to kill him, and when the armor-bearer followed his command, he himself committed suicide to die with him.
7. Stressful situations can lead someone to feel so helpless that the only way out is death.
In Kings 16: 15-20, the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, Zimri reigned in Tirzah seven days. The army was encamped near Gibbethon, a Philistine town.
When the Israelites in the camp heard that Zimri had plotted against the king and murdered him, they proclaimed Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that very day there in the camp.
Then Omri and all the Israelites with him withdrew from Gibbethon and laid siege to Tirzah. When Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the royal palace and set the palace on fire around him.
8. Bullying existed during Biblical times.
In Judges 9:50-55, Abimelek went to Thebez and besieged it and captured it. Inside the city, however, was a strong tower, to which all the men and women—all the people of the city—had fled. They had locked themselves in and climbed up on the tower roof.
Abimelech went to the tower and attacked it. But as he approached the entrance to the tower to set it on fire, a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head and cracked his skull.
Hurriedly he called to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and kill me so that they can’t say, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” So his servant ran him through, and he died. When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they went home.
9. Love can leave someone in a state of despair.
Take Samson, for example, in Judges 16:25-30, who became involved with a woman of a different culture. Her intentions toward him from the beginning were impure and she drove him to ruin, ultimately leading him to commit suicide.
10. Suicide means you'll miss out on your life's purpose.
The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 7:17, that it's foolish to die before your time.
If you are thinking of self-harm or need help due to thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). There is also a crisis text line. For crisis support in Spanish, call 1-888-628-9454.
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Steven Hall is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture and relationship topics.