Suicide automatically = hell?

Question

I've read quite a bit of the Bible, but I seem to remember the only unforgivable sin being blasphemy. Jesus died for all of my sins, not just the ones I have committed, but for every sin I am every going to commit. I can't imagine that telling someone at the end of their rope, wanting to commit suicide, that they are going to go to hell when the trigger is pulled...I just can't seem to imagine that that would help them out in that situation.

Imagine this: I just committed some random sin, and then I die immediately afterwards. I fail to understand how this is different than had I committed suicide in the midst of some bad spot in my life. Of course, this is assuming that "I" am saved (which I am).

Note: I have not, am not, and likely never will consider suicide as a viable option for me. That is not my intent with this question in the least....I just have a different view than some on the subject; those who would say "Well, that girl killed herself, I guess my self-righteous self won't be seeing her in heaven."

Please also answer the latter part of my "question". What happens if you have sex outside of marriage (a saved person doing this, mind you), and then die 3 seconds later from a bullet wound to the head? Are they automatically sent to hell because they weren't given the opportune time to say "I'm sorry, Jesus, please forgive me." - I can't indefinitely say either way, but I refuse to believe that my Savior's Blood doesn't cover that.

Do not tell me what someone who is "saved" would and would not do!! You can not say either for sure. You can not tell me that anyone who has killed themselves is, for sure, not saved. You do not know their hearts! Do not feed me that crud, billeneer, because you are not God. Thank God for that.

Doll, I'm going to go ahead and announce that you'll probably get the "best answer" selection for this question (from me). At the end of the day, I'm not going to walk up to someone and tell them, indefinitely, whether they are going to heaven or hell, because only God sees the heart.

Let me ask this, to all those who believe that suiciders automatically go to hell, saved or not: Why would a blanket "forgiveness" covering get you into heaven, and someone who committed suicide could not? Someone who, at the end of the day with little remorse can say "God, please forgive for all of my wrongdoings today." will get into heaven, yet someone who, with full contrition, says "Please cover me, Jesus, with your blood that washes away sins. Create in me something clean, oh God." and then gets to a point in his life, (Yet still loves and believes in Jesus), where he wants to kill himself...you can not convince me that that person has automatically gone to hell. God is a gentlemen, He doesn't always go where He isn't wanted (unbeliever's hearts)...and He doesn't tend to take away gifts/promises so easily. God's mercy is greater than that.

Good answer, believer_in_jesus37421.

Answer 1

Faith.... I lost an ex-brother-in law to Suicide, over 7 years ago. His mother pleaded and pleaded with me to show her that her son could still go to Heaven. I found nothing specific either way. I told her that only God knows what is in our hearts at a time of such sorrow and dispair. We are mere mortals, born in sin and blessed with the forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. I have faith that when I stand in judgement, the only thing visible will be the precious blood of my Savior. Thank you Jesus. I told Mom that nothing can possible wash the blood of Christ from us, not if we truly have been saved. And, I'm sorry, but I don't believe God takes back His gifts.

Answer 2

No. I had this question in mind when I posed the following on YA seven months ago...
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsZuHMPhgTNb7ZuG8xIA6jzsy6IX?qid=1006011401476

Remember, something got you to suicide. The devil only seeks to destroy--Jesus seeks to save. If someone is considering suicide, which voice is he/she listening to? We also must consider that chemical in-balances can lead to the taking of medications that could result in clinical depression. If this person were to take his/her life, would that be considered a sin? Would the demise of this life come as a surprise to God? There are many issues in this idea that cannot be answered in a black/white manner. However, there is one thing I can tell you. That when Jesus came to die for our sins--He died to cleanse us from ALL sin. The only unforgivable sin (blasphemy of the Holy Spirit) is impossible to commit by a true believer. Only the reprobate can do such a thing.
So the best thing to do is help those who are in such a state get some good medical help. In most cases, just keep leading them back to the voice of Jesus. Remind them that ALL their sins have been washed away. That they are clean and white before His eyes.

Regarding the second part of your question. Read the great answer given at my link above. When we are cleansed by the blood, it is for ALL sin, past, present and future. It is a Catholic belief that if you die with unrepented sin, you are in trouble. This was the purpose for "the last rites" by a priest. My Catholic grandmother had a sticker on her car alerting someone that if she was dying from an accident, call a priest quickly! But I have since learned from the Bible that such is not the case. When we are adopted into the family of God, we cannot be unadopted just because we are caught being naughty now and then. That would not be true adoption. Not even foster parents are that callous. No, the fact remains that when we ask Christ into our hearts, nothing can seperate us from that Love. Not even our own mistakes or lapses in good judgment.

Answer 3

Has there ever been a suicide where the individual wasn't severely distraught for whatever reason? No one decides to kill themselves because they spill grape juice on the carpet. Everyone sins, saved or not, if they believe in God (even the ones without mental illness) then they will go to heaven. No different then if you died in a car accident after committing adultery before you can repent.

Answer 4

Whenever I answer a question like this, I'm deeply aware that someone may be reading this who is seriously contemplating suicide—and I would do everything in my power to convince them not to take that final, drastic step. With Christ there is always hope.

God loves them; He loves them so much that Jesus Christ was willing to die on the cross for their salvation. And others care about them, as well (even if they have a hard time believing it). Suicide is never God's will, and even in the midst of life's worst storms we can look to Christ and discover that He truly is "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Hebrews 6:19). The first step back from the brink of suicide is to turn to Christ and open our hearts to Him.

Suicide is always a tragedy—but in itself it is not the unpardonable sin. The only sin God cannot pardon is the sin of rejecting Him. God knew your cousin's heart, and He also knows that mental illness sometimes clouds a person's judgment so much that they aren't fully responsible for their actions.

At the same time, ask God to help you be sensitive to the needs of others—especially someone who may be facing discouragement or depression. Often simply knowing that someone cares will help them turn the corner.

Answer 5

If a person is genuinly saved they won't commit suicide. So if someone commits suicide they will go to hell because they didn't believe in the first place. If you are a believer you are led by the Holy spirit. And the Holy Spirit will not let you do that which would send you to hell. The Bible says a Good tree (believer) cannot bringforth bad fruit (sinful lifestyle). If Christians could get into heaven by killing themselves you would see a lot more suicides, but that isn't the case

Answer 6

You won't exactly go to hell, just not receive the highest level of eternal salvation. Suicide falls under the concept of Murder. It's just that you murdered yourself instead of another. I think God has deep remorse for people who fall so deep into depression and do not seek his help. Other forces will bring you down if you let them in. But he is compasionate to forgive to a point.

But look at your question and think of this. Many say we have free agency here on earth. We are free to choose our path. So if he died KNOWING every sin you would commit isn't then your life pre-determined? Contradicts itself there doesn't it?

I have also heard that the only way to be forgiven of Murder (to a point) is if you yourself were murdered before you could seek forgiveness. Which means Lee Harvey Oswald is forgiven! I sometimes wonder if this is the twist the suicide bombers are told that they are in fact saved because they died before they had a chance and tecnically they died before the others so the murders cannot be on their heads.

Answer 7

It used to be a teaching of the Catholic Church that suicide=hell. The reasoning for this was the essence of suicide is despair. Despair is what Lucifer suffers. Note in Dante's "Divine Comedy: The Inferno" that in the center of hell Lucifer is trapped in ice. The ice was formed by his tears which were cooled by his wings. What this is saying is despair is the sin that keeps Lucifer where he is. Note also the sign above the entrance of hell, "Abandon hope all ye who enter." This amplifies the notion of despair.
Now since despair was the sin which chained Lucifer, it was automatically thought that a human being despairing and commits suicide would be chained in the same way as Lucifer. Ergo, the person went to hell.
However, in the Catholic Church we no longer teach this (and it surely doesn't help that people keep saying we do especially in movies like "Constantine").
We understand that God's mercy for His people cannot be exhausted or spent (as stated in the book of Lamentations). And so, there is always the chance for Heaven even for those who commit suicide. As stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph # 2282
If suicide is committed with the intention of setting an example, especially to the young, it also takes on the gravity of scandal. Voluntary co-operation in suicide is contrary to the moral law.
Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.
Note that the one committing suicide, even under these conditions, has a responsibility for their life still. They are still accountable for taking their life, but in God's mercy and understanding, the state of a person and their circumstances do may not condemn them to hell. Still, each case is individual and thank the Lord for being judge and not I.
So, what is it I am saying? That it is okay to commit suicide and then trust in God's mercy? No! We should not let ourselves fall into despair. Hence the seriousness of our duty in being neighbor to one another. The Good News is to be preached with the understanding that the News gives life and joy. It does not sadden the spirit. Yet, we know of some Christians who focus so much on evil and sinfulness that they never do preach the life and joy God offers even while on earth.
That is the type of Gospel we are to preach and help with those who may fall into despair. Let them see that life on earth is worth living. In being a true neighbor to them you will have participated in their redemption. Even if someone were to pull the trigger, you are still neighbor to them and pray for their happiness in Heaven.
May the Lord bless and keep you. May He let the light of His face shine upon you.
God's and your beast of burden
Fr. john

Answer 8

Suicide is a sin you can't ask forgiveness for, once it is done, that is it...

We are told that if we sin, we can come to God with a repentant ( sincere) heart and ask for forgiveness... once we take our lives, or die, that's it, the chance to make ammends are gone...

The bible isn't clear on suicide, but there are a few people in the bible who did: Judas, saul in each example thier stories show that they didn't ask for forgiveness, and in fact felt they knew the answers and decided to turn away from God...

When one decides to take thier lives, it is a way of saying that you are beyond help and even God in His almighty power cannot help you. You are saying that He cannot love you enough to help and "fix" you. ( That in itself is a statement of unbelief--- so how can God help or save you from death physical or spiritual if you doubt Him)

So in answer to your question: yes, there is a great possibilty that one may go to hell, or perhaps just cease to exist once they commit suicide... Would you really want to take the chance??????

Answer 9

If the body is the temple of god and the only unforgivible sin is blasphemy and since it is impossible to ask forgiveness for comitting suicide then it stands to reason the definition of blasphemy is suicide. That will get the christians going.

Answer 10

Jesus died on the cross for all our sins not just some so if you are saved then you will still go to heaven but you will have to be judged by HIM so my advice to you is if you are saved dont do anything that you dont want to answer to. just remember that just because HE forgives us does not give us the right to go on sinning we should always walk with him and if we do then we are less likely to sin!