Posted: 20 November 2024

Suicide means to kill yourself whilst euthanasia means to ask someone else “to kill you” or “assist you to die_.... All of these acts mean, “taking your own life.”

Is it moral or immoral?

"True Christians" believe in the Bible.... It is the only book that can speak authoritatively about absolute standards....

So, what does the Bible say about people who take their own lives or organise it to be done? Bible Examples of Suicide, attempted Suicide or even euthanasia:

Abimelech....

Judges 9:50-56

Abimelech was a wicked man who usurped leadership of Israel. When a woman dropped a millstone on his head, he had his armour-bearer kill him so people would not say he was killed by a woman.

King Saul....

1 Samuel 31:3-5

Saul rebelled against God, so God rejected Him as king. He was about to be captured in battle, and fearing torture, he asked his armour-bearer to kill him. He refused, so Saul fell on his sword and the armour-bearer did the same. [1 Chronicles 10:4,5; cf. 2 Samuel 1:1-16]

Ahithophel....

2 Samuel 17:23

Ahithophel was an advisor who encouraged Absalom to rebel against David. He gave advice that would have led to David's defeat, but the advice was not taken and David escaped. He hanged himself.

Zimri....

1 Kings 16:18

Zimri was a wicked man who killed the king of Israel and reigned 7 days. Then Omri led Israel against Zimri. Seeing he would be defeated; he burned his house down around himself.

Judas Iscariot....

Matthew 27:3-5; Acts 1:18

Judas betrayed Jesus, then realizing his guilt, he hanged himself.

Philippian jailer....

Acts 16:27, 28

If a jailer lost his prisoners, he was punished with death. Thinking his prisoners had escaped, the jailer in Philippi was about to kill himself, but Paul stopped him.

Note that every Bible case of Suicide or euthanasia involved a wicked person who was driven to distraction because of the "consequences of sin" or because "he did not use God's power to deal with problems."

There is "not one" Bible example of a "faithful child of God" ever committing suicide or euthanasia… Many "faithful servants of God" in the Bible faced terrible hardships, diseases, and burdens. Worldly people might think they had plenty of reason for committing suicide, but not one ever did so. Why not?

Clearly "people who serve God faithfully" do not need to commit suicide nor ask someone to help them to die! They have "other means to handle their problems."

Only when people have "lost their relationship with God" and do not have the means He provides to deal with problems, only then do they turn to some form of self-death as a means of escape!

Do we have any right to decide whether we want to live or not? After all, who created you and "whose body is it and for what should it be used?"

"If one believes his body is his own," he may conclude he can do with it as he pleases. If he chooses to kill it, so what? It’s his body!

But "if one believes his body belongs to God," he concludes it is not his to use as he pleases. As long as he continues in the body, "he must use it to glorify God."

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(Romans 12:1, 2)

And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
(Acts 16:27, 28)

Paul urged the jailer to not harm himself. Then he taught him how to be saved. Harming people is the Devil's way. "Do yourself no harm" is God's view. How could the jailer be saved and serve God if he killed himself? Neither can we serve God if we commit suicide….

You must use your body to serve and glorify Him, to the very end of your lifespan.... This is a stewardship - we use that which belongs to God to do His work. "He will hold us accountable" for our stewardship (Luke 12:42-46; 1 Corinthians 4:2).

"You cannot serve nor glorify Him if you take your life," albeit through suicide or euthenasia.... Therefore "you cannot stand in judgment as a faithful steward if you decide to kill yourself or ask someone else to do it on your behalf...."

Doesn’t matter how big the problem you experience, "focus on the solutions" that God has, "not on the results of worries and cares" of this world! Remember, the devil is a killer....

Stay focussed in life and use your God-given tools to take care of problems and situations! Ephesians 6:12 gives us all the armour we need to protect ourselves - use it!

"Take action!" Address your problem, submit to God, "resist the lies of the devil" and simply place a ban on all those things affecting your life - doesn't matter if it's health issues, lack of money or relationship issues.... "Deal with your problem," you have the means to do so!

As a Christian, "never run away by taking your own life...." God has a purpose for your life.... He created you. "People who SERVE GOD are opposed to suicide and euthanasia" and should urge others (both believers and non-believers) to avoid it - "because it truly is sin."

Don't be misled....