Agora Messageboard now functions as a quorum. Please click
to join as a member. We want to hear from you... A query that needs an answer,
a word to uplift the people, a statement of concern that needs prayer, a cry
for help...
God bless you...
Previous Messageboard have been archived.
Untitled 
Suicidal Saints (Keith)
|
Hi there,
More then what we think, let's get back to the Word of God and find out want the Lord thinks. I. Suicide is murder (self-murder). As such, it is forbidden by God.
Exodus 20:13
Deuteronomy 5:17
A. God is the Author of life.
Genesis 2:7
Deuteronomy 30:20
Job 12:10
Psalms 66:9
Isaiah 42:5
Ezekiel 37:10
Daniel 5:23
Zechariah 12:1
Acts 17:25, 28
Hebrews 12:9
B. God has a plan for each life,
established at conception.
Psalms 139:13-16 Isaiah 49:1, 5 Jeremiah 1:5 Galatians 1:15 C. Suicide is the interference with the plan of God for one’s life. As such, it is sin – an act of defiance and rebellion. (Certainly the mentally ill are not as responsible for their acts as those who are fully aware of what they do.) Psalms 31:15 My times are in thine hand. 1 Corinthians 6:20 You are not your own, you are bought with a price... II. What drives a person to desire death?
A. Guilt. Matthew 27:3-5
B. Physical pain, exhaustion and lack of sleep; mental depression. Job 3:1-26; 6:8-11; 14:13 Job 7:1-6, 15, 16 Job 10:1 Jonah 4:8
C. Mental illness; demonic possession. Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:2-5; Luke 8:27
D. Revenge.(Judges 16:23-310 E. Stress (overburdened with a sense of responsibility). (Numbers 11:11-15) F. Rejection of advice. (2 Samuel 17:23) G. Pride or shame (disgrace). (Judges 9:50-54) H. Despair. (Jeremiah 8:3) Revelation 9:6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. I. Discouragement or fear. (Acts 16:27) J. Rebellion; defeat (pride) in battle. (1 Kings 16:15-20) 1 Samuel 31:2-5 (ref. 1 Chronicles 10:4-5) III. Scripture mentions several suicides and temptations to commit suicide.
A. Suicides committed in Scripture. 1. Abimelech. Judges 9:50-54 2. Samson. Judges 16:23-31 3. Ahithophel. 2 Samuel 17:23 4. Zimri. 1 Kings 16:15-20 5. Saul and his armorbearer. 1 Samuel 31:2-5 (ref. 1 Chronicles 10:4-5) 6. Judas Iscariot. Matthew 27:3-5 (Acts 1:18)
B. Some were tempted to commit suicide but did not follow through with it. 1. The Philippian jailer. Acts 16:27 2. Jesus Christ. Matthew 4:5-6 (ref. Luke 4:9-11) Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. IV. The temptation to kill oneself, or the desire to die, is not in itself a sin (even Jesus was tempted: Matthew 4:5, 6; ref. Luke 4:9-11).
A. Even spiritual men like Moses, Elijah and Job – as well as the prophet Jonah – all expressed a desire to end it all, in times of discouragement. 1. Moses. Numbers 11:11-15 2. Elijah. 1 Kings 19:4 3. Job. Job 3:1-26 ;Job 6:8-11 ;Job 7:1-6, 15, 16 ;Job 10:1 ;Job 14:13 4. Jonah. Jonah 4:8
B. Although these audibly expressed their desire to die, Scripture says they merely "requested" it of God. They did not attempt to take their life into their own hands.
C. In the midst of extreme physical pain, having lost many of his family members in a terrible tragedy, as well as his possessions – and abandoned by his wife, who told him to "curse God and die" – Job felt like giving up. At the time, he could not see past his pain; his thinking was not right. However, eventually, his time of testing was done: circumstances changed and Scripture says, "God blessed the end of Job more than his beginning."
D. Hebrews chapter 11 well describes the terrible tortures endured by those in the Hall of Faith/Fame: "cruel mockings and scourgings...bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder... slain with the sword... destitute, afflicted, tormented..." They did not give up; they endured to the end. V. What is the source or cause of suicidal thoughts? A. The thought life. Philippians 4:7-9 B. Satan and his demons. 1. "A murderer from the beginning" (John 8:44), Satan seeks "to kill and destroy." (John 10:10) He goes about "like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8) 2. One of his names, Apollyon (Abaddon, Heb.), literally means, "The Destroyer." (Revelation 9:11) Satan's motives are destructive (John 10:10; 1 Peter 5:8) – not only to afflict physically but also to torment mentally – i.e., with thoughts of suicide. C. Medical science has linked depression and suicidal tendencies to a chemical imbalance – which disrupts one’s thinking. VI. What was God’s solution in dealing with those tempted with the desire for death? A. Angels were sent to minister; a word of encouragement. 1 Kings 19:4-8 ;Matthew 4 (ref. Luke 4) B. Spiritual deliverance (exorcism) was administered. Mark 5:2-18 (ref. Matthew 8:28-34; Luke 8:27-39) VII. In the last days, suicide will become even more prevalent. A. "Behold, the days are coming," Jesus predicted, when the people will "say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us." Luke 23:30 B. "And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them." Revelation 9:6 VIII. Can someone who has committed suicide be saved? (They have no more opportunity to repent.) Jesus said the only unforgivable sin was blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. We are saved by grace, not by confession of our sin. Matthew 12:31 IX. What is wrong with suicide? A. The act of suicide is a demonstration of a lack of faith. "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Romans 14:3
B. Suicide is very selfish, as well as cowardly, for it does not consider the pain of those loved ones who will live to feel the agony and loss. C. The expression "taking your own life" is unbiblical. Paul says, "You are not your own, you have been bought with a price..." 1 Corinthians 6:20 X. Many will desire death during the last days, especially during the tribulation. Revelation 9:6 Let us hold unto the Word of God so tightly should that the devil will not have any foothold in our lives. In His Name, Ian (Habakukk 3:2)
|
to:
Messages
Outline:
Thanks Ian for the comprehensive and extensive sharing on suicide matters.eom. by Ivan, 2001, Oct 25
Ian, thanks for your posting. eom. by Keith, 2001, Oct 25
to:
Back to Antioch's Home Page