Mental illness/Suicide: Is there a place for the church in the lives of those with mental illness? What should the role of the church be, if any? How should the church look at suicide and those with suicidal tendencies? There is a popular belief that suicide is an unpardonable sin and those that commit it are destined for Hell. Is this biblical and how should we minister to those wanting to commit suicide and/or to those who have lost a loved one to suicide?
All these questions make believers in the Church shudder and recoil because it is a difficult subject. Mental illness and suicide are two things a great deal of us know nothing about. The only thing most of us know is there tens to be a stigma attached to them. And, we are afraid we might offend someone. I believe the real reason is ignorance. We simply do not understand mental illness, or Scripture, enough to truly deal with this topic.
I do not think we should have to question whether any group has a place within the Church. All groups have a place, the struggle becomes, how do we minister to each group. Sometimes, just like any new relationship, you just have to jump in and figure it out as you go. Greater care may have to be taken with some groups given the nature of their needs, but everyone belongs.1 Thessalonians 5:14 reminds us; “14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.”[1]
So, the role of the church with mental health issues, to include suicide or suicidal tendencies, is the same as it is for every other sinner. We are to encourage and train. We are also to lead them to places where help can be found. If we think the church is the only place that can help, we are nieve and selfish. God equips many people as counselors and doctors that can help in the se areas. I think now would be a good time to provide a link to the suicide hotline; http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. Their phone number is:1-800-273-8255. There is always help, and there is always hope. God has a plan for all of us, we just need to find out what that plan is. Don’t give up on yourself. Jesus gave all of himself to free you from all of your sin.
This seems like a good place to address the question about the person who commits suicide going to hell. I do not believe this to be the case. John chapter 10 is an instance where the Jewish leaders are questioning Jesus about who He is. Jesus answers them and in doing so, He assures us of eternal salvation. I am including that passage here. For clarification and to keep it in context, I have included several verses before and a few after. John 10:24-30 tells us this;
24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”[2]
So, if we take Scripture literally, and we should or it really messes up the whole story, then NOTHING, that includes us and anything we do, can keep us out of heaven once we believe in our Savior.
I believe we should be able to put the question of damnation to hell for those who commit suicide to rest by looking at two passages of Scripture. First, Romans 10:9; “9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”[3] And second; “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”[4] So the real question, for those who believe the suicide victim goes to hell, is really a question of belief. This, my friends, is a question that can only be answered by each individual believer and, of course, God.
I want to finish with this; if you are thinking about suicide as an answer, please reach out to someone for help. Yes, reach out to God in prayer, but also reach out to someone qualified to help you work through this time in your life. And, if no one else has told you this today, Jesus loves you, and I love you too.
With God’s love,
James
[1] The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 1 Th 5:14–15.
[2] The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Jn 10:24–30.
[3] The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Ro 10:9.
[4] The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Jn 3:16.