1. Reasoning Suicide

2. Reasoning Suicide? Isaiah 1:18 is one of the multitude of hopeful verses in the Scriptures. Coupling this just with Colossians 2:18 and James 3:17, we can see the pattern for reasoning in the faith throughout the Scriptures. The challenge is to put away emotional imposition on the Word of God.

3. Suicide in the U.S. As of this year, there are over 324 million people in the U.S. Approximately 500,000 of these take their own lives every year (accidentally / purposefully) = 1 person every 17 minutes (0.2%). Suicide is most prevalent in people between the ages of 15-25 years of age, but it affects all age groups and walks of life.

4. Some Suicide Motivations Confusion. –Cannot negotiate identity or place –Cannot negotiate future or potential Despair –Depression or inability to endure guilt Control –Desperation leading to end of life Revenge –Striking back at others or society

5. Suicide = Murder The very definition of suicide is “self murder.” As children of God, Christians, we must then look at it for what it is in the eyes of God; as revealed by God in the Scriptures. Likewise, we must understand that suicide is the product of a mindset that is contrary to God. No matter how much WE care, love, or hope, the suicide was done apart from God, unless it was accidental.

6. Psalms 42 & 43 Notice the repeated phrases / questions within these two Psalms: –Why is my soul downcast? –Why am I disturbed within myself? –Hope / Praise in my Savior and my God. The foundational idea is thirst vs. distance. We thirst for what we experience, what we long for. We lose thirst for what we distance ourselves from; accept as far from us.

7. Overwhelming Force To a great degree, suicide is about being overwhelmed by emotion, negativity, sin. Life is not easy when we feel overwhelmed. In the one choosing suicide, there is the refusal to overwhelm the overwhelming; a failure to accept lifting oneself up (Psalm 43). The choice to praise God and depend on him will take suicide statistics to zero.

8. Knowing Life’s End It has been wrong to take an innocent life from the beginning (Exodus 20:13). It has never been wrong for those in proper authority to execute an evildoer (Romans 13:4). Where the one who commits suicide is to be compared rests in simple deduction (1 John 3:15).

9. The Desire To Die Unfortunately, there is a natural tendency in humans to wish for death because of despair, fear, hopelessness, or even anger. Job hoped for death in despair (Job 3:3-4;11), as did the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19:4). Jonah wished for death in his disappointment and anger (Jonah 4:1-3). Judas is likely the most famous of all (Matthew 27:3-5).

10. Clear Contrast Saul of Tarsus, the apostle Paul himself, could have reacted as Judas but he did not (1 Timothy 1:12-15). What is the difference? Paul saw through the despair, through the transgression and hopelessness of sin to the Lord; to God! Thus he could point others in that greater direction and did so (Acts 16: 25- 34).

11. The Only Solution To Life Hear the Invitation of the Lord: Isaiah 55; Matthew 11:28-30.Hear the Invitation of the Lord: Isaiah 55; Matthew 11:28-30. Believe the gospel of Christ: John 8:24; 20:30-31; Rom 1:16; 10:10 Believe the gospel of Christ: John 8:24; 20:30-31; Rom 1:16; 10:10 Repent or turn from your sins: Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31 Repent or turn from your sins: Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31 Confess your faith in Christ: Matt 10:32-33; Rom 10:9-10 Confess your faith in Christ: Matt 10:32-33; Rom 10:9-10 Be immersed in water: Matt 28:19; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3-4; 1 Pet 3:21 Be immersed in water: Matt 28:19; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3-4; 1 Pet 3:21 Live in obedient faith: 1 Peter 1:14; Rev 2:10 Live in obedient faith: 1 Peter 1:14; Rev 2:10

12. Reasoning Suicide