Can a Christian commit suicide?

Can a Christian commit suicide?

It is possible for a believer to commit suicide. But it is not necessary, regardless of the reasons for contemplating suicide.

First of all, if you are suffering from symptoms of depression, you should seek a doctor's help. Clinical depression is treatable with medication, good nutrition and counseling. In regards to your spiritual struggles, there are two Bible verses that can help a Christian put emotional pain in perspective.

First, God says he always provides a way of escape or endurance for trials in life.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Second, Pain and suffering is part of the maturing process that God give us. One good scriptural example of maturing through suffering is mentioned by Paul…

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. (8) Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. (9) But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (10) For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

You can take comfort in your current sufferings from this verse in several ways:

1)   We don't know what Paul's trial was. This "thorn in the flesh" is deliberately unknown to us. Perhaps you can relate better to Paul with your sufferings in this way.
2)   Prayer is not immediately answered in the way we expect. Paul knew what he wanted. He prayed three times with great passion. He had to live with his chronic problem.
3)   God's grace to deal with a problem is a greater blessing than the removal of the problem. Paul learned to trust God, preventing him from becoming proud of who he was in himself.

Your emotional pain that you suffer right now can be used to learn dependence on God. Use this struggle as an opportunity to grow through pain.

You may also be asking the question:

If a Christian commits suicide, will he / she still go to heaven?

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