SUICIDE: THE SATANIC LIE
Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor. When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. —Matthew 27:1-5
Suicide… when life is seen as not worth living because of deep depression, blackness, emptiness, self-worthlessness, pain, sorrow, bleakness… When a person is in a deep, dark, hopeless pit and the only way to seemingly escape this state is the idea of taking one’s own life. The University of New Hampshire has had a number of students commit suicide by getting into the path of the Amtrak Downeaster train. This is the logical outcome from many in our educational system that teach man is no different than an animal and man’s worth is no greater than a pollywog. If death was the cessation of life then people could commit suicide and go into non-existence and not experience any more pain. But, this is a great lie promoted by our educational system, our culture in general and the world system’s philosophies. This lie is satanically motivated.
There are many facets or factors that bring a person to contemplate or commit suicide. In the above verses we can see that it was being “seized with remorse” that caused Judas to take his own life. As we look at this further we can also see that the betrayal of Jesus was satanically prompted for which Judas felt emotional remorse after he went through with it (Luke 22:1-5). This is how Satan works. He seeks to get us to do something where we think it will benefit us somehow only to have us regret it after the fact and then leave us alone to feel that guilt or sorrow. Sorrow, guilt and isolation are his tools. Satan seeks to use that emotional guilt to bring us further down the slippery slope toward suicide— doubt, discouragement, despair, despondency, death.
We have great hope! Suicide is not the answer! It will only bring terrible, eternal consequences for the lost who commit suicide. The great lie is that death will bring relief. It is a lie. Death for the lost, those who have never trusted Jesus, will bring upon themselves an eternal consequence that will be worse than anything they could ever experience in this life. What is the answer to suicide and all of life’s problems? Trust the Lord Jesus Christ who loves you more than anyone ever will. He laid down His life for you. He took the penalty and punishment for your sins. He died and rose from the grave which guarantees you life with Him now and forever. You will have a Friend that will never leave you or forsake you. He will give you great hope and purpose in life… if you sincerely trust Him and live for Him. It does not mean we will have no problems, but He will walk through them with us! That is the Truth! Don’t believe the lie!
Dear Father, thank You for the life You have given me now through Jesus and for the life forever I will have in heaven through trusting Jesus. Please Father, for those who may be reading this but have never truly trusted Jesus, may they do so now. May they call on His Name— turning from their own ways (repent), receiving the forgiveness that Jesus offers, becoming Your child through Jesus and live for Jesus from this point on. May it be so!