Is a Christian who commits suicide still saved?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Though some Christians think that those who commit suicide will not be saved, Scripture does not support that idea. In fact, the Bible teaches that nothing can separate believers from God's love (Romans 8:38–39) and that there is "now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). That “nothing” includes the sin of suicide. Though murder is sin (Exodus 20:13), and suicide is self-murder, suicide does not determine our position before God. Though sin separates us from God, believers are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 5:10). Satan, "a murderer from the beginning" (John 8:44), may try to get us to feel such despair that we may contemplate suicide. But Satan's power is in this world alone (1 John 5:19). Those who belong to Christ will join Him after death—even if that death was a suicide brought on by the mental anguish, temptations, confusing lies, and cruelty of our enemy (Luke 23:43). Suicide is a serious sin, and it is always wrong, but it is not unforgiveable.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Murder is a sin (Exodus 20:13), including self-murder. Although sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2), we are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, so even suicide is not an unforgivable sin.
• Every Christian faces times of despair and difficulty (Psalm 69:20). This is normal and is the result of living in a fallen world. But God doesn’t abandon His children, nor do trials indicate a weaker or more sinful believer.
• The psalmist shows that even believers experience low points in life, but God is always our solution: "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God" (Psalm 43:5).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Suicide, like other sins, separates us from the Lord, but Jesus reconciles believers to God (Romans 5:10; 6:23).
• According to Scripture, nothing can separate “those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1) from God's love, including suicide (Romans 8:38–39).
• Peter warned believers to "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). The devil may try to overwhelm us with sorrow, distress, and fear that may lead a person to contemplate suicide.
• Satan is "a murderer from the beginning" (John 8:44), but his power is in this world alone (1 John 5:19). Those who belong to Christ will join Him after death—even if that death was a suicide brought on by the temptations, confusing lies, and cruelty of our enemy (Luke 23:43). Suicide is a serious sin and is always wrong, but it is not unforgiveable.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Sisyphus, a figure from Greek mythology, was condemned to eternally push a boulder to the top of a mountain—only for the boulder to roll down to the bottom after each time he reached the summit. At times in life, it’s easy to feel like Sisyphus. Life is challenging, and if Satan can lure us to take our focus off Christ, we might lose hope because we only see the hill and the boulder, not the cross.

But suicide is never the answer, despite how our contemporary culture has tried to reframe it. Because today’s culture emphasizes hedonistic “happiness” and glorifies a life free from pain, suicide, specifically assisted suicide, has become more accepted, with certain countries and some U.S. states legalizing it. Though the culture may accept it, God does not. The Lord values each of us. Even in our pain, God works for our good (Romans 8:28).

None of us is sinless, and suicide is one of many sins a Christian might commit. For those who belong to Christ, even that sin cannot remove us from His hand (John 10:28).

An old hymn tells us to “Turn your eyes upon Jesus / Look full in His wonderful face.” It is there that forgiveness of sin and salvation lies.

UNDERSTAND

• Suicide is a sin, but it is not unforgivable for those in Christ.
• Nothing can separate a believer from God's love.
• Despair and spiritual attacks are real, but God offers hope and help.

REFLECT

• When you face moments of deep discouragement, how do you remind yourself of God's unshakable love and presence?
• How does knowing that nothing can separate you from Christ change the way you view your struggles, failures, or darkest thoughts?
• How can you turn your focus from the weight of life’s burdens to the hope of the cross?

ENGAGE

• How can we, as a Christian community, better support those battling despair or mental anguish in light of biblical truth?
• What role does spiritual warfare play in mental health struggles, and how can we respond with both compassion and truth?
• How does understanding that suicide is a forgivable sin affect how we speak about grace, salvation, and the value of life?