In a world where everything seems to be falling apart, the value of life is gradually being lost. Many see their challenges as being worth more dying for than living to face them head-on. The tendency to take one’s life is far higher now than ever, especially among youths and teens. Several factors are responsible for this evil trend – exposure to the wrong movies, demonically inspired music, bad company, secret societies and cultism, low self-esteem, poor parental upbringing, drug addiction, isolation and depression, economic hardship, and societal pressure, among others. 

Biblically, everyone who committed suicide ended poorly, evidence that suicide isn’t a part of God’s approved channels of exiting this world. King Saul, Ahithophel, and Judas Iscariot were among those who ended poorly in the Bible as they all fell out with God, were unrepentant, and committed suicide. King Saul took his life in the battle against the Philistines after disobeying God with the Spirit of the Lord leaving him for an evil spirit (1 Samuel 31:3-4). Ahithophel committed suicide after forming a rebellious alliance with Absalom, with his counsel no longer being relevant (2 Samuel 17:23). Judas lost out among the twelve after betraying His Master – Jesus. He did have the chance of repenting, but decided to take his life (Matthew 27:5). The examples of these men are for our learning so that we would not end the way they ended.

Statistics Speaks

Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, according to WHO’s latest estimates, published in “Suicide Worldwide in 2019”. According to their finding, every year, more people die as a result of suicide than HIV, malaria, breast cancer, or war and homicide. In 2019, more than 700, 000 people died by suicide: one in every 100 deaths, prompting the WHO to produce new guidance to help countries improve suicide prevention and care. Among young people aged 15-29, suicide was the fourth leading cause of death after road injury, tuberculosis, and interpersonal violence. More than twice as many males die due to suicide as females (12.6 per 100, 000 males compared with 5.4 per 100 000 females). Suicide rates among men are generally higher in high-income countries (16.5 per 100, 000). For females, the highest suicide rates are found in lower-middle-income countries (7.1 per 100, 000). A US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report looking at youth mental health trends from 2011 to 2021 found that 13 percent of high school girls had attempted suicide, while 30 percent had seriously considered it. It is widely alleged that suicide issues are underreported worldwide due to various reasons in different regions of the world. This alarming suicide statistic makes it a subject requiring urgent global intervention. 

The Sanctity of Life 

Life is so precious to God that He declared that whoever takes the life of another will have his own life taken in return (Genesis 9:6). God said to Noah that man was created in His image, therefore, it is of high worth in His sight. God had warned against the sin of murder from the Old to the New Covenant. Among the Ten Commandments is the command not to kill – whether it be others or oneself (Exodus 20:13). God is very deliberate and meticulous about the sanctity of life.  To the first murderer (Cain), God gave a warning, “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shall rule over him” (Genesis 4:7). Thus, the first murder case recorded was called ‘sin’ by God and never went unpunished. Cain was cursed for taking his brother’s life. If a man can be cursed for taking another’s life, it therefore means whosoever takes his own life is cursed. The eternal consequence that befalls the murderer is the same as the one who commits suicide. 

If a man can be cursed for taking another’s life, it therefore means whosoever takes his own life is cursed. The eternal consequence that befalls the murderer is the same as the one who commits suicide. 

Helpful Tips for Overcoming Suicidal Tendencies

Abstain: Abstain from things and habits that fuel suicidal tendencies. Such things include horror movies, satanic and worldly music, hard drugs, alcohol, and the wrong company. Certain habits such as isolation and loneliness among others can also encourage suicide. These habits and things listed are predisposing factors to suicide. The earlier you abstain the greater your chances of overcoming suicidal tendencies, but the more you procrastinate, the more vulnerable you are to committing suicide. Christ invites every burdened and weary victim of sin and addiction to come to Him: “Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, GNB). The word of God admonishes us to “Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God” (2 Timothy 2:22, MSG). 

See Yourself from God’s Perspective: The love of God for you is everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3), He thinks about you and visits you because you are very precious in His sight (Psalm 8:4; Isaiah 43:4). Satan is envious of your position in God therefore, he would do everything within his power to rob you of that exalted position. God says of you, “Since thou art precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee; therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life” (Isaiah 43:4). You are so precious in the sight of God that He is willing to give individuals and people to preserve your life. It is for the preservation of your life, and the gift of eternal life that God gave up His own life through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. If God wanted you dead, there would have been no need for Him to give up His only begotten Son for your salvation. The Apostle Paul expressed this reality in His letter to the Roman believers: “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son but delivered Him for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32).  

If God so loved that He gave up His Son for your sake, why do you want to take your life? Are you going through a trying time and think the best way to end it all is to take your life? If God freely gave His only begotten Son for you, why then would He not meet your needs and deliver you? You are more precious to God than the whole material world put together. Jesus puts this in the form of a question: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37). 

Are you going through a trying time and think the best way to end it all is to take your life? If God freely gave His only begotten Son for you, why then would He not meet your needs and deliver you? You are more precious to God than the whole material world put together.

Speak Up: If you’re going through a traumatic experience that’s pointing you toward suicide, do not die in silence but speak up. Talk to a confidant or a counsellor. Satan specializes in isolating his victims by making them feel lonely before destroying them. Do not give the devil a place (Ephesians 4:27). Satan knows well that when you are lonely, you are vulnerable to his antics; therefore, speak up! It is for this reason that the Bible says “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). It is no weakness to cry out for help but strength indeed because two are better than one.

Properly Engage your Mind: In science, we are told that there is no vacuum in space; the same is true with the mind – it cannot be blank. Replace the thoughts of suicide with the right thoughts. The word of God is a cleanser and purifying agent. Study the word consistently to reset your mind, and every thought of suicide will be wiped away. The word of God helps to keep your hope alive and elicits faith in the promises of God. Meditate on productive things by following Paul’s counsel to the Philippians: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). Read spiritual and inspiring books. Additionally, engage your mental faculties productively by learning a skill, playing a musical instrument, learning a game, engaging in sports, etc.

Replace the thoughts of suicide with the right thoughts. The word of God is a cleanser and purifying agent. Study the word consistently to reset your mind, and every thought of suicide will be wiped away.

Be Committed to Fellowship: A story was told of a Pastor who was having certain challenges, and his last option was to commit suicide. It was on a Sunday and he had planned to take his life on that fateful day. However, he was led to go to Church (probably for the last time) before committing the act. On his arrival at Church, the beautiful and welcoming smiles on the faces of the ushers at the Church’s entrance melted his heart and prepared the ground for His encounter with God at the Church service. During the service, God encountered him and he repented and changed his mind, and that was how his life was preserved. Little wonder, the Bible admonishes us not to neglect fellowshipping with other believers (Hebrews 10:25). No man is an Island, and your company either makes or mars you. The Pastor mentioned earlier was at the right place at the right time, and his life was preserved. The wrong company will bring misery to your life, frustrate you, and aggravate suicidal tendencies in your life. This implies that you’re safer being in the company of believers than being in the wrong company. In the fellowship of believers, you are loved, encouraged, and admonished to trust God for your needs. The testimonies of fellow believers become an anchor and a source of strength for your expectations while keeping your hope alive. 

Rebuke the Spirit: Death is a spirit, and suicide is one of its agents. There are spiritual forces that are responsible for suicide. When at work, they incite their victims to take their lives against God’s will. If this is your case, prayer is a stronger force against these forces. Pray in faith and silence that agent of death. We are admonished to not worry about anything but pray about everything (Philippians 4:6). Prayer changes everything – by prayer, you counter that voice of death by speaking life to your soul. You can join faith with other believers (possibly of higher spiritual authority) in prayer to confirm Matthew 18:19: “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven”. Jesus admonished us to pray persistently without losing heart (Luke 18:1). With persistent prayer, you will be victorious over the spirit of suicide.   

Death is a spirit, and suicide is one of its agents. There are spiritual forces that are responsible for suicide. When at work, they incite their victims to take their lives against God’s will. If this is your case, prayer is a stronger force against these forces

A Closing Word

Job declared, “Man, who is born of a woman, is short-lived and full of turmoil” (Job 14:1). “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]” (Romans 8:37, AMP). The Apostle Peter admonishes believers to “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7). So long as life continues, challenges are integral parts of our pilgrimage on this side of eternity. Look away from the negativities and fix your gaze on Jesus as the Author and Finisher of your faith. Love God, love others, and love and value yourself because you’re of great worth in the sight of God. Be blessed!