What if a loved one passed away because of suicide? What would you make of it? Questions like these are hard to answer and can make the process of healing from such a loss even more difficult.
As Christians, we look to God for guidance in times of need. But when someone takes their own life, many questions whether or not this is seen as an act that God will forgive.
In today’s blog post, we will be exploring the topic of suicide and asking: Will God Forgive Suicide?
Is Suicide A Sin?
In Orthodox Christianity, suicide is generally considered a sin and a violation of the sixth commandment “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13).
Taking own life is seen as a rejection of God’s gift of life and an act that goes against God’s plan and will.
However, the Orthodox Church also teaches that God’s love and mercy are limitless and that He is always willing to forgive those who seek repentance and turn away from their sins. To be forgiven by God, a person must repent his sins, which is impossible after suicide.
Forgiveness For Those Who Committed Suicide
Suicides are forbidden to be mentioned during church worship in the notes for the repose. Also, earlier suicides were buried outside the cemetery fence near the church.
Suicide was often equated with a betrayal of the faith, but the church recognizes that all cases are individual, some people end their lives in a heat of passion, that is, without understanding what they are doing.
That’s why the Church encourages faithful people to pray for those who have taken their own lives and to trust in God’s mercy and judgment.
In terms of the forgiveness of those who have committed suicide, the Church doesn’t offer a definitive answer. As mentioned above, it all depends on the circumstances.
Some Orthodox theologians and spiritual fathers have said that a person who commits suicide may not be fully responsible for their actions due to mental illness or other extenuating circumstances, for example committing suicide in a heat of passion.
In such cases, it’s believed that God may show mercy and compassion towards the individual and may not hold them fully accountable for their decision. So, God judges each person according to their circumstances.
Read Also: Does God Forgive Adultery?
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Is The Church Against Suicide?
The Orthodox Church encourages all individuals to turn towards God and seek His forgiveness and mercy, regardless of their struggles or challenges in life.
Even in the case of physical suffering, a person should take medicines that will relieve pain than commit suicide, which won’t allow a person to repent of sins.
In the Orthodox tradition, repentance is considered a necessary step toward receiving forgiveness for any sin, including suicide.
Repentance involves acknowledging a person’s wrongdoings, confessing it to a priest, and trying to change the heart and behavior. The priest may offer guidance and advice to the penitent to help him in his further spiritual growth.
According to Orthodox teaching, suicide is a form of self-murder, which is prohibited by the Sixth Commandment. The Church considers the body to be a temple of the Holy Spirit, and taking one’s life is seen as a desecration of that temple.
However, the Church also recognizes that suicide can be a complex and deeply painful issue and that individuals who are struggling with suicidal thoughts may require compassion, understanding, and support rather than judgment or condemnation.
The Church encourages the faithful to be vigilant in caring for the mental and emotional health of others and to offer compassion and assistance to those who are struggling with mental illness or other forms of distress because mental health is just as important as physical health.
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In Which Case God Will Not Forgive Suicide?
If the suicide wasn’t a desperate act of someone who is suffering from mental illness, extreme emotional distress, or other forms of psychological trauma, it’s considered a not forgivable sin.
We can’t know for sure what the person experienced at the time of suicide, but generally speaking, a person who doesn’t suffer from mental disorders cannot be forgiven, since suicide was his deliberate decision that goes against God.
Why Do People Commit Suicide?
Suicide is often accompanied by a lack of faith in God’s love and mercy. This lack of faith can be seen as a rejection of God’s will and an unwillingness to accept the suffering that comes with life.
Sometimes unbelief causes other sins, such as pride. In this state, a person puts his problems above the problems of others, so the suffering of a family that loses a loved one is no longer so important to him.
In other cases, a person experiences such intense suffering that the matter isn’t about any pride. Such a person needs urgent psychological help, support, and spiritual guidance.
In Orthodox theology, suffering is seen as a necessary part of the human experience, as it allows us to grow in faith and draw closer to God. But we aren’t talking about simple suffering that harms a person. The Orthodox Church believes that repentance for sin itself is suffering, so it’s a part of our life.
By taking one’s own life, a person is seen as rejecting this process of growth and repentance and turning away from God’s plan for their life.
Also, poverty, social isolation, and discrimination can all contribute to feelings of hopelessness and despair, which can lead to suicide. The Church believes that it’s the responsibility of all Christians to work towards a more just and compassionate society, where everyone has access to the resources and support they need to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Read Also: Is Manifesting A Sin?
Final Thoughts
It can be concluded that God treats each person individually since each person has different circumstances. The same goes for suicide.
If a person had serious psychological disorders or was in an inadequate state at the time of death, then the Church believes that God can forgive such a person.
If a person commits suicide because of his pride, then this is a very serious sin that cannot be forgiven.
Generally in Orthodox Christianity, suicide is regarded as a big sin, as it involves taking own life, which was given by God.
However, we can’t know all the details of the death of a person, therefore the Church allows and blesses mentioning suicides in the personal prayers of Christians.
Charalampos
Charalampos is an Orthodox Christian who wants to help others learn about Christianity. His main goal is to help people understand the Bible and how to apply its teachings in their everyday lives. He also enjoys spending time with his family, playing sports, and hiking.
Connecting with God is essential to praying effectively and receiving answers. Our FREE cheat sheet will help you build a strong relationship with God and create an effective prayer life.
