Fruit of the Spirit

For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth...Eph 5:9

Fall 2004                                                            Volume 5, Issue 4

Suicide - A Modern Epidemic

The term “suicide” derives from Latin roots, sui, “one’s self,” and caedere, “to kill.” It is defined as the killing of one’s self with malice aforethought, while in the possession of a sound mind. In some societies, both ancient and modern, suicide was/is seen as an honorable way to terminate earthly existence. The Greeks considered it a part of man’s freedom. According to psychiatrist Kenshiro Ohara, Japan's leading authority on the subject, suicide is an evidence of sincerity. When a Japanese mother decides to kill herself, she usually first kills her children. This deed elicits praise since children are not only considered parts of their parents, but to leave them motherless would be cruel (The New York Times, April 30, 1973, p. 10).

Suicide is becoming an increasingly popular “escape from life” in America. In 1974 there were 25,700 known suicides in this country. Last year, some 6,000 teenagers alone ended their own lives, and some authorities are reporting a number of suicides even among pre-teens. This phenomenon is doubtless receiving considerable impetus from modern humanistic influences which have cheapened the value of human life (cf. abortion, euthanasia, etc.).

The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, contains laws and principles which make suicide morally reprehensible. There are several cases of suicide mentioned in the Scriptures, and all of them are viewed in an unfavorable light (cf. 1 Samuel 31:4,5; 2 Samuel 17:23; 1 Kings. 16:18; Matthew 27:5). Self-destruction is a violation of the following biblical truths.

First, suicide asserts that man is autonomous, that he is his own source of law. Seneca, the Greek Stoic, defended suicide as an aspect of man’s lordship over his on being. However, the Bible teaches that it is Jehovah who made us, and not we ourselves (Psalm. 100:3). All people belong to the Creator (Ezekiel 18:3), and He has a “right” over them (cf. Genesis 2:7; Romans 9:21). Humanity is responsible to God.

Second, the Scriptures make it abundantly clear that life

is a gift from God. It is He who gives life to all (Acts 17:25; 1 Timothy 6:13). No person, therefore, has the intrinsic right to take away that which was given by the eternal Source of life, unless specifically authorized to do so (cf. Leviticus 20:2).

Third, suicide is a violation of the divine law prohibiting murder. The unauthorized shedding of human blood is an assault upon the image of God in man (Genesis 9:6). [Note: the Jewish rabbis felt that this passage specifically forbade suicide (Genesis Rabbah 34.21b).] Murder is condemned (Exodus 20:13; Romans 13:9), and suicide is self-murder when perpetrated by a rational person. [Note: It is estimated that more than 90% of suicide victims are considered normal, sane persons].

Fourth, suicide is an act of selfishness. Human beings have been given the responsibility of serving God (Ecclesiastes 12:13). As our Maker (Psalm 95:6), He is worthy of our service (Psalm 18:3); man was created to glorify Jehovah (Isaiah 43:7). Moreover, it is our duty to help others. As our Lord went about doing good (Acts 10:38), so He would have us act benevolently towards all men {people} (Galatians 6:10). No one is to live

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Inside...
Page 1 - Be Confident Of Your Salvation | Page 2 - We Must Grow
Page 3 - Prison Report | Page 4 - Old Testament Studies | Page 5 - The Beautiful Bride, Part 2
Page 6 - Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Part 4 | Page 7 - Christian Evidences
Page 8 - Suicide - A Modern Epidemic | Page 9 - The Christian Home
Page 10 - Continuations | Page 11 - The Children's Page
Page 12 - Announcements / Continuations

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