Biblical Perspective on Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention
The biblical perspective on self-harm and suicide prevention is rooted in the understanding that human life is sacred and belongs to God. The sixth commandment, "Thou shalt not kill," is interpreted by Augustine as prohibiting suicide, as it is a form of killing oneself [3]. This interpretation is supported by the fact that there is no divine precept or permission to take one's own life in the canonical books [3].
The Bible teaches that self-will and stubbornness are contrary to God's will, and are often the result of unbelief and pride [2]. In contrast, self-denial is a necessary aspect of following Christ, as it involves denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and mortifying sinful lusts [1]. This self-denial is not a form of self-harm, but rather a willingness to submit to God's will and follow His commandments.
Augustine argues that suicide is never a justifiable act, even in the face of persecution or hardship. one tradition contends that it is not a sign of greatness of soul, but rather a proof of a feeble mind that is unable to bear hardships [4]. Aquinas also argues that suicide is contrary to the natural law and to charity, as it involves loving oneself in a disordered way [5].
The biblical teaching on self-control is also relevant to the issue of self-harm and suicide prevention. The apostle Paul teaches that believers should control their own bodies in a way that is holy and honorable [8]. This self-control is a fruit of the Spirit and is essential for living a life that is pleasing to God.
In contrast to the biblical teaching, some individuals may be tempted to take their own lives due to feelings of despair or hopelessness. However, the Bible teaches that God is a God of hope, and that He is able to provide comfort and strength in times of need [6]. Charles Hodge notes that the power of Christ to save men from sin is not due to His teaching alone, but also to the manifestation of self-sacrificing love that He demonstrated on the cross [7].
The statistics on suicide are alarming, with estimates suggesting that it is a significant cause of death in many cities [9]. However, the Bible teaches that life is precious and that it is not our own to take. Hodge argues that suicide is a form of self-murder, and that it involves a deliberate refusal to submit to God's will [9].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Will and Stubbornness — Forbidden -- 2Ch 30:8; Ps 75:5; 95:8. Proceed from Unbelief. -- 2Ki 17:14. Pride. -- Ne 9:16,29. An evil heart. -- Jer 7:24. God knows -- Isa 48:4. Exhibited in Refusing to hearken to God. -- Pr 1:24. Refusing to hearken to the messengers of God. -- 1Sa 8:19; Jer 44:16; Zec 7:11. Refusing to walk in the ways of God. -- Ne 9:17; Ps 78:10; Isa 42:24; Jer 6:16. Refusing to hearken to parents. -- De 21:18,19. Refusing to receive correction. -- De 21:18; Jer 5:3; 7:28. Rebelling against God. -- De 31:27; Ps 78:8. Resisting the Holy Spirit. -- ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 20.--THAT CHRISTIANS HAVE NO AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTING SUICIDE IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHATEVER. (part 1): It is not without significance, that in no passage of the holy canonical books there can be found either divine precept or permission to take away our own life, whether for the sake of entering on the enjoyment of immortality, or of shunning, or ridding ourselves of anything whatever. Nay, the law, rightly interpreted, even prohibits suicide, where it says, "Thou shalt not kill." This is proved especially by the omission of the ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 22. -- THAT SUICIDE CAN NEVER BE PROMPTED BY MAGNANIMITY. (part 1): But they who have laid violent hands on themselves are perhaps to be admired for their greatness of soul, though they cannot be applauded for the soundness of their judgment. However, if you look at the matter more closely, you will scarcely call it greatness of soul, which prompts a man to kill himself rather than bear up against some hardships of fortune, or sins m which he is not implicated. Is it not rather proof of a feeble mind, to be unable to bear either ”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Murder, Art. 5: Article: Whether it is lawful to kill oneself? I answer that, It is altogether unlawful to kill oneself, for three reasons. First, because everything naturally loves itself, the result being that everything naturally keeps itself in being, and resists corruptions so far as it can. Wherefore suicide is contrary to the inclination of nature, and to charity whereby every man should love himself. Hence suicide is always a mortal sin, as being contrary to the natural law and to charity. Secondly, becaus”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM XLVI.[8] (part 11): a Helper in tribulations which have found us out too much"? or in another Psalm, "For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me."[8] When one learneth that in himself he is nothing, and help in himself has none, arms in him are broken in pieces, wars are made to cease. Such wars then destroyed that Voice of the Most High out of His holy clouds, whereby the earth was moved, and the kingdoms were bowed. These wars hath He made to cease unto the end of the earth. "He shall break the bow, and 160 dash in pie”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 111: his willingness to forgive sin, and as confirming to us the truth of those doctrines He is entitled to be regarded as the Saviour of men. Thirdly, others again regard the power of Christ in saving men from sin, as not due to his teaching, or to his sealing his doctrines with his blood, but to the manifestation which He made of self-sacrificing love. This exerts a greater power over the hearts of men than all else besides. If the wicked cannot be reclaimed by love, which manifests itself not only in words of gentleness, by acts of kindnes”
- 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 4:4: 4:4 will control his own body: Self-control brings honor from others (Rom 12:10) and from God (Rom 2:7; 1 Pet 5:4, 6).”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 48: estimated that one death out of 175 in London is suicide; in New York, one in 172; in Vienna, one in 160; in Paris, one in 72. It is a very complicated crime; our life is not our own; we have no more right to destroy our life than we have to destroy the life of a fellow-man. Suicide is, therefore, self murder. It is the desertion of the post which God has assigned us; it is a deliberate refusal to submit to his will; it is a crime which admits of no repentance, and consequently involves the loss of the soul. 368 Duelling. Duelling is anot”