Suicide is Not a Solution

Comedian Rodney Dangerfield often joked that he got no respect. One of his famous one-liners was, “I called suicide prevention…they put me on hold.”

In real life, suicide is no laughing matter. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, each year more than 32,000 Americans take their own lives. This past January, an eight-year-old boy in Cincinnati hung himself with a necktie in his bedroom. This happened two days after he was attacked in a school bathroom.

I can relate to people who contemplate ending their lives. During eighth grade, I experienced much name-calling and physical abuse from my classmates. Going to school had become so traumatic I wanted to die. If my father had a gun, I probably would have shot myself. I considered swallowing poison but fortunately was too scared to follow through with that.

A couple of months before giving my life to the Lord in 1991, I was driving on the freeway one night when suddenly I had recurring thoughts of taking my own life. Two days later, I ended up meeting a woman God used to get me back into church. Eventually, I realized those suicidal thoughts were a demonic attack.

There are people in the Bible who struggled with the will to live. Elijah and Jonah both wanted to die after experiencing disappointments with their ministries. While they went on to do the work of the Lord, other characters in the Bible ultimately committed suicide…

• King Saul drifted away from God, lost a key battle, and killed himself before the Philistines could capture him. Saul’s armor-bearer did likewise (1 Samuel 31:4-5).

• A royal advisor named Ahithophel regretted his defection from King David’s side to Absalom’s side and hanged himself (2 Samuel 17:23).

• After reigning Israel for only seven days, King Zimri saw his throne was about to be taken and burned down his palace around himself (1 Kings 16:18).

• Judas Iscariot killed himself after being overwhelmed with remorse for betraying Jesus (Matthew 27:1-5; Acts 1:18-19).

One might argue Samson should be included on this list, even though his final act of causing the temple to collapse could be seen as a heroic sacrifice against Israel’s enemies (Judges 16:23-31).

I’ve met Christians who believe individuals who kill themselves will spend eternity in hell since one of the Ten Commandments is “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). Personally, I believe suicide is forgivable if committed by someone who had faith in Jesus. I know a man who had a teenaged daughter with serious health issues. She died in the hospital after intentionally unplugging herself from a life support machine. It’s possible this girl got a glimpse of heaven and desired to be with the Lord more than winning the battle against her disease. She should not be judged by the same standard as someone who intentionally commits murder.

Nevertheless, God gave us life and should be the One who decides when it’s time for us to go home to be with Him. 1 Corinthians 6:20 says, “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 

If you’re dealing with thoughts of hopelessness and don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I strongly urge you to give your life to Him right now. Suicide is not a solution and would result in eternal torment far worse than whatever you’re facing right now. God created you for a purpose and has a good plan for your life. He will provide a way for you to emerge successfully.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” - Jeremiah 29:11

The Mind of a Believer

Some people have this idea that to be a Christian, you have to check your brain at the door. Recently an atheistic businessman published a LinkedIn article titled “Religious People have lesser IQ than non-believers!” In an attempt to back up his claim, the author included numerous graphs such as the one pictured here. He also added the caption “Charts speak for themselves.” 

We will now let God’s word speak for itself...

“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” - Psalm 14:1 and 53:1

“...although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools” - Romans 1:21-22

“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.” - Romans 8:6-7

"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." - 1 Corinthians 2:14

Jesus said in Matthew 22:37, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” In his book and seminar “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist”, apologist Frank Turek states, “Christians don’t get brownie points for being stupid.”

Despite the atheist’s claim Pentecostals have the lowest IQ, Spirit-filled Christians who regularly pray in tongues can receive downloads from heaven that cannot be accessed through natural means...

“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.” - 1 John 2:20

“But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” - 1 John 2:27

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” - Jude 20

I agree the atheist’s charts do speak for themselves. They speak of individuals who put them together “whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4). All they have to do is repent and then they can have the mind of Christ.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool." - Isaiah 1:18

I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up

Critical Christians who don’t regularly experience supernatural encounters with the Lord will sometimes nitpick the craziest things.  This past week I watched a YouTube video in which a minister I know was labeled an “apostate” because of certain manifestations occurring at his meetings.  One of which is people falling backward when touched by the Holy Spirit.  The producer of this video claimed, “Only the enemies of God fall backwards.”  Other like-minded critics point to Scriptures where men of God “fell on their faces” during worship.

Having grown up in a mainline denominational church, I was somewhat cynical when I first saw people “slain in the Spirit.”  Since then I’ve fallen backward many times when receiving ministry in a prayer line.  After one such incident while lying on the floor doing “carpet time”, I was healed of a nasal defect I had since childhood.  Does that sound demonic to you?  It shouldn’t since Jesus is the healer. 

Some criticize the manifestation of being slain in the Spirit because of men being used as catchers.  Another minister I know once explained the reason he has catchers is to reduce the possibility of people getting hurt and then filing lawsuits against the church.  This same minister and others have testified of being supernaturally stuck to the floor.  It reminds me of that old catchphrase, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”

So if you sincerely desire a touch from heaven, don’t be fearful if you find yourself on the floor.  God may want to perform “spiritual surgery” to heal your soul from past hurts.  If you happen to fall backward, that won’t make you God’s enemy.  That simply means you couldn’t continue standing up.

“When Jesus said to them, I am He, they went backwards (drew back, lurched backward) and fell to the ground.”  - John 18:6 (Amplified Bible)

Free to Think

People who refuse to believe in God are becoming more “evangelistic” in spreading their message of unbelief. Last weekend in front of a Florida courthouse, a group of atheists unveiled a monument next to a granite slab listing the Ten Commandments. American Atheists President David Silverman stated in a press release that his New Jersey-based organization plans to erect 50 more monuments at public sites across the country.

Many atheists pride themselves as being “freethinkers.” They believe that by not adhering to Scripture, they are free to think for themselves. On the other hand, Sid Roth released a book called “They Thought for Themselves”, which features testimonies of “ten amazing Jews” who found out the truth about Jesus as their Messiah.

I heard one motivational speaker claim the human brain didn’t come with an owner’s manual. The truth is the Bible gives many instructions on how to use our minds. Here are a few of them…

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” - Matthew 22:37

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” - Romans 12:2

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”  - Romans 12:3

“Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” - 2 Corinthians 10:5

“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 (KJV)

Christians are often criticized for being too narrow-minded. It’s true that God’s people need to “think outside the box” more. Well-meaning religious leaders have stifled many creative ideas because it didn’t fit their paradigm for ministry. Congregation members may not have chapter and verse to back up every divinely inspired plan. Noah could have been accused of not having Scripture to verify the Lord’s instructions to build an ark to save his family and all those animals.

When it comes to a person’s eternal destiny, one shouldbe narrow-minded if he doesn’t want to end up in the wrong place. Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke wrote on his Facebook page, “Someone said I was 'too dogmatic.' But how many people would board an aircraft if the pilot kept 'an open mind' about the destination? Passengers want A VERY dogmatic pilot. Hell or heaven - what is your destination? Join Jesus and your arrival in heaven is guaranteed.”

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” - Matthew 7:13

Being Sober-minded

One of the most controversial occurrences in Christianity is people getting “drunk in the Spirit.” Some well-meaning Christians have preached against this manifestation by referring to Scriptures commanding us to “be sober.” Let’s look at some of them…

“Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:6

“But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:8

“Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded” - Titus 2:6

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” - 1 Peter 1:13

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”- 1 Peter 5:8

There are different definitions of the word sober found in the Encarta World English Dictionary…

1. Not under the influence of drugs or alcohol

2. Not in the habit of drinking much alcohol or using drugs

3. Serious and thoughtful in demeanor or quality

4. Lacking vitality or brightness in appearance

5. Based on facts and rational thinking rather than on speculation

The New Oxford American Dictionary also defines sober as “muted in color” such as a sober gray suit. In this context, being sober would get boring after a while. God likes color and variety.

Let’s look at 1 Peter 1:13 again from the Amplified Bible…

“So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed.”

Notice in this translation sober is defined as “morally alert.” People under the influence of the Holy Spirit will not do things contrary to the word of God. Once in a while, you might see “drunken” Christians do silly things. But as long as those silly things are not sinful, we shouldn’t be too quick to judge these people.

A few weeks ago, a man e-mailed me protesting the spiritual drunkenness seen in some of my YouTube videos. He quoted several Scriptures on sobriety using the New American Standard Bible. Let’s compare some of these verses from the NASB with the New King James Version to gain a better understanding of what God’s word is saying…

• 1 Corinthians 15:34 in the NASB says, “Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.” The New King James Version reads, “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.”
• 1 Peter 4:7 (NASB) says, “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.” The NKJV reads, “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.”
• 2 Timothy 4:5 (NASB) says, “But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” The NKJV reads, “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

People turned off by manifestations of spiritual drunkenness also like to quote 1 Corinthians 14:40, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” But a religious person’s idea of “order” may be different than what God’s is. Jeremiah declared, “My heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake. I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine has overcome, because of the LORD, and because of His holy words.” (Jeremiah 23:9) And as my friend John Scotland points out, “The church began with drunkenness” in Acts chapter 2. There were critics of spiritual drunkenness on the Day of Pentecost as well.

Let us now look at Galatians 5:22-24…

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

One might ask, “Where’s the self-control in a spiritual drunk?” The Amplified Version of Galatians 5:23 reads, “Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].” Continence is defined as “able to control movements of the bowels and bladder” and “exercising self-restraint, esp. sexually.” The Wycliffe New Testament renders Galatians 5:23 as “temperance, continence, chastity; against such things is no law.”

In closing, I want to remind my fellow “solution drinkers” to always test the spirits (1 John 4:1). Never assume that all supernatural happenings are from the Lord. People who neglect time studying the Bible are more prone to deception.

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” - Titus 2:12