Bible Answers for Suicidal Thinking
A tragic wave of suicides among the rich and famous rocked our news pages recently. This past weekend two others jumped out of Manhattan buildings to their death. These unspeakable tragedies remind us that sometimes the least likely people in the least likely places are thinking about suicide. It also calls to mind that Philippian jailer and how he lived under the power of darkness and then found himself on the doorstep of death (Acts 16:23-34). This cold-hearted “correctional officer,” however, did not seem suicidal as he fell into a deep sleep while Paul and Silas sang in that dark prison. What we outwardly see is not always the whole story. If you or anyone you know is suffering from depression and considering suicide, this Biblical narrative is very helpful for understanding why people commit suicide and how we can help them when they are close to it. The hope of this passage is that God not only delivered this jailer from suicide, but he finds true joy in life along with his entire family.
God suddenly gained this jailer’s attention, though he appeared utterly indifferent to Him. An earthquake jarred him from his deep sleep, and he rightly feared death when he supposed the prisoners under his authority had fled. Why? Because if any prisoners were to break out during his watch, his own life would be taken. Seeing the prison doors wide open he supposed that many of the prisoners had fled. He knew he stood on the very doorstep of death, so he took a sword to plunge into his chest. He could find no point in living another moment, and believed it was more courageous to take his own life rather than for another to take it from him. The Biblical text gives us a very real reason why many people do take their lives, and it shows how Paul bravely stood between this man and eternal judgment.
Many commit suicide when they “suppose” incorrectly. Acts 16:27 shows this jailer one heartbeat away from eternity: “And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleepy and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled.” Reasoning with someone who is supposing incorrectly and who has no hope is difficult. When individuals suppose their depression has no end, or when they suppose their problems have no answer, some will take their lives. When they suppose their loss is life shattering like King Zimri, (1 Kings 16:18) others will take their lives. Others suppose no one loves them nor ever will, or they suppose they are a failure, like Ahithophel (2 Sam.17:23). When others suppose they will never change, as Judas, (Matt.27:15), then suicide is often the next step. Those who contemplate suicide and especially those who commit suicide, often suppose something that is not entirely true. If you know someone who is considering this act, ask this question, “If you are considering suicide, what are you falsely supposing?”
Suicide is the deliberate taking of one’s life; it is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. It is the ultimate cry for help, but it is a final cry, for the suicide victim goes beyond help. Suicide is an extreme form of selfish communication and self-love. Some, like this jailer, might consider suicide a foolish act of bravery to communicate their fearlessness toward death. Over 40,000 Americans annually commit suicide and overall it is the 10th leading cause of in the United States. Teenagers especially commit suicide at alarming rates and is the number two killer among teens: they seek to gain attention, punish surviving family members or friends, or they think they will join a friend who died. Many women and girls who attempt suicide do so after suffering sexual abuse. While men kill themselves more often than women do, three times as many women attempt suicide. There is even higher attempted suicide rate for LGBT youth and adults. Some warning signs typical in suicide victims are verbal threats, preoccupation with themes of death, dramatic and sudden problems in home and school, abuse of drugs and alcohol, and chronic guilt.
Paul shows wisdom in counseling this jailer on the brink of death. He gives him hope by telling him the facts: “Do thyself no harm: for we are all here” (Acts 16:28). Most people who attempt suicide want someone to stop them. If someone will lovingly talk to them and stand in their way, they will give way. People do not really want to end their life; they want to end their pain. Paul openly and Biblically confronts this man with his behavior and takes his actions very seriously.
This jailer moves from the power of darkness and doorstep of death into the family of God. God’s powerful shaking of the earth led this trembling jailer to cry out “What must I do to be saved?” Miraculously, he followed Paul’s command to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. God convicted his heart at his place of employment; then Paul went to his home and proclaimed Christ to his whole family.
Maybe you work in a prison or a police precinct. Perhaps you work in an office or a public school. There are people around you with real problems. You do not have to wait for them to enter the church doors to tell them of Christ. This jailer was born again amidst the rubble of the dungeon at midnight; his family came to Christ in their home. The best time to talk to someone about salvation may be at a coffee break at work or at the kitchen table of their own home. Personally, I have seen more lasting salvation professions in the convert’s home than anywhere else. I am able to listen better as well as allow the one whom I am talking to share their spiritual relationship more thoroughly so that I can speak to their need wisely.
The jailer repents of his sin and believes on the Lord Jesus. His divine transformation brings immediate change in character. What an example of repentance is this jailer! One moment he behaved in a heartless manner, shutting Paul in the inner prison. As a child of God, he brought the man of God to clean out his wounds and feed him a decent meal in his own home. God transformed his violence into mercy. Moments earlier he feared the prisoners had fled and he nearly committed suicide. As a child of God, he allowed Paul and Silas to leave the prison so that he and his family could follow the Lord in believer’s baptism and rejoice with his whole family of their new life in Christ! God transformed his fear into courage, his selfishness into hospitality, and his hopelessness into joy. The ultimate solution to life’s deepest sorrows is knowing Jesus Christ loves you and will save you when you believe on Him from your heart. With Christ, you do not have to live with false suppositions but you can sincerely stand in the truth that God loves you, you have hope, and although your problems may be real, God will lead you through them all.
Matt Recker is the pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in New York City.
Check out our Resources page for recommended books and other materials helpful for your ministry.