United States Suicide Statistics

• In 2004, one person every 16.2 minutes killed themselves.– One old person every 1 hour and 41.4

minutes killed themselves.

– One young person every 2 hours and 2.1 minutes killed themselves.

– 11th ranking cause of death in the U.S.

• Homicide ranks 15th

– It is the 3rd ranking cause of death for young people.

Suicide in the Bible

• Saul

• Saul’s Armor-bearer

• Ahithophel

• Zimri

• Judas Iscariot

• Philippian Jailer (attempted)

Suicide is a Sin

• God hates murder.– Genesis 9:6; Galatians 5:21

• Suicide is self-murder.– Romans 13:9-10

• Suicide is often an act of retaliation.– Romans 12:17-21

Causes of Suicide• Hopelessness – Depression

• Substance Abuse

• Problems in the Home– Violence or abuse; Divorce; Death

• Financial Problems

• Isolation from Family or Friends

• Rejection by a Boyfriend or Girlfriend

• A Serious Illness/Disease

Misconceptions About Suicide

• Physical Death Does Not “End It All”– Luke 16:22-25

• Not Heroic– Romans 5:6-8; I John 3:16

• Not a Highway to Heaven– Luke 16:27-28

Contributing Factors of Suicide

• Materialism– Luke 12:15

• “It’s my body, it’s my life!”– I Cor. 6:19-20; Heb. 2:9

• Disregard for Human Life– Genesis 1:26; Psa. 139:14

Suicide Influenced by False Doctrine

• Theory of Evolution– Genesis 1-3; Psalm 14:1

• “Once Saved, Always Saved”– Acts 8:22; I John 1:9

• Hell Does not Exist– Mark 9:43-48

Suicide: Wrong Answer to Life’s Problems

• Life has purpose and meaning.– Ecclesiastes 12:13; Matt. 6:33

• Problems have a purpose in life.– Jam. 1:2-3; 5:11; Job 1:21; 13:15

– 2 Cor. 11:23-27; Phil. 1:20-21

• There is a place of refuge.– Psalm 9:9-10; 46:1-3; 57:1; 62:1-8

Suicide: Wrong Answer to Life’s Problems

• You are very valuable to God.– Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 8:5-6

– Eccl. 12:7; Matt. 16:26– John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9

• God gives freedom from guilt.– Heb. 9:28; Rom. 5:20-21; I John 1:7

• There is something far better.– Phil. 1:23; 3:20; Romans 8:18

“Do Yourself No Harm”Acts 16:28

• “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”– Acts 16:30-34

• Practicing righteousness brings peace– Isaiah 57:21; Colossians 3:15

• Christians handle problems differently– I Cor. 10:13; I Pet. 5:7; Gal. 6:2

• Life’s problems are temporary at best– 2 Corinthians 4:16-18