Apostasy & Suicide: What The Bible Says

What About Apostasy?

Recent social media news has many believers wondering. A couple of renowned believers abandoned (that is, apostatized) their faith in the Lord Jesus.

What just transpired? How is this possible?

The answers will often depend on someone’s preconceived theological worldview. A classic and a moderate Calvinist would quickly conclude that they are not true believers because, if they were, they would have persevered in their faith (cf. Matt. 24:13). While a Reformed Arminian would undoubtedly give these former believers the benefit of the doubt that they were sincere believers who were deceived and therefore forfeited their salvation (cf. Matt. 24:24). 

As you can see, it all depends on the judge’s point of view. But who are we to pass judgment? Do we understand that person’s heart? Are we attempting to usurp God’s role as judge? The Bible makes it clear that the Lord knows those who are His. We must refrain from judging because the role of judge has already been filled (cf. Jam. 4:12). 

If you are directed by the Lord to remember them, it is best to pray for these former believers to return to God. 

What About Suicide?

Now, what about Christians who take their own lives, will they still go to heaven? Is it possible for a Christian to go to heaven after committing suicide? 

These questions will not go away for the next fifty years or so, but allow me to explain. At least seven individuals in the Bible are recorded as having committed this tragic act. They include Abimelech (Judg. 9:54), Samson (Judg. 16:28–30), Saul (1 Sam. 31:4–5; 1 Chron. 10:4–5), Saul’s armor-bearer (1 Sam. 31:5), Ahithophel (2 Sam. 17:23), Zimri (1 Kgs 16:18), and Judas Iscariot (Matt. 27:3–5; cf. Acts 1:18).

Clearly, Judas was never a true believer, for Jesus Himself identified him as “the son of perdition”—that is, the one destined for destruction—who was lost (John 17:12). In fact, this same expression is also applied to “the man of lawlessness” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, referring to the prophesied adversary who rejects the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Except for Judas, no one, aside from the Lord Himself, truly knows the heart of those who have committed this tragic act. We can, of course, suggest possible reasons why a person might choose to end their own life, but ultimately, only the Lord knows all things (Rom. 2:16).

They may have been overcome with a sense of melancholy and hopelessness, which is why they desired to end their lives. Whatever their motives may be, taking one’s own life is still evil in the sight of the Lord because it is murdering one’s own physical body. The Bible is unequivocal in its command: “You shall not murder” (Exod. 20:13). This divine prohibition encompasses not only the taking of another person’s life but also one’s own. Human life is sacred because it is God’s gift and bears His image (Gen. 1:27; 9:6). Therefore, to take one’s own life is to violate the Creator’s authority over life and death, acting against the very sanctity of life that God has ordained.

What if a true believer commits suicide? Can mental and emotional issues overwhelm a real believer?

It is possible for the enemy's condemning words to overcome a Christian if they are not growing in their relationship with the Lord. This could happen to those who are not reading His Word on a regular basis, are not participating in a church community, are not surrounded by godly friends, and have no accountability (cf. Heb. 10:25). 

Any believer has the potential to deceive the general public into believing that he is doing good when, in reality, spiritual termites are consuming him. This can happen to anyone, whether they are a pastor, a minister’s son, a church leader, or a regular churchgoer. This is why it is critical to seek spiritual assistance if you suspect this is happening.

Let me offer my thoughts on the theological aspects of this matter. Can a true believer forfeit their salvation by committing suicide? 

If a Christian accepts this, he will undoubtedly be guilty of adding works to the finished work of Jesus Christ. It is true that suicide is a terrible deed that a believer can commit against oneself in the worst-case scenario. However, no evil conduct or wicked thing can take away our assurance in Christ’s love. The Scripture says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” (Rom. 8:35).When a genuine believer takes his or her own life, what is affected is not eternal salvation, but rather the eternal reward that could have been received in heaven. Salvation rests solely on the finished work of Christ, not on the believer’s final act or failure. However, suicide tragically cuts short the opportunity to live faithfully and fruitfully for the Lord.

In other words, such a believer forfeits the “crown” or reward that would have been given on that Day when Jesus Christ commends those who have faithfully followed His will and persevered in obedience while living in this fallen and sinful world, awaiting His glorious return (cf. 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Tim. 4:7–8).

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. - Jam. 1:12

But let me be clear: I am not advocating this horrible activity, nor am I urging anyone to end their life because of life’s trials, tests, difficulties, and sufferings. No! If a Christian does this before the proper time, he will undoubtedly give account before His Lord (cf. Rom. 14:12).

It will not be a believer’s salvation that is at stake, but rather one’s heavenly rewards (cf. 1 Cor. 3:15). Why end one’s life when we know there is hope in Jesus Christ? Did not Jesus Christ said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33)? 

I don’t know about you, but I’d like to hear my Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:23). 

Having said that, let us not take matters into our own hands because our time is in God’s hands.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? – 1 Jn. 5:4-5

Besides, we truly cannot know what God has in store for those who have faithfully served Him and diligently obeyed His will throughout their lives.

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. – 1 Cor. 2:9-10

Additional References



But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” – 2 Timothy 2:19

“I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” – Jer. 17:10, ESV

My times are in your hand… – Psa. 31:15