Perhaps if you will… allow me, I would like to discuss the topic of ‘Suicide?’ As one transitions from childhood to adolescence, they begin to realize that they are ‘not’ in total control of life. With ‘goals and demands’ on their personhood, they transition into adulthood. Then there are some adults; who come to realize that… “Control”… is just an ‘illusion and vanity’. And then live their lives… with knowing that there is a ‘greater power’… than ourselves. Anytime during this maturation process… we can derail ourselves, which may lead, to ‘Suicide’.
*** (Proverbs 4:7) Wisdom is the principal thing; = therefore get wisdom: = and with all thy getting get understanding.
*** (Proverbs 9:9-10) Give to a wise one, = and he will be still wiser; = teach a just one, = and he will increase in learning.
(Pro 9:10) The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; = and the knowledge of the holy = is understanding.
Did you know… that in Europe, before WW2, the mental hospitals were filled, to overflowing. Upon hearing the news that Hitler had invaded Austria, they were immediately vacated, by their residents, ‘willingly’. The very few remaining, less than 3%, were truly those of a ‘medical mental’ deficiency. Why then did the others… leave? Perhaps it only revealed that, they had used as an… “Escapism from Life!” Suicide is one of those choices, that we have… ‘no control’ over… when one makes that decision.
*** (Proverbs 29:18) Where there is no vision, = the people perish; = but he who keeps the law, = he is blessed.
*** (1Cointhians 9:27) But I keep under my body, = and bring it into subjection: = lest that by any means, = when I have preached to others, = I myself should be a disqualified.
‘Suicide’ is simply a ‘desperation’… to escape those things in life that we ‘cannot’ control. Perhaps looking at two examples… of suicide… from the Bible, we can further see this issue. Surely we all know about King Saul and how he was anointed by God, the Only God… to be the first king over Israel. He was ‘chosen and placed’ in that position by God, as His people Israel, demanded a king, as those other nations around them, had kings ruling over them.
*** (1Samuel 15:14-to-19) And Samuel said, What then is this bleating of the flock in my ears? And what is the sound of the herd which I hear?
(1Sam 15:15) And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites. For the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice to Jehovah your God. And the rest we have completely destroyed.
(1Sam 15:16) And Samuel said to Saul, Stop! And I will tell you what Jehovah has said to me tonight. And he said to him, Speak.
(1Sam 15:17) And Samuel said, When you were little in your own sight, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? And Jehovah anointed you king over Israel.
(1Sam 15:18) And Jehovah sent you on the way and said, Go and completely destroy the sinners, Amalek, and fight against them until you destroy them.
(1Sam 15:19) Why then did you not obey the voice of Jehovah? Why did you fly on the spoil and do evil in the sight of Jehovah?
Saul chose to ‘disobey’… God, the God of the Bible… Who had given him ‘explicit’ instructions. The kingdom was removed from him… and given to David; the next king of Israel. Saul continued in his rebellion, against God, and eventually took his own life. Anytime during his remaining life, he could have ‘repented’; instead of making ‘excuses’, for his rebellion. He hounded David, to murder him… for years… trying to kill him; as he knew that David would be the next king. Instead of accepting “God’s Judgment”… and ‘moving on’… he decided to commit suicide.
*** (1Samuel 31:1-to-4) And the Philistines fought against Israel. And the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down wounded in Mount Gilboa.
(1Sam 31:2) And the Philistines followed Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchishua, Saul's sons.
(1Sam 31:3) And the battle went hard against Saul. And the archers hit him, and he was sorely wounded by the archers.
(1Sam 31:4) And Saul said to his armor-bearer, Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised ones come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armor-bearer would not, for he was very much afraid. So Saul took a sword and fell on it.
There was absolutely “NOTHING”… that anyone could have done, to control his suicide. It was his decision ‘alone’. It is always a ‘personal choice’; usually to the hurt of others. We ‘cannot’ blame ourselves, when someone we know about… ‘chooses suicide’… as their way to escape the pressures of life. Yes, there are even some mental deficiencies; in certain amino acid complexes, in the human brain. These medical conditions, will allow a person to accept this ‘wrong thinking’ and accept suicide as the only choice. We cannot blame ‘anyone’… not even ourselves… for their wrong decision.
*** (Judges 13:24-25) And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson. And the child grew, and Jehovah blessed him.
(Jdg 13:25) And the Spirit of Jehovah began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.
*** (Judges 16:27-to-30) Now the house was full of men and women. And all the lords of the Philistines were there. And on the roof were about three thousand men and women who watched while Samson made sport.
(Jdg 16:28) And Samson called to Jehovah and said, O, Lord Jehovah, remember me, I pray You, and strengthen me, I pray You, only this once, O God, so that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
(Jdg 16:29) And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was held up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.
(Jdg 16:30) And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself mightily, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those he killed in his life.
*** (Hebrews 11:32) And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and = Samson = and Jephthah; also David, and Samuel and the prophets,
Even in this circumstance… Samson chose death, rather than ‘to live’… with the shame of his bad decisions. But even with that decision, he is named in the Hebrews 11… chapter of faith. Yet had he chose to live, he would have been a… ‘Living Witness’… to others of what ‘not to do’. Surely his parents ‘could not’ have controlled him, as he was strong headed. His life ended in a series of… ‘bad choices’… which yielded, ‘bad results’. Remember, we ‘cannot’ control the thoughts and actions of other. Even God… still allows His creation to exercise their… ‘Free Will’
*** (Romans 15:4) For whatever things were written before = were written for our learning, = so that we through patience and comfort = of the Scriptures = might have hope.
*** (Luke 4:4) And Jesus answered him, saying, = It is written that = "man shall not live by bread alone, = but by every Word of God."
*** (James 1:5-6-7) Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives = to everyone generously = without a rebuke, and it will be given to him.
(Jas 1:6) But he must ask in faith, without any doubts, for the one who has doubts = is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
(Jas 1:7) Such a person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
Did you notice… the first two ‘Bible Verses’… that were posted at the beginning of this blog? These above verses… “James 1:5-6-7”… implicitly state to… “Everyone!” To the unsaved and the redeemed… God is willing to give His wisdom and understanding. The problem is ‘not’ with God… but with the human… that wants to be in control; without any responsibility to God. Did you ever try and share a… ‘Bible Verse’… with someone, only to get rejected. That is the same… ‘rejection & rebellion’… that will not give God… His proper place, in one’s life.
*** (Exodus 20:19-20) And they said to Moses, = You speak with us, = and we will hear. = But let not God speak with us, = lest we die.
(Exo 20:20) And Moses said to the people, = Do not fear, = for God has come to test you, = and so that = His fear = may be before your faces, = so that you may not sin.
*** (Proverbs 3:7) Do not be wise in your own eyes; = fear Jehovah = and depart from evil.
*** (John 3:19-20-21) And this is the condemnation, = that the Light has come into the world, = and men loved darkness = rather than the Light, = because their deeds were evil.
(Joh 3:20) For everyone = who does evil hates the Light, = and does not come to the Light, = lest his deeds should be exposed.
(Joh 3:21) But he who practices truth = comes to the Light = so that his works may be revealed, that they exist, having been worked in God.
Simply remember… we ‘cannot’ control every aspect of Life. God has given us “ALL”… ‘free will’… for each; to make their own choice about Him. Even ‘if’ you have family members or friends… who continually reject you… because of your stand for Jesus… they are responsible… “Not YOU!” How else could God, the God of the Bible; be just and holy and righteous… IF He forced Himself on His creation…? That would not be… ‘free will’… to choose to “Love Him”… or “Not to Love Him”. Love that is forced… is ‘not’ true Love…!
*** (1John 4:19) We love Him [God] = because He first = loved us.
*** (1John 4:19) We love Him [God] = because He first = loved us.
*** (1John 4:19) We love Him [God] = because He first = loved us.
Thanks, In Christ, Roger
Ende.
