Can people who commit suicide go to heaven?

It goes without saying that most suicides are the result of extreme discouragement, pain, depression, stress, unbalanced brain chemistry, and compromised thinking processes. God holds us accountable only for what we know we are doing; contemplate this: “To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).

God is far more merciful than we can ever imagine (see Ephesians 2:4). There are some who have taken their lives because they felt their grief or pain was more than they could bear at that particular moment in time—and in a rash decision, they ended it when maybe, had they waited but five minutes, the urge would have passed. They loved the Lord, they served the Lord, but they were in so much agony because of physical suffering or some emotional devastation or chemical change, they tragically took their own lives. We can’t possibly know what all the circumstances are. We don’t know what kinds of pressures and attacks they were under.

But God knows. I don’t think He judges a whole life by a moment when a person might have been overwhelmed. God takes everything into account. I believe He will take every case into consideration and evaluate it individually.

If you’ve lost someone to suicide, place that situation in God’s hands and “trust in the Lord with all your heart” (Proverbs 3:5). Remember, the Lord loves that person and wants him or her saved even more than you do. Pray, “Lord, since I don’t know the answer now, I’m going to trust you. I’m going to have faith that you will do the right thing, and whatever you do I will trust.” And leave it at that, because worrying about it will only tear your heart up.

Need help with suicidal thoughts? Call New Life Clinics at 800-639-5433 for immediate assistance. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Key Bible Texts

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV)