Don’t Commit Spiritual Suicide

By Ada Nicholson Brownell

Spiritual suicide is a problem many ignore. Who is at risk?

1.     Those who have been hurt.

Sometimes in the battle against sin we see casualties from friendly fire. In Operation Desert Storm, United States Armed Forces wounded and killed one another when they couldn’t tell the enemy from their own soldiers.

In the church we often wound and maim our own. However, if you are a casualty, it is up to you how you survive an attack. You can be angry and decide to fall on your own sword. Or you can forgive, ask God to help you forget, and continue serving God.

2.     Those who are angry.

Things in your church aren’t going the way you want. You can commit spiritual suicide by vowing not to enter a church again, or you can grasp eternal life by asking God to make you the Christian He wants you to be. You can pray the church will continue to go forward in God’s will, winning souls and be salt and light to the world.

3.     Those who feel no one cares.

Make an appointment to see you pastor and share your feelings. Also remember Jesus died for so that you might have abundant and eternal life. Perhaps He is calling you to a ministry of loving and caring.

4.     Those who are discouraged.

When you’re discouraged you might be tempted to think, If I’d quit the church that would show them. One of the arguments against committing physical suicide is that death is so permanent. While you might have a second chance after your attempt on your spiritual life, backsliding is a serious decision. Discouragement will pass. Decisions made during discouragement, however, can impact you for a lifetime—and beyond.

5.     Those in a battle with Satan.

One of the most pathetic suicides is self-starvation. That’s what some people do when Satan attacks. The Christian stays away from other believers and the house of God and starves himself spiritually. The Christian under attack should put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6), take the sword of the Spirit which is the Bible, and battle the enemy. You can win that battle!

6.     Those who are angry at God.

People often get angry at God because of events in their lives they blame on Him. Anger turned outward is one state of grief for people who experience loss. But they must work through the anger and come to acceptance. Bitterness is deadly poison.

7.     Those who live recklessly with sin.

The Christian who chooses to live a worldly life is playing Russian roulette. One of the temptations could be the deadly bullet to your spiritual life.

8.     Those who take their eyes off Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Forget people who failed. Remember the One who was without sin and died for your redemption. Keep your eyes on Jesus and receive eternal life.

If you feel like ending it all with your spiritual life, remember suicide comes at the suggestion of Satan.

We are promised that the old serpent will someday be cast out and all his angels with him. “Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and he power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:9-11).

Use that method now. Overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb. If you have accepted Christ, you have Christ’s blood over your sins and protection against Satan’s advances. Remember what God has done for you—and tell somebody else.

Lay hold on eternal life.

--THE PENTECOSTAL EVANGEL, July 31, 1994