Suicide is not the “unforgivable sin”. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is the unpardonable and unforgivable sin. If a person has accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior then they are not in danger of committing the unforgivable sin. Throughout the ages and throughout the perceptions of and sometimes teachings of religion, religious leaders, philosophers and others, suicide has been mistakenly defined as something which is not pardonable by God.

In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, it refers to Christians as being the temple of God, the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. These are individuals who have accepted Christ and not committed the unforgivable sin. Defiling or destroying the temple of God in context here is referring to someone who attempts to otherwise injure or with the intent of killing a Christian. The reference is to Genesis 9:6 (ESV): “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed.” Here, the word for “destruction” does not mean eternal condemnation or damnation, but the requirement of a life for a life as spoken of in the Old Testament.

If Paul intended to use the word for eternal condemnation and damnation here he would have done so, but he does not. The word here is akin to being defined as corrupt, morally depraved, and to destroy. Paul uses a different word when he says that anyone who proclaims a different gospel be “accursed.” This word is directly related to eternal damnation as it means to be “literally, eternally condemned.” Paul uses this word in Romans 9:3, and it is also found in 1 Corinthians 12:3, and 1 Corinthians 16:22, where it says, “Anyone who does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let them be accursed.”

Suicide is amongst the most violent storms which come into our lives. It is not unforgivable. Although when we lose a loved one to suicide, the water in our boats often feels as though it will drown us, we have hope. Our hope is rooted in the truth of Scripture, not in public opinions, the latest surveys, what our friends may be telling us, or even in our own pre-conceived notions about suicide and its consequences.

I remember going to be alone with God after one of my brothers died in 1992. I was alone in a big empty house, crying uncontrollably and I felt lost. Within moments, as I sat there feeling as though no hope existed, it was as if something reached inside of my chest, grabbed my heart and surrounded it with an unexplainable warmth, peace and reassurance. Everything was going to be okay because the Lord Jesus was with me and His truth settled me in a way which nothing else could. Today as you journey through your life, look to the truth available in Christ through the Bible and your storm will be quieted.