One thing that is puzzling to me is how someone could be so disgruntled with life that he commits suicide. Being so blessed by God in life, I cannot imagine wanting to take my own life. I am sure that most, if not all of you reading this article feel the same way. Yet there are hundreds of people who do commit suicide, many of whom are only teenagers. It is hard to believe that someone so young, and one who really has not experienced life yet, can be so depressed that he jumps off a bridge or takes an overdose of pills to end his life. But it does happen, and it happens often.

While physical suicide is puzzling, spiritual suicide is even more puzzling. Unlike physical life, spiritual life comes by choice. One is made alive spiritually by obeying the gospel of Christ, something an individual can only determine to do by himself. But as is the case with physical suicide, thousands of people commit spiritual suicide every year. You may ask how this type of suicide is committed. Well, with physical suicide, sometimes it is done quickly (like jumping off a bridge), or sometimes slowly (like smoking two packs of cigarettes a day). Such is the case spiritually too. Let us look at some of the ways that some kill themselves slowly from a spiritual stand-point.

Some do it by not attending Bible class. It is amazing how many otherwise strong Christians see no need to attend the Bible class. They seem to forget that Hebrews 10:25 applies to more than the worship service that we have on the Lord's day. Let me suggest to you that when you start missing Bible class regularly, that is the first step towards complete apostasy. You may not see it now, but once you get used to missing one service of the church, it is easier to miss other services as well. Missing Bible class is like smoking: it may not kill you overnight, but it slowly takes the life out of you.

Some people commit spiritual suicide by not studying their Bibles at home like they should. The Bible is the only way that God communicates to us today. It is our main source of strength and faith. Paul said, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Those who neglect personal Bible study grow weak in the faith. It is a sure way to kill yourself spiritually.

Another way of committing spiritually suicide is by not praying as we should. Prayer is one way that we draw nigh unto God (Jas. 4:8). Prayer is also one way to overcome temptation (Matt. 26:41). Not to pray is to surrender ourselves to the devil !

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 10 p. 9
May 18, 1995