Can someone be saved when they commit suicide?

Sincerely,
Mortal Curiosity

Dear Mortal Curiosity,

Suicide certainly is condemned.  Suicide is murder, self-murder, and is therefore very clearly a sin (Rev 21:8).  The only difference between suicide and murdering someone else is that you don’t get a chance to repent after suicide.  Suicide is a final decision and leaves no room for correction or for asking forgiveness.  It is a willful act of disobedience against God without opportunity for repentance.  The final judgment belongs to God (Heb 12:23), but we certainly wouldn’t want to face that judgment with our own blood on our hands.

I am dealing with a tough sin; I refuse to give up in defeating it, but will God?

Sincerely,
Soldier

Dear Soldier,

God doesn’t give up on us; we give up on Him.  God tells us that if we repent and confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us (1 Jn 1:9).  Our heavenly Father is ready and willing to forgive (Ps 86:5).  He doesn’t desire anyone to perish (2 Pet 3:9).  If you are truly and honestly throwing your heart into defeating this sin, God won’t give up on you.  God provides us with many tools to help defeat sin, including prayer (Acts 8:22) and confiding in others (Jas 5:16).  Take advantage of these tools; put on the whole armor of God (Eph 6:13-18), and you will be victorious.

How can I say, “No” to sin?

Sincerely,
Temptation Tried

Dear Temptation Tried,

There is no single answer to how we can defeat sin.  God describes our struggle with sin as a war, and all good warriors wear lots of armor to protect them for the battle ahead.  Ephesians 6 describes the various pieces of armor that God has provided to protect us against the temptations of sin (Eph 6:13).

1. Gird yourself with truth (Eph 6:14).  The truth is the most basic tool that we have against sin.  The devil uses lies to deceive us and tempt us (Jhn 8:44).  If you know the Bible truth about what is right and wrong, you will be prepared to identify Satan’s traps (Heb 5:14).
2. Protect your heart by living righteously (Eph 6:14).  One of the simplest ways to avoid sin is to pursue righteousness (1 Pet 3:11).  Fill the days of your life with good behavior, and there will be no room for bad behavior (Matt 12:43-45).
3. Seek to live a peaceful life and dwell in harmony with others (Eph 6:15).  When we love our fellow man and seek what is in his best interest, we avoid a great deal of opportunities for anger, sin, and division.  Never compromise your morals, but as much as it depends on you, be at peace with all men (Rom 12:18).
4. Carry the shield of faith (Eph 6:16).  Faith is the act of trusting God and following the Word of God (Rom 10:17).  Faith is an act of loyalty to the Lord (Matt 22:37).  It is often hard to do the right thing, especially when a simple lie or sin would prevent discomfort.  Have faith in Him who is able to save your soul.  He can cause all things to work together for good (Rom 8:28).
5. Remember your salvation in Jesus (Eph 6:17).  It is the hope of salvation that drives us forward, renews our zeal, and reminds us of what we are fighting for.  Hope whets our appetites for better things to come and makes it easier to purify ourselves from sin (1 Jn 3:3).
6. Know your Bible (Eph 6:17).  The Bible is described as a sword (Heb 4:12), and it is able to both defend and fight back against evil.  There is no greater tool in your arsenal against the wiles of the devil than your Bible.  Learn it, read it, fill your mind and heart with it, and return to it constantly for renewed strength.  When your Bible becomes your close friend, you are ready for anything.
7. Pray without ceasing (Eph 6:18).  Prayer gives us strength to stand strong, and it gives you direct access to the Creator of all.  God is great; ask Him for help and courage.

I am in the process of beating a sin.  However, though I try and pray for strength, forgiveness, guidance, and help each day, I keep having these wrong sinful thoughts.  I keep praying they will go away, but they never do completely.  Can you help me get rid of this evil?  Thank you for your words and wisdom; God bless, and God help.

Sincerely,
Mind Over Matter

Dear Mind Over Matter,

Thinking about sin isn’t the same as sinning.  It is only when we dwell upon sinful behavior and eventually act upon those ideas that we sin.  For example, Satan put the thought of betraying Christ into Judas’ mind, but Judas didn’t sin until he took that idea, dwelt upon it, and then acted (Jhn 13:2).  Jas 1:12-15 explains that sin occurs when we allow wicked ideas that pop into our heads to become wicked lusts, and then those lusts turn into wicked actions.  You will face temptations to sin and opportunities to sin your entire life; the key is to endure the temptation (Jas 1:12), look for the way of escape (1 Cor 10:13), and master sin (Gen 4:7).  Don’t let the thoughts of sin discourage you… just make sure to subdue those thoughts and turn your mind back to God.

I’m so torn up inside!  Why can’t I stop sinning?  I really do try, and I succeed for a while, but then I fall right back into it.  I feel as if I’m slowly escaping this sin, but I still feel burdened by it, and I’m scared God will stop forgiving me.  I know it says in the Bible that God’s grace is endless, and that’s the only thing that leads me to succeed when I do.  I refuse to give up, and feel I am slowly winning the battle, but when I fall, I feel soooooo terrible.  Any advice?

Sincerely,
Repetitive Sinner

Dear Repetitive Sinner,

When a sin becomes so entrenched in your life that you are enslaved to it (Jhn 8:34), you are dealing with an addiction.  Addictions are formed by habits, and habits are formed by repeatedly making the same choices.  James describes this process in Jas 1:13-15.  All sins begin with a mental decision.  If you want to remove an addiction, isolate the choices that are putting you in the position to commit that sin.  If you change the environment and circumstances that lead you to a sin, you change the future playing field.  One of the easiest ways to do this is to let someone else know about your struggle (Jas 5:16).  There is strength in numbers (Eccl 4:12), and exposing a sin takes its power away (Jhn 3:20).