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Suicide - Message #201 - July 30, 2006
Why is the suicide rate among teenagers and adults rising? The stress factor is great. We often say we never faced the things that young people face today, both at school and in society. For many, the way of escape seems to be suicide. But what is the real cause? Is the cause a low view of self? Is the cause such a low self-esteem that people do away with themselves?
>From the position of the Bible, low self-esteem does not seem to be the problem. In fact, too high a view of self may really be the culprit. To understand this, we need to define suicide more carefully. Suicide is the act of killing one's self. It is self-murder. God commands, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13); to violate God's commandments is sin. "Sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4). So the murder of others is sin. Self-murder is also sin. Carrying this thought a little further, what is the essence of sin?
All sin begins with an attitude of self-centeredness. I will do what I want. What God commands be hanged! We snub our noses at God and do whatever we please! Does this apply to the sin of murder? Why not! The murder of others is an ultimate act of self-interest! Does self-centeredness stand behind the threat of suicide? A threat is issued in order to gain a desired end. What about self-murder? Is self-murder the ultimate act of taking control over life? Young people reject the control of parents, school officials and government authorities. Sure they get depressed. They don't like their lack of control. From this perspective, self-murder can be an act of self-centeredness; an ultimate act of selfishness!
For a free audiotape on this subject, call 1-800-777-0389
email: freetapes@wordfortheweek.org; or visit: www.wordfortheweek.org
Why is the suicide rate among teenagers and adults rising? The stress factor is great. We often say we never faced the things that young people face today, both at school and in society. For many, the way of escape seems to be suicide. But what is the real cause? Is the cause a low view of self? Is the cause such a low self-esteem that people do away with themselves?
>From the position of the Bible, low self-esteem does not seem to be the problem. In fact, too high a view of self may really be the culprit. To understand this, we need to define suicide more carefully. Suicide is the act of killing one's self. It is self-murder. God commands, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13); to violate God's commandments is sin. "Sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4). So the murder of others is sin. Self-murder is also sin. Carrying this thought a little further, what is the essence of sin?
All sin begins with an attitude of self-centeredness. I will do what I want. What God commands be hanged! We snub our noses at God and do whatever we please! Does this apply to the sin of murder? Why not! The murder of others is an ultimate act of self-interest! Does self-centeredness stand behind the threat of suicide? A threat is issued in order to gain a desired end. What about self-murder? Is self-murder the ultimate act of taking control over life? Young people reject the control of parents, school officials and government authorities. Sure they get depressed. They don't like their lack of control. From this perspective, self-murder can be an act of self-centeredness; an ultimate act of selfishness!
For a free audiotape on this subject, call 1-800-777-0389
email: freetapes@wordfortheweek.org; or visit: www.wordfortheweek.org
