Suicide and suicidal thoughts are at their core an activity of Satan. The Word of God teaches that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. That means that the battle for life and death is often an invisible, yet very powerful battle against the greatest forces of darkness, “against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). We are at war with Satan himself. Scripture tells us this powerful adversary is crafty, a liar, thief, schemer, and the great accuser.

Sample notes from those who believed Satan’s lie:

— Mom and Dad, I can’t seem to cope with the problems I have as a teenager. You don’t give me any help and no one else does. I can’t face life any more (Teenage child)

— Honey, I know I haven’t done my best, but I have tried. I can’t face life any more; take good care of the children (Defeated Husband and Father)

— I don’t want to embarrass you, Mom and Dad, but I’m in the kind of mess for which there is no solution and no hope. I cannot go on living like this any longer (25-year-old Single)

— If I looked a certain way, people would like me. I’ve been rejected by many; I will just reject myself (Lonely Adult)

Suicide is submission to a deceiving spirit, a spirit that urges its victim to surrender because of emotional and physical pain he can no longer endure — pain usually stemming from humiliation or hopelessness. It is Satan’s main aim to make those who are in a dark spiritual battle feel ashamed and guilty. He is relentless in speaking lies to our mind and soul: you have really messed up, you will never be forgiven, and you will never be free from this turmoil. Not only will Satan lie, but waits for the opportune time to bring destruction in our lives. He is happy to wait years and even decades as he strategically plans his victory.

SATAN COMES TO STEAL, KILL, AND DESTROY. THIS IS THE BOTTOM LINE IN SUICIDE.

Death, even at one’s own hand, is finally presented as a valid option and the answer — the only way to experience freedom from bondage. In fact, this self-focused mindset causes the struggling one to believe the deceptively wrapped lie that this is a self-LESS choice — others will be better off without you. The seduction from the devil is the shallow “promise” that death will be gain when, invariably, it will be great loss!

Satan does not play fair. We must be aware of his schemes and the lies. He uses fear of all types, abandonment, rejection failure, generational sin, and even statistics. We must fight for truth both for ourselves and those around us. We do not have to be victims of our circumstances or even of the generational sin. Just because depression, anxiety, addiction, and suicide have had victory in the family line does not mean you must carry this baton. Every family has sin, all the way back to Adam in the garden. Romans 3: 23 is clear, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Ezekiel 18 teaches that each man must choose truth for himself and not succumb to the sins of their fathers. Don’t sit back and wait for the shoe to drop or the ax to fall. God’s Word teaches differently. He equips us to fight, really fight, against Satan’s schemes. God grants us the power to observe and then choose to not do likewise:

“Now behold, he has a son who has observed all his father’s sins which he committed, and observing does not likewise . . . he keeps his hand from the poor, does not take interest or increase, but executes My ordinances, and walks in My statutes; he will not die for his father’s iniquity, he will surely live.” (Ezekiel 18:14,17)

Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came to give life abundant.

DO NOT FIGHT THIS BATTLE ALONE, PLEASE SEEK HELP IF NECESSARY.

Know and believe God’s truth from His Word.

— “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper.” (Isaiah 54:17)

— “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31)

— “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

— “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 12:11)

How to help one who is struggling:

1. Believe their cry
2. Listen
3. Point them to the one who can give them hope – Jesus Christ
4. Fast
5. Pray
6. Seek help from a professional source and point them to a professional source.

(If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Suicide Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States, please call 1-800-273-8255)