Joni Tada - When Is It Right to Die?: End-of-Life Questions

Magdalena Kucova

Before we begin, what does the Bible say about life and death? The following are basic biblical principles to keep in mind as you seek Gods heart in your decision-making process. When we are faced with complex end-of-life decisions, what does God tell us?

1. Human dignity at all costs. No matter how physically or mentally debilitated an individual may be; no matter how young or old, people should be treated with utmost respect. Then God said, Let us make man in our image, in our likeness... (Gen. 1:26). Each person is an image-bearer of God, so whenever possible, involve your loved one in the decision-making process, sharing information as is appropriate.
2. Life is precious. Therefore, people deserve the necessary treatment that sustains their lives (Gen. 1:26; Deut. 30:19b20). Life is a good and God-given gift. Life is the most fundamental and irreplaceable condition of the human experience, and it must be treated with complete respect and dignity. God is the first one who said, Choose life; so it is wise to choose those directives that would be life-beneficial to a person (Deut. 30:19).
3. You shall not murder (Ex. 20:13). Any decision to give or withhold medical treatment that hastens prematurely a persons death is morally wrong according to scripture.
4. Suffering people should have every access to Gods grace and his gospel. This is especially important if those suffering do not know Christ. If your loved one is about to enter eternity as an unbeliever, then see every opportunity to extend life as a prayerful chance for God to intervene (Gal. 6:10; John 11:25; 2 Peter 3:9).
5. Other people are impacted by your decisions. None of us makes decisions in a social vacuum; the choices you make about end-of-life treatment will influence the way others think and decide (Col. 4:5).
6. God knows your motives. Some people may secretly want a loved one to die to relieve the familys suffering, or for economic considerations, or perhaps even out of convenience to the caregivers or to society. It is morally wrong for a family member to insist that IVs be withheld or withdrawn because Dads best years are being wasted taking care of Mother, or They left that nest egg for us, not for paying hospital bills. Scripture tells us, The Lords light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive (Prov. 20:27 NLT).
7. The Word of God informs and tenderizes your conscience. Conscience is the governor on all our choices and it must not be violated (Heb. 13:18). Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked (1 Tim. 1:19 NLT).

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My Life is Hell... May I End It?

What would you say to this teenager? Its safe to say youd want to help, but how much time and support would you be willing to invest? It would require effort to sit by her bedside and listen. She might spit abuse at you or ignore you. Would you care to come back the next day with teen magazines and cookies?

The suicidal teenager who wrote To Whom it May Concern was me. I begged my friends to bring their mothers sleeping pills or fathers razors. I daydreamed of the time when I could sit up in a motorized wheelchair and power it off a high curb so I could kill myself. With me, thoughts of suicide began with escaping into daydreams or sleep or television. I was so afraid of life, I wanted to escape into death.

Thankfully, hope gripped my heart before I was ever able to engineer that final escape. How did that hope arrive?

The counsel of wise Christians. Christian friends counseled that suicide would be self-murder and loathful to God (and I was more afraid of God, than of death)!

The prayers of family and friends. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, then ask several prayer warriors to lift your needs up before the Lord with specific, committed intercessions.

Shore up your health, get rest, and serve others. Elijah was a powerful prophet who became filled with fear. When running to escape his enemies, he gave up and begged God, I have had enough, Lord ... take my life (1 Kings 19:4). How was Elijah revived? The Lord refreshed him with food and gave him rest. God then presented Elijah with new work to do, and sometimes switching focus onto others is exactly what is needed.

Today, my letter to a depressed, suicidal young woman would say, When you are plagued by thoughts of suicide, you are in a fierce spiritual battle, for our adversary, the devil, is a murderer. Dont succumb to his temptations to end it all. Getting to heaven that way will not be betteryou will be forfeiting everything you have previously gained for your eternal estate. Heaven, for you, will be nowhere near as heavenly if you commit suicide. So, my advice is to get people praying for you, get rest and get healthy, get up and do the next thing ... and help others.