Don Rogers article SUICIDE

Some today explain cutting and other self-mutilation activities as purely psychological.  They say it is a way of refocusing pain, of using physical pain to alleviate emotional pain.  While that may be true, I believe there is a deeper cause to these things.  From my experience and the Bible I am convinced that self-mutilation is contrary to our natural desire to ‘love’ ourselves and the natural drive to protect self and survive at every cost.  Mark 5 tells about a demonized man who was continually cutting himself (Mark 5:5).  Then there is the demonized boy who keeps throwing himself in the fire to burn or water to drown (Matthew 17:15).  Satan loves pain and death.  They are his tools of trade.  He would have all of us dead if God would not forbid it.  So the best he can do it to try and get us to harm ourselves.  The ultimate of this is suicide.  The prophets of Baal regularly used cutting as a means of appeasing their demonic gods, as seen in their encounter with Elijah on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18:28).  Accounts of suicide in the Bible also show close association with demonization.  Saul killed himself after his encounter with the witch of Endor.  Judas’ suicide came after being indwelt by Satan and betraying Jesus.

PRAYER FOR THOSE WITH SELF DESTRUCTIVE OR SUICIDAL TENDENCIES

In Jesus' name I renounce all suicidal thoughts and any attempts I've made to take my own life or in any way injure myself.  I confess ___________ (name each sin of self-destruction that comes to mind) and put it under the blood of Jesus.   I renounce the lie that life is hopeless and that I can find peace and freedom by taking my own life.  Satan is a thief and comes to steal, kill and destroy. I put any access any demons claim to my life or to my family under the blood of Jesus. In Jesus' name I cover all that with the blood of Jesus.   I choose life in Christ Who came to give me life and give it abundantly.  Thank You for Your forgiveness that allows me to forgive myself.  I choose to believe that there is always hope in Christ.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen