n e w c h u r c h l i f e : j u ly / au g u s t 2 0 1 5
Every act has its quality
from the motivation.
Suicide can be a very
selfish act which shows
complete disregard for
other people. Yet giving
up one’s own life is a
heroic act if the purpose
is to protect others. It is
the ultimate expression
of unselfish love.
about to capture and kill him:
Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw
your sword, and thrust me through with
it, lest these uncircumcised men come and
thrust me through and abuse me.” But his
armor bearer would not, for he was greatly
afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell
on it. And when his armor bearer saw that
Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword, and
died with him. (1 Samuel 31:4)
The Writings say of this that the
“uncircumcised” Philistines represent
filthy, selfish, materialistic loves.
(Arcana Coelestia 1197, 4462) Is it
possible that a motive in suicide might
be to avoid being captured by such
desires?
Just before Samson brought the
whole building down, killing the crowd
of Philistines who held him captive, he
said: “Let my life die with the Philistines.” (Judges 16:30) When Jesus spoke
of His own coming death, Peter said: “I will lay down my life for You.” (John
13:37) Jonah also expressed a desire to die:
“Therefore now, O Lord, I beseech You, take my life from me; for it is better for me
to die than to live . . . “ And it came to pass, when the sun rose, that God prepared
a strong east wind. And the sun beat on the head of Jonah, so that he fainted, and
wished in himself to die. And he said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” (Jonah
4:3, 8, explained somewhat in Apocalypse Explained 401:36)
Elijah also wished to die when he was despairing about Israel’s rejection
of the Lord:
Elijah requested for himself that he might die; and said, “It is enough. Now, O Lord,
take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” (1 Kings 19:4)
Samson, Peter, Jonah and Elijah may have had rather selfish motives for
wanting to die. For Samson it may have been revenge; for Peter, glory; for
Jonah, self-centeredness. But on a deeper level these stories are all about the
fact that temptation is a kind of spiritual death, and the selfishness in us must
die in order for us to progress spiritually.
The Heroism of Giving Up One’s Life
Every act has its quality from the motivation. Suicide can be a very selfish act
which shows complete disregard for other people. Yet giving up one’s own life
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