What Does It Mean To Blaspheme The Holy Spirit?

What would be considered blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?

What is the Unforgiveable Sin? What is Blasphemy against the Spirit? Some years ago, I counseled with a student who was paralyzed by a fear that she had committed the unforgiveable sin because of some terrible words she had uttered. Her concern came out of Matthew 12:31, “Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.” Had she, perchance, committed the unforgiveable sin? It is unlikely that this young woman had committed the unforgiveable sin.

She loved the Lord and wanted her life to please him. But she apparently didn’t understand what blasphemy against the Holy Spirit was, and thereby came to worry that she might have committed the unforgiveable sin. What is blasphemy against the Spirit? What is the unforgiveable sin? Let me offer a definition at the outset.

Blasphemy against the Spirit—the unforgivable sin—is ongoing hardening of your heart against the Holy Spirit who is trying to lead you to repent of sin and believe in Christ. Furthermore, it is an issue of the heart that manifests in your words. Let’s look together at the central passage in the discussion, Matthew 12:24-37.

Pay attention to the words I have bolded, Notice in particular that the bolded words indicate that Jesus is addressing a fundamental state of the heart rather than merely some sinful words.24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.” 25 And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand.26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? 27 If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges.28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.29 Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.30 He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters,31 Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.33 Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit,34 You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart,35 The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.36 But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned,” Observe especially that there are many absolutist statements in this passage and other expressions that point up the fundamental state of one’s heart in Matthew 12:24-37.

Similarly, notice the bolded words in the parallel passage in Luke 12:8-10: 8 “And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; 9 but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him.” Once again, the underlined words help us identify that the issue isn’t about a wayward, hateful or God-dishonoring word in a moment, but about the fundamental state of one’s heart before God.

Furthermore, there are clear parallels between Matthew 12:24-37 (cited above) and John the Baptist’s words to the religious leaders in Matthew 3:7-8: 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance” Careful readers of the Bible should not only pay attention to details in immediate contexts, they need to stay attentive to ideas that have already been introduced by a biblical author.

Before including Jesus’s comments about blasphemy against the Spirit and the unforgiveable sin, Matthew had already introduced the language of vipers and bearing fruit in relationship to the Pharisees through the words of John the Baptist. Matthew expected his readers to remember those words when they arrived at Matthew 12.

Since Matthew 3:7-8 is about repentance (“bear fruit in keeping with repentance”), we should keep the repentance theme in mind when we try to ascertain the nature of the blasphemy against the Spirit/the unforgiveable sin in Matthew 12:33. Moreover, a concept that Matthew would also expect you to attend to while reading through his gospel is the theme of “fruit.” He introduces this theme first in the words of John the Baptist that we just observed (3:8, also 3:10), develops it substantially when he includes Jesus’s teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (7:15-20), incorporates the same theme of fruit into the passage we’re primarily thinking about today (12:33), again into the parable of the soils (13:23), and finally in a judgment section that focuses, unsurprisingly, once more on the Pharisees’ failure to produce fruit (21:43).

The point, for Matthew, is that whatever resides in people’s hearts begins to show up in how people live and speak (“fruit”). Another worthwhile observation is that this saying of Jesus is probably intertextually connected to Numbers 15:30-31: “But the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the LORD; and that person shall be cut off from among his people.

Because he has despised the word of the LORD” Craig Blomberg makes the following comment about Matthew 12:33: “Listeners steeped in the Old Testament would call to mind the laws that labeled particularly defiant sin as blasphemy and seemingly unforgivable (see esp. the sinning with a high hand of Num 15:30-31)—the flagrant, willful, and persistent rejection of God and his commands.” Notice Blomberg’s connection between sinning defiantly and blaspheming, which brings us squarely into the language of Matthew 12:31.

The implication is that one who has committed the unforgiveable sin is not accidently saying some particular set of words, but is willfully rejecting the Lord. Notice, furthermore, that Numbers 15:31 adds, “because he has despised the Word of the Lord.” What is at issue is not just a word passing over someone’s lips, but a more fundamental posture of despising what God has revealed.

• It should also be observed that the biblical description of the Holy Spirit convicting individuals of sin helps us understand why blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is such a grave issue.
• Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is not simply saying something bad about the Holy Spirit (or about anything else, for that matter), but is a persistent rejection of the convicting work of the Spirit, whose job it is to expose our sin and lead us to accept Christ.

Jesus says about the Holy Spirit in John 16:8, “And he when he comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” My former teacher, and then long-time Talbot colleague, Mike Wilkins, writes: “This also goes along with the role of the Spirit in convicting individuals of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8).

1. As long as one rejects the Spirit, one can never find forgiveness for sins.” Thus, the unforgiveable sin of blasphemy against the Spirit is not a wayward word uttered in a moment of anger.
2. Nor is it some other dramatic sin, like murder, or suicide, or adultery.
3. There is not a hint in Matthew 12 that Jesus had such sins in mind.

(Besides, don’t we observe God forgiving such sins throughout the Bible?—think only of the narratives of David and Paul). Rather, as stated before, blasphemy against the Spirit is ongoing hardening of your heart against the Holy Spirit who is trying to lead you to repent of sin and believe in Christ.

1. It is an issue of the heart that manifests in one’s words (and actions),
2. Someone who hardens his or her heart against the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit and who refuses to repent of sin and turn to Christ in faith has committed a sin that never can be forgiven.
3. The person who repeatedly and without repentance rejects the Holy Spirit’s testimony to Christ is the one who has blasphemed the Holy Spirit.

That sin is the only sin that never will be forgiven.

What are examples of sins against the Holy Spirit?

The Sins Against the Holy Spirit Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God.

“Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.” Today’s Gospel reading is not an easy one for our prideful natures to accept.

There is one particular passage that I would like to focus on for this reflection, one that has a tendency to be confusing, especially in light of Divine Mercy: “Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” It can seem shocking to hear Jesus say that there are some sins that will not be forgiven.

1. How is this compatible with God’s Divine Mercy, to which the Church has developed a special devotion thanks to St.
2. Faustina? The answer lies in the Church’s teachings on moral theology.
3. The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, recognizes six Sins Against the Holy Spirit.
4. These are presumption of God’s mercy, despair, impugning the known truth, envy of another’s spiritual good, obstinacy in sin, and final impenitence.

In brief, despair means to give up hope that God can ever save us; we think that salvation is lost to us forever, and that there is consequently no reason to keep striving for it. Presumption is the exact opposite of despair: we think that we are guaranteed salvation and that we need not worry about whether we will get to Heaven.

• Impugning the known truth means to question the dogmas of the Faith, those teachings that the Church upholds as true and necessary for our salvation.
• This is also called heresy.
• When we envy, we do not desire the good that is justly owed to our neighbour.
• When we envy another’s spiritual goods, we are wishing to deprive him of the sacred gifts that justly belong to him — the blessings and graces that God has bestowed upon his soul — because we are jealous of them.

Obstinacy in sin means that we have no intention of repenting from our sinfulness and changing our ways; we are happy the way we are, and we do not care that our sin separates us from the love of God. Lastly, final impenitence means that we never repent, even on our deathbeds.

• We freely choose to enter into eternity fully attached to sin, rather than accepting God’s grace and repenting.
• Thus, we can see that these sins are very, very serious.
• They all stem from a hardness of heart that refuses to accept God’s mercy.
• Thus, it is not God Who is denying His own mercy, but rather ourselves if we commit these sins.

This is why Jesus said that those who sin against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven: these souls do not want to accept God’s mercy and the graces that He offers, but instead turn them away and choose to place themselves higher than God. This can seem bleak and terrifying, but all is not lost.

Our God is just and merciful, and He does not want to see us eternally damned. For this reason, He continues to offer us the grace to repent right up until our very last breath. However, as a priest at my parish recently reminded us in his homily, none of us knows when that will be. Therefore, we cannot wait to accept God’s graces; this present moment has been given to us for that very reason.

May we pray for the grace to always trust in God’s mercy and to repent of our sins, so that we may one day be united with Him forever in Heaven. Jesus, I trust in You! : The Sins Against the Holy Spirit

What is an example of blaspheme?

Spitting on a cross, drawing pictures in the Qur’an, tripping a rabbi — all of these are rude in general, but because they combine a sacred religious person or thing with rude behavior, they’re also blasphemous.

What happens if you blaspheme the Holy Spirit?

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and the Unpardonable Sin I have often been asked about what Jesus declares is the “unpardonable sin” – blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-30, and Luke 12:10). Specifically, people wonder why this particular sin is “unpardonable” as opposed to others – for example, murder or heinous abuse – what it is, whether it can be committed today, and if a person is in danger of committing it.

While there are good resources available on the topic (for example, by Andrew NasellIi), the fact that there are still so many questions led to me to study the topic anew and to think it could be a good blog post to capture some of my thoughts. Before discussing the topic, it is good to read the biblical texts that prompt this concept of the unpardonable sin (the ESV translation is being used here) and note key things about these passages that can be overlooked or forgotten in these conversations.

Matthew 12:31-32: “Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” Mark 3:28-30: “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin” – for they were saying, ‘He has an unclean spirit.'” Luke 12:10 – “And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” Observations About the Passage The context of Matthew and Mark also shows that this sort of accusation is malicious – not accidental – and comes from those who have hardened hearts and are seeking to oppose Jesus (see Matthew 12:14 and Mark 3:6 in which they have made a plan to kill Jesus).

This does not stem from ignorance, but occurs after continually seeing Jesus at work and deciding not only to reject him, but to stand against him and offer a contradictory explanation of his ministry. The context of Luke 12:10 may indicate that the blasphemy might happen when one simply fails to confess Christ when asked, but also offers an alternative perspective on who Jesus is.

Continually failing to confess Jesus will lead to final rejection, but actively opposing the work of the Spirit puts one in a place where one can never turn from sin to the Savior. So What Is It And Why Is It Unpardonable? Having examined the passages a bit more, I feel better equipped to address some of the common questions and concerns about this sin.

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is not simply saying or thinking a bad word about Jesus, but effectively saying – and spreading the claim – that his ministry is of the devil because he is empowered by an evil spirit. We see in Scripture that people will say words against Jesus, but are then able to repent and be forgiven.

However, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a fine line that when crossed, one is never able to return, thus forgiveness in this life or the life to come is not possible. This is because one is not simply resisting the Spirit, who draws people to Christ, but completely denouncing His work as evil; one is hardened beyond repair.

The primary example of this sin is the religious leaders, who see the work of Jesus and do not simply reject it for themselves, but actively oppose it. Having struggles or doubts – or even denying Jesus for a time – is not an unpardonable sin. The reason that blasphemy against the Spirit rather than blasphemy against the Son of Man is what falls into this category seems to me that the Son of Man’s identity is a bit veileed and thus confusing, while the work of the Spirit is meant to elevate Jesus and show us who He is.

One might reject the claims of the Son of Man out of ignorance or misunderstanding, while speaking against the Holy Spirit is a willful decision. Some Practical and Pastoral Implications This conversation should not be theoretical but rather have practical and pastoral implications for us.

Those who teach need to be on guard against this sin.

Because the religious leaders are the ones who commited the sin in Matthew and Mark means that teachers and leaders in the church are the ones who most likely need to be on guard against this. While someone who is not a teacher could commit this sin, it seems influence and authority could make one more susceptible to doing this.

This sin could be part of a category of sins from which there is no repentance.

At first glance, it may seem like Jesus teaches that this sin is the only sin which cannot be forgiven in this life or the life to come. However, as I was studying the passage – particularly the version in Matthew – I remembered Matthew 19 and Jesus’s teaching on divorce in which he says that whoever divorces and marries another commits adultery unless it was on the grounds of sexual immorality (the Greek word is porneia), yet we see in 1 Corinthians 7 that desertion is also grounds for divorce.

Could it be that Jesus was not seeking to give every “exception” in this context but to make the point of the seriousness of this sin, as it is one from which one cannot come back to repentance? There are other places in the Bible that seem to refer to such actions. Numbers 15:30-31 speaks about a “high-handed sin” for which there is not a way to atone.

Hebrews 6:4-6 talks about how those who apostatize are not able to be renewed to repentance.1 John 5:16 speaks about sins that do not lead to death, but also a sin that leads to death. Many have tried to connect the sin of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit with these sins with mixed results.

Let the discussion of “unforgivable” not eclipse the possibility of forgiveness.

We can be so focused on the unpardonable sin that we forget that the passage highlights how gracious God is. Words spoken against the Son of Man as well as other vile words can be forgiven when one repents. The Apostle Paul was a blasphemer who opposed the church and experienced forgiveness, as does the criminal crucified with Jesus.

The passages noted above (Numbers 15:30-31; Hebrews 6:4-6; 1 John 5:16) similarly speak about sin(s) that one is not able to turn from but also have positive notes. Numbers 15 talks about offerings (including for sin) for when the people are in the Promised Land after they rejected God’s invitation.1 John 5:16 tells us to pray for our fellow believers when they commit sin, and the author of Hebrews says that he does not think that they will fall into the danger of apostasy he notes.

We may need the reminder of what can happen when hardened to sin, but we also need to remember the hope of forgiveness. There is a warning here not to presume upon God’s grace — we should not think that no matter what we do, He will forgive us, but the overall context gives encouragement.

For those who wonder if they have committed the unpardonable sin I’ve known people who struggle reading about the reality of this “unpardonable sin,” as they wonder if they have committed this sin. I think such wrestling is likely an indication that they have not done this, as the Spirit is at work in terms of convicting them of sin and helping them recognize they fall short of God’s glory.

In addition, they are aware of sin and struggle to believe the immeasurable riches of God’s grace. Those who commit this sin do not struggle with their sin or with God’s grace – they presume God’s grace or think they are not greatly in need of it. Those who worry if they have committed this sin should be reminded of the words before the passage where we read that Jesus does not break the bruised reed and snuff out the smoldering wick (Matthew 12:28) — these are reminders that Jesus is gentle and lowly to those who struggle with sin, offering comfort to those with sensitive consciences.

• May this discussion of the unpardonable sin both prevent us from becoming complacent in God’s grace but also remind us of God’s grace and kindness towards fallen sinners who struggle to follow Him and take Him at His Word.
• Questions about the Bible or theology? Email them to Pastor Brian at [email protected].

You can also request to receive weekly emails with our blog posts by filling out the information on the right side. : Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and the Unpardonable Sin

Why is the unforgivable sin unforgivable?

View 4. Decisively Reject Clear Truth the Spirit Revealed about Jesus by Attributing His Mighty Works to Satan – Those who commit the unpardonable sin, explains John Calvin, “with evil intention, resist God’s truth, although by its brightness they are so touched that they cannot claim ignorance.” They decisively reject clear Spirit-revealed truth about Jesus by attributing his mighty works to Satan.

1. They decisively reject Jesus because they never repent.
2. They continue to rebel against Jesus until they die.
3. Instead of submitting to who Jesus is and recognizing that the Spirit empowered Jesus’ mighty works, they rebel against Jesus by declaring that Satan empowered his mighty works.
4. The unpardonable sin is not an accidental, impulsive, or unguarded slip of the tongue.

It is deliberately repudiating the truth about Jesus. God responds to such rebellion by hardening the rebel’s heart and not giving that person a desire to repent and believe. The sin is unforgivable because God never enables that person to repent and believe.

So this is a sin that only unbelievers can commit. Only God knows who is guilty of this sin. It is impossible for a mere human to know with certainty that a fellow human has committed the unpardonable sin and is thus beyond repentance. Many people who appear to have committed this sin later repent and believe.

This sin can overlap with apostasy. (Apostasy is decisively turning away from the faith. An apostate is a person who once claimed to be a Christian but has irreversibly abandoned and renounced orthodox Christianity.) Since some people who commit the unpardonable sin have never claimed to be Christ-followers, they are not technically apostates.

1. The Pharisees whom Jesus addressed, for example, were not apostates.
2. They were on the brink of committing the unpardonable sin, but they did not claim to be Christ-followers and then irreversibly abandon and renounce Christ and his teachings.
3. But those who commit the unpardonable sin are similar to apostates in that they have resolutely rejected the truth and are beyond repentance.

The fate of those who commit the unpardonable sin parallels the fate of apostates in at least three passages on apostasy: “it is impossible to restore them again to repentance” (Heb 6:4–6); “one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God and has outraged the Spirit of grace” (Heb 10:29); “there is sin that leads to death” (1Jn 5:16).

1. In each of those three passages, notes Carson, “There is self-conscious perception of where the truth lies and the light shines—and a willful turning away from it”—just as with the unpardonable sin in the Synoptic Gospels.
2. See the articles “What Is Apostasy? Can a Christian Become Apostate?” and “The Sin unto Death.”) Those who have committed the unpardonable sin are not worried about it.

They are hardened in their unbelief. So if you are worried that you have committed the unpardonable sin, that is a reliable sign that you have not committed it. If you are ashamed of your sin against God, then you have not committed the unpardonable sin.

Will you be forgiven if you repent from blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?

Question: Have I committed the unforgivable sin? Answer: We have received this question a number of times over the years. It’s clearly something that many people, including Christians, struggle with. I’m going to assume that the reason you’re asking this question is because of Jesus’ words: “I tell you the truth.

What sins Cannot be forgiven by God?

Graham: Only one sin that can’t be forgiven is on God’s list — and that is the sin of rejecting Him and refusing His offer of forgiveness and new life in Jesus Christ. This alone is the unforgivable sin, because it means we are saying that the Holy Spirit’s witness about Jesus is a lie (see Luke 12:10).

What happens when you ignore the Holy Spirit?

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Leading Scripture (Micah 7:1-6)

• Pushing God from the Centre is a disaster that’s why Micah starts with the lament ” woe!! Is me. “
• Micah is a man who is preaching to a people that has lost sense of direction, the community that has lost the sense of calling, both the Northern Kingdom and the Southern Kingdom of Israel.
• Remember, the Israelites were called to be the light to the world, to read the blind to know the Lord ( ref. Isaiah 42 )

In Micah chapter 7 verse 1, Micah says ” Woe is me! For I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grape gleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: My soul desired the first ripe fruit. ”

The word woe here used by Micah is only found also in ‘ Job 10:15 ‘, two places in the bible expressing deep sorrow and disappointment and discouragement because of what is happening in the land that has pushed God away from it.

The following are some results that happen when the Holy Spirit is not obeyed or when the Holy Spirit is not in control in a person, community and or a country.

WHEN A LAND HAS LOST SENSE OF PRODUCTIVITY, – ” IT IS NO LONGER FRUITFUL. ” –

• When the Holy Spirit is not in control you bear no fruit and when going to look for fruits you find none.
• When the Holy Spirit is not in your life, or when you’ve not obeyed the voice of the Holy Spirit, you’re good for nothing, for you bear no fruits and you lose sense of productivity and you become unworthy than before.
• The examples of the fruits of Holy Spirit are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness and Faithfulness.
• Micah is saying woe is me!! Because what he was expecting he didn’t find it.
• When you push God away in your life and you choose not to obey the voice of the Lord you become useless, you become fruitless (unfruitful). If God is not in your life, your family, or nation there will be no love, no peace, there will be blood shedding.

In verse 2 of Micah 7, Micah says, ” the good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood they hunt every man his brother with a net,”

• Here, Micah wants to say that in a land where people live unrighteous the righteous ones are hated. Since they hate righteousness, they want all people to live the way they want. And if there is anyone who is righteous, he suffers more.
• In a society, land or country where righteousness or uprightness is not a virtue, when you dare to live a righteous life you suffer. If you dare to oppose the norms of the day, or stand for the truth your contract (at work, etc.) might not be renewed, or you can be hearing about promotions but not get them.
• Paul warned Timothy in ‘2 Timothy 3:12′, He said “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
• When a land entertains what is evil, righteous people are not loved they’re always hated.
• In Micah 7:7 Although righteous people are perished, they are being intimidated and the land does not want them, Micah says; “Therefore, I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.”
• Because the Lord is the help to those who look to him, I will lift my eyes to the hills where my help comes from, you don’t look to man, you look to the Lord where your help comes from, man is not your help!! In fact man is a disappointment.
• When a land has pushed God away from its midst expect blood shed, abuse, evil plots against one another, peoples love on money and not their neighbors.

WHEN GOD IS PUSHED FROM THE LAND AND THE LAND DOES NOT LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – ” THEIR HANDS ARE SKILLED TO DO EVIL (MICAH 7 VS 3). ” –

• In such a land, people know how to do evil and not what is good and they do it best since they hate righteousness, they hate uprightness but entertain evil and they do evil skillfully.
• When a land has lost direction, officials and even judges ask for a bribe. In Micah chapter 3, you will see that even the Priests, and the Prophets would prophecy for money.!
• Micah says these people who are so called religious people are so corrupt. Doing what is evil. They do not seek to please God but themselves and filling their stomach with what they get by cheating people and prophets preach for money ( Micah 3 ).
• The religious system, the political system, the social system and the economic system all gets rotten because God is pushed away from them.
• In verse 4 Micah says; “the best of them is as brier: the most upright is sharper than thorn hedge; the day of the and the visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.”
• That is to say even those you think are upright in the society that have pushed away God from them are a disappointment, that is why Micah in verse 5 says; “trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the door of thy mouth from her that Leith in thy bosom.”
• In a society that has pushed God away, a friend is your enemy. Put no trust in him. Even guard your mouth from the one you love.

Amen!!

What counts as a blasphemy?

Frequently Asked Questions – What is the difference between blasphemy and heresy ? Blasphemy, in a religious sense, refers to great disrespect shown to God or to something holy, or to something said or done that shows this kind of disrespect; heresy refers a belief or opinion that does not agree with the official belief or opinion of a particular religion.

1. Both words are also sometimes used in general, not necessarily religious, contexts.
2. What is the verb form of blasphemy ? The verb form of blasphemy is blaspheme, as in “those who blaspheme God.” It comes to English from the Late Latin word blasphemare,
3. Does blasphemy have to be spoken? Although in certain senses of the word it may be more common to use blasphemy in reference to speech, it may also be applied to writing.

The word has broadened in meaning beyond “the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God”; it is now also used with the meaning “irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable.”

What are unforgivable sins examples?

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit – Mark gives us some help for interpretation by noting that “He said this because they were saying, ‘He has an impure spirit'” ( Mark 3:30 ). Jesus has been healing the sick and casting out demons in the power the Holy Spirit ( Matthew 12:28 ; Luke 11:20 ).

1. Yet the religious leaders attribute the work of the Spirit to Satan ( Mark 3:22 ).
2. In other words, they look right into the light and then turn to the darkness.
3. The key to the unpardonable sin, then, seems to lie in the role of the Holy Spirit, which is to reveal God and draw people to the truth.
4. Anyone who rejects the work of the Spirit in their life is essentially rejecting any hope of salvation ( John 16:8 ; 1 Corinthians 2:14 ).

And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come ( Matthew 12:31–32 ).

Can blaspheme me but not the Holy Spirit?

– Chrysostom : “The Lord had refuted the Pharisees by explaining His own actions, and He now proceeds to terrify them. For this is no small part of correction, to threaten punishment, as well as to set right false accusation.” Hilary of Poitiers : “He condemns by a most rigorous sentence this opinion of the Pharisees, and of such as thought with them, promising pardon for all sins, but refusing it to blasphemy against the Spirit; Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men.” Saint Remigius : “But it should be known that they are not forgiven to all men universally, but to such only as have performed due penitence for their guiltinesses.

So by these words is overthrown the error of Novatian, who said that the faithful could not rise by penitence after a fall, nor merit pardon of their sins, especially they who in persecution denied.” Augustine : ” For what difference does it make to the purpose, whether it be said, The spirit of blasphemy shall not be forgiven, or, Whose shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit it shall not be forgiven him.

(Luke 12:10) as Luke speaks; except that the same sense is expressed more clearly in the one place than in the other, the one Evangelist not overthrowing but explaining the other? The spirit of blasphemy it is said shortly, not expressing what spirit; to make which clear it is added, And whoso shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him.

After having said the same of all manner of blasphemy, He would in a more particular way speak of that blasphemy which is against the Son of Man, and which in the Gospel according to John He shows to be very heavy, where He says concerning the Holy Ghost, He shall convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; of sin, because they believe not on me.

That then which here follows, He who shall speak a word against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come, is not said because the Holy Spirit is in the Trinity greater than the Son, which no heretic ever affirmed.” Hilary of Poitiers : “And what is so beyond all pardon as to deny that in Christ which is of God, and to take away the substance of the Father’s Spirit which is in Him, seeing that He performs every work in the Spirit of God, and in Him God is reconciling the world unto Himself.” Jerome : “Or the passage may be thus understood; Whoso speaks a word against the Son of Man, as stumbling at My flesh, and thinking of Me as no more than man, such opinion and blasphemy though it is not free from the sin of heresy, yet finds pardon because of the little worth of the body.

But whoso plainly perceiving the works of God, and being unable to deny the power of God, speaks falsely against them prompted by jealousy, and calls Christ who is the Word of God, and the works of the Holy Ghost, Beelzebub, to him it shall not be forgiven, neither in this world, nor in the world to come.” Augustine : ” But if this were said in such manner, then every other kind of blasphemy is omitted, and that only which is spoken against the Son of Man, as when He is pronounced to be mere man, is to be forgiven.

That then that is said, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men, without doubt blasphemy spoken against the Father is included in its largeness; though here again that alone is declared irremissible which is spoken against the Holy Ghost.

What then, hath the Father also taken upon Him the form of a servant, that the Holy Ghost is thus as it were spoken of as greater? For who could not be convicted of having spoken a word against the Holy Spirit, before He become a Christian or a Catholic? First, the Pagans themselves when they say that Christ wrought miracles by magic arts, are they not like those who said that He cast out dæmons by the Prince of the dæmons? Likewise the Jews and all such heretics as confess the Holy Spirit, but deny that He is in the body of Christ, which is the Church Catholic, are like the Pharisees, who denied that the Holy Spirit was in Christ.

Some heretics even contend that the Holy Spirit Himself is either a creature, as the Arians, Eunomians, and Macedonians, or deny Him at least in such sort that they may deny the Trinity in the Godhead; others assert that the Father alone is God, and the same is sometimes spoken of as the Son, sometimes as the Holy Spirit, as the Sabellians.

The Photinians also say, that the Father only is God, and that the Son is nothing more than a man, and deny altogether that there is any third Person, the Holy Spirit. It is clear then that the Holy Spirit is blasphemed, both by Pagans, Jews, and heretics. Augustine : ” Otherwise, The Apostle John says, There is a sin unto death; I do not say that he shall pray for it.

This sin of the brother unto death I judge to be, when any one having come to the knowledge of God, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, opposes Himself against the brotherhood, or is roused by the fury of jealousy against that grace by which he was reconciled to God.

1. 1 John 5:16) The stain of this sin is so great, that it may not submit to the humility of prayer, even when the sinful conscience is driven to acknowledge and proclaim its own sin.
2. Which state of mind because of the greatness of their sin we must suppose some may be brought to; and this perhaps may be to sin against the Holy Ghost, that is through malice and jealousy to assail brotherly charity after having received the grace of the Holy Spirit; and this sin the Lord declares shall be forgiven neither in this world, nor in that to come.

Whence it may be enquired whether the Jews sinned this sin against the Holy Ghost when they said that the Lord cast out dæmons by Beelzebub the Prince of the dæmons. Are we to suppose this spoken of our Lord Himself, because He said in another place, If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more they of his household? (Mat.10:24) Augustine : ” But I do not affirm this for certain, by saying that I think thus; yet thus much might have been added; If he should close this life in this impious hardness of heart, yet since we may not utterly despair of any however evil, so long as he is in this life, so neither is it unreasonable to pray for him of whom we do not despair.” Augustine : ” Yet is this enquiry very mysterious.

Let us then seek the light of exposition from the Lord. I say unto you, beloved, that in all Holy Scripture there is not perhaps so great or so difficult a question as this. First then I request you to note that the Lord said not, Every blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven, nor, Whoso shall speak any word against—but, Whoso shall speak the word.

Wherefore it is not necessary to think that every blasphemy and every word spoken against the Holy Spirit shall be without pardon; it is only necessary that there be some word which if spoken against the Holy Spirit shall be without pardon. For such is the manner of Scripture, that when any thing is so declared in it as that it is not declared whether it is said of the whole, or a part, it is not necessary that because it can apply to the whole, it therefore is not to be understood of the part.

• As when the Lord said to the Jews, If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin, (John 15:22) this does not mean that the Jews would have been altogether without sin, but that there was a sin they would not have had, if Christ had not come.
• What then is this manner of speaking against the Holy Ghost, comes now to be explained.

Now in the Father is represented to us the Author of all things, in the Son birth, in the Holy Spirit community of the Father and the Son. What then is common to the Father and the Son, through that they would have us have communion among ourselves and with them; The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which he hath given us, (Rom.5:5) and because by our sins we were alienated, from the possession of true goods, Charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

• 1 Pet.4:8) And for that Christ forgives sins through the Holy Spirit, hence may be understood how, when He said to his disciples, Receive ye the Holy Spirit, (John 20:22) He subjoined straight, Whosesoever sins ye forgive, they shall be forgiven them.
• Chrysostom : “Otherwise according to the first exposition.

The Jews were indeed ignorant of Christ, but of the Holy Ghost they had had a sufficient communication, for the Prophets spake by Him. What He here saith then is this; Be it that ye have stumbled at Me because of the flesh which is around Me; but can ye in the same manner say of the Holy Spirit, We know Him not? Wherefore this blasphemy cannot be forgiven you, and ye shall be punished both here and hereafter, for since to cast out dæmons and to heal diseases are of the Holy Spirit, you do not speak evil against Me only, but also against Him; and so your condemnation is inevitable both here and hereafter.

For there are who are punished in this life only; as they who among the Corinthians were unworthy partakers of the mysteries; others who are punished only in the life to come, as the rich man in hell; but those here spoken of are to be punished both in this world, and in the world to come, as were the Jews, who suffered horrible things in the taking of Jerusalem, and shall there undergo most heavy punishment.” Glossa Ordinaria : ” This passage destroys that heresy of Origen, who asserted that after many ages all sinners should obtain pardon; for it is here said, this shall not be forgiven either in this world, or in the world to come.” Gregory the Great : ” Hence we may gather that there are some sins that are remitted in this world, and some in the world to come; for what is denied of one sin, must be supposed to be admitted of others.

And this may be believed in the case of trifling faults; such as much idle discourse, immoderate laughter, or the sin of carefulness in our worldly affairs, which indeed can hardly be managed without sin even by one who knows how he ought to avoid sin; or sins through ignorance (if they be lesser sins) which burden us even after death, if they have not been remitted to us while yet in this life.

Is saying OMG blasphemy?

Does Texting ‘OMG’ Amount to Blasphemy? Does using text messaging shorthand constitute taking the Lord’s name in vain? September 21, 2009, 7:02 PM Sept.23, 2009 — – As texting and instant messaging became a way of life, a shorthand lexicon emerged to save time and stress on fingers.

• Acronyms like LOL and TTYL replaced “laughing out loud” and “talk to you later.” The letters OMG replaced “Oh, My God.” Or did it? There’s debate on what the G in OMG really means.
• Does it stand for “gosh,” or “God”? If it stands for “God,” is using it a sin? John Donvan spoke to a group of high school students from the Washington Hebrew Congregation youth group in Bethesda, Md., about OMG and how it relates to the third commandment, which says, according to the King James version of the Bible, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7).

There are various interpretations of the commandment, but it is commonly defined as using the Lord’s name casually or irreverently. Saying “Jesus Christ!” in any way other than in praise is one example. Watch the full story on “Nightline” at 11:35 p.m.

ET OMG has a number of meanings ranging from excitement to disbelief. For a vast number of American teens, it has replaced the exclamation mark. “You don’t think that you’re saying ‘Oh, my God,'” said Rachel Edelman, 15. “You’re just thinking ‘Oh!’ like it’s a surprise. OMG. It’s nothing to be thought about.” Lexi Levin, 18, describes herself as “an avid OMG user in text,” and she thinks using OMG is a long way from “Oh, my God.” To her, it’s akin to golly, gee and gosh.

“That’s kind of how I think about it. I don’t know if that’s a fair way to think about it. But it’s how I make myself feel better.” Julian Schneider, 14, agrees. “If you say something like ‘Oh my God,’ then you’re using His name in vain, but if you’re saying something like OMG it’s not really using the Lord’s name in vain because you’re not saying ‘Oh my God.’ It’s more like ‘Wow.

Really?'” For hundreds of years, people have found ways to avoid using the Lord’s name in vain. Words like gosh and golly, both dating back to the 1700s, served as euphemisms for God. It is a Jewish tradition to write “G_d” to show respect. Exclamations like “Oh, my God” and “Jesus Christ” were rarely used in polite conversation and drew rebuke when they were.

But that has changed in recent decades and art is imitating life. The Parents Television Council reports that in 2007, the most recent year for which they have data, 95.9 percent of uses of the word God on primetime network television were in vain. : Does Texting ‘OMG’ Amount to Blasphemy?

Is not believing in God blasphemy?

blasphemy, irreverence toward a deity or deities and, by extension, the use of profanity, In Christianity, blasphemy has points in common with heresy but is differentiated from it in that heresy consists of holding a belief contrary to the orthodox one.

• Thus, it is not blasphemous to deny the existence of God or to question the established tenets of the Christian faith unless this is done in a mocking and derisive spirit.
• In the Christian religion, blasphemy has been regarded as a sin by moral theologians; St.
• Thomas Aquinas described it as a sin against faith.

For the Muslim it is blasphemy to speak contemptuously not only of God but also of Muḥammad. In many societies blasphemy in some form or another has been an offense punishable by law, The Mosaic Law decreed death by stoning as the penalty for the blasphemer.

• Under the Byzantine emperor Justinian I (reigned 527–565) the death penalty was decreed for blasphemy.
• In the United States many states have legislation aimed at the offense.
• In Scotland until the 18th century it was punishable by death, and in England it is both a statutory and a common-law offense.
• It was recognized as the latter in the 17th century; the underlying idea apparently was that an attack on religion is necessarily an attack on the state.

This idea probably has been the reason why penalties have been laid down for blasphemy in some secular legal codes.

What is the highest form of blasphemy?

History – In the early history of the Church, blasphemy “was considered to show active disrespect to God and to involve the use of profane cursing or mockery of his powers”. Heresy received more attention than blasphemy throughout the Middle Ages because it was considered a more serious threat to Orthodoxy, while blasphemy was mostly seen as irreverent remarks made by persons who may have been drunk or diverged from good standards of conduct in what was treated as isolated incidents of misbehavior.

• When iconoclasm and the fundamental understanding of the sacred became more contentious matters during the Reformation, blasphemy started to be regarded as similar to heresy.
• In The Whole Duty of Man, sometimes attributed to Richard Allestree or John Fell, blasphemy is described as “speaking any evil Thing of God”, and as “the highest Degree whereof is cursing him; or if we do not speak it with our Mouths, yet if we do it in our Hearts, by thinking any unworthy Thing of him, it is look’d on by God, who sees the Heart, as the vilest Dishonour.” The intellectual culture of the early English Enlightenment had embraced ironic or scoffing tones in contradistinction to the idea of sacredness in revealed religion.

The characterization of “scoffing” as blasphemy was defined as profaning the Scripture by irreverent “Buffoonery and Banter”. From at least the 18th century on, the clergy of the Church of England justified blasphemy prosecutions by distinguishing “sober reasoning” from mockery and scoffing.

Religious doctrine could be discussed “in a calm, decent and serious way” (in the words of Bishop Gibson ) but mockery and scoffing, they said, were appeals to sentiment, not to reason. In Whitehouse v. Lemon (1976), the last blasphemy prosecution heard by English courts, the court repeated what had by then become a textbook standard for blasphemy cases: It is not blasphemous to speak or publish opinions hostile to the Christian religion, or to deny the existence of God, if the publication is couched in decent and temperate language.

The test to be applied is as to the manner in which the doctrines are advocated and not as to the substance of the doctrines themselves.

Does God forgive all sins if you repent?

Have I sinned too much to repent? – Jesus has paid the price for every sin. You may have felt like your sins are too serious or that you have made the same mistake too many times. But no matter how much we have sinned, we can always repent and be forgiven. Some sins may be easier to correct than others, but Jesus Christ has provided for total forgiveness from all sins. He is eager to forgive.

What is the biggest sin?

Pride – Detail of Pride from The Seven Deadly Sins and the Four Last Things by Hieronymus Bosch, c.1500 Pride ( superbia ), also known as hubris (from Ancient Greek ὕβρις ) or futility, It is considered the original and worst of the seven deadly sins on almost every list, the most demonic.

It is also thought to be the source of the other capital sins. Pride is the opposite of humility, Pride has been labeled the mother of all sins and has been deemed the devil’s most essential trait.C.S. Lewis writes in Mere Christianity that pride is the “anti-God” state, the position in which the ego and the self are directly opposed to God: “Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.” Pride is understood to sever the spirit from God, as well as His life-and-grace-giving Presence.

One can be prideful for different reasons. Author Ichabod Spencer states that “spiritual pride is the worst kind of pride, if not worst snare of the devil. The heart is particularly deceitful on this one thing.” Jonathan Edwards said: “remember that pride is the worst viper that is in the heart, the greatest disturber of the soul’s peace and sweet communion with Christ; it was the first sin that ever was and lies lowest in the foundation of Satan’s whole building and is the most difficultly rooted out and is the most hidden, secret and deceitful of all lusts and often creeps in, insensibly, into the midst of religion and sometimes under the disguise of humility.” The modern use of pride may be summed up in the biblical proverb, “Pride goeth before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (abbreviated “Pride goes before a fall”, Proverbs 16:18).

Can we lose salvation?

Answer: – Many Christians have had the experience of a friend or family member leaving the Church, and seemingly the faith. This is why the question is sometimes pressing, and we want to know whether or not those friends are still saved. When people ask this question, most often what is meant is whether people will receive eternal life after death.

The Bible talks both about the certainty of salvation and also the negative consequences of falling away from faith. Every passage interpreted as dealing with this issue needs to be read carefully. For example, Hebrews 6.4–8 is often interpreted as saying that Christians can lose their salvation, as Paul talks about the negative consequences of turning away from God.

Paul says that it is ‘impossible’ for those who have ‘tasted’ and ‘shared’ in the Holy Spirit to be restored again to ‘repentance’. However, it depends on how you interpret what is meant by restoring someone to repentance – does this passage equate repentance with salvation, or does it simply mean that it is difficult to get someone who has changed their mind about Jesus to change it back again? 1 Timothy 1.18–20 is another passage that is often used to support the idea that Christians can lose their salvation, as Paul is talking about two people who have made a ‘shipwreck of their faith’.

1. Some think this means that though they seemed to have once had faith they are still going to be delivered to Satan, thought to mean a return to that original unsaved state.
2. However, Paul’s next line is ‘so they may learn not to blaspheme’.
3. So why should Paul hope that two men who are condemned will learn something from it? Another way of reading this passage is that being ‘delivered to Satan’ is a figurative way of saying that these men are going to be disciplined here and now, in this life, in order that they might learn a lesson.

The Bible does give us several images to help us visualise the certainty of salvation or eternal life for those who those who have expressed belief in Christ. Crucially, these images evoke the idea that salvation, or the state of salvation, is like a change that God makes in us when we accept or believe in Christ.

• In Ephesians 1.13–24, the word ‘salvation’ is explicitly mentioned.
• Paul states that because his audience ‘heard’ and ‘believed’ the gospel, it became their ‘gospel of salvation’ and because of this they were ‘marked with a seal’, the Holy Spirit.
• The seal is an image of a permanent mark, which, as Paul says, acts as a ‘guarantee’ of our ‘inheritance’ (eternal life).

The question is, can anything we do, even losing belief or doing wrong, remove a permanent mark that God has made? Secondly, he also changed our relationship to himself. The Bible says that those who have accepted Jesus have become ‘heirs’ ( Romans 8.17 ) through a ‘spirit of adoption’ ( Romans 8.15 ).

This adoption, it says in verse 24, is the hope in which we are ‘saved’. Again, this has important implications for our question because adoption is a permanent change that is based on the actions of the parent – once one has adopted a child, the adoption cannot be revoked, but the legal change is permanent.

In fact, part of the message of the parable of the Prodigal Son is that God’s relationship as an adoptive father towards us is unchanging. Furthermore, when we profess belief in Jesus, the Bible describes a transformation of our nature into something new, as the Bible says we become ‘new creations’ ( 2 Corinthians 5.17 ).

1. By ourselves, we have a sinful nature ( Psalm 51.5 ) that completely destroys our relationship with God and so by default leads to spiritual death (that is, hell after death).
2. This is because God’s holy nature cannot endure sin – our sinful nature and his holy nature are incongruent.
3. Hence, being a new creation enables us to be ‘reconciled’ with God and receive salvation.

Again, this implies that a permanent change is made, as ‘the old is gone, and the new has come’. Personally, I believe the Bible teaches that salvation is conceived of as a permanent and transformative change, effected by God at the moment a person chooses to believe – and so we can conclude that there is nothing a person can do that can change what God has changed.

However, many other people would be convinced otherwise through reading passages such as Hebrews 10.19–39, Either way, there remains a practical question of what our response should be. If we believe that a friend who has left church has lost their salvation, should we feel worry, resignation or despair over that? Luke 18.1 and the following parable, encourage us to ‘pray and not lose heart’.

Or, if we believe that a friend who has left church is still saved, should we no longer bother praying for them to regain their faith because we think they are still saved? 1 Thessalonians 5.14 says to ‘encourage the disheartened’, and verse 17 says to ‘pray unceasingly’ so it’s clear whatever our theological belief about salvation is, the practical response to other people’s discouragement should be the same.

• Where someone appears to be struggling we can and should continue encouraging and praying for them.
• There is no need to pressure or persuade someone, as either way, what is required is faith that God will act in that person’s life again.
• However, it should be said that while some people do worry about ‘salvation’ in the sense of our eternal destiny, a relationship with God is much more than what happens after death.

There are incredible things that God wants to do with us here in this life, that can’t be received without faith. Have you got a question about the Bible? Let us know and we’ll do our best to answer it! This article was written by Hannah Stevens, who works in our sales team​.

What is the sin of rejecting Jesus?

Unpardonable sin involves the total and irrevocable rejection of Jesus Christ From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham Q: I am afraid I may have committed the unpardonable sin, but I can’t find anyone who can really explain what that sin is? – R.J. A: When people cannot explain the unpardonable sin, it is unlikely that they have committed it; their feelings of guilt seem to support this conclusion.

The unpardonable sin involves the total and irrevocable rejection of Jesus Christ. It is void of guilt. Resisting the Holy Spirit of God is a sin committed by unbelievers that when carried on long enough, leads to eternal doom. Only certain judgment remains for those who resist the Holy Spirit that is sent by God to draw us to Himself.

It is not unusual for people to wonder if they have committed a deed that cannot be forgiven, such as murder, incest, abortion, or even something that may not seem quite so serious. Such people often develop obsessive guilt, perhaps not unlike David’s when he cried out, “My sin is always before me.

1. Against You,
2. Have I sinned” (Psalm 51:3-4).
3. It seems that no one has committed this sin who continues to be under the disturbing, convicting, and drawing power of the Holy Spirit.
4. So long as the Spirit strives with a person, he or she has not committed the unpardonable sin.
5. But when a person has so resisted the Spirit of God that He strives with him or her no more, then there is eternal danger.

What is the answer, then, to this overwhelming guilt? Each person must humble themselves before God and admit their sin. Cry out, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” (Luke 18:13). Recognizing and confessing sin is a prerequisite to all else that follows.

• God is in the business of forgiving sin.
• He sent His son to the cross “that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
• For believers, “to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” brings great joy (Acts 20:24).
• This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev.

Billy Graham.) (c)2019 BILLY GRAHAM LITERARY TRUST DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC. : Unpardonable sin involves the total and irrevocable rejection of Jesus Christ

What is considered blasphemy against God?

References –

1. ^ Mark 3:28–29
2. ^ Matthew 12:31–32
3. ^ Luke 12:10
4. ^ Hebrews 6:4–6
5. ^ Hebrews 10:26–31
6. ^ 1 John 5:16
7. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g “The Sermons of John Wesley – Sermon 86: A Call To Backsliders”, Northwest Nazarene University, Retrieved 9 August 2021,
8. ^ Pat Robertson (2003). Bring It On, Thomas Nelson,p.161. ISBN 978-1-4185-5570-2, The sin unto death, or the so-called unpardonable sin, is to reject the Holy Spirit’s wooing.
9. ^ Jump up to: a b Combs, William W (2004). The Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit Archived 2012-02-10 at the Wayback Machine Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal 9 (Fall 2004)
10. ^ “The Unpardonable Sin”, Cbn.com, Retrieved 2016-11-21,
11. ^ Matthew 12:30–32
12. ^ Mark 3:28–30
13. ^ Luke 12:8–10
14. ^ Hebrews 6:4–6
15. ^ Hebrews 10:26–31
16. ^ 1 John 5:16
17. ^ 1 Thessalonians 5:17
18. ^ Slobodskoy, Serafim Alexivich (1967). “The Christian Faith”, The Law of God: For Study at Home and School (English translation). Translated by Price, Susan (1st ed.). Jordanville, N.Y. : Holy Trinity Monastery, ISBN 978-0-88465-044-7, Archived from the original on 27 August 2018, Retrieved 12 June 2019,
19. ^ John 14:17
20. ^ John 15:26
21. ^ John 16:13
22. ^ Matthew 12:31
23. ^ 1 John 5:6
24. ^ Augustine, St. (1844). Sermons On Selected Lessons Of The New Testament, Vol.1. Translated by Macmullen, Richard. Rivington, London: John Henry Parker. pp.166–196.
25. ^ Jump up to: a b Forget, Jacques (1910). “The Catholic Encyclopedia – Holy Ghost”, www.newadvent.org, Robert Appleton Company.
26. ^ The Catholic Study Bible (2 ed.). New York, New York: Oxford University Press.1990. pp.1357, 1406. ISBN 978-0-19-529776-8,this sin is called an everlasting sin because it attributes to Satan, who is the power of evil, what is actually the work of the holy Spirit, namely, victory over the demons.
27. ^ “Part I, Article X: The Forgiveness of Sins”, The Catechism of the Council of Trent, Baltimore: Lucas Brothers.1829.p.82, Retrieved November 20, 2020,no crime, however heinous, can be committed, which the Church has not power to forgive: as, also, there is no sinner, however abandoned, none, however depraved, who should not confidently hope for pardon, provided he sincerely repent of his past transgressions.
28. ^ This is also the Lutheran doctrine. See “The Defense of the Augsburg Confession,” Article XI, Of Confession, paragraph 59, and Article XIII, Of the Number and Use of the Sacraments, paragraphs 4 & 5.
29. ^ “What are sins that cry to heaven for vengeance and sins against the Holy Spirit? | Catholic Answers”, Catholic.com. Archived from the original on 2016-11-21, Retrieved 2016-11-21,
30. ^ Summa Theologiae. II/II 14 II
31. ^ Peter Lombard, Sent. ii. D43/2
32. ^ S. th. II/II 14 III
33. ^ The Catechism of the Catholic Church §1864
34. ^ John Paul II, General Audience of July 28, 1999
35. ^ Cf, Catechism of the Catholic Church, § 982; cf. Mt 18:21–22
36. ^ Enchiridion lxxxiii, and De Verb. Dom., Serm. lxxi
37. ^ “Catechism of the Catholic Church – IntraText”, Vatican.va, Retrieved 2016-11-21,
38. ^ “James Akin”, Ewtn.com, Retrieved 2016-11-21,
39. ^ “What about Matthew 12:31–32, which says that anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven? | Catholic Answers”, Catholic.com, Archived from the original on 2016-05-20, Retrieved 2016-11-21,
40. ^ “Library : The Unforgiven Sin”, Catholic Culture.2011-05-13, Retrieved 2016-11-21,
41. ^ “Dominum et vivificantem (18 May 1986) | John Paul II”, Vatican.va, Retrieved 2016-11-21,
42. ^ Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion Book III Chapter III Section 22 (Translated by Henry Beveridge.)
43. ^ Hebrews 6:4–6
44. ^ Jump up to: a b Rothwell, Mel-Thomas; Rothwell, Helen (1998). A Catechism on the Christian Religion: The Doctrines of Christianity with Special Emphasis on Wesleyan Concepts, Schmul Publishing Co.p.78.
45. ^ Burton-Edwards, Taylor (2012). “Do United Methodists believe “once saved, always saved” or can we “lose our salvation”?”, The United Methodist Church, Archived from the original on 1 December 2012, Retrieved 14 June 2012, Wesley notes that the penalty of eternal separation from God with no hope of return applies in scripture only in two cases—either, as in Hebrews 6 and 10, to persons who willfully, publically and explicitly reject Jesus as Savior after having confessed him, or, as in the gospels, to those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit by declaring that the works of Jesus were the works of the Evil one.
46. ^ “The King Follett Sermon”, Ensign, May 1971.
47. ^ Edward L. Kimball (ed.), Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball (Bookcraft, Salt Lake City, 1982) p.23; Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness (Bookcraft, Salt Lake City, 1969) p.123.
48. ^ “What’s the Unforgivable Sin?”,
49. ^ https://thecloudchurch.org/about
50. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeIjxbqC12o
51. ^ intertextual.bible/text/matthew-12.31-avot-drabbi-natan-24
52. ^ Rabbi Menachem Meiri, Book of Repentance, Introduction
53. ^ Mishneh Torah Hilchos Teshuvah Chapter 4
54. ^ Encyclopedia of Islam, volume 9, 2nd edition, s.v. shirk
55. ^ Learn Religions: Shirk

How serious is blasphemy?

The laissez-faire attitude that the U.S. government takes toward religious doctrine contrasts with practices in other parts of the world. For example, Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa, or legal declaration, in 1989 calling on Muslims to execute novelist Salman Rushdie (pictured here in 1995), whose book The Satanic Verses was judged by Khomeini to be blasphemous.

Similarly, mobs in many Arab countries reacted violently in 2005–2006 when Danish newspapers published cartoons that depicted the prophet Mohammed in unfavorable ways. (AP Photo/Rebecca Naden, used with permission from the Associated Press) Blasphemy laws punish people who make oral or written statements that are understood to express irreverence for sacred things.

Long a feature of English and colonial societies and still prominent in some theocratic regimes, laws against blasphemy have disappeared in the United States because of the First Amendment. Such laws were most frequently associated with the kind of religious establishment that the First Amendment limited at the national level and that courts later applied via the Fourteenth Amendment to the states.

Is blasphemy a human right?

Blasphemy prohibitions have been brought into being and enforced so as to protect the dominant religion specifically. Religions as such, however, are not protected by international human rights law. Human rights law protects and empowers people: every person has the right to freedom of religion or belief.