What is the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin. (Mk 3:28-29)
Although many fear that they have done unforgiveable things, Jesus said that there is only one unforgiveable sin, and that is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
What does it mean to blaspheme someone? You might have heard that it is taking the Lord’s Name in vain, but that doesn’t capture the meaning of blasphemy.
In the original Greek, the words blasphemy and blaspheme mean to slander or to speak falsely of someone in a manner than injures their good name.
When people accused Paul of preaching grace as a license to sin, he said their reports were blasphemous, or slanderous (Rom 3:8). In other words, the reports were false and injurious to his reputation and message.
Jesus’ warning about not slandering the Holy Spirit is reported in three gospels (Matt 12:32, Mark 3:29, Luke 12:10). In two of those accounts the warning comes after Jesus had been driving out demons “by the Spirit of God” (Matt 12:28).
The Pharisees and law teachers thought Jesus’ power came from Satan. “By the prince of demons he is driving out demons” (Mark 3:22). They were giving the devil credit for work done by the Holy Spirit, which is fairly slanderous!
In Luke’s account the context is a little different. This time Jesus was preaching to a large crowd when he gave this famous couplet:
I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. (Luke 12:8-9)
Right there you have a baseball bat for whacking every believer who has been cowardly in their witness. Well, you would, if Jesus didn’t immediately follow up with this:
And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. (Luke 12:10)
What are the forgiven sins?
Peters of the world be encouraged! Peter disowned Jesus before men but Jesus says of him, “he’s forgiven!”
When Jesus warned us about the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, he made it clear that the sin of speaking a bad word against the Son of Man, like all sins and blasphemies, will be forgiven.
If you have cursed God, be assured that this sin – along with all your sins and blasphemies – was forgiven when Jesus went to the cross (Col 2:13). You may have cursed him, but he has blessed you! How? By removing your sins as far as the east is from the west (Ps 103:12).
People sometimes ask me, why do you grace preachers say all our sins are forgiven? Because Jesus said so! This is the Good News and either you take him at his word or you don’t. You are not forgiven because of anything you’ve done but in accordance with the riches of his grace (Eph 1:7).
But just because you’re forgiven, it doesn’t follow that you’re saved. Grace is ineffective unless it’s matched with faith (Eph 2:8). And this brings us to…
The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit
As we have seen, to blaspheme someone is to slander or speak falsely about them. To understand what it means to speak falsely of the Holy Spirit, we must first discover what is true about him and his ministry. Jesus tells us:
When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. (John 16:8-11)
Jesus said his blood would be poured out for the forgiveness of sins (Matt 26:28). If all the sins and blasphemies of men were forgiven at the cross, there’s only one sin the Holy Spirit can convict you of: “in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me.”
Do you believe that you have been eternally redeemed through the blood of Jesus (Heb 9:12)? Do you believe the Spirit-inspired scriptures when they declare that Jesus’ sacrifice has done away with sin once and for all (Heb 9:26)? If not, you are resisting his conviction and calling him a liar.
If you think you must do things like confess and repent from your sins in order to get what Christ has freely given, then you are denying him and his finished work. You are walking after the flesh and slandering the Spirit.
What’s the solution? “Repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:15).
Biblical confession is agreeing with the Holy Spirit about your sins (1 Jn 1:9). Although you were completely and eternally forgiven 2000 years ago, you will not experience his forgiveness until you say “yes!” to Jesus.
Jesus also said, “unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and law-teachers, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:20). Writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul declared that the gospel reveals a righteousness from God, a gift that is received by faith from first to last (Rom 1:17). You are not righteous because of anything you’ve done, but because of everything he’s done.
On the cross Jesus took our sin and gave us his righteousness (2 Cor 5:21). In Christ you are as righteous as he is (1 Cor 1:30). So the second aspect of the Holy Spirit’s ministry is to convict you of your righteousness. If you believe him you will look at yourself in the mirror and confidently declare, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!”
The third aspect of the Holy Spirit’s ministry is that he will seek to convince you that the prince of this world is condemned. You are not condemned, Satan is. If you are responsive to the Holy Spirit’s conviction, you will confidently declare, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!” You will ask, “if God is for us, who can be against us?”
With a firm revelation of the Father’s love for you – revealed through the Son and affirmed in your heart by the Spirit – you will have no fear of punishment (1 John 4:18). You won’t wonder whether God gives and takes away and you won’t view natural disasters as divine judgments. Instead of confessing your sins you will boldly confess your sonship and lay claim to all the rights of intimacy and inheritance that come with that (Gal 4:7).
The Holy Spirit must be the most misunderstood Person in the Bible. I plan to write more about him and his ministry soon. But to answer the question above – what is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? – it is refusing to believe the Holy Spirit’s testimony regarding the grace of God revealed through Jesus Christ.
In a word, it is unbelief.
Unbelief may manifest in a hard heart or in a religious spirit that confuses the devil’s work with the Lord’s. In either case, to resist the Holy Spirit is to trample the Son of God underfoot and treat as unholy the blood of the new covenant that sanctifies us. It is slanderous and insulting to the Spirit of grace who seeks to convince us – through the written word and revelation – that Jesus is true, you are forgiven, and he now offers you the free gift of his righteousness.
The Holy Spirit is not some Divine Policeman in the sky with a big stick. He’s the most awesome, powerful, and wonderful Being in the universe.
And he is absolutely committed to your success in Christ!
___________
Want more? Check out the article, “Have I committed the unforgivable sin?”
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I too am panicking to the point of being sick as I’m worried I’m going to Hell. I looked up blaspheme in the dictionary and it said ‘to talk irreverently about’. I’ve done that and worse. I’ve called God useless and told Him I hated Him. When I was taught about this bit I said all the things the Pharisees said to see how it would feel. Now I’m sure I’m going to Hell. I’ve prayed for a sign from God that I’m saved and feel cut off from His love. I feel disconnected from Him and am taking it as a sign that I’m going to Hell.
I’ve just spent 2 hours reading God’s promises to myself and don’t feel any better which in turn is making me feel even surer that I’m going to Hell. What would you recommend?
I’d recommend reading the post above and believing it instead of believing all the lies the devil has filled your head with.
Jesus said: “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” (John 6:37 NIV).
From what I have read, the Greek for “will never drive away” means no way whatsoever, no way, Hosea
Paul tells us in Romans “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 NIV)
We are told in 1John that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL sin.
I have struggled with the “unpardonable sin” passages throughout my life, and I certainly don’t have all the answers. What I do know is that God never lists any exceptions when He makes promises like the ones above.
Thank you, Eric, for you gracious response which was better than mine. I forget that the unpardonable sin really troubles some people. It shouldn’t, but it does.
For those of you who are battling with this issue, be encouraged that this a battle you can win! But you won’t win it by giving your heart and mouth to the lies of the enemy. I encourage you to renew your minds and start agreeing with what God says about you.
One way to stir up faith in your own heart is to preach the gospel to yourself. Do you believe that Jesus is Lord? If so, rejoice, for you could not know this except the Holy Spirit has shown you (1 Cor 12:3). Do you believe that you have become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 5:21)? Then say it out loud. “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!” Any time those evil thoughts come to mind about things you have said or done, say it again: “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!” This isn’t about formulas. This is about refuting every lie that attacks you with the shield of faith. Eric gives us a wonderful promise above. Find a promise that resonates in your spirit and hold to it during the battle. Allow God’s Word to bear its good and peaceable fruit in your life.
Thank you Eric. I try and cling to those passages but then the finality of what Jesus says about never being forgiven comes jumping back into my mind. Thank you for your response.
(not)Hell bound- Read John 3:18 and trust that Jesus did not lie.
You are right if you think that what you have done is greater than what Jesus did saying it saves or condemns you, this is the road to hell, Jesus became your curse, all your curses and cursing, so that you could be saved. I would ask you to stop travelling a road that is not yours.The only reason you feel cut of from God is because of you not him.
I was wondering if you have gotten any relief from your fears?
To Hellbound? do you have unconfessed sin in your life ?
I felt like this, and at that time in my life I was resisting the Holy Spirit, I was in a homosexual relationship and I couldn’t shake the blasphemous thoughts. My sinful life gave access for those thoughts to impede my mind. The Lord used that to have me seek Him more and to repent of my sins. You need to ask the Lord Jesus to reveal to you what’s causing it to happen, and if you have any sins you need to get rid of. It could be a certain life style that you are living, unforgiveness for others, certain objects in your home, etc… You must seek the Lord directly in this manner. There is a difference between the spirit of conviction and the spirit of condemnation. The Lord does not condemn us, He convicts us. When a person blasphemes the Holy Spirit it means they’ve lived their entire life resisting the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth in their life, and instead chose to live a lie and died living a lie, or just plainly not believing in aka rejecting Jesus Christ as the only way to God the Father and for the forgiveness of sin. If you are sitting concerned if you have blasphemed the Holy Spirit there’s something in you swaying you to get your life right…. You need to pray and earnestly seek the Lord.
John 3:19-21
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Hello Paul. Quick question. Will u be forgiven as a Christian if u commit blasphemy against de Holy Spirit be it intentional or non intentional (as a Christian I Mean). I understand wen u re not saved. But as a born again Christian, will u be forgiven?
It is impossible for a Christian to commit this sin for the same way that it is impossible for someone who has been born again to become unborn.
Ahh.. You have answered my question Paul Ellis, as I ve looked at all.de comments,but especially your answers to comments. De price has been paid for on cross. So no matter de sin,it has already been paid.so a Christian is under grace. Thank you Paul.
What if we look at these verses in light of Jesus wanting to save all men, including the Pharisees? What if God’s heart ached for their disbelief? What if he was trying to warn them? What if He was saying that the Holy Spirit convicts you of your sin? If you continue to dismiss him and deny what He is telling you? Continue to attribute this work to evil? Then who is left to convict you.. In this world and in the next and without belief, you will not be saved.
What if a child constantly wants to run out into the traffic to get to the playground on the others side of a busy 6 lane road? What if the child gets mad at the mother who is trying to stop them. What if the child is telling that mother that they are evil for holding them? What if the father came home and warned the child to listen to the person who is teaching them.
“I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them.”
– On the cross, all sins were forgiven….
-but you must BELIEVE.
” But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven”
– Without the conviction of the Holy Spirit how can you BELIEVE?
-by denying – you can’t respond to the conviction.
– By attributing to evil – you can’t respond to the conviction.
“he is guilty of an eternal sin.” (Mk 3:28-29)”
– Where is the hope?
-ever
is it possible that the eternal sin is not the act of the sin itself, rather it’s the result of the sin?
unbelief means you do not believe the truth, but it does not imply slander.
slander means spreading lies, and Jesus was talking about the lies that the pharisees were spreading. the pharisees said that Jesus was possessed by satan and drove out demons by satan; they were basically saying that the holy spirit was satan. at another time, one of them said: “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
…slander does not necessarily imply unbelief. sometimes, people know the truth and choose to spread lies because they benefit somehow.
Paul wrote “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.” This may contrast him against others who acted the same in knowledge and belief.
So Paul, even if today is said the exact samthing that the Pharisees I would be forgiven for it? So this sin only pertains to the time before the cross?
There was the First Aion Age when Jesus was walking the Earth and arguing with the Pharisees, which corresponds to when Jesus said “This age” (Bible, New Testament, Matthew 12:31-32)
There was the Second Aion Age when Jesus was dead in the tomb, which corresponds to when Jesus said “the age to come” (Bible, New Testament, Matthew 12:31-32)
There is a the Third Aion Age when Jesus was resurrected alive again and also is the Age when Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit is forgiven and is also the age that we are in now. This age goes on for eternity.
Are there any signs of someone who has committed this sin. I know Christ came into my life when I first went to the altar years ago. I have done things i wanted to do – sinned and struggle with terrible thoughts. I counteract them and will keep trying but I dont want to lie to myself. I think I’m fighting my own sinful self. Most times I feel I have because of this. I want to be better and if its not too late go to Heaven but I struggle and fail so miserably. Can I know? Would God say I have? Am I stuck on stupid (thinking pattern) bcuz I went to far? I believe He loves me because I believe it is Him who has blessed me with a good job, health a better apartment. I dont know tho bcuz the bible says “He makes the rain to fall on the just and unjust”. Bad as I am, I don’t want to be like that…I’m better off dead but I have a child to stick around for.
Tonia, I hear you. I can relate to what you are saying, because I am having like struggles. I suggest you read Mark 3:30. There we see specifically what the “unpardonable” sin is, and I don’t think you’ve committed it. It has nothing to do with adding, even temporarily, works to grace. I would bet there probably aren’t many/any born-again believers who haven’t been sucked into works-based salvation at one point or another in their walk. It’s actually believing that Jesus had an evil spirit, i.e., that the Holy Spirit/God was actually evil. Would a believer ever think Jesus was demon possessed? I don’t think so, and I don’t believe you would believe such a thing either!
Martin, I did call God evil at one point. Told Him I didn’t think He loved me and I didnt think I loved Him. I have at times believed He is unfair and I get angry because I still go through this. One part of me knows this is wrong and doesn’t want to and this othe part of me just feels what it feels. I seem like two people. Loving God for His goodness and angry when it isn’t going my way. I get discouraged when I get angry because I don’t think a christian should be angry at God. Especially Jesus. I have never felt anger toward Jesus. I know He is God. But in my hearly somewhere I split God. The loving God who died for me and the angry God who is going to punish me for rejecting Jesus. Does any of this make sense to you? I really think at times I am a little off in the mind.
I believed in Jesus alone for forgiveness of sin. However, after committing great sin, there was a period where I believed that I would not be forgiven unless I made Jesus Lord also and was obedient. In an effort to “secure” my salvation from hell, I told God I must have never truly accepted Him as my Saviour and wanted to make Him my Lord as well and follow Him only in deed and in heart. I fell into great fear after that when reading about Hebrews 6:4-6 and other scriptures and believed my rebellion was this falling away. Now I have discovered the truth. I took the freedom I had in Jesus and attempted to add my obedience to it. According to what the Bible seems to say, I fell from Grace and into Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit by trying to add works to Jesus blood and sacrifice for me. So since I have seen this as error on my part and realize I was wrong. Will I be forgiven of this? It was an act of rejection of Jesus for self. I have since asked forgiveness for this, but scriptures on apostasy haunt my conscience and leave me in perpetual doubt that I can be forgiven.
I was playing football and some words popped out of my mouth saying the holy ghost is the devil and I added enemy so it went like the holy ghost is the devil enemy so it would not be blaspheming and later I was upset thinking why the heck is this going on, and was just wondering out load like why the word I did not think said holy ghost is the devil thinking out load huh the holy ghost is the devil and there was a gap and I was talking to my self but in my heart said huh I know the holy ghost is not the devil so why did this come out my mouth not meaning any thing by it or meaning for this to happen could this be classed as blaspheming?
as I did not mean it like is sounded and I was trying to work out by thinking out loud I know god know’s my heart and later I said I know the holy spirit is not the devil And just like to see has any one got any help I was in panic mode thinking out loud.
Keep trying work out Why the words come out my mouth by saying them more the one time with out meaning it the way it sounded and I was not trying blasphemy the holy ghost just keep getting under attack struggles with evil blasphemous thoughts, and getting over worked trying not to blaspheme so in my head some times I say the holy ghost is not the devil numerous time’s as I do not want to think bad thoughts so when them words popped out in football I was thinking I added the word enemy at the end so its not a lie who the holy ghost is as he is god not the devil but a enemy of the devil.
So later I Panicked and thought maybe it could have a link watching porn or some kind of way I am born again but keep getting defeated I saying to god send some one to help so please any one?
Paul,
What a blessing to find such clear explanations of GRACE! Thank you for enhancing my awareness of the most loving and wonderful God Who has covered us in His Gift of Forgiveness.
And it is FREE!!!!!!
I would love to receive more articles from you about His GRACE.
The word blasphemy is translated from the greek blasphemeo/blasphemia and was not used to describe just any kind of disrespectful speaking but intentionally dishonest rumor spreading as an attack on ones character, This does not apply to thoughts or careless words. The pharisees intentionally spread lies and rumors about Jesus in a setting where people would otherwise have believed in His awesome power. These guys were so angry that God was not glorifying them and their (self)righteousness and was instead using a Nazarene to set the dirty common sinners free from what they felt were well deserved punishments that they determined themselves to stop Him from taking over, rather than repent and accept him as King. They even paid people off to spread rumors about His Resurrection being faked when they themselves saw the dead raised from their tombs just days before and heard the 1st hand account of the roman soldiers who saw the angels come down and roll away the stone.
im worried because 7 years ago, i got angry at Gos and told Him He was evil and the devil, i dont remember if i said this to the Holy Spirit or not. i asked a pastor and he said theres no certainty if i blasphemed the HS or not and that if God sends me to hell, His will be done. im so sad and without hope now because i did what the pharisees did in calling God evil.
Do you love Jesus? In your heart do you believe he is God’s risen Son and Lord of all? If so, you have not blasphemed the Holy Spirit because only the Holy Spirit can reveal this to you.
Paul, you often mention loving Jesus when talking to someone about their fear and anxiety about where they stand with God. I know I have a very hard time even knowing whether I love Him or not when I am feeling hopeless and afraid. I can’t really use that as a good indicator of whether or not I’m okay spiritually (saved, secure.) If I knew deep down, in my heart, that I was genuinely His child forever, not matter what, I believe then, that, yes, I would be able to say I love Him. Isn’t that what the Bible says, “We love Him because He first loved us.” But if we’re not sure where we stand, how can we say we love Him?
What if you give into unbelief because you think your sin is too great to be forgiven. You get mad that God can’t forgive you so you give into unbelief in his forgiveness. You know it’s a sin but do it anyways. Then you fall into unbelief and rebellious feelings towards God for awhile refusing to believe even though you know unbelief is a sin. Is it too late for you as you committed the unforgivable sin?
If you’re alive, it’s never too late to repent.
Amen! His mercy is “new” every morning.
Blessings!
Warren (South Carolina, USA)
Isn’t unbelief the unforgivable sin? I gave into unbelief and believed God could not forgive me, I even knew this was wrong but kept on in unbelief refusing to believe. I did seek God later, but felt I had crossed the line with willful angry rebellious unbelief towards God and his ability to forgive.
So you think your sin is greater than God’s grace? You need to renew your mind and start thanking him for his amazing grace! Thank him that he loves rebels like you and murderers like David and liars like Jacob and cowards like Gideon.
Dean, I have been having s similar experience Dean about beinf angry with God and everything said, it seems to describe my situation as well. Don’t trust your feelings they lie their just messing with you. You can declare Jesus is Lord even if you feel angry at God. It may just be because you don’t fully know Gods loving nature yet. I don’t fully yet indont think. Read Paul’s post What if I deny Jesus ? It helped me. God wont let you go even if you deny Jesus God won’t deny you. He doesnt deny his kids. You can’t be unborn after being born again.its a striving to enter Gods rest it takes some battling to be convinced of Gods love for us and its not easy because today’s society teaches us to overthink things were over thinkers even when it comes to the simple. Your pastor is wrong. You didn’t commit that sin.
Is the Holly Spirit sensitive like a dove, such that He departs when sinned against. Does He get offended
Jesus said the Holy Spirit would make his home with you “and be with you forever” (John 14:16-17), so no, he doesn’t leave when you sin. See Myth 8 here.
Has anyone walked with God, feeling conviction, warning before temptation, etc felt the Holy Spirit alive in you and then it all stopped? If so, did you get restored fellowship again? I haven’t felt any of this for months and I believe it was due to constantly doubting my salvation. My fear is that I’ve blasphemed the Holy Spirit and been cut off. The Holy Spirit was convicting me to believe but I persisted in my fears. I used to go insane with worry about this sin, and once the convictions stopped it seems everywhere I look, resisting the Spirit is blasphemy. All the times I looked it up prior it was a different explanation. I am distraught and feel like I lost salvation.
I notice the words feeling and felt come up a lot in your comments. Feelings are important but they’re the caboose not the locomotive. Fix your eyes on Jesus – who he is and what he’s said – and your fears will go and your feelings will sort themselves out. Feed your faith and starve your doubts. Be blessed.
Hi Paul, thank you for reaching out. Today, I’ve been doing what you said…I’ve been working at keeping in my mind that Jesus is Lord, and saying it aloud a few times, and thanking Him for what he’s done for me. I do feel better when I do these things, but what about lack of conviction? What about not getting any warnings before temptations? Have you encountered this before?
I read through all this and I see and understand the fear and terror that is being placed in people’s lives . I thought I was the only one for the longest . My heart hurts for everyone that goes through this . I too have dealt with this issue for 2 years . It has robbed me of my live and has stole any possible joy that I might could have in my life . I cope with it my taking anxiety pills . Years ago I lashed out in anger at God . I never said anything to or about the Holy Spirit but I was making fun of God in anger because I was pouting like a baby due to not getting my way . But I felt that what I had said might have slandered the Holy Spirit as well as God . I have begged God for mercy many many times . I hope God would have mercy on me and show me that He has forgiven me . All I know is how I felt after I said what I said , fear came over me so hard that it drove me to the ground crying . Never have I had such fear , I felt I had crossed the line with God at that moment and it was to late . Just wanted to get involved and put my 2 cents in . I seek God 24/7 and will never stop calling on Him and I encourage anyone else to do the same because God is our ONLY hope .
Cowboy, Do you feel love in your heart? I dealt with the fear you are going through. I was on medication. The only thing that worked was praying aloud and meditating on fear scripture: God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” And “There is no fear in love because God is love. I abide in love because I abide in God and he abides in me.” “Perect love casts out fear.” SPeak and meditate on these day and night. I did this for a few weeks and it stopped the fear and panic attacks
Yes I do feel love in my heart . I feel love for other people , even for people that has talked about me and taken things from me . I love Jesus with all my heart I want to serve Him and follow Him with ALL I am . Thank you for responding to my post . I will keep calling on Jesus .
Paul, I just wanting to clarify, are you saying that the world is already forgiven? I’m in complete agreement with what you are saying about the blasphemy of the HS, except maybe this point? I would still choose to say that forgiveness is actually yours when you acknowledge Christ’s work in agreement with the HS. That seems like the order of things in Acts2:28, Acts10:43…and others
I am really excited about many things you have written, I have been in law bondage way to long. I think I’m only now really advancing in the renewal of my mind!
Hi Kurt, I totally agree that forgiveness is ours in Christ. But it’s equally true to say Jesus carried the sins of the whole world on the cross – and that’s forgiveness. (Forgiveness literally means to carry away.) On the night he rose from the dead, Jesus told the disciples that forgiveness was a done deal. This is the message they proclaimed all around the world.
Think of it like this: Forgiveness is a gift and the gift has been given. It’s on the table. But not everyone receives the gift. Some don’t believe they are forgiven or need to be forgiven. They reject the Holy Spirit’s witness about Jesus. Their unbelief keeps them from receiving the forgiveness that is ours in Christ.
I think I agree with what you are saying, what I struggle with is how I would speak of this to an unbeliever, I would hesitate to tell them they are forgiven, lest they don’t understand the next important step to be saved. Of course I would try to help them understand and I suppose I could just phrase it like “He paid the price need to gain you forgiveness” but notice I still used the word “gain” so that still implies they don’t have it yet LOL
How would you tackle this situation? I love to express the exciting news that this is for me, without leaving anyone with a false impression that they have something they do not.
I would do it the way Jesus did it. Jesus went around telling people they were forgiven. And I would do it the way the apostles did. I would say, “I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you” (Act 13:38). I would tell them God is not keeping account of their sins (2 Cor 5:19) and that he remembers their sins no more (Heb 8:12). This is the gospel of grace and I would encourage them to repent and believe this good news.
So, one must believe he is forgiven to be forgiven?
You are forgiven whether you believe it or not – God does not need your permission to forgive you. But you will never enjoy his forgiveness unless you believe it. Grace comes through faith.
What I should have asked is does one have to believe he is forgiven to be saved? I honestly struggle with this, and I have for years. I know that Jesus is God and that he died for the sins of the world; I know that He rose from the grave 3 days later. I know salvation comes through Christ alone and His finished work. I honestly struggle with the assurance that I am saved. I have off and on for years. I have hope, and that is probably not Biblical hope. I struggle because of the very topic of this thread. I do believe what Jesus says, but part of that means believing what he said in Matt. 12 about this very sin.
Salvation is not about getting your theological ducks in a row on the subject of forgiveness or any other topic. Salvation is simply trusting in Jesus. Over the years I have had dozens if not hundreds of people tell me they struggle with the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. You know what all these people have in common? They are all believers. Unbelievers don’t worry about this. For more on an assurance of salvation, read this.
Eric, I struggle with this too. I know what you are going through and it’s awful. Doubting God is the worst. He is truth. I do believe faith is a gift from God and we are to stand in it. I have done an awful job with this, mainly because I didn’t understand who I was/am in Christ and how to fight from that position. I fear I believed a lie that cannot be undone. I pray every day for His grace and mercy. I cannot rest, even though I know God is true.
Ok, one more reason I would say forgiveness of sin isn’t till after conversion is this:
1) All sin is on the cross, it’s taken care of, done
2) However another single sin of not believing in Jesus and accepting the sacrifice just got added after the cross and until we take care of that by agreeing with the HS sin is still hanging over their head. This particular sin isn’t fully committed till death and final rejection is complete. (I don’t believe in losing salvation by the way)
Hence my aversion to saying everyone (lost) has been forgiven. But I suppose you would say that prior to death such a person has all that needed to take care of their sin done at the cross, but I would say that until they take care of the final sin in question they are practically in the same place of concern. Only difference is their is an awesome hope being offered.
I wouldn’t put it like that because it promotes sin consciousness. I would follow the example of Jesus and the apostles. I would preach the good news of unconditional grace and forgiveness and leave the rest to the Holy Spirit.
Paul, when we hear Jesus tell various people “your sins are forgiven” (of course he notices their faith in all these examples that I think off offhand) Is Jesus just stating something that is apart from “salvation”? I always took the assumption that this statement about forgiveness put a stamp on their saving faith, like calling the disciples “clean”. Of course Jesus did not die yet, but I think Jesus knew he would be successful. This might be splitting hairs, but just curious if you would say for example the man lowered through the roof, was Jesus putting a stamp of saving faith, or just proclaiming forgiveness to him, and even those around him?
Kurt
I would say Jesus was releasing them from the prison of sin. He was throwing open the door of condemnation and implicitly inviting people to follow him. Forgiveness does not equal salvation. Forgiveness is about putting something off (sin); salvation is about putting something on (the Son).
People don’t come to God because they are shackled. So when Jesus (and the apostles) declare “you are forgiven” or “God holds nothing against you”, he is making it easy for them to come to the Father. For more see 2 Cor 5:18-20.
I think I am hearing what you are saying, 2Cor5:18 says God isn’t counting the world’s sin against them and you are equating that with “forgiveness”, yet they still are not reconciled till they believe the basis for this condition. So being reconciled=saved. I am going through a mind shift right now, redefining my thoughts in a number of areas. In fact just changed churches and this Sunday was the fist time I have heard 1 Jn2:2 from the pulpit…I think others avoided this due to theology. I’m finally feeling I might be at a closer match to my beliefs, at least as close as I’m getting in this community. 🙂 I love God’s grace!
Jesus gives us a neat picture in the parable of the prodigal son. The father loved the son in his transgression. He forgave him in his heart and held nothing against him. But the son did not experience the father’s love and grace until he came home. He was forgiven; then he was reconciled.
I love God’s grace too!
What would you say to those who say that baptists who claim that tongues and other manifestations of the spirit are of the devil have committed the unpardonable sin?
Hi my name is Kristina I’m 12! I wanted to ask something so i first read about the unforgivable sin about 2 months ago and after that I was like what how could the Pharisees say such a lie and then the next day I started having bad thoughts about the Holy Spirit which I denied right away but I got scared that because it even got in my mind that it was a sin then I started asking and begging for forgiveness and I was crying and then I started having thoughts in my head that were saying you think that these thoughts are true and I kept on denying it and now today i keep on being scared that what if I did think these thoughts are true and I feel like I know god won’t forgive me I feel like I should have put away those thoughts right away and now it’s too late. Also I had this thought out of nowhere to make someone not believe in Jesus but I would never do that and now i just keep on having thoughts that are saying but what the Pharisees said is true and I saw the part were Jesus said if a married man looked at a woman with lust after her he would already have committed adultery. But the thing is I’m scared to think any of these thoughts or that there true at all so I think about them because I dont want to think them and I don’t feel like god or Jesus are evil at all and I came to god a couple of months ago and my eyes opened to him and I love the Holy Spirit but I had thoughts that the Holy Spirit is evil and that I hate the Holy Spirit but I don’t and I’ve had thoughts that I love Satan but I hate him and I’ve become so used to these thoughts that now I feel like it’s too late and god won’t ever forgive me. I just feel like my heart is evil.
Hi Kristina, thanks for writing in. I have a daughter the same age as you, and what I’m about to tell you, I tell her. I know you’ve probably heard this before, but you need to receive this: Jesus loves you! He loves you like crazy, and his love for you is far greater and stronger and deeper than anything you know. Do you believe this?
Those silly thoughts that come are like birds flying overhead, looking for a place to roost. They are not your thoughts, so you don’t have to own them. Did you know that you have the mind of Christ? And he only thinks good things about you. So when those bad thoughts come, remind yourself of what Jesus says about you, and those other thoughts will have no place to settle.
I encourage you to strengthen your mind with this wonderful promise found in God’s Word: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:38-39).
And never forget, God loves you!
Paul, I prayed out-loud that Jesus is Lord and sincerely believe in my heart that God raised from the dead. I believe in who he said he was/is today, and what he said about himself through His Spirit to Paul in the New Testament. Before, I became a believer in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, I said something in quick foolishness when someone forced a prayer over me. A person I knew visited me one day and said to me do you feel that. He said it was the Holy Spirit and he started to pray like this, with his hands over me as I sat, ” Holy Spirit come down upon me (Gordon)…. I reacted quickly and said I rebuke the Holy Spirit to stop the forced prayer which was ignorant on my part about who the Holy Spirit is by rebuking him ( I knew nothing about who the Holy Spirit was at the time, still learning today). In essence, I was rebuking the prayer and the person forcing a prayer upon me like that. I would have been open to a discussion about what this person was trying to accomplish, or even speak to me about what he was doing, or wanting to speak to me about, God, the Holy Spirit, Jesus etc. I did not like the forced prayer as you can tell. I have ask God for forgiveness and felt bad and repentant about what I said. I am asking is this the unforgivable sin? Again, I reacted without thinking. Thank you for time Paul.
No, it’s not. You may be interested in this article on the Holy Spirit.
Paul, it is amazing how God is working through you. I have battled with this for months now. I have had a curate at my church pray with me and tell me with the words ‘this is from God’ that I am loved unconditionally. I moved on. However, looking back after several months those same doubts and fears FLOODED back and worse than before after a simple Google search. If we cannot accept the Grace of God and his Forgiveness then we start on a path of condemning ourselves. The Bible does not say in John 1:9 that we are cleansed from 99.9% of unrighteousness or in Romans 10:9 that if we confess he is Lord and believe he is raised from the dead we are highly likely to be saved. ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS and WILL BE. AMEN AMEN AMEN. Satan used scripture against Jesus. He will do the same with believers. Why would he bother than with anyone other than believers? A house divided against itself cannot stand. Blessings to you all in Jesus Name
I keep thinking that if I had not been a Christian I would not have suffered so much as I have. but I’ve found that the devil says to me I’m regretting my salvation or denouncing it each time I think this. I still believe Jesus is Lord of my life just the thought that if I hadn’t been a Christian I wouldn’t suffer so much. that doesn’t mean I regret giving my life to Christ though but the enemy makes me believe I’ve rejected God with this thought, please help me. does this thought mean rejecting Jesus?
How does one know if they have committed this sin? Can you be beyond hope, yet on some level want to be saved?
The unforgiveable sin is unbelief in Jesus. If you reject the grace that saves, you won’t be saved. If you reject the free gift of forgiveness, you won’t experience his forgiveness. If you reject peace, you won’t have peace. How much better to simply say “Yes” to Jesus.
I have said terrible TERRIBLE things regarding the Holy Spirit. Unknowingly/ignorantly, and somewhat knowingly, but still confused about who the Holy Spirit is and what His role is. I have ignorantly decided certain groups of people are demon possessed or may be, and even thought of myself as this, being that I “committed the unpardonable sin” and cannot seem to gain any victory over sin in my life, mostly the constant fear of being unpardonable. I think to myself, “just trust in Jesus for eternal life because He already did the work!” But it sounds like a lie to me, because I so deeply convinced that I cannot be forgiven. My heart longs to come to repentance and fellowship with the Holy Spirit – but if I cannot even bring myself to believe I can be saved, how can I be saved? I (think) I believe Jesus is Lord and was raised from the dead. I confess it with my lips.. It says if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth… you will be saved.. So why am I not convinced?
I know in my soul I’ve committed the unforgivable sin. I turned cold hearted towards everyone and have finally come to my senses,is it too late?
Nope.
Amen! I confess (I agree with everything you say), and again I say Amen!
Years ago, I thought I’ve blasphemed the Holy Spirit. I struggled for about 1. month and even having suicidal thought because of this. Until one day, I watched a sermon video from Ps Joseph Prince, right after he said amen, something like a wind literally hugged me from my back. I knew it’s Lord Jesus Himself, He came and hugged me and I cried like a baby for about 2 hours. That became one of the greatest personal encounters that I have with Him. My burdens were totally lifted up, I was completely healed from the suicidal thoughts. Then, I asked Him, what if I fall again….before I finished my question, He already said this very, very clearly, “I will never run from you!” What a great strong assurance! And now I can boldly stand against those bad thoughts because that very promise and assurance that I got from my Lord Jesus Himself. I am eternally grateful that He saved my life that day…praise God….
Hey Paul! I said a bad word to the Holy Spirit, would the Holy Spirit still forgive me?
Yes. Read this.
But how about the Father and the Son, would they also forgive me for speaking bad against the Holy Spirit?
They already did. Be free.
Thank you Paul for convincing me that I am already forgiven