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[Victor Kifyak]

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[eleos1954]

If you said something, then realized it could be interpreted as blasphemous, but you didn't mean it in that way at the time, is it blasphemy? Like, in my situation, I was acting as a character while playing around with my brother. I said "I'm a merciless assassin who (something bad) everything. And the bad thing I said was kills. (I just don't feel comfortable typing it out in the same sentence. Is that blasphemous?

***

In Greek, the word is blasphemos, and according to one dictionary’s definition, it means “to vilify, to speak impiously, to defame, to rail upon, to revile, to speak evil, to hurt or blast the reputation, nature or works of God.” To call God foul names and to besmirch His Son’s saving grace are certainly forms of blasphemy.

Additionally, in John 10:33, some leaders in Israel were trying to find a reason to stone Jesus. “The Jews answered Him, saying, ‘For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.’” These men accused Jesus of blasphemy when He claimed equality with God and the right to forgive sin. Of course, they would have been correct to do so if Jesus were not God.

But blasphemy itself is not the unpardonable sin. In 1 Timothy 1:13, the apostle Paul writes: “Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” We know Paul will be in heaven even though he was a blasphemer. God’s grace to us is exceedingly abundant; it forgives even blasphemy. Remember, “Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men.” God’s grace is amazing!

So what about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable? Well, to we need to understand what the Holy Spirit does. Once we do that, we see why His function is so crucial that blasphemy against Him is so serious a sin that it cannot be forgiven.

The Holy Spirit does three things: First, He teaches us the things we need to know for our salvation (John 14:26). Second, the Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16:13). Third, the mission of the Holy Spirit is to convict of sin (John 16:7, 8).

This is His work. As long as we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us, to guide us, and to convict us, we could never be guilty of committing the unpardonable sin. But suppose we refuse to acknowledge these three operations of the Spirit in our personal experience with God? That is exactly when people begin to approach the deadly parameters of the worst sin on record.

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a perpetual, constant resisting of the drawing love of God’s Spirit, so much so that you lose the capacity to hear the Holy Spirit’s voice. The conscience becomes seared (1 Timothy 4:2). This deadly blasphemy is also called “grieving away” the Holy Spirit. Paul refers to “Grieve not the Holy Spirit, wherewith you are sealed,” meaning we can permanently grieve Him away.

Eventually, a person loses the capacity to repent, and therefore cannot be saved. It is for this sin that a person cannot be forgiven, because they have rejected the Spirit that convicts of sin (John 16:8). So if you still feel convicted of sin and have the desire to repent, then you have probably not committed the unpardonable sin.

If you are convicted by the Holy Spirit to repent ... then certainly do so.

God Bless.

 

[Dave-W]

No, it is not blasphemy since you were talking about yourself (your character) and not God at all.

 

[Sabertooth]

"Murder" isn't blasphemy. It is a type of sin (or a description of one).

"Blasphemy" is when one believingly declares that "God is icky" (or worse). Even using my example isn't blasphemy, because it is given as a descriptive example, not as a held statement of belief.

I have concerns for Christian actors who say GD! (in character), but I don't consider it blasphemy to tell someone else, "You don't need to say [GD!*]." Even 0MG doesn't sit well with me. [I even had to euphemize 0MG, here. ] (There is a whole thread about how this forum treats words like ar$enic/ar$enal... )

There are other forms of blasphemous vulgarities that I can't bring myself to repeat [associating God with various sex acts or elimination, etc.] even when objecting to them.

*At least with GD!, Hell, etc., there is a context where they are true and correct.

 

[Halbhh]

If you said something, then realized it could be interpreted as blasphemous, but you didn't mean it in that way at the time, is it blasphemy? Like, in my situation, I was acting as a character while playing around with my brother. I said "I'm a merciless assassin who (something bad) everything. And the bad thing I said was kills. (I just don't feel comfortable typing it out in the same sentence. Is that blasphemous?

Generally and always, we cannot accidentally sin, but instead are held to account for what we understand, that part of what we know is wrong on some level. There are numerous verses to support this such as Romans 4:15, 5:13, but I think especially of instances in the Gospels where after receiving key evidence, suddenly people are responsible for their choices once they have that knowledge (saw the events, encountered the gospel and Christ), which responsibility they did not have prior to having the knowledge.

In other words there is no such thing as being guilty of accidental sins or blasphemy. If you didn't know what you are doing, you aren't held responsible.

But, it crucial for a believer to be aware we all do sin, have sinned, and there is a remedy for us! In 1rst John chapter 1 -- "8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. " ! This is amazing grace and mercy, freely available to anyone that would confess/repent. God is both just and merciful.