The Unforgivable Sin

[EternalSummer]

I've heard many people's opinions on just what the 'unforgivable sin' is and yesterday I came across an explanation I have never heard before.

Here it is:

THE STUBBORN BELIEF THAT GOD CANNOT OR WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU

There are people who suffer horribly from clinical depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder for whom a statement like this would read like a fiery dart from hell itself, piercing their troubled minds and providing hours of mental anguish and torture. They may already be tortured by the fear that their sins are too great, or their repentance too weak, for God to forgive them or take them seriously. Comments like these would only most horribly and cruelly add to that torture, because ultimately their fear is rooted in awareness of God's holiness and their own sinfulness -- both GOOD things to be aware of -- but their sickness turns these good things into horrors they feel they cannot escape, while keeping them bound to the torture because their scrupulous nature will not permit them to consciously fight against either the awareness of God's holiness or their own sinfulness, precisely because that awareness, despite what it does to them, is supposed to be a Good Thing.

For their sakes, I feel it necessary to state without a shadow of a doubt this is NOT what the unpardonable sin consists of. There are two major schools of thought concerning this issue. The first notes that in the Biblical account, Jesus mentions blasphemy against the Holy Spirit immediately after the Pharisees accused Him of having an unclean spirit and getting His power from the Devil. So blasphemy against the Holy Spirit appears, basically, to consist of attributing the working of the Holy Spirit to being the work of the Devil.

The second school of thought starts with the first and extends it a bit further, stating that the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit can only take place actually in a context where no ambiguity exists as to which spirit has been at work. Since human beings err, sin, make mistakes and can be deceived, it would not be considered blasphemy against the Holy Spirit to mistakenly believe some human being to be a false teacher or false prophet since one might not know for certain. However with Jesus being the actual Son of God Himself, no such mistake would be possible, so calling HIS teaching and ministry through the Holy Spirit something false can therefore be the only actual occurrence of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Thus unless Jesus Himself stood before us performing miracles and healing, etc. we simply do not have the required setting or opportunity to commit this unpardonable sin in our lifetimes.

Whether we go with the first or the second, extended view of this sin, it remains absolutely clear that simply being afraid you cannot be forgiven, especially if you cannot control this fear and cannot make it go away by yourself, does NOT constitute blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. God wants us to be in peace, not turmoil, concerning His mercy and grace toward us. 1 John 1:9 says if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and WILL forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Don't be afraid that you are too wicked for Him to save. Christ is able to save to the uttermost ALL who come to God by Him.

 

[Angeloffire]

There are people who suffer horribly from clinical depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder for whom a statement like this would read like a fiery dart from hell itself, piercing their troubled minds and providing hours of mental anguish and torture. .

As I am practicing a more composed stance in debate .....first let me say that you did make some good points.

A person who will not forgive, is not forgiven and doesn't believe in forgiveness. That would transcend any religion.

If refusing to forgive, is the unforgiveable sin, because you cannot get forgiveness then God is just in His application regardless of what we might think about it.

I know that there is an age of accountability with God, how this applies to the severly retarded and ailing, I do not know.

Blessings,

AOF

 

[EternalSummer]

I'm a little confused. I was not talking about people who are unforgiving people. I was talking about people who suffer from mental disorders such as depression and OCD. With regard to OCD there is a specific type known as "scrupulosity" which can cause a person to become unduly obsessed with his or her sinfulness and feeling they can never get completely right with God no matter what. The disordered mind tends to run in concentric circles on things like this, so a person suffering from an unhealthy level of fear or guilt, where they cannot grasp God's forgiveness for them, would take a statement like this (that inability to believe God forgives you constitutes the unpardonable sin) and use it to torture themselves even more.

I cannot believe that God would hold their own sufferings, which they have no control over (other than to take medication, and some cannot because they are so convinced it would be shutting off the voice of "conviction" inside their consciences) against them. That would be simply unconscionable. God is both just and merciful, and that would be neither fair nor compassionate.

I was not seeking to debate you though, Angeloffire. I'm sorry if my words sounded confrontational.

 

[enoch son]

If there is one sin not forgiven by the cross then Christ failed and we believe in vain.

 

[Angeloffire]

If there is one sin not forgiven by the cross then Christ failed and we believe in vain.

Exactly....which would explain that the unforgivable sin would be to not forgive. Because if you don't forgive then you CAN'T be forgiven.

Also, to not forgive is to not believe in forgiveness which is to turn your back on the Holy Spirit in you.

 

[lilmissmontana]

I thought hard about posting because this is not my teaching. It is what was taught to me. I believe it at this point because it's logical to me when I put it in context with and study of the end times. The reason I'm throwing it out there is to see if you all see a hole in it. I'd be curious to know as I would have a starting point to do my own study. So here it is.

The unforgiveable sin (being denial of the Holy Spirit) takes place at the end when God's elect witness to the four corners of the earth. The scriptures are clear that they are not to premeditate what they will say. The denial comes in when they refuse to witness. God's elect are those tried in the first world age. The Lord already knows they can be counted on. To make sure He shortens the tribulation "for the sake of His elect" ... in a sense guaranteeing they will not fall into denial if things were to get too tough.

What do you all think.

God bless
belle

 

[Angeloffire]

The unforgiveable sin (being denial of the Holy Spirit) takes place at the end when God's elect witness to the four corners of the earth. The scriptures are clear that they are not to premeditate what they will say. The denial comes in when they refuse to witness. God's elect are those tried in the first world age. The Lord already knows they can be counted on. To make sure He shortens the tribulation "for the sake of His elect" ... in a sense guaranteeing they will not fall into denial if things were to get too tough.

What do you all think.

God bless
belle

Certainly one I've never heard of before and a fresh new perspective....thanks....

 

[Elijah2]

“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” (Matt. 12:30)

It’s impossible to become a middle-of-the-road Christian, because anyone who is not following our Lord Jesus Christ has chosen to reject HIM. Humans cannot remain sitting on the fence in the worldly struggle against evil. In doing so, we have then chosen to be separated from our Heavenly Father, our Lord Jesus Christ. Basically, our refusal to follow our Lord Jesus Christ is basically a choice to walk with the enemy

“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matt. 12:31-32)

The “Unpardonable Sin” is our deliberate and stubborn refusal to acknowledge or heed the conviction of the Holy Spirit through the power of our Almighty God, our Lord Jesus Christ. Our refusal is our deliberate and irreversible hardness of heart to accept the forgiveness that our Lord Jesus Christ offers to us.

Many Christians berate and badger themselves that they may have accidentally committed this terrible sin.

If we deliberately turn our backs on our Lord Jesus Christ, and reject all faith, through a heart-attitude of unbelief and unrepentance; and deliberately continue to reject the work of the Holy Spirit, then we are guilty of blasphemy

However, those who received the “Gift of Salvation” and have backslid, turning their backs on HIM, can resurrect their life with HIM through confession, repentance and asking HIM for forgiveness. They cannot continue to reject the conviction of the Holy Spirit, because this is the only force that can lead backsliders back to their restoration in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mark 3:27-30


“No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.” (Mark 3:27)

Although our Lord Jesus Christ allows Satan and his forces to work in our lives, HE is still in control, because HE is our Almighty God, and has all power over all things, and through our Lord Jesus Christ we can drive out demons from our lives.

“Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”— because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.” (Mark 3:28-30)

(The same as above!)

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matt. 12:33-37)

We are being reminded that what we say reveals what is in our heart. Those words that come from our mouth, indicates the condition of our heart. Therefore, “a tree is known by its fruit”!

Therefore, cleaning up the words that we speak can solve our heart problem. When we allow the Holy Spirit to renew our carnal mind (our brain), and spiritual mind (our heart), then they will be filled with new attitudes and motives, and our “soul” will be healed.

 

[ARBITER01]

I've heard many people's opinions on just what the 'unforgivable sin' is and yesterday I came across an explanation I have never heard before.

Here it is:

THE STUBBORN BELIEF THAT GOD CANNOT OR WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU

The unforgivable sin is blasphemy of The Holy Spirit.

There is only one example given in scripture that defines it,..

Mat 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man doth not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub the prince of the demons.

The Pharisees purposely attributed The Holy Spirit's works through Jesus to satan and his evil forces. They spitefully called the pure work of The Holy Spirit evil just to come against Jesus and the works The Father was doing through Him.

There is no other scripture example of what it is. Except no substitutes.

 

[Floatingaxe]

Not at all in the end all will believe and God becomes the all in all.

FALSE. Teaching false doctrine is a sin, too, and if it is unrepented of, it goes unforgiven.

 

[Floatingaxe]

If there is one sin not forgiven by the cross then Christ failed and we believe in vain.

It would help to believe Jesus' words then. It isn't an option.

Mark 3:28-29
"I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences."

Luke 12:10
"Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven."

 

[Floatingaxe]

The unforgivable sin is blasphemy of The Holy Spirit.

There is only one example given in scripture that defines it,..

The Pharisees purposely attributed The Holy Spirit's works through Jesus to satan and his evil forces. They spitefully called the pure work of The Holy Spirit evil just to come against Jesus and the works The Father was doing through Him.

There is no other scripture example of what it is. Except no substitutes.

 

[enoch son]

FALSE. Teaching false doctrine is a sin, too, and if it is unrepented of, it goes unforgiven.

Oh ------------ Then you don't believe God becomes the all in all? Who's treaching flase doctrine? So forgivest is based on man and not ?Christ?

 

[enoch son]

It would help to believe Jesus' words then. It isn't an option.

Mark 3:28-29
"I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences."

Luke 12:10
"Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven."

This is true if the lamb was not slian before the foundation of the world.

 

[Floatingaxe]

This is true if the lamb was not slian before the foundation of the world.

It is true. No ifs and or buts.

Jesus wasn't slain before the foundation of the world! He was foreordained TO BE SLAIN. Know the Word.


1 Peter 1:18-20
For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.

 

[Floatingaxe]

Oh ------------ Then you don't believe God becomes the all in all? Who's treaching flase doctrine? So forgivest is based on man and not ?Christ?

The point is--forgiveness is only for those who repent.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


"If" is a pretty big word...

 

[enoch son]

The point is--forgiveness is only for those who repent.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


"If" is a pretty big word...

repent and forgiveness are apples and oranges. They are not the same thing. You can not repent twice thats telling Jesus He failed the frist time. Asking forgiveness is for you not God He all ready did and say's "I WILL NOT CHANGE MY MIND". Once agian you are preaching man and not God.

 

[enoch son]

It is true. No ifs and or buts.

Jesus wasn't slain before the foundation of the world! He was foreordained TO BE SLAIN. Know the Word.


1 Peter 1:18-20
For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.

Rev. 13;8 "the lamb slain from the foundation of the world" Talking about not knowing the word of God and knowing the word of self. GOOD GRIEF!

 

[Angeloffire]

"Jesus died for all of our sins....so how is it one isn't covered?"

That was the question I kept asking myself yesterday....then it occured to me that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not receiving His conviction of sins in your life.

IF you won't and don't repent you can't be saved.

Jesus is the Word. Blaspheming him would be to have differing religious opinions on biblical matters....and it won't keep you out of heaven, but not repenting will......therefore it is the unforgivable sin.

 

[enoch son]

"Jesus died for all of our sins....so how is it one isn't covered?"

That was the question I kept asking myself yesterday....then it occured to me that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not receiving His conviction of sins in your life.

IF you won't and don't repent you can't be saved.

Jesus is the Word. Blaspheming him would be to have differing religious opinions on biblical matters....and it won't keep you out of heaven, but not repenting will......therefore it is the unforgivable sin.

Chapther and ver. please.