What makes this simple thing so hard is that anyone worried about thoughts has become addicted to fear and to human effort. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit should not be confused with Original sin, a conscious opposition to truth. After some time, these thoughts subsided and then disappeared. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an unpardonable, eternal sin. I was scared and lived in fear, making sure I would not say anything against the Holy Spirit. Because they were happening in her very mind, however, it was hard for her to be convinced they did not originate from her. Medication is far from perfect. What it means is, rather than trying to battle the thoughts yourself, entrust them to Christ, your Savior who has demolished everything that could separate us from God. There are many forms of blasphemy, but it is most often rooted in religious beliefs. Likewise, should the attacks continue, wouldnt it be tragic if the little boy thought his parents love depended on how much pain he continues to endure in further infuriating the man by vainly trying to fight him off? While they had the Law and Prophets, the Holy Spirit was stirring their hearts. Although venial blasphemy is not considered a grave sin, it is a good idea to confess this type of sin to your priest, even if you arent sure what to say. This distinction is not meant to discourage people from confessing their sins if they do not wish to be judged. Its not much different that him blaming you of your old sins for example. Let's look at the context when Jesus said that blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is unforgivable. As a result, they get a form of godliness, but deny the power of God. If you attack miracles, you will not attract miracles, because that attitude grieves the Holy Spirit. I have studied Jesus words very carefully, and it simply means this: To The answer seems to be that the nature of this sin is such that one does not repent of it, because those who commit it and persist in it do not know that they are sinning.[4] I would add that they do not know because they have rejected the Holy Spirits testimony about Christ and have hardened themselves to such a degree that they do not recognize their sin. Would the boy have to stagger through life agonizing over whether he had struggled enough trying to resist; imagining that his parents love hinged on it? Index to Entire Site A treasure trove of stimulating, compassionate, often humorous, webpages for Christians by the same author on a vast number of topics. He is your Savior, so let the thoughts be his concern, not yours. We can simply reject them as being untrue and continue to enjoy closeness with our loving Lord. Blasphemous thoughts, unwanted though they may be, seem to carry a power strong enough to snatch us out of Gods hand even though Jesus declared there is nothing But you can let it go. You are using an out of date browser. 2 Corinthians 10:5 Bringing into Captivity Every Thought, How Much Does God Love Me? Therefore, it is important to remember that blasphemous thoughts are unforgivable, even if they are not in our conscious mind. Jesus responds by saying that the devil is not having a civil war. This interpretation is more than a stretchits simply not in the text. No matter how certain something is, people suffering an anxiety disorder will keep feeling anxious and so will find themselves unable to stop worrying about it. On the other hand, the less concerned you are about the thought and the more you ignore it and focus on other things, the more it will fade from your thoughts. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul makes a clear distinction between unpardonable sin and the sins for which the blood of Jesus can atone. 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. Those who commit this sin will face damnation and eternal separation from God. Could it be that if we look closer into the context we would see that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit has very little to do with what we say against Him, but more with what we say about his works? Through greater revelation and understanding, that deficiency can be overcome, the person can repent, and the person can then find forgiveness of sin. Or is it because you feel alone or unanswered? The Pharisees did this to Jesus Christ because they couldn't beat him in any debates. He is ready to forgive our lies, thefts, sins of thought and speech, open sins and secret sins, sins from long ago, and sins repeated many times. Powered by Knownhost and the Genesis Framework. If a little boy had been forcibly molested by a man, would that threaten the childs relationship with his loving parents? It is unforgivable because God never forgives such a sin. Is the anger due to anxiety? We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. Manage Settings Say it. Ive been trying to return to Christ and have been pretty good about filtering sinful thoughts but that one made it through. Those thoughts are the devils doing, not Kates. 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. Her reaction, in fact, was proof of her sincere devotion to Christ. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Vegetable blasphemy is less serious than mortal blasphemy. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. For proof that this is not so, see Unforgivable Sin and the page it leads to but then return to this page.). The General Mental Health Forum is now a Read Only Forum. Please could you help me to stop this? As I read the Bible, I see that the devil plants some of these fears, but also ignorance can play a huge role in empowering the temptation.Lets dig deeper into this.If you want to understand any topic in the Bible, for example, what blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is, or what Jesus meant by it, you have to read what the Bible says in the context so read the chapter before and the chapter after for a broader perspective. It also blocks the healing and salvation offered by the Lord. This post and other resources are available at Kindle Afresh: The Blog andWebsite of Kenneth Berding. The part of the series that deals with the unforgivable sin, Testimonies They thought they were unforgivable, Scriptures Some of the vast number of Scriptures proving that you can be forgiven, How Much Does God Love Me? So which is it? That horrible thought keeps creeping back and I want it to go away. WebThis sin seems unforgivable, because for Our Savior there is no crime more unpardonable than to despise His Most Holy Mother, and "to outrage Her Immaculate Heart, which is the Sanctuary of the Holy Spirit. Jesus made it clear that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is never forgiven. There are surprising medical factors influencing devastating guilt feelings and sacrilegious mental images or thoughts. Blasphemous thoughts are no different than physical or mental torture. Nevertheless, mortified is how Kate described her reaction to the haunting devastation of being plagued by thoughts she wanted nothing to do with. Like someone swearing in her presence, it is unpleasant but it is not her doing. Moreover, this sin is more serious than blasphemy against the Son or Father. Wheres the Scriptural proof? you might ask. No matter what floods her mind, she is spiritually safe because she believes the truth about Jesus. Well call her Kate. Up until the night of Kates disturbing experience, everything had been going well for her. But she apparently didnt understand what blasphemy against the Holy Spirit was, and thereby came to worry that she might have committed the unforgiveable sin. Ive had OCD for a while but its usually on Superhero and movies, but recently it seems I obsess over the Unpardonable sin and whether I committed it or not. Quite a number of people, for example, are horrified to suffer uncontrollable thoughts or images of harming loved ones. The vivid, recurring memories would be most unwanted, but a perfectly natural reaction to a traumatic experience. So in our case, we are almost certainly attacked by one of the devils henchmen, rather than the devil himself, but it makes little difference and so most Christians, myself included, often refer to him when it is technically one of his subordinates who actually does it. You wont regret it! A similar story repeats in Luke chapter 11 and 12. I start thinking of them on my own because I know that they are lurking somewhere in my mind and I feel like I just want to get it over with. Matthew 4:5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. You are worthy of all honor and praise. The more I raise the stakes such as threatening to beat you if you think of them the more you will be plagued by thoughts of pajamas-clad elephants. 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). Whether it be a fear of harmless creatures, or a fear that God has suddenly turned unforgiving, if medication can ease the fear and help one act more rationally, Im all for it. Salvation depends on Christs efforts, not your efforts. The best way to deal with sinful thoughts is to not act on them. However, you most exalt Christ, not by turning this into an obsessive ritual, but by relaxing and enjoying the fact that through Christ you are forgiven, no matter what unwanted thoughts plague you. He is the director of Bible Fluency: Sing It, See It, Study It. God knows every thought and the feebleness of the human mind. For brevity, I use the term blasphemous to cover anything you fear might dishonor God. Purpose, in a bad sense design, plot, says the highly regarded A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature by Arndt & Gingrich, about both 2 Corinthians 2:11 and 10:5. Of course not! Furthermore, it is an issue of the heart that manifests in your words. Later, we will explore a wide range of testimonies. 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? Thoughts are not your enemy; your enemy is the ever-present temptation to exalt thoughts above Christ to imagine that overcoming thoughts will please God. And even if someone had actually believed that in the past, it wouldnt matter, provided that person no longer believes it. The Fatima Crusader The full verse, of which we have quoted just a slither, uses the word imaginations in the King James Version. She was experiencing a hideous invasion by evil powers of the most intimate part of her her innermost thoughts. Because he had failed to seduce Kate into genuine sin, the old Deceiver tried to fool her into taking responsibility for the devils own filthy thoughts. As you follow these pages, we will soon examine this. Scan this QR code to download the app now. ) It rightly notes noema as being derived from noieo and it defines the latter as meaning, to apply mental effort needed to reach bottom-line conclusions.. It is also a form of pride that separates Christians from one another. That certainly includes blasphemous words, blasphemous thoughts, and blasphemous deeds. This is typical of many e-mails I receive and shows that the person had failed to take on board what I keep stressing in my webpages. However, scrupulosity does not necessarily apply to a religious context, as obsessions with the fear of immoral behavior are not restricted to any particular belief system. They indicate how evil our enemy is; they do nothing to suggest that we are ungodly. So common is it to be tormented in this way that this dear woman has nothing to be embarrassed about. This is your opportunity to finally grasp what salvation is really about and abandon the heresy of salvation by works. Lets return to the analogy of finding a snake in ones bed. Christians have a very important duty to protect the Holy Spirit from being tarnished. Love wouldn't hurt you. But God is not surprised by such intrusions. Every Christian even Jesus, who was tempted in all ways like us when on earth suffers this. You might call them evilspirits, demons or unclean spirits as you see fit. I keep telling Jesus that I am sorry, and powerless to get rid of this false image of him. It might not focus specifically on God but on inappropriate thoughts or mental images of the devil, the Bible, certain church practices, or whatever. To a casual observer it is obvious that thoughts so contrary to Kates own thinking could not be her thoughts. viewing or perceiving) God as an assortment of many different gods (pantheism) or consistently seeing salvation as dependent upon animal sacrifices. One passage says blasphemy against God is unforgivable, and so are thoughts that might lead to it. If it is just intrusive thoughts, it's not even worth worrying about. It refers to ones powers of thought in using logic and reasoning not to wandering, scatterbrain thoughts, but to carefully thought through conclusions. Had Kate escaped a snake in her bed, she would have been safe. Christians should be cautious when blasphemy of the Spirit is against the Holy Spirit. 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. In Matthew 12 Jesus says that whoever commits the sin of blasphemy will not be forgiven. Please dont insult your loving Lord by believing the evil trickster rather than the forgiving Lord. It becomes a no-win situation because it is contrary to the fundamental design of the human brain. When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. It is referring not to fleeting or superficial thoughts that one hardly believes, but to mindsets deliberate thoughts and ways of seeing things that are so consistently believed that they transform ones understanding of spiritual truth. Since no amount of rational understanding of the cause of unwanted thoughts can change ones body chemistry, he kept feeling anxious. This sin is particularly grave and dangerous. Pay attention to the words I have bolded. You try to shove it out of your mind, but you cant. Lets look together at the central passage in the discussion, Matthew 12:24-37. God isnt going to punish a thought that was completely unwanted and that I fought against is he? Sometimes the thoughts would come into my head and it would seems like I intentionally let them but it's just the way OCD is. It is an issue of the heart that manifests in ones words (and actions). WebAre you scared you committed the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? Our thought life does not save us; Christ does. [4] F. F. Bruce, The Hard Sayings of Jesus (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1983), 90. 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. If I'd gone in there remembering/knowing that, I doubt I'd have said it! She was not committing the unpardonable sin. As you read his story, you will learn how, despite it all, he now enjoys Gods forgiveness. As long as one rejects the Spirit, one can never find forgiveness for sins.[2]. It is not unusual for God to put thoughts and ideas into our minds that we mistake for our own thoughts. The Holy Spirit comes upon Jesus at his baptism, and it is his ministry to us. I suffered a lot with this. Allowing the existence of these awful thoughts is Gods precious gift to you, so that you will finally learn to live by faith in Christ. The sneak attack began when Kate was most vulnerable. Please refuse to be hoodwinked into presuming that these webpages do not apply to you just because the thoughts or images bothering you are not specifically mentioned. In contrast, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not included in all blasphemies, and Jesus used it to describe a particular action against the Holy Spirit during his earthly ministry. Nor is it some other dramatic sin, like murder, or suicide, or adultery. It is a deliberate repudiation of Jesuss saving work. Obviously the Enemy of our souls hates that. https://redeeminggod.com/sermons/hebrews/hebrews_6_1-8/. People who commit this offense will receive judgment. But first I should raise another matter that could be nagging away at you. . On the other extreme, certain thoughts are the product of deep, deliberate, focused thinking and match fully and precisely what one really, firmly believes. Someone with a phobia about spiders does not need to be lectured about trusting God and made to feel spiritually inferior. Why is Stairway to Heaven the Forbidden Riff. But then I read your webpage and it helped me a great deal. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. To be spiritual is to look not to ones thought life but to Christ alone. My encouragement to you is to seek His mercy, commit yourself to pursue after Him to the end of your life, and to not let sin have dominion over you. WebKate was so upset by those blasphemous thoughts because such blasphemy is disturbingly contrary to her own views of Christ. Since they rarely speak to us in an audible voice, how do they tempt us? Trusting what Christ did on the cross is the only way to please the Holy Lord. Are Blasphemous thoughts Unforgivable? Another type of blasphemy is the rejection of the Holy Spirit. The passage about the unforgivable sin makes me so afraid, that now I am a mess. The thoughts have been terrifying and terrible. You hate these thoughts, so they are not yours. If you have spiritual issues related to a mental health and recovery issue, please use the Recovery Related Spiritual Advice forum. For example, we may think it is blasphemous to criticize a Christians beliefs, but that is not the case. Fighting thoughts is as carnal and as opposed to Gods holy ways as trying to physically kill people who hate Christ. Whenever a lying thought about Jesus comes to you, turn it into an occasion to praise Jesus, thanking him that he is the holy Son of God; pure and sinless. Are blasphemous thoughts unredeemable? Everyones experience confirms that to cease thinking something we are desperately trying to stop thinking is as impossible as it is to stop all thought. Nevertheless, rather than risk causing her the slightest discomfort I will conceal anything that might identify her. I dare not! This is the first time Ive obsessed over something religious and Im terrified of losing my eternity and being seperated from my Lord. If you seek mercy in God through Christ your sin will be covered. None of us will ever stop the devil and his horde from being evil, so we can just let them do their thing and focus on glorifying our Lord. Paul was one of those Pharisees who blasphemed, but after encountering Jesus, he realized he had no idea what he was doing. In other words, as the Scriptures affirm, they have to cease trying to find some convincing argument or supernatural sign, and take it by raw faith that despite their awful thoughts and worries they are cleansed through the blood of Jesus. We overcome not by fearing thoughts, nor by fighting them, but by faith alone by resting in the fact that on the cross Christ has completed everything necessary to secure our salvation. He knew that the Pharisees would think that He was casting demons with the power of the devil. The unforgivable/unpardonable sin (also called the eternal sin or blasphemy against the Holy Spirit) can induce some level of fear for even the most convinced of Christians. Before coming to Talbot, Berding was a church planter in the Middle East and taught at Nyack College just north of New York City. He has a heart for God and ministry, has written many worship songs, and has served as a worship pastor in local church ministry. WebThe blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not just words or thoughts, it is a persistent refusal to accept the truth. Depending on the religion, it involves actions or words directed against God. Besides 2 Corinthians 10:5, it is used only five times and only one of these is outside of 2 Corinthians. I feel like I am going to be rejected by Jesus because of this and I am so afraid. In this context, captivity refers not to total control of individual or fleeting thoughts but to the defeat of an enemy by taking prisoners of war. The Bible defines it as despising the words of the Lord. You must do something to deal with it right now. Therefore, Jesus goes on to claim that it is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Why Do I Feel a Strong Connection With Someone? Sign up below to receive weekly emails and updates. Click to expand Report 0 D denise101 New Member Feb 3, 2016 2 0 48 Dallas County 112.00 Unlike God, the devil can only be in one place at a time. Ironically, the more anxious one is to please God, the more severe the affliction. Everyone knows there is no mountain in the world from which ones natural eyes can see all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. The devil not only somehow managed to get Jesus body where he wanted it to be, he thrust a vision into Christs very mind. Consistent with this, the word translated thought is not used in this verse to mean imagination or casual thought. The Greek word is noema. This would threaten the childs relationship with his parents, not because there is any danger of the parents acting that way but if he believed the molesters lies he would conclude that his parents hate him and that the only thing preventing their hate from manifesting is that he keeps the molesters dirty secret. (Though even here, nowhere does the Bible say that such a statement is blasphemous. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 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. The way we overcome temptation in our thoughts is with our words. Feeling Rejected by God An important part of this series of webpages, Unforgivable? Im somewhat unsure how to answer this question, but Wilkins may be correct when he writes, To speak against the Son of Man implies that a person does not know the full identity of Jesus. I have struggled with blasphemous thoughts over the course of a few months but God delivered me from it. While the unpardonable sin is not necessarily a passing thought, it is a persistent, compulsive thought that denies the divinity of Christ. Who, according to this Scripture, took the holy Son of God to the top of the temple? It is like living in hell. Keep exalting Jesus until the blasphemous thought eventually leaves. The more messed up our thought life is, the better, in that it forces us to realize we can only be saved by faith in Christ, not by our works. Once committed, it cannot be undone. A good passage to read is Romans 6 through 8. While many thoughts are innocent, others are not. Every time that happens, pull yourself back to faith by thanking God for your salvation that was secured solely by Christ crucified. I am in turmoil! Its like walking on a plank that is lying on the ground. Be cheered you who have blasphemed! For proof that this is not so, see Unforgivable Sin and the page it leads to but then return to this page.) Its because thoughts that flit through our mind are of no concern to God. Note the choice of words: devising implies meticulous planning, not something that comes unbidden or unwanted into the mind. I always have to remind myself that there is no sin (outside of the mark of the beast or denial of the Lord) that is unforgivable or to great that cannot be forgiven. The blasphemous thought that condemns Gods name is also called a sin against the Holy Spirit. You cannot simply be ignorant of the Holy Spirit. All this week Ive been blocking out blasphemous thoughts out, but one got through. They should have recognized the Son of God. So get your attention off yourself and on to your Savior. Then, learn about blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, and seek forgiveness for such a thought. Hed love to bring us down. (KJV) (Emphasis mine.). It is unforgivable because God never forgives such a sin. Moreover, sin never happens in isolation; it affects a whole community. When you find yourself suffering like Kate, my suggestion is that you go on the offensive and hit the Enemy where it hurts him most. Blaspheme against the Holy Spirit is giving the devil credit for miracles, especially deliverance. They were educated rebels who could pass Bible exams, write first-class papers in Bible school, and yet refused to submit to Christs authority. The frustrating problem I face in explaining the meaning of bringing into captivity every thought, is that no amount of convincing proof can ever fully put to rest the mind of anyone worried about this. I have had these kind of blasphemous thoughts about the Holy Spirit and He is still with me because I really don't mean these thoughts nor do I want them. The Adversarys tactics are based on deception, misdirection, dishonesty, and fear. Observe especially that there are many absolutist statements in this passage and other expressions that point up the fundamental state of ones heart in Matthew 12:24-37. And in this case the enemy is the belief systems (the thought patterns and entire way of thinking about spiritual matters) adhered to by anti-Christian philosophies and cults. The New Living Translation makes this abundantly clear: We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. To the person who gets stuck on the concept, such as in OCD, Generalized Anxiety, and/or scrupulosity, misery would not be too strong of a word to Most attacks occur when we least expect it and least deserve it. (Besides, dont we observe God forgiving such sins throughout the Bible?think only of the narratives of David and Paul). Is there no forgiveness for the person who repents of this sin? The Holy Spirit can be invoked only once. Can You Blaspheme the Holy Spirit Mentally? So, in context, blaspheme against the Holy Spirit is discrediting miracles, especially exorcisms of evil spirits. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Repentance is a lifelong process that requires a final impenitence. It is unhuman never to have unwanted thoughts, just as it is not human never to suffer temptation (even the holy Son of God was tempted). It is simply a most unpleasant, irrational fear for which there is no shame in seeking psychological help. You could just say because Jesus said so but I We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. It is referring not to things that pop unbidden into the mind but to an entire system of thinking a whole manner of thinking about spiritual matters, such as consistently thinking of (i.e. I love God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit! . People post sometimes that apparently don't have OCD and don't understand it and I wish they wouldn't. Not to be sold. 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. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is a deliberate and calculated act of defiance against the Holy Spirit Himself against overwhelming evidence. Wouldnt that end up giving you greater dignity? WebThe unforgivable sin is blasphemy defiant irreverence of the Holy Spirit in the context of the Spirits work in the world through Christ. By this time, I had already become a youth leader. All your prayers and efforts to stop unwanted thoughts have failed and will always fail, because the only way to please God is by faith in what Christ achieved on the cross without your prayers and effort. So in an attempt to discredit the Son of God, they slandered Him with a profoundly serious accusation. Large numbers of people write to me with similar stories. I have found that they are usually very sensitive people who are deeply shocked and disturbed by having such a thought, and their very reaction seems to inflame the situation. 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. This is because the very nature of the affliction that causes intrusive thoughts is to suffer perpetual unease and worry. They were attributing Jesus miracles to Satan, and this is one of the gravest charges against God. F. F. Bruce, referring to the Markan parallel (3:28-29), makes an interesting comment in this regard: For every kind of sin, then, for every form of blasphemy or slander, it is implied that forgiveness is availablepresumably when the sin is repented of. But instead, they slander him because they are ashamed of their own spirituality and insecurity.
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