Hello basquiat,
I see that you have been encouraged by the responses you have received. That is wonderful.
I don't know if you are still here, but God willing, perhaps my response to your question will help someone else.
Quote:
Originally Posted by basquiat  Hi, My question is in regards to Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. I am a practicing christian (But haven't attended church for several years). In a fit of anger I Blasphemed against the Holy spirit by sayiny ''F#!& Off Holy Spirit. I have read many articles since then and they all point to one thing, That I cannot be forgiven for this! Am I eternally lost to hell?
This is a serious question, I am very distraught over this. please help me with honest biblically accurate answers. Much appreciated.
Basquiat. |
As I understand, you are really asking two questions:
1. Does your insulting of the Holy Spirit, in a fit of anger, qualify as the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit which Jesus said would not be forgiven?
2. Can you be forgiven for insulting the Holy Spirit thus?
First a little background
I understand that there are six Sins or Blasphemies of the Holy Spirit. What are they?
1. despair,
2. presumption,
3. impenitence or a fixed determination not to repent,
4. obstinacy,
5 resisting the known truth, or calling that which is holy, unholy
6. and envy
Examples from Scripture are despair:
Matthew 27 3Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
You see, Judas, having already repented, should have thrown himself upon God's mercy. But instead, he despaired and hung himself.
Presumption
Matthew 7:20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Note how these folks PRESUMED they were saved. But Christ is our Judge. Therefore Scripture also says:
1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Impenitence
Exodus 8:15
But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
Pharaoh would not repent of his ways.
Obstinacy,
Obstinacy and impenitence are essentially the same thing. The slightest difference is that obstinacy is the refusal to move from one's sinful position:
Romans 2
5But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, resisting the known truth, calling that which is holy, unholy
Mark 3:28-30 (King James Version)
28Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.
30Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
The Jews refused to acknowledge the truth. That Jesus had healed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
envy
Envy of the Holy Spirit is not the same as envy of one's neighbor. It is trying to gainsay, or justify oneself. Contradicting the Word of God with the word of man.
Acts 13
45But when the Jews saw the multitudes,
they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. 46Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
So, to answer your question:
1. Does your insulting of the Holy Spirit, in a fit of anger, qualify as the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit which Jesus said would not be forgiven?
So, where does your sin fall in these categories?
It doesn't seem to. As I understand your statement, it reminds me of fellows with which I work. One of them, hearing me preach against their sinful ways said to me, "My friend, I know you are right. And I should change, but I am having too much fun."
This man, if he remains in his sinful ways all his life, will commit the sin of "final impenitence" #3 above.
If he never asks God for forgiveness, he won't receive it.
At the time that you made the insult, you wanted no part of the Holy Spirit, for whatever reason. But now you have repented of that sin.
2. Can you be forgiven for insulting the Holy Spirit thus?
At this point in your life, you have come close to despairing of God's mercy, that is sin #1 above. But that sin is only unpardonable if you don't give God the opportunity to pardon you by asking His forgiveness.
Anyway, this is how I understand the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. I hope that it helps.
Sincerely,
De Maria
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