Expert: Phillip Senn - 7/25/2006

Question
Hi, and thanks again.  I have one last question about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.  What be an everyday example of someone comitting this sin?  How do you know if you've done it or not?

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Followup To

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That was a very helpful answer, thanks.  So would you say the devil in a way already owns everyone's soul who does not trust in Christ, but only until they ask forgiveness?  
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Followup To

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My question is: Is it possible to sell your soul to the devil?  If so is this an example of an unforgivable sin? Or, even if it is forgiven it doesn't matter because the devil now owns your soul?  I ask because I am interested in which sins are not forgivable if any.

Answer -
Tom,

You have asked a question that many have struggled with for many years. You actually asked three separate questions that are related to the unforgivable sin.

There is only one sin that Jesus warns about that is unforgivable. It is the sin of "blasphemy of the Holy Ghost." Jesus had just been accused of casting out devils by Beelzebub (a name ascribed to Satan meaning prince of the devils).

Jesus said that the sin of blaspheming against Him could be forgiven, but if someone blasphemed against the Holy Ghost it could not be forgiven in this life, nor in the life to come.

The struggle among many evangelicals over the years has been about what this unforgivable sin is. Based upon my reading of this passage, it relates to the rejection of God's power in any given situation. When we reject God's authoritative power and dynamic power, we reject the only means of forgiveness.

These Pharisees that Jesus was speaking to, were in danger, not because they had spoken against Jesus, but against the very work that God was doing through Him.

When a person has not come to faith in Christ, Satan already owns their soul. They are already condemned. They have no control, and cannot "sell their soul to the Devil". They are already under his control.

When a person trusts Christ, they are trusting that their redemption (being bought back) took place at Calvary, when Jesus Christ died for their sins. Apart from the blasphemy of the Holy Ghost, all other sins can and are forgiven when that person trusts in Christ.

So if there are certain sins you fear that God cannot forgive you of, apart from that sin, rest assured that you have not yet committed that sin. God will draw men to Himself, and He will not seek to forgive the man that has committed that sin. You have no reason to fear that He won't forgive you, if indeed you are wanting forgiveness.

I hope this has answered your questions, and if you have never trusted in Christ, I would hope and pray that now you would trust His sacrifice as your atonment (sin payment).

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn

Answer -
Tom,

The answer is very simply, yes. To help us understand this, Jesus said in John 3:18, "He that believeth on him (The only begotten Son of God) is not condemned: but he that  believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." Man is already under condemnation. It is Christ that is the Redeemer of man. When man trusts in Christ as the Redeemer, God counts his faith to him as righteousness.

If you noticed, I refrained from using the terminology of "asking for forgiveness". The reason: because it is not through asking for forgiveness that man receives the atonement (buying back), but through faith (trusting) in Christ as the Redeemer. I hope this has helped to clarify the means of receiving the atonement, and has helped to answer your question.

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn

Answer
Tom, Because the Scriptures do not specify what this sin is, I am speculating when I say that it is indicating that the work of the Holy Spirit is the work of the devil. In other words, to indicate that when the Holy Spirit draws a man to Christ, and he not only rejects that drawing, but actually, from his heart, indicates that this is of the devil. This man would never be able to come to Christ, and therefore would never be forgiven of his sins. Again, I am merely presuming this, because all that come to Christ are justified from all things, that man would have to be one that rejected Christ all the way to his last breath.

How can a man know if he has committed this sin? If he has even the least little inclination to seek to know about God, he probably has not yet committed that sin.

I hope this was helpful.

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn