Expert: Brenda Martin - 2/24/2009

Question
You mention the "unforgivable" sin in one of your past answers.  At the time, you where talking about sexual immorality and fornication, is that an unforgivable sin?  If not, what is?

Answer
"sexual immorality and fornication, is that an unforgivable sin?

No

"On this account I say to you, Every sort of sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the spirit will not be forgiven" (Matthew 12;31)

Jesus’ warning referred to willful and deliberate “blasphemy against the spirit.” It was the conduct of some religious leaders in his day that prompted Jesus to warn against the unforgivable sin. But they did not heed his warning. In fact, they had him killed. Later they heard undeniable evidence that the holy spirit had done something miraculous. They were told that Jesus had been brought back from the dead! It was clear that Jesus was the Christ! Still, they acted wickedly against the holy spirit by paying the Roman soldiers to lie about Jesus’ resurrection.—Matthew 28:11-15.

Consider Judas Iscariot;- at some point he began to let wicked thoughts and desires grow, and they eventually overtook him. During the period of time he was an eyewitness of Jesus’ incredible miracles, he was stealing money. Then, for money, he knowingly betrayed the Son of God.

Rather than judging others however we do well personally to guard against committing secret sins that can gradually harden our hearts. (Ephesians 4:30) And we take comfort in the fact that Jehovah will forgive us in a large way, even of serious sins that we have committed, if we are repentant.—Isaiah 1:18, 19.

all the best
Brenda