Expert: Carl Fuglein - 12/5/2011

Question
QUESTION: I could go on forever on this question, so I'll try to make it short. I'm deeply scared that I have blasphemed the Holy Spirit. I never said anything out loud. All of it was in my head. It's not like the thoughts just pop up in my head either, although some do. I don't like it. I consider myself to be a deep Christian, but now, I'm doubting if I was ever even saved. The Bible says, its when you claim He has an unclean spirit. I have done tons of research saying that if I am worried, I didn't do it. Where in the Bible does it say that? I was always taught that anyone can be saved, not matter how deep in sin. Does that exclude those who commit this sin? Please help and pray before answering. Thank you for reading.

ANSWER: Alice-

I agree that if you're worried about it, you can't really be doing it.  Although this is a fairly common belief, I do not believe there is any Scriptural basis for it.  

This is a definition from Easton's Bible Dictionary of blaspheme:

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Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matt. 12:31, 32; Mark 3:28, 29; Luke 12:10) is regarded by some as a continued and obstinate rejection of the gospel, and hence is an unpardonable sin, simply because as long as a sinner remains in unbelief he voluntarily excludes himself from pardon. Others regard the expression as designating the sin of attributing to the power of Satan those miracles which Christ performed, or generally those works which are the result of the Spirit’s agency.
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In the United Methodist Church, we follow what is known as the Wesleyan Quadrilateral when trying to formulate an opinion on any issue.  The Quadrilateral means that you have to view scripture, tradition, experience, and reason.  In case of blaspheming, I believe the two most important factors to utilize are scripture and reason.

The scripture is clear, blaspheming the Holy Spirit is unpardonable:


Matthew 12:31-32(GWT)
So I can guarantee that people will be forgiven for any sin or cursing. However, cursing the Spirit will not be forgiven.  
Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven in this world or the next.

Copyright : Copyright © 1995 by God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society. All rights reserved. Electronic Edition STEP Files Copyright © 1998, Parsons Technology, Inc.



Now comes the reasonable part.  If you are worried about whether or not you have cursed the Holy Spirit, how can you possibly be guilty of it?  Think about it, if you DID curse the Spirit, would you even care about your Salvation?  I think not.


We all go through life worrying about whether or not our belief is strong enough, have we done enough, do we care enough.  Leave that up to God - his forgiveness is more than we can imagine.  The minute you're concerned about Salvation, God is right there with you forgiving all your past, current (and yes, even future) sins.

I pray that this helps.

Please take the time to rate my answer.

Blessings,
Carl



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks, but I still feel condemned about this. And just for the record, I never said anything out loud. All of these were thoughts, so does that still count? I deeply regret everything I thought. And is it true that blasphemy is deeply rooted in the heart? If so, then these thoughts were not wanted. I asked to be saved once, so does that cover this? All I want is to be what God wants me to be. I actually think I want to be a missionary for him. I want to carry out His will throughout the world. So is this a sign that I am alright?  Is it true that I can no longer be saved? I find it strange to believe that God, who is so loving and merciful, would not forgive me if I seek it. Now if that is fact, then so be it. It's just weird because my church (Baptist) always taught that anyone who comes to Christ can be saved. That is why I think I might still have a chance. But also in the back of my mind the words "shall hath never forgiveness" come to me. Please help. And pray.

ANSWER: Alice-

I cannot imagine a God so small that He would not forgive someone like you who comes to Him begging for forgiveness and wanting to spend your entire life for Him.  I don't believe in my heart for even a moment that you intended to curse God or the Holy Spirit.  We all suffer relapses of all kinds, physical, emotional AND spiritual.  God sees what is on our hearts.

Consider this:  David was an adulterer.  Not only that, he murdered to cover up his adultry.  David was forgiven.  Saul (Paul) persecuted Christians, and by so doing, he persecuted Christ.  He, too, was a murderer, yet he became the greatest evangelist ever.  If God can forgive them, He's certainly big enough to forgive you for a few unintended, unwanted thoughts.

I will pray for you for a month.  Please write me again in a month and let me know how you're doing.

Blessings,

Carl


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for that. I also see what you are saying here, and I somewhat agree. But in my head, I also think about what the Bible says, goes. So that is why I am still a little worried. I just wish so much that the Bible was more clear on this. Another thing. I have pretty much convinced myself that I was saved before I had these awful thoughts. Which brings me to the question, can a Christian lose salvation? Take Judas, was he not once a follower of Christ before he betrayed Him? Did he go to hell? I have heard that salvation is an eternal gift, but what about Judas? If a Christian cannot lose salvation, then I think there is hope for me. I do not want Christ to ever leave me. His mercy is great. I still don't understand why this is so unforgivable. Is it because the sinner refuses to ask for forgiveness? Or is it because God will not forgive them? I thought anyone could be saved. Is that not true? Either way, I am for God and I want His will to be done. Even if I did this, and cannot be forgiven, I still want to live for Christ and carry His message to the world. Thank you so much for your prayers and help.

Answer
Alice-

It's difficult to believe in the inerrancy of the Bible because it contradicts itself so much.  I have to believe that you should take the whole of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation to see what the whole story is.  And the whole story, over and over, is of a stern, but nevertheless loving God.  All He wants is for everyone to be reconciled to Him.

We can go on and on about blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, but the only thing I have to say is that if you worry about offending God, it's impossible to do so, even with fleeting thoughts of Anger or denial.

You've now brought into discussion another topic - "once saved, always saved."  I've always been confused by it, but pretty much believe it.  I tend to be very conservative, but when it comes to Judas, I have a liberal belief.  I believe that Judas obeyed God's will, and was thus saved and is in heaven.  Had He not done it, would Jesus have gone to the cross?  Think about it.  Judas played a part in the available salvation for the world.

Blessings,

Carl