Expert: Carl Fuglein - 6/16/2006

Question
So i should ignore the thoguhts then
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Followup To

Question -
Hi I have a question lately ive been plagued by thoughts that say you’ll blaspheme (unforgivable one) for this or that or that by getting this or that or for this or that I will some how commit an unforgivable sin I believe the unforgivable sin to be a rejection of Christ’s saving work at least im pretty sure of this but some how part of me still worries these thoughts may have some impact on my salvation, should I ignore the thoughts or do I have to rebuke each one ? I have not been diagnosed with a mental condition and may talk to a doctor but for now I just want to know if these thoughts endanger me.

Answer -
Hi Rob-

the verse you are referring to is Matthew 12:31“Every sin or blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which can never be forgiven. 32Anyone who blasphemes against me, the Son of Man, can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.

Also Mark 3:29 is a parallel verse.

And finally, refer to Romans 7:  
14 The law is good, then. The trouble is not with the law but with me, because I am sold into slavery, with sin as my master.
15 I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate.
16 I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience shows that I agree that the law is good.
17 But I can’t help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do these evil things.
18 I know I am rotten through and through so far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn, I can’t make myself do right. I want to, but I can’t.
19 When I want to do good, I don’t. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway.
20 But if I am doing what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing it; the sin within me is doing it.
21 It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.
22 I love God’s law with all my heart.
23 But there is another law at work within me that is at war with my mind. This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.
24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin?  
25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin

Bottom line is simple Rob - you are NOT alone.  Everyone has feelings like what you're talking about.  If you're worried about committing an unforgiveable sin, namely blaspheming the Holy Spirit (and the jury is still out on exactly what that means), you're not going to do it, because you're worried about doing it.  God looks into your heart - you're trying to be sinless, but you'll never make it.  As long as you agree that the only answer is Jesus, then you're safe.  Those thoughts you're having are a nuisance, but that's just Satan trying to get into your head - just keep on keepin' on and rebuke Satan and get on with your life.

Hope this helps.  Please take the time to rate my answer.

blessings,
carl


Answer
Rob-

I think the thoughts are coming from Satan, and yes, I think you should both ignore the thoughts, while at the same time ask God for forgiveness for having the thoughts.  I hope that makes sense.  You are not alone, all of us have thoughts like that sometimes, but we are never too far from God that he is not able to surround us with His grace.

carl