Today I found out about a website that saddens me. It is something I feel we should all pray about and pray for those who are participating because they do not know the Truth of the Lord.
The site is called The Blasphemy Challenge (I'm not going to link the site, but you can search for it if you want). The are offering a free copy of the DVD The God Who Wasn't There to anyone who is willing to upload a video in which they deny the Holy Spirit. They are basing it on the verse Mark 3:29 which says "But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin."
I'm not sad because I believe these individuals uploading the videos are damned eternally and can not be saved. I'm sad because they are believing the lies of the enemy. I'm sad because they don't understand how much the Lord really loves them and what He has done for them.
As far as the committing of an unforgivable sin, I believe this verse is being twisted. This is what the enemy does. He twists the truth, which works better than outright lies. While I don't claim to know everything regarding God's Word or even this verse, I don't believe this means just vocally denying the Holy Spirit, although that is a large part of it.
I've done some research online to see what others say about this. One site, Got Questions.org, claims this sin can not be committed any longer because it relates specifically to the action reported in the Bible in the context of the verse. Jesus has been accused of performing miracles in the name of Satan, instead of by the power of the Holy Spirit. This article states because Jesus is no longer on earth, this sin can not be committed any longer.
I don't tend to believe this is the case. I do believe that denying the Holy Spirit though is a very deliberate act in which the person performing the act knows EXACTLY what they are doing. And I mean REALLY knowing. These poor individuals making these videos may think they know what they are doing, but they really do not know God. I believe this sin means you know God and deliberately turn your back on Him. I've often been told, if you are worried that you may have committed this sin, then you haven't.
There very well may be some on this website that are committing the unparodonable sin, but that is not a call that I can make. Only they and God know their true intentions and understanding of what they are doing. I pray that this is not the case and that the Holy Spirit will speak to them and turn them around. Either way, this fills me with a deep sadness. I truely don't understand how someone can totally turn their back on their Creator. A few years ago this site would have angered me, but the closer I get to God, the more these type of things just sadden me.
Some other articles I found regarding Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit include:
Preacher Study.com
Apologetics Press.org
I don't necessarily agree with everything in each of these articles, but they do give you food for thought.
If you do a search for it, you'll come up with tons of articles.
The bottom line is that if you love God and are worried about having committed this sin, then you have not.
11 comments:
I swa this website a few months ago and I watched a few of the videos - it made me sick to my stomach, literally...as in nauseous and sick. I agree with you that it is sad and I stand in prayer with you on this. What you wrote is so powerful - I think it needs to be shared all over the internet. Would you mind if I posted it on BlogMommas this week? I get some good traffic on there and think it may reach some people whom otherwise would never get reached...
I was just thinking about that one article that says this type of blasphemy can no longer be done as Jesus isn't on earth...but as I read it I see they are saying because "No one can witness Jesus Christ performing a miracle and then attribute that power to Satan instead of the Spirit." I don't agree with that. While I may not see the physical presence of Jesus, I have witnessed His miracles...so have many people. I would not attribute such miracles to the wind, but to Jesus whom I know is the reason they happen...just because I did not physically SEE Him doesn't mean I didn't witness His miracles....I guess what I am saying is that I, like you, don't tend to believe what gotquestions.org is saying about the matter.
I have absolutely no problem with you posting this. I'm trying to keep my focus on serving God here, so if it will reach others that is my purpose.
I figured since I can not say 100% that my view of this verse is correct I should show some other opinions. I came across a couple that had this belief, but I really don't think it is that easy.
I have a blogsite against the blasphemy challenge here.
Isn't that awful!!? I can remember when I was in my early 20's, a friend asked me if I believed in the Holy Spirit. In my sarcastic response, I said, "no" - really meaning of course I did! He about had a fit telling me to be careful not to reject the Holy Spirit. I worried about that one for a long time. I just wanted to be closer to Him but my friend put a lot of fear in me.
Hi Ang-- found you through Angela's Right To Free Speech!
About the info you found at Got Questions, regarding denying the Holy spirit...I think it's kind of "odd" for a human being to think they have the ability and/or power to decide whether or not a sin can 'still' be committed. So then, if it "can't" be committed anymore, then denying the Holy Ghost is no longer a sin? Oh, really? Any other "sins" they've decided to take out of the books? Maybe adultery is okay now, too? Don't think so!
Like you, I don't think that merely saying the words "I don't believe in the Holy Ghost" or something similar actually constitutes DENYING the Holy Spirit. I don't think some high school twit or college student who thinks he's being a real smart alec by making some dorky and rebellious video to "deny the Holy Spirit" constitutes the "unforgiveable sin".
I think this scripture applies to those who ALREADY have sure witnesses of God. Those who have a sure knowledge of His existance and power, and THEN deny. Like Cain. Cain had the same knowledge, the same teachings, the same experiences with God that Adam, Eve and Abel did. He TALKED with God. He KNEW of God's glory, His greatness and power, but out of selfish pride, turned against God and chose to follow Satan. He didn't just "sin" as we all do. He turned his back on God, fully knowing, and deliberately chose to follow Satan after having a perfect knowledge of who God is. Jesus said that "where much is given, much is required". Those who have greater knowledge have more required of them. And Cain HAD great knowledge in that he actually spoke with God. Cain's punishment for turning away and knowingly and deliberately choosing evil was ETERNAL-- just like the scripture in Mark says.
Is there ANYWHERE else in scripture where someone is eternally cursed the way Cain was?
Even Judas Iscariot didn't have such condemnation placed on him. And he actually walked and talked with the Lord! But he didn't have the same kind of knowledge. I certainly wouldn't claim to know his fate, but I don't recall any eternal damnation being declared on him, either, the way it was with Cain.
I think that's because all the way up to the Resurrection, the Apostles still didn't "get it"! They saw the miracles, walked and talked with Christ, but they still doubted. They still were "shocked" at the Resurrection. Christ TOLD them he'd return, but they couldn't even imagine it. Then when he came back, they were afraid of him, thinking he was a ghost! And Christ said "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." He's like- "I'm not a spirit. Touch me! You'll see! I have flesh and bones! It's me!"
Do you see what I mean? It's like they still didn't "get it". It took until AFTER the Resurrection for them to TRULY believe he was the Messiah. THEN they never doubted again, and all were eventually killed as martyrs because they WOULND'T deny!
So I believe there's a big differece between some smart alec just trying to rustle the feathers of Christians by denying the Holy Spirit, and what the scripture in Mark is speaking of.
Though I ALSO believe that these people who are encouraging people to blaspheme WILL be held accountable by God for what they're doing, according to whatever knowledge THEY have. And only God knows the answer to that.
By the way-- I love your headline about being a princess.
I memorized a poem I learned as a teenager, that I think you'll appreciate.
I am a child of royal birth
My Father is King of Heaven and earth,
My spirit was born in courts on high,
A child beloved, a princess am I.
Familygal ~
I hope you make it back here to see my response. You've stated exactly where I stand in better words than I could. Thank you.
I love the poem as well.
Ang
God is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. What was once a sin is still a sin...the biggest difference is that now we are under grace instead of the law. :)
And one more thing...Jesus left so the Comforter (the Holy Spirit) could come...which can still be blasphemed.
Well now I'm intrigued practical chick...
don't you think we're still under the law? Of course, we're saved by His grace, but don't you believe that we're still under the law? That we still need to follow God's commandments? We need to actually LIVE and DO what we believe, not just assume that because Christ died for us and saved us by His grace, that we're no longer expected to keep His laws. If He's the same yesterday, today, and forever as you stated, and of course, as we believe, then aren't we still under HIS law that HE created, that ALSO is the same yesterday, today and forever?
For your interest, I have a blogsite against the deceitful Frank Walton here: Frank Walton Stinks
This is all you ever need to know about Frank Walton the stinky turdball =)
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