I wrote to you once before.  I have a problem with blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.  I believe I am guilty of it, but I want to believe in Jesus.  I am trying to understand if His blood covers this, or am I damned to hell?  I don't want to believe He will forgive if He won't, and I don't want to stop believing in Him because I know I am supposed to.  This started three years ago, and it stopped the first year I had it, and then it came back.  Now it is worse than ever.  It's like I am chattering in my head.  I know it is stupid, but that it is what it is.  It started because I was afraid that God wouldn’t forgive me for something else, and it grew into this.  I don't know how to stop.  I am asking God for help, but I am still doing it.  Will God still let me come to heaven?

Sincerely,
Troubled

Dear Troubled,

The unforgivable sin is the sin against the Holy Spirit, and the fact that you are visiting this website is a pretty sure sign that you haven’t committed it.  Jesus says that any sin will be forgiven except for someone blaspheming the Holy Spirit (Mk 3:28-30).  Jesus said this to the crowd that accused Him of casting out demons by the power of Satan (Mk 3:23).  That crowd could have been forgiven of any sin, but instead they rejected the miracles that testified that Jesus was from God.  Contrast that crowd’s attitude with Nicodemus’ attitude.  Nicodemus understood that the only way that someone could perform a miracle was if God was with him (Jhn 3:2).  When that crowd rejected the evidence that the Holy Spirit provided (in this case, the miracles), they rejected any chance to receive the forgiveness found in Jesus’ teachings.  When we reject the truth of God (the Bible), we reject the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit’s primary job is to bring the truth of the gospel to mankind (see the post “What the Holy Spirit Does” for more details).  Someone blasphemes the Holy Spirit by rejecting the truth that the Holy Spirit sent us in the Bible.  Any sin can be forgiven if we will turn to God’s Word and obey it (Rom 10:17, Heb 5:9), but there is absolutely no hope for someone if he or she will not accept the Holy Spirit’s Bible.

Therefore, since it seems that you are actively seeking the truth and trying to study and learn what God’s Word is – you have not committed the unforgivable sin.

Is iniquity something that you’re born with that drives you to commit sin?  Like, is it embedded within your bloodline or DNA?  I feel it is, but want to know for certain. Thanks.

Sincerely,
Geneticist

Dear Geneticist,

The sum teachings of the Bible say that babies are born without sin, and babies are perfect in God’s sight.  Sin is not a birthright, nor is it in your DNA; it is a choice (Gen 4:6-7, Jas 1:13-15).  Humans sin when they choose to do wrong; they are not born in sin.

The false teaching of ‘original sin’ is very common in today’s society.  Sin is a choice we make in life (Isa 7:15-16), and all humans are born upright and good (Eccl 7:29).

    I believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost.  I didn't always, but after having two beautiful, healthy children and seeing so much beauty in the world, I decided it wasn't an accident.  I decided that it was all real.  My problem is, I'm a huge sinner.  I smoke and drink and fight with my mother sometimes.  I've had three abortions... one just recently.  I can't understand how God or Jesus can forgive me.  Is it possible?  How do I accept Jesus as they say?  I thought I had, but apparently I haven't.   I don't know how to.  I feel so lost.  How do I accept Jesus as my Savior, and what if I keep sinning?

Sincerely,
Broken

Dear Broken,

Yes, you can be forgiven.  Yes, you do need to start making changes in your life... and yes, we can help.

We recommend two things:

1. Read our article "What Must I Do To Be Saved?" to see what the Bible teaches on salvation.  Read the verses we reference for yourself (that way you can see that we aren't just making this stuff up!).
2. If you feel comfortable, e-mail us back, and we can get you in touch with a congregation near you that can answer your questions, support you as you seek the Lord and make changes in your life, and help you get to heaven.  Not all churches are faithful, but we know of many congregations all over the country that will show you what the Bible says and make sure that you get Bible answers for your questions.

We wish you the very best.  You are doing the right thing by reaching out, and you are being very courageous in trying to change your life.

     I've recently become aware of my backsliding, and I've decided to fix things in my life to make myself closer to God.  I have a band that is secular, and it's definitely my livelihood at twenty-two years old.  I don't sing about Satan or bash God or anything of that nature, but I have used swearing and talking about killing posers (in a playful manner; I play Thrash Metal, so it is an aggressive form of music).  However, I do have a lot of songs about the realities of nuclear war, sci-fi movies, etc.

I don't know what to do.  I want to get right with God, but I'd hate to see my band end over it (I know that sounds very selfish saying it or typing it out).

I've had a very bad history with religion.  I abandoned my faith as a teenager and did just about every kind of blasphemy and obscene and irreverent living you can think of.  When I was seventeen, I came close to dying from alcohol poisoning, and it made me realize that I needed Jesus back in my heart.  I struggled for YEARS... yes, YEARS, in agonizing fear of being unforgiven for all the horrible things I did out of rebellion... I worried about God hating me or not forgiving me.

Anyways, I've gotten carried away; I'm just concerned.  What's your opinion?

Sincerely,
Giving Myself A Thrashing

Dear Giving Myself A Thrashing,

Can you still play and cut out all swearing? Swearing is a sin (Eph 4:29).  Can you clean up the content of your music?  All that we say and dwell on should attempt to be pure and honorable (Php 4:8).  Is the environment that your band puts you in conducive to long-term faithfulness, or will it slowly tear you away from the Lord?  God tells us to watch the company we keep because it can corrupt us (1 Cor 15:33).  You said that you are backsliding – is the band environment part of the problem or part of the solution?

If you can faithfully ask yourself those questions, you will have your answer.

     Can you tell me all you know about blasphemy?  How do I know if I have done it, how do I make sure I don't, and can it really not be forgiven?  What if you did it without knowing or before you realized what it was… or before you got saved?  Please help!  I was told if you're worrying about it, you probably haven't.  Just wondering!  Thanks!

Sincerely,
Watching My Mouth

Dear Watching My Mouth,

Blasphemy can be forgiven, like all other sins, but it definitely is wrong.  The word ‘blasphemy’ means ‘to speak evil of’; any language that speaks poorly of God is blasphemy.  When we use God’s name as a cuss word or exclamatory term, we demote Him in our minds from the lofty position He deserves.  God tells us to revere Him (Heb 12:28).  All our speech needs to be both clean and reverent, so God’s name is spoken well of amongst His people (1 Tim 6:1).