Can You Accidentally Commit The Unforgivable Sin? Top 42 Best Answers

Sin that God will never forgive

Not to be confused with original sin

In Christian hamartiology, eternal sins, unforgivable sins, unforgivable sins, or ultimate sins are sins that are unforgivable by God. An eternal or unpardonable sin (blasphemy against the Holy Spirit), also known as sin unto death, is stated in several passages of the Synoptic Gospels, including Mark 3:28-29,[1] Matthew 12:31-32,[2 ] and Luke 12:10,[3] as well as other New Testament passages, including Hebrews 6:4-6,[4] Hebrews 10:26-31,[5] and 1 John 5:16.[6][ 7] [8th]

The unpardonable sin is interpreted in various ways by Christian theologians, although they generally agree that one who has committed the sin can no longer repent, and one who fears that he has committed it cannot has done. 10]

Passages from the New Testament[edit]

Several passages in the New Testament are commonly interpreted as referring to the unpardonable sin:

Matthew 12:30: [11] “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but there will be no blasphemy against the Spirit. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. neither in this time nor in the time to come.” [7]

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but blasphemy against 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, either in this age or in the age to come.” Mark 3:28-30: [12] “Verily I tell you, men will be forgiven their sins and what blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never be forgiven, but is guilty of an eternal sin – for they had said, “He hath an unclean spirit.” “[7]

“Truly I say to you, men will be forgiven their sins and all the blasphemies they speak; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never be forgiven, but is guilty of an everlasting sin – for they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.” Luke 12:8-10: [13] “And I say unto you, Anyone who acknowledges me before others will also acknowledge the Son of Man before the angels of God; but whoever denies me before others will be denied before others the angel of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.”

“And I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before others will also acknowledge the Son of man before the angels of God; but whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of men will be forgiven; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” Hebrews 6:4-6: [14] “For it is impossible for those who have once been enlightened and tasted the bounty of heaven and enjoyed the Holy Spirit and goodness tasted the word, to bring God and the powers of the time to come to repentance, and then fell away, since they of their own accord crucify the Son of God again and abandon him to contempt.” [7]

“For it is impossible to bring to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and tasted the bounty of heaven, and divided the Holy Spirit, and tasted the goodness of the word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, since they of their own accord crucify the Son of God again and abandon him to contempt.” Hebrews 10:26-31: [15] “For if we continue in sin willingly, after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no sacrifice for sins more, but a dreadful prospect of judgment, and a wrath of fire that will consume the adversaries. Everyone who has broken the law of Moses dies without mercy “by the witnesses of two or three.” How much worse punishment do you think after merit those who spurned the Son of God, and whose blood profaned the covenant by which they were sanctified, and rebelled the spirit of grace?For we know him who said, “The Ra che is mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” [7]

“For if we willfully continue in sin after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no sacrifice for sins, but a dreadful prospect of judgment and a fiery anger that will consume those who oppose them. Everyone who transgresses the law dies of Moses without mercy “by virtue of two or three witnesses.” How much worse punishment do you think will deserve those who spurn the Son of God, profaning the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified and are indignant For we know the one who said: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” And further: “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ” 1 John 5:16:[16] “If anyone sees his brother sinning in a sin not leading to death, he should ask and give him life for those who sin not leading to death. There is a sin to Tode: I’m not saying he should pray for it.”[7]

Teaching according to Christian denomination[ edit ]

Eastern Christianity[ edit ]

The importance of prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17:[17] “pray without ceasing”) and humility (Jesus prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on my sinners”) in Christianity is reflected in one Orthodox catechism as follows:[18]

Jesus Christ called the Holy Spirit “the Spirit of truth” (John 14:17;[19] 15:26;[20] John 16:13)[21] and warned us: “All manner of sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men ; but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven men” (Matthew 12:31).[22] “Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” is deliberate and hardened opposition to the truth, “for the Spirit is truth” (1 John 5:6).[23] Deliberate and persistent resistance to the truth leads man away from humility and repentance, and without repentance there can be no forgiveness. Therefore, the sin of blasphemy against the Spirit cannot be forgiven, since one who does not acknowledge his sin does not seek to have it forgiven. — Serafim Alexivich Slobodskoy, The Eighth Article of the Creed

Roman Catholicism[ edit ]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that while no sin is absolutely “unforgivable,” some sins constitute a conscious refusal to repent and accept the infinite mercy of God; a person who commits such a sin rejects God’s forgiveness, which can lead to self-condemnation to Hell.[24] In other words, one condemns oneself by ultimate impenitence (refusal to repent) as taught by John Paul II:[25]

The images of hell presented to us by the Scriptures must be properly interpreted… Hell indicates the condition of those who voluntarily and definitively separate from God… “Dying in mortal sin, unrepentant and God’s merciful To accept love is to remain separated from him forever by our own free choice.This state of final self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is called “Hell” Love he can desire only the salvation of the beings he created.In In reality, it is the creature that closes itself to his love. Damnation consists precisely in the final separation from God, freely chosen by man and confirmed by death, which seals his choice forever. God’s judgment confirms this condition.

In the context of the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, blasphemy against the Spirit is the sin of attributing to Satan what is the work of God’s Spirit, such as when the Pharisees earlier accused Jesus of casting out demons only by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons .[26] The Catholic Encyclopedia quotes Matthew 12:22-32; Mark 3:22-30; Luke 12:10 (cf. 11:14-23) and defines “the unforgivable sin” – or sin against the Holy Spirit – as follows: “… to sin against the Holy Spirit is to deny him with the spirit of evil to confound, it is to deny, out of sheer malice, the divine character of manifestly divine works.” The article further states that “sin against the Son of man” is forgiven because it is committed against the human person of Christ, who veils the divine with a “humble and lowly appearance,” and therefore such a sin is excusable because it is committed through “man’s ignorance and misunderstanding.”[27]

The Church Fathers considered other interpretations, Augustine of Hippo calling it one of the more difficult passages of Scripture.[28] Summarizing the treatment of the Church Fathers, Thomas Aquinas suggested three possible explanations:

That an offense directed against any of the three divine Persons may be considered a sin against the Holy Spirit; and or; Persevering in mortal sin to the point of death with ultimate impenitence, as suggested by Augustine, frustrates the work of the Holy Spirit, who deserves the forgiveness of sins; and or; That sins against the quality of the third divine person, namely charity and goodness, are committed in malice, resisting the promptings of the Holy Spirit to turn away from, or be delivered from, evil. Such a sin can be considered more serious than those committed against the Father through weakness (the Father’s attribute is power) and those committed against the Son through ignorance (the Son’s attribute is wisdom).[27]

Thomas Aquinas lists, or responded to, six sins contrary to the Holy Spirit:[29][30]

Despair: which consists in thinking that one’s own wickedness is greater than divine goodness, as the Master of Propositions teaches, [31]

Presumption: when someone wants to gain fame without merits [32] or forgiveness without regrets [33]

or forgive without remorse resisting the known truth,

Envy of a brother’s spiritual good, d. H. to the increase of divine grace in the world,

, the increase of divine grace in the world, impenitence, i.e. the specific purpose of not repenting of a sin,

, the specific purpose of not repenting of a sin, stubbornness whereby a person who holds onto his sin becomes immune to the thought that the good sought in it is very little.

Thomas Aquinas states that the unpardonability of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit means that it removes access to those salvation means; however, it cannot prevent God from miraculously removing this obstacle.[34]

However, the Church continues to believe that there is no offense, however serious, that cannot be removed by baptism or absolved in the confessional—that no one, however wicked and guilty, cannot have a confident hope of forgiveness.[35][36] ] The Catechism says that Christ desires that “the gates of forgiveness should always be open to anyone who turns from sin.”[37] Like St. Augustine, the Catholic Church today teaches that only dying without remorse is necessary for the own sins is the only unforgivable sin. [38][39][40][41] Indeed, Pope John Paul II writes in Dominum et vivificantem: “According to such an exegesis, ‘blasphemy’ does not really consist in insulting the Holy Spirit with words; it consists rather in the refusal to accept the salvation by which God offers man the Holy Spirit working through the power of the Cross” and “When Jesus says that blasphemies against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven in this life or in the next can, then because this “non-forgiveness” is related to its cause, to “non-repentance”, that is, to the radical refusal to convert. That is, the refusal to come to the sources of salvation, which yet “always” remain open in the economy of salvation in which the mission of the Holy Spirit is accomplished.”[42]

reformed [ edit ]

John Calvin, the founder of the Reformed tradition of Christianity (which includes the Continental Reformed, Presbyterian, Congregational, and Reformed Anglican denominations), wrote:

I say, therefore, that he sins against the Holy Spirit who, though so limited by the power of divine truth that he cannot plead ignorance, yet willfully resists, and only for the sake of resisting.[43 ]

Classical Arminian and Wesleyan Arminian [ edit ]

Jacob Arminius defined the unpardonable sin as “the rejection and rejection of Jesus Christ through determined malice and hatred toward Christ”. However, Arminius disagreed with Calvin when he believed that sin could be committed by believers, a conclusion reached by his interpretation of Hebrews 6:4-6.[9]

John Wesley, the father of the Methodist (Wesleyan-Arminian) tradition, discussed the unforgivable sin in a sermon entitled A Call to Backsliders, in which he wrote that “this blasphemy is absolutely unforgivable; and consequently, for those who are guilty of it, God is ‘no longer sought’.”[7] A prominent Methodist catechism, “A Catechism on the Christian Religion: The Doctrine of Christianity with Special Emphasis on Wesleyan Concepts says:[44]

The unpardonable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Blasphemy involves mockery and attributing the works of the Holy Spirit to the devil.[44]

This Wesleyan-Arminian interpretation of the unforgivable sin involves the deliberate labeling of good as evil, a rejection of the Holy Spirit’s conviction, the public attribution of the Holy Spirit’s work to Satan, and the attribution of Jesus’ work to Satan. The United Methodist Church, a Methodist fraternity, therefore teaches:

that the penalty of eternal separation from God with no hope of return applies in Scripture in only two instances—either, as in Hebrews 6 and 10, to persons who, after confessing Him, willfully, publicly, and explicitly reject Jesus as Savior, or, as in the Gospels, those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit by declaring that the works of Jesus are the works of evil.[45]

Latter-day Saints[ edit ]

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormons, have a similar understanding of eternal sin. Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter-day Saint movement, said in King Follett’s talk:

All sins are to be forgiven except the sin against the Holy Spirit; for Jesus will save all but the sons of perdition. What must a person do to commit the unpardonable sin? He must receive the Holy Spirit, open the heavens and know God, and then sin against Him. After a man has sinned against the Holy Spirit, there is no repentance for him. He must say that the sun does not shine while he sees it; he must deny Jesus Christ when the heavens have been opened unto him, and deny the plan of salvation, with eyes open to the truth therein; and from then on he begins to be an enemy.[46]

Church apostle and later President of the Church, Spencer W. Kimball, explained that “the sin against the Holy Spirit requires such knowledge that it is manifestly impossible for the grassroots [of the Church] to commit such a sin”[47 ] ]

In Judaism[edit]

A very similar, though not identical, parallel to Matthew 12:31-32 is found in Rabbi Natan’s Avot: Italic Text

But one who profanes the heavenly name has no opportunity to repent and await forgiveness. Suffering will not purify him. Yom Kippur will not atone for him. They are all held until death comes and cleanses them. This is what is meant by “This sin will not be forgiven you until you die.”[48]

However, in several places Talmudic sources[49] qualify the above and similar statements, explaining it only as making penance more difficult because of the seriousness of such a sin. The golden rule of the Talmud is that the gates of repentance are never, ever closed and, to quote Maimonides,[50] “…even if one is a heretic all his life and repents on the day of his death, his repentance will be accepted .”

In Islam[edit]

In the Koran, shirk is an unforgivable sin:[51]

God does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives less than what He wills. Whoever associates anything with God has devised a monstrous sin… God will not forgive him for being associated with partners; but he will forgive anything but whom he wills. Anyone who ascribes partners to God has fallen into a vast error. (Quran 4:48, 116)

One who remains in shirk without regretting death is doomed to eternal damnation in Jahannam.[52] Shirk includes polytheism, such as believing that Jesus is God or making rabbis his masters to contradict God. (Quran 9:30)

See also[edit]

A few years ago I consulted with a student who was paralyzed by the fear that she had committed an unforgivable sin because of some terrible words she had uttered. Her concern arose from Matthew 12:31: “Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy against men will be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” Perhaps she had committed the unforgivable sin?

It is unlikely that this young woman committed the unpardonable sin. She loved the Lord and wanted her life to please him. But she did not seem to understand what blasphemy against the Holy Spirit was, and was concerned that she might have committed the unpardonable sin. What is blasphemy against the spirit? What is the unforgivable sin?

To start, let me offer a definition. Blasphemy against the Spirit – the unforgivable sin – is an ongoing hardening of your heart against the Holy Spirit trying to get you to repent of your sin and believe in Christ. In addition, it is an affair of the heart that is manifested in your words.

Let’s look together at the central passage in the discussion, Matthew 12:24-37. Pay attention to the words I put in bold. In particular, notice that the words in bold indicate that Jesus is addressing a fundamental condition of the heart and not just some sinful words.

24 When the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul, the ruler of demons.” 25 And knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is desolate; and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 When Satan casts out Satan, he is at odds with himself; how will his kingdom stand? 27 If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do they cast out your sons? For this reason they will be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can anyone enter the house of a strong man and take away his property unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30 Anyone who is not with me is against me; and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will be forgiven neither in this time nor in the time to come. 33 Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 O brood of vipers, how can ye speak good things, being wicked? For the mouth speaks from what fills the heart. 35 The good man brings good out of his good treasure; and the evil man brings evil out of his evil treasure. 36 But I tell you, for every frivolous word that people say, they will give an account on the Day of Judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Notice especially that in this passage there are many absolutist statements and other expressions that point to the fundamental condition of one’s heart in Matthew 12:24-37.

Similarly, note the words in bold in the parallel passage at Luke 12:8-10:

8 And I tell you, whoever confesses me before men, the Son of Man will also confess before the angels of God; 9 but whoever denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.”

Again, the underlined words help us to see that what is at stake is not a wayward, hateful, or God-degrading word in a moment, but the fundamental state of one’s heart before God.

Furthermore, there are clear parallels between Matthew 12:24-37 (quoted above) and the words of John the Baptist to the religious leaders at Matthew 3:7-8:

7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he said to them, “Born of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore bring forth fruit equal to repentance…”

Careful readers of the Bible should pay attention not only to details in immediate contexts, but also to ideas already introduced by a biblical author. Before including Jesus’ comments on blasphemy against the Spirit and unpardonable sin, Matthew had already introduced the language of serpents and fruit bearing in relation to the Pharisees through the words of John the Baptist. Matthew expected his readers to remember these words when they came to Matthew 12. Since Matthew 3:7-8 is about repentance (“bearing fruit commensurate with repentance”), we should keep the issue of repentance in mind as we attempt to determine the nature of the blasphemy against the Spirit/unpardonable sin in Matthew 12 :33.

Additionally, the subject of fruit is a concept that Matthew would also expect you to consider as you read through his gospel. He first introduces this theme in the words of John the Baptist just observed (3:8, also 3:10), develops it substantially further by including the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (7:15-20) and the same fruit theme in the passage on which we are primarily thinking today (12:33), again into the parable of the soils (13:23), and finally into a judgment section that unsurprisingly focuses again on the Pharisees’ failure to bear fruit (21 :43). The point, for Matthew, is that everything that dwells in people’s hearts begins to show itself in the way people live and speak (“fruit”).

Another notable observation is that this saying of Jesus is probably intertextually linked to Numbers 15:30-31: “But whoever does anything defiantly, whether native or alien, is blaspheming the Lord; and that person shall be cut off from his people. Because he despised the word of the LORD…” Craig Blomberg makes this comment on Matthew 12:33: “Hearers engrossed in the Old Testament would recall the laws that particularly defiant described sin as blasphemy and seemingly unforgivable ( see especially the sinning with a high hand in Num. 15:30-31)—the open, willful, and persistent rejection of God and His commandments.”[1] Note Blomberg’s connection between defiant sinning and blasphemy, which brings us directly into the language of brings Matthew 12:31. The implication is that one who has committed the unforgivable sin does not inadvertently say a specific set of words, but is intentionally rejecting the Lord. Also, notice that Numbers 15:31 adds, “because he despised the word of the Lord.” What is at stake is not just a word that slips one’s lips, but a more fundamental attitude of despising that which is God has revealed.

It should also be noted that the biblical description of the Holy Spirit convicting people of sin helps us understand why blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is such a serious problem. Blasphemy the Holy Spirit is not simply saying something bad about the Holy Spirit (or anything else), but is a persistent rejection of the convicting work of the Spirit whose job is to expose our sin and lead us to accept Christ. Jesus says of the Holy Spirit in John 16:8, “And when he comes he will convict the world of sin and righteousness and judgment.” My former teacher and then longtime Talbot colleague Mike Wilkins writes: the Spirit’s role in convicting people of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). As long as one rejects the Spirit, one can never find forgiveness for sins.”[2]

Therefore, the unpardonable sin of blasphemy is not a willful word uttered in a moment of anger. Nor is it any other dramatic sin like murder, suicide, or adultery. There is no indication in Matthew 12 that Jesus had such sins in mind. (Furthermore, don’t we observe that God forgives such sins throughout the Bible? – Just think of the stories of David and Paul). Rather, as mentioned earlier, blasphemy against the Spirit is an ongoing hardening of your heart against the Holy Spirit who is trying to get you to repent of your sins and believe in Christ. It’s a matter of the heart that manifests itself in one’s words (and actions). One who hardens their heart against the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit and refuses to repent of sin and turn to Christ in faith has committed a sin that can never be forgiven. The person who repeatedly and without repentance rejects the Holy Spirit’s testimony of Christ is the one who has blasphemed the Holy Spirit. This sin is the only sin that will never be forgiven.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQ#1: What does Jesus mean when he says that a word spoken against the Son of man can be forgiven (Matthew 12:32)?

I’m a little unsure how to answer this question, but Wilkins may be right when he writes: “To speak against the Son of man implies that a person does not know the full identity of Jesus. Through greater revelation and understanding, this deficiency can be overcome, the person can repent, and the person can then find forgiveness of sin. Surrendering to the mind’s work of proof and persuasion can lead one to just that point. But to continually reject the work of the Spirit will result in a person never being able to reach that point.”[3]

FAQ #2: If someone can repent of every other sin, why can’t he or she repent of that particular sin?

F. F. Bruce makes an interesting comment in this regard regarding the Markan parallel (3:28-29): “So for every kind of sin, for every form of blasphemy or slander, it is presupposed that forgiveness is available—presumably when the sin is regretted. But what if one repented of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? Is there no forgiveness for the person who repents of that sin? The answer seems to be that the nature of this sin is such that it is unrepentant because those who commit it and persist in it do not know that they are sinning.”[4] I might add that they do not know because they have rejected the testimony of the Holy Spirit concerning Christ, and are so hardened that they do not recognize their sin.

FAQ #3: If I’m a Christian who loves the Lord, should I be concerned that I may have inadvertently committed the unpardonable sin?

Blomberg is probably correct in addressing this concern: “…professing believers who fear they have committed the unpardonable sin show a concern for their spiritual well-being, which by definition proves that they have not committed it.”[5]

Remarks

[1] Craig L. Blomberg, Matthew, NAC (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1992), 203-204 citing W.C. Kaiser, Jr., Toward an Old Testament Ethics (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1983), 298.

[2] Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew, NIVAC (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004), 449.

[3] Wilkins, Matthew, 449.

[4] F.F. Bruce, The Hard Sayings of Jesus (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1983), 90.

[5] Blomberg, Matthew, 204.

This post and other resources are available at Kindle Afresh: The Blog and Website of Kenneth Berding.

Tribune content agency

Dear Rev Graham:

How many sins can you name that God will never forgive? I worry about this because I know I haven’t been a good person, and some of the things I’ve done are probably on that list. — J.F.D.

Rev. Graham: Only one unforgivable sin is on God’s list – and that is the sin of rejecting Him and refusing His offer of forgiveness and new life in Jesus Christ. This alone is the unpardonable sin, for it means that we say the Holy Spirit’s testimony about Jesus is a lie (see Luke 12:10).

Why is it so serious to reject Christ? The reason is mainly because of who He was. He wasn’t just another religion teacher; He was God in human flesh – but when we deny this, we limit Him and assume He cannot save us.

However, the main reason it is so serious to reject Christ is that He is God’s appointed remedy. Our greatest need is the forgiveness of our sins; If we don’t do this, we have no reason to expect God to welcome us to heaven. But through his death and resurrection, Christ prepared the way for us to be forgiven and cleansed of all our sins.

Commit your life to Christ immediately.

Submit your questions to “My Answer”, c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; or visit the website at www.billygraham.org.

She was condemned by the church for speaking blasphemy. in the 17th century, Quakers were persecuted for beliefs and practices that older churches considered blasphemy

Current examples on the web

Two men with bloodstained cleavers warn Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of rising religious tensions in India and swear to avenge acts of blasphemy. – Niha Masih, Washington Post, June 29, 2022

But her comments had already sparked blasphemy allegations in some Middle Eastern countries, leaving New Delhi struggling to contain the fallout. — Leila Sackur, NBC News, June 9, 2022

For example, in Pakistan in 2021 at least 16 people accused of blasphemy were sentenced to death. — dr Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, June 3, 2022

Park lovers, for example, are sure to hear some words that would have once been blasphemy at Epcot. — Todd Martensgame Critic, Los Angeles Times, May 5, 2022

While some contemporary readers associate blasphemy laws primarily with Muslim cultures, similar laws have prevailed in Maryland and Madrid, Holland and Hong Kong at various times. – Graham Hillard, National Review, March 31, 2022

The dominant religious argument of the time argued that it was blasphemy for plagues to be sent from God. — Peter Manseau, Smithsonian Magazine, March 22, 2022

In office, my father had sought mercy for a poor Christian woman accused of blasphemy. – New York Times, May 12, 2022

The prosecutor in this case claims to support freedom of religion, but her attempt to apply the Finnish law as a secular blasphemy law says otherwise. — Kelsey Koberg, Fox News, February 18, 2022

See more

blasphemous

Blasphemous is an adjective that describes profane words and actions, especially when connected to something religious. If you draw Jesus Christ in lipstick or call Buddha a fat guy, you are showing blasphemous behavior.

Blasphemous comes from a Greek word meaning “evil speaking,” but both actions and words can be blasphemous. Spitting on a cross, drawing pictures in the Koran, tripping a rabbi—all of these are generally rude, but because it associates a holy religious person or cause with rude behavior, it is also blasphemous. Beyond religion, any attack on something you value is blasphemous, like your best friend saying your celebrity crush is ugly. Such blasphemous words!

Next story: Here’s a talk show featuring women working to make change happen

Image: Shutterstock We all make mistakes at some point, especially when it comes to interpersonal relationships. We talk about it, forgive the other person and move on even if we don’t forget, right? Not all of the time. What happens when the person you’re dating makes a mistake that you can’t seem to forgive? What if they didn’t tell you a little white lie, but a bigger one that hurt you? Even if your partner hasn’t cheated on you, learning that they’ve been trying to hide something important from you – such as their B. His feelings about your relationship. So is it okay to forgive a lie? Here’s how you can decide… If you suspect you’re being cheated on or if you catch your partner lying, let them know. On so many levels, the more open and honest you are, the easier it is. It’s okay to forgive when your partner makes a rare mistake and has never done it before; It pays to persevere, especially when they’re expressing remorse. A small white lie may be forgiven, but a big, malicious lie might be too much. Reconsider your relationship or seek advice. It’s not a good idea to keep giving your partner opportunities to let you down beyond the first instance. When they express deep regret, declare their love for you, and wallow in pity when they cheat or lie, but then do it again, it’s time to move on. They shouldn’t have to go through any more pain or disappointment because of their lies. Image: Shutterstock If you don’t feel comfortable or safe, forgive the person but don’t continue the relationship; Forgiving means letting go of the desire for revenge. It’s mentally exhausting to be unforgiving. Your mind and emotions are screaming at you to despise, punish, and not forgive someone who betrays you. It is difficult to let go of these emotions. Nonetheless, forgiving someone who has betrayed you will benefit you more than the betrayer. Forgiveness is the only way to move forward. One of my clients, a 32-year-old woman, came to me in 2020 during the pandemic. She had been married for over six years when she found out her husband was having an affair. Shocked and incredulous, she immediately confronted her husband and they divorced within six months. But she found she couldn’t go on. She had thought she was over it, but she was really unhappy. The situation began to affect her personal life, and she also lost her job. A year after the divorce, she came to me and I was able to make her see that it was important to forgive her ex-husband and move on. Remember that your intellect has limited – but valuable – space. There are more important things to consider than your anger at someone who cheated on you. Getting rid of resentment creates space for more pleasant thoughts and feelings. It can be difficult to get to the point where you can stop it from consuming your attention, but the benefits are worth the effort. Ultimately, you are under no obligation to forgive. You don’t have to forgive someone who lies and doesn’t show remorse, or even someone who lies, apologizes and then does it again. Forgiveness will not come just because the other person apologizes. But anger and resentment negatively impact your physical and emotional health. Forgiveness helps you stay sane; Anxiety, stress and aggression will be reduced, your blood pressure will be under control, symptoms of depression will be reduced, the immune system and heart will be strengthened and you will have increased self-esteem. Forgiveness is generally a good idea, but the decision is ultimately yours.

The doctrinal changes of the Worldwide Church of God have opened the door for the liberalization of many other tenets related to the tenets of the mainstream Church. For example, the change in the healing doctrine has also brought about a change in the tobacco doctrine. It is clear that the wcg ministry is no longer emphasizing that smoking is a sin and should be stopped immediately.

As members of the Philadelphia Church of God, not only must we uphold the most important doctrines restored to the Church, we must also uphold the teachings associated with each doctrine. Smoking is a problem for some who participate in the pcg. We must remember that smoking and any other use of tobacco is a grave sin. Let’s revisit this important topic.

Creepy stats

Selling tobacco products is big business. Statistics show that Americans spend more money on cigarettes than they do on shoes. Tobacco products accounted for 3.7 percent of total agricultural exports in 1990. The value of tobacco shipments has increased by 86 percent over the past eight years. Tobacco shipments were worth over $29 billion in 1990. In 1990, tobacco farms in the United States were worth nearly $3 billion.

Smoking and the use of chewing tobacco have become an integral part of young American culture. Advertisements in magazines or on billboards show that tobacco use is “macho”, “beautiful”, “sexy” or “cool”.

Selling tobacco may be good business, but it is very bad for people. Tobacco use is a fatal health hazard. It is a scientifically proven fact that smoking leads to lung cancer and death. Still, in 1990 it was estimated that Americans smoked over 710 billion cigarettes. Medical professionals say the percentage of cases of respiratory cancer has nearly doubled in less than 20 years. In fact, in 1989, 8 percent of all cancer cases were respiratory in nature.

God’s View of Smoking

What is God’s view of smoking? Cigarette addicts are quick to point out that the Bible says nothing about smoking. That’s just not true.

Herbert W. Armstrong taught us that the Bible is a book of law. He also taught that the laws revealed in the Bible were set there to bring great happiness to man. There are biblical laws that govern health. There are other biblical laws governing agriculture, nutrition, child rearing, and marriage. If people obeyed these laws, they would live an abundant life. Yet mankind consistently chooses to violate these laws!

Now it is true that nowhere in the Bible does God say, “Thou shalt not smoke.” But with the sixth commandment, He emphatically says, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). The question we need to answer is: does smoking harm people?

Smoking leads to death

The clinical facts on smoking are fully tabulated. There is no doubt that there is a direct link between smoking and lung cancer. Lung cancer kills people. Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Coop warned, “Cigarette smoking is clearly the number one preventable killer in our society and the number one public health concern of our time.” A pamphlet issued by the Office of the Surgeon General states that Smoking “causes more disease and death than any other drug.” Surgeon General on a pack of cigarettes reads, “Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide.” Read that warning again! Breathing in cigarette smoke is breathing in carbon monoxide! No one in a sane mind would intentionally inhale carbon monoxide. To put it simply, smoking is suicide.

If you smoke or use any form of tobacco, you are doing so contrary to the strong warnings against such habits. If you smoke, you ruin your health. Another warning from the Surgeon General on a packet of cigarettes reads, “Quitting smoking now will greatly reduce serious risks to your health.”

When you smoke, you intentionally expose your body to serious physical harm. Here is a list of some chemicals found in unfiltered cigarette smoke besides carbon monoxide: hydroquinone, methacrolein, methyl alcohol, methylamine, nickel compounds, pryidine, carbon dioxide, crotononitrile, dimethylamine, endrin, ethylamine, furfural, cadmium, methyl nitrite, ammonia; formaldehyde, hydrogen sulfide, DDT and nicotine. Spilling these types of chemicals into a water supply system can result in hefty fines for any business. If you are a smoker, you seriously pollute your own body and pay a heavy personal penalty.

In addition to lung cancer, you could also expose your body to other life-threatening diseases such as bladder cancer, emphysema, high blood pressure, and hardening of the arteries that can lead to a stroke. In God’s sight, is there really a difference between pointing a gun at your head and pulling the trigger or lighting a cigarette? No! Pulling the trigger on a weapon usually brings instant death. But smoking also brings death—a slow, agonizing death. Both are suicide! Both are violations of the sixth commandment. If you smoke, the most important thing you can do for your health is to quit the toxic habit right away.

Smoking harmful to others

Some argue that as long as my smoking isn’t harming anyone, it’s okay to continue the habit. Scientists have now proven that the secondary smoke produced by smokers is just as deadly to the non-smoker living in a smoking environment. Plain Truth magazine reported that “discarded smoke contains twice as much tar and nicotine, three times as much of a certain type of benozopyrene (a suspected cancer drug), five times as much carbon monoxide (which robs the blood of life-giving oxygen), and 46- times as much ammonia as the smoke the smoker inhales!” (Plain Truth, The New Truth About Smoking, January 1981).

Many countries and many US states have passed laws prohibiting smoking in public places for this reason. Smokers not only ruin their own health, but also the health of others. Smoking harms others – another clear violation of the sixth commandment.

Smoking – a physical sin

Smoking is also a physical sin! You have to understand why. There are many examples in the Bible where Christ showed people that their health problems were caused by sin. An example of this is the situation of the paralyzed man.

Jesus was returning home from a preaching trip. The people brought to him a man lying on a bed. Christ healed him by forgiving his sins. “And behold, they brought to him a paralytic lying on a bed; and Jesus saw their faith and spoke to the paralyzed man; son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9:2). What sins have been forgiven? The sins that caused the man to become paralyzed – physical sin.

These scriptures here in Matthew 9 represent very important knowledge about healing. There are many physical laws that God has set in motion. These laws regulate the functions of our body – our health. If we break these laws, we sin and get sick. “Whoever sins also breaks the law; for sin is a transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4). This is a difficult truth for most people to accept. Healing is the forgiveness of physical sin. “And behold, some of the scribes said within themselves, ‘This man is blasphemous. And Jesus, who knew their thoughts, said: Why do you think evil in your hearts? For if it were easier to say: Your sins are forgiven; or to say: get up and go? But so that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins (he then says to the paralyzed): Get up, take up your bed and go into your house. And he arose and went home” (Matthew 9:3-7). If healing is the forgiveness of physical sin, then we must be sure to repent of our physical sins. Christ told the man being healed at the pool of Bethesda, “Sin no more” (John 5:14).

When we do harmful things to our body, such as eating inappropriate food or even eating too much of the right foods (gluttony), we sin against our body and there is a penalty. The punishment is sickness! In some cases, the punishment is temporary—in other cases, it can mean permanent injury and death.

Smoking and other tobacco users have been shown to be definitely harmful to the body. Smoking will permanently damage your lungs, which God designed and created to give you life-giving oxygen. Jesus Christ was struck with many welts so that we could be healed of diseases (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). As Christians, how can we justify smoking and then expect Christ to heal us of the diseases associated with smoking? Smoking shows great disrespect for Christ’s sacrifice. If Jesus Christ was willing to take many blows so that we could be healed, then we should do whatever it takes to stay healthy! Everything else is sin!

Temple of the Holy Spirit

Let’s go one step further. Why did God create our bodies? Paul gives us the answer. “What? Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy [Spirit] within you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are of God” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). God created our bodies to house His Holy Spirit. God created us physical humans so that we might grow in His own character (Matthew 5 ,48). Is there justification for defiling God’s temple with a destructive habit like smoking? Does the use of tobacco glorify God? Does smoking please God, does it honor God, or does it serve God’s purpose? Paul also instructed the Corinthians: ” Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) We should work hard to maintain our health so that God’s Spirit can work effectively in us.

Smoking – a spiritual sin

Smoking also harms the smoker because it strengthens weak character traits. In other words, smoking is also a spiritual sin. With the tenth commandment, God commands, “You shall not covet” (Exodus 20:17). The question we need to answer here is: Is smoking pleasurable?

Regarding tobacco use, Mr. Armstrong wrote in his autobiography:

“I had learned that God’s law is his way of life. It is a basic philosophy of life. The whole law is summed up in the one word love. I knew that love is the opposite of lust. Pleasure is self-desire – just pleasing the self. Love means loving others. Its direction is not inward toward himself, but outward toward others. I knew the Bible teaches that “lust of the flesh” is the way of sin.

“So now I started applying the principles of God’s law.

“I asked myself, ‘Why do I smoke?’ To please others — to help others — to serve or serve others or to express love to others — or just to satisfy and gratify a craving of the flesh within myself?

“The answer was immediately clear. I had to be honest. My only reason for smoking was carnal lust, and carnal lust is sin according to the Bible!”

Smoking violates the tenth commandment. As Mr. Armstrong wrote, a smoker can hardly claim to smoke to please others. People smoke to please themselves. Smoking is a craving, a thirst for self-gratification. It’s lust! Jesus Christ taught that we must uphold the spirit of the law (Matthew 5:27-28). In other words, we need to care about what’s going on in our heads as much as we do our actions.

From a spiritual point of view, our attitudes are crucial. What is the attitude of someone who desires the effects of tobacco? It is about craving or over-craving that which is harmful. The wrong craving of the mind – the craving for tobacco – is a spiritual sin – a sin against righteous character. As mentioned above, smoking has become a part of our popular culture. Smoking is one of the ways of this world. As Christians, we are to come out of this world (Revelation 18:4; Romans 12:2).

yes you can stop

Many people say they cannot quit smoking. That is not true! Yes, you can quit smoking! how can you stop Here is the method you should use. First, realize that smoking is a sin that will keep you away from the kingdom of God. Paul said, “For you know this, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor miser, idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” (Ephesians 5:5). Smoking is greed and, as Paul said here, idolatry!

Realize that sin no longer has power over the truly converted (Romans 6:14): God promises to cleanse us from sin if we are willing to confess our sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). In other words, God is committed to cleansing us from the sin of smoking if we repent, acknowledge our sin, and ask Him for the extra help we need. Learn to use to the full the power God has given you. God will help you if you humbly ask Him for help (Psalm 103:11-14; Isaiah 55:7-8).

Quit smoking completely. Reducing the amount of smoke doesn’t work for most people. Smoking is an addiction. Trying to quit gradually only feeds the addiction. You should stop suddenly and completely! Quitting suddenly is not easy, but it is the most successful way. Commit to quitting. Throw away all cigarettes, snuff or pipe tobacco. Get rid of all the things that draw your attention to smoking, like your favorite lighter, cigarette case, or pipe. Then never buy an ounce of tobacco again!

The actual physical symptoms of nicotine withdrawal usually subside within 3 to 5 days of your last cigarette (this varies from person to person). Psychological withdrawal usually lasts much longer. You may experience tension, hunger, and symptoms of restlessness. These complaints will subside. Normally the smoking habit can be broken in 21 to 30 days.

Avoid compromising situations. Paul said, “Flee from fornication” (1 Corinthians 6:18). You must apply the same principle to smoking. Avoid situations where you have previously “shone”! Don’t let other smokers, friends, relatives, or stressful situations make you give in to your old habit. Remember, just one hit will make you a habitual smoker again!

Spend time with non-smokers and people who support you in staying cigarette-free! Another way to distract yourself from smoking is to replace it with another activity. Studies have shown that it’s much easier to break a bad habit and prevent yourself from returning to that bad habit when we have something to replace it with. Depending on your age, athletic ability, and health, try engaging in an exercise program such as walking, cycling, or swimming. A physical exam is a good idea before beginning any new exercise program. This is an excellent replacement habit.

Finally, don’t get discouraged or fear failure. And if you slip and smoke – don’t give up! You can get rid of this life-threatening habit. If you do this, not only will you live a better life physically, but you will live right spiritually too!

Seventy seven times. So many times the Bible tells us to forgive someone.

Matthew 18:21-22 21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who has sinned against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered: “I am not telling you seven times, but seventy-seven times.[a]

Can you imagine this conversation between Peter and Jesus? I’m sure Peter thinks he’s being reasonable, maybe even generous, in suggesting forgiveness seven times. I picture him gaping as he hears Jesus reply, “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” I wonder if Peter offered a rebuttal or said something like, “Wait a minute, let me tell you , what’s happened!” I think the Bible doesn’t tell us more because there is no need to know more. Jesus calls us to continue to forgive, regardless of the details or reasons why forgiveness is necessary. If it seems unreasonable to forgive someone more than once or twice, think of how often God forgives you. He sets no limit to the number of times you can turn to him with your sincere heart and humbly ask for his forgiveness. He’s just glad you came back. May we do our best to pattern our forgiveness after God’s example.

prayers for forgiveness

Psalm 25:6-7

remember sir

your mercy and mercy

that you showed a long time ago.

Don’t remember the sins and mistakes of my youth.

In your mercy remember me Lord

because of your kindness.

Back to top

Forgive all my sins

lord jesus,

You opened the eyes of the blind

healed the sick

forgave the sinful woman

and after Peter’s denial confirmed him in your love.

listen to my prayer

forgive all my sins

renew your love in my heart,

Help me to live in perfect unity

with my fellow Christians

so that I can proclaim your healing power

in the whole world.

– Unknown author

Back to top

Merciful

Lord Jesus, Son of God,

have mercy on me

a sinner.

– Unknown author

Back to top

friend of sinners

lord jesus,

You have chosen to be called the friend of sinners.

Through your saving death and resurrection

free me from my sins.

May your peace take root in my heart

and produce a harvest of love, holiness and truth.

– Unknown author

Back to top

Luke 15:18; 18:13

Father, I have sinners against you

and am not worthy to be called your son (daughter).

Have mercy on me sinner.

Father of Mercy, like the prodigal son

I return to you and say:

“I have sinned against you

and am no longer worthy to be called your son.”

Christ Jesus, Savior of the world,

I pray with the repentant thief

to whom you promised paradise:

“Lord, remember me in your kingdom.”

Holy Spirit, source of love,

I call you with confidence:

“Purify my heart

and help me to walk like a child of light.”

– Book of Luke

Back to top

Psalm 50:4-5

Wash me of my guilt

and cleanse me from my sin.

I acknowledge my offense;

My sin is always before.

– Book of Psalms

Back to top

forgiveness

Jesus I believe you love me.

Please forgive me my sins.

Help me become a better person. Amen.

– Unknown author

Back to top

Buses

My God,

I repent of my sins with all my heart.

When deciding to do something wrong,

and do no good

I have sinned against you when I should

love above all.

I intend with your help

repent, sin no more,

and avoid everything that leads me to sin.

Our Savior Jesus Christ

suffered and died for us.

In His name, my God, have mercy.

– Unknown author

Back to top

Lamb Of God

Lord Jesus Christ,

You are the Lamb of God;

You take away the sins of the world.

By the grace of the Holy Spirit

restore my friendship with your father,

Cleanse me from every stain of sin

in the blood you shed for me

and revive me to the glory of your name.

– Unknown author

Back to top

Sura 42:40-43

Compensation for harm is harm equal to it (in degree): but when a person forgives and makes amends, his reward is due from Allah: from (Allah) does not love those who do wrong. But indeed, if anyone helps and defends himself after being wronged, against such there is no guilt. The fault lies only with those who oppress men and injustice, and make bold transgressions through the land, defying right and justice: for such there will be severe punishment. But if anyone shows patience and forgiveness, it would really be an exercise of courageous will and determination in the conduct of affairs.

– Holy Quran

Back to top

To provide feedback, please email: [email protected]

Jesuitresource.org is developed by Xavier University’s Center for Mission and Identity with support from the Conway Institute for Jesuit Education. Learn more about Jesuit Resource.

23 Sep 2009 — — As texting and instant messaging became a way of life, a shorthand lexicon emerged to save time and stress on fingers. Acronyms like LOL and TTYL replaced “laughing out loud” and “talk to you later”. The letters OMG replaced “Oh my God”. Or is it?

There is some debate as to what the G in OMG really means. Does it stand for “God” or “God”? If it stands for “God,” is it a sin to use it?

John Donvan spoke to a group of high school students from the Washington Hebrew Congregation youth group in Bethesda, Md. about OMG and how it relates to the third commandment, which according to the King James Version of the Bible reads, “Thou shalt name.” do not misuse the LORD your God; for the LORD will not forgive him that take his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7).

There are various interpretations of the commandment, but it is generally defined as using the name of the Lord casually or disrespectfully. Say “Jesus Christ!” in any way other than in praise is an example.

Watch the full story on “Nightline” at 11:35 p.m. ET

OMG has a range of meanings ranging from excitement to disbelief. For a large number of American teenagers, it has replaced the exclamation mark. “You don’t think you’re going, ‘Oh my God,'” said Rachel Edelman, 15. “You’re just going, ‘Oh!’ like it’s a surprise. OMG. It’s nothing to think about.”

Lexi Levin, 18, describes herself as “an avid OMG user in lyrics,” and she thinks using OMG is a far cry from “oh my god.” For them it’s like Golly, Gee and Gosh. “That’s how I feel about it. I don’t know if that’s a fair way to think about it. But it makes me feel better.”

Julian Schneider, 14, agrees. “If you say something like ‘Oh my God’ then you’re using His name in vain, but if you say something like OMG you’re not really using the Lord’s name in vain because you’re not saying ‘Oh my God’.” It’s more like ‘Wow. For real?'”

For hundreds of years, people have found ways not to use the name of the Lord in vain. Words like gosh and golly, both of which date back to the 17th century, served as euphemisms for God. It is a Jewish tradition to write “G_d” to show respect. Exclamations such as “Oh, my God” and “Jesus Christ” were rarely used in polite conversation and, when they were done, aroused rebuke. But that has changed in recent decades and art is imitating life. The Parents Television Council reports that in 2007, the most recent year for which it has data, 95.9 percent of uses of the word “God” on prime-time television were in vain.

“It carries no weight anymore”

Not surprisingly, SMS slang, including OMG, has also made its way into movies and television. On TV, teen drama like “Gossip Girl,” in which an unseen blogger wreaks havoc in the lives of a group of upper-class young people, OMG, is a common part of the dialogue. The show, which airs on the CW network, caused controversy in 2008 with a racy ad campaign that featured characters in heated hugs and the letters OMFG. The F doesn’t stand for fudge.

Meghan Siritzky, 15, has a theory on the development of OMG. “I think originally the term ‘Oh my God’ was probably a very heavy term. Saying that carried a lot of weight, but I think if you say a word enough times it will lose its meaning over time. Say your name enough times and it starts to sound weird. And I think that’s what happened with the phrase “Oh my God”. I think people have started using it so much that it doesn’t have any weight anymore and it doesn’t mean what it used to.”

How many times do you read or listen to OMG in a single day? Do you think it represents a useless use of the Lord’s name? If you are not a Christian or a Jew, do you moderate your speech so as not to offend those who are?

Watch the discussion at 11:35 p.m. on Nightline. ET

These times are difficult for everyone. The current COVID-19 pandemic has impacted virtually every area of ​​our lives. It is a special test for Catholics, especially since we cannot go to mass and confession. It is really a fast penance.

This is not the first time the Church has faced such a situation. We have seen plagues and natural disasters before that disrupted normal sacramental life. God does not abandon us in these situations and continues to work through his church.

Many fear at the moment that we could become ill or even die without having the opportunity to receive the sacraments. Most priests would be willing to take the risk of going to the dying, but the civil authorities could prevent them. So what do you do when you are in such a situation and want to go to confession?

The Code of Canon Law of the Church states: “Individual and full confession and absolution are the only ordinary means by which a member of the faithful, aware of a grave sin, is reconciled to God and to the Church. Only physical or moral impossibility excuses such confessions; in such a case, atonement can be achieved in other ways” (Canon 960).

Let’s analyze this. The usual way we are forgiven for serious or deadly sins is through confession. This does not mean that there are not extraordinary ways in which God can work outside of the sacraments. Note that this applies to mortal sins, since venial sins can be routinely forgiven outside of the confessional. The canon says that physical and moral impossibility excuse one from confession. God does not ask the impossible of us. How is that determined?

The next canon in the code states that there must be danger of death, insufficient time for hearing confessions, and grave necessity (see canon 961). In this situation, groups of believers can be given general absolution. The diocesan bishop decides. All that is required of believers is that they be properly disposed and promise to confess their sins when the opportunity arises.

But what to do if no priest is present at all? Fortunately, the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See, the Holy See’s court with jurisdiction over questions of forgiveness of sins, has jurisdiction in cases like this and issued a statement on March 19:

“Where the individual believer finds himself in the painful impossibility of receiving sacramental absolution, it should be remembered that the perfect repentance that comes from the love of God, dearly loved, is expressed in a sincere plea for forgiveness ( where the penitent is able to utter to those present) and accompanied by votum Confessionis, that is, by the firm resolve to take refuge in sacramental confession as soon as possible, obtains the forgiveness of sins, including mortal sins (cf. CCC, No. 1452).”

This means that if we find ourselves in a serious situation without access to confession, we can make an act of total repentance with the intention of confessing our mortal sins if we can, and God will forgive our sins.

Total repentance is repentance of our sins for the love of God – not just the fear of hell. How can we have this kind of regret? Most importantly, it is a God-given grace, but God is not stingy with His gifts. If we sincerely want this kind of repentance, we can be sure that God will give it to us. It’s not just a feeling, it’s a motive. The motive of love for God does not exclude secondary motives such as fear of hell. Therefore, make the act of repentance that includes the promise of confession, knowing that our loving and merciful God is always ready to offer the graces necessary for salvation. We can prepare to receive His grace through prayer and penance. Use this time to pray and draw closer to God. The Apostolic Penitentiary recommends such prayers, devotions and actions: “Visiting the Blessed Sacrament, or Eucharistic adoration, or reading the Sacred Scriptures of at least half an hour, or praying the Holy Rosary, or devoutly practicing the way of the Holy Cross, or praying of the Chaplet of Mercy to implore from Almighty God the end of the epidemic, help for the afflicted and eternal salvation for those whom the Lord has called.” We can all obtain a plenary indulgence to help us, in a state of grace to live.

We can also receive a plenary indulgence at the time of death. The Apostolic Penitentiary reminds us:

“The Church prays for those who are unable to receive the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum, entrusting each one to the Divine Mercy by virtue of the communion of saints and granting the faithful a plenary indulgence in this regard of death, provided they are willing and have said some prayers during their lifetime (in this case the Church replaces the three usual conditions). To obtain this indulgence, the use of the crucifix or cross is recommended (cf. Enchiridion ablassentiarum, n. 12).”

Like a mother, the Church offers us the salvation of Christ even in extreme circumstances. We need not despair. God is with us and wants to forgive us our sins. Do the act of repentance daily and entrust yourself to the infinite mercy of God. he is with you

Father James Goodwin writes from North Dakota.

We’ve all been in situations where we’ve done something wrong and want forgiveness—from a spouse, family member, friend, or even a colleague. Sometimes the person we most need forgiveness from is ourselves. And then there are those times when someone asks us for forgiveness and we have to look deep within ourselves to offer it with no strings attached. It is difficult! Whether you give or receive forgiveness is a very powerful thing. Fortunately, the Bible offers countless guidance on this subject, along with helpful Bible verses about healing and Bible verses about love that can come with forgiveness. After all, to forgive is to show love, and love is the most important thing we can give to our friends, family, neighbors, and even strangers.

🌻 Join Country Living All Access today and enjoy exclusive access to house tours, seasonal crafts, recipes and more!

If you are in need of forgiveness right now, or need some motivation to forgive someone in your life, check out these 20 Bible verses about the healing, restoration, and harmony that can be found through forgiveness. (Need more? Check out these Bible verses about friendship.)

Find more strength, peace, and hope every day with WD’s new Everyday Inspiration Bible Verse Cards—a portable box of inspiration that keeps the encouragement you need close at hand.

These times are difficult for everyone. The current COVID-19 pandemic has impacted virtually every area of ​​our lives. It is a special test for Catholics, especially since we cannot go to mass and confession. It is really a fast penance.

This is not the first time the Church has faced such a situation. We have seen plagues and natural disasters before that disrupted normal sacramental life. God does not abandon us in these situations and continues to work through his church.

Many fear at the moment that we could become ill or even die without having the opportunity to receive the sacraments. Most priests would be willing to take the risk of going to the dying, but the civil authorities could prevent them. So what do you do when you are in such a situation and want to go to confession?

The Code of Canon Law of the Church states: “Individual and full confession and absolution are the only ordinary means by which a member of the faithful, aware of a grave sin, is reconciled to God and to the Church. Only physical or moral impossibility excuses such confessions; in such a case, atonement can be achieved in other ways” (Canon 960).

Let’s analyze this. The usual way we are forgiven for serious or deadly sins is through confession. This does not mean that there are not extraordinary ways in which God can work outside of the sacraments. Note that this applies to mortal sins, since venial sins can be routinely forgiven outside of the confessional. The canon says that physical and moral impossibility excuse one from confession. God does not ask the impossible of us. How is that determined?

The next canon in the code states that there must be danger of death, insufficient time for hearing confessions, and grave necessity (see canon 961). In this situation, groups of believers can be given general absolution. The diocesan bishop decides. All that is required of believers is that they be properly disposed and promise to confess their sins when the opportunity arises.

But what to do if no priest is present at all? Fortunately, the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See, the Holy See’s court with jurisdiction over questions of forgiveness of sins, has jurisdiction in cases like this and issued a statement on March 19:

“Where the individual believer finds himself in the painful impossibility of receiving sacramental absolution, it should be remembered that the perfect repentance that comes from the love of God, dearly loved, is expressed in a sincere plea for forgiveness ( where the penitent is able to utter to those present) and accompanied by votum Confessionis, that is, by the firm resolve to take refuge in sacramental confession as soon as possible, obtains the forgiveness of sins, including mortal sins (cf. CCC, No. 1452).”

This means that if we find ourselves in a serious situation without access to confession, we can make an act of total repentance with the intention of confessing our mortal sins if we can, and God will forgive our sins.

Total repentance is repentance of our sins for the love of God – not just the fear of hell. How can we have this kind of regret? Most importantly, it is a God-given grace, but God is not stingy with His gifts. If we sincerely want this kind of repentance, we can be sure that God will give it to us. It’s not just a feeling, it’s a motive. The motive of love for God does not exclude secondary motives such as fear of hell. Therefore, make the act of repentance that includes the promise of confession, knowing that our loving and merciful God is always ready to offer the graces necessary for salvation. We can prepare to receive His grace through prayer and penance. Use this time to pray and draw closer to God. The Apostolic Penitentiary recommends such prayers, devotions and actions: “Visiting the Blessed Sacrament, or Eucharistic adoration, or reading the Sacred Scriptures of at least half an hour, or praying the Holy Rosary, or devoutly practicing the way of the Holy Cross, or praying of the Chaplet of Mercy to implore from Almighty God the end of the epidemic, help for the afflicted and eternal salvation for those whom the Lord has called.” We can all obtain a plenary indulgence to help us, in a state of grace to live.

We can also receive a plenary indulgence at the time of death. The Apostolic Penitentiary reminds us:

“The Church prays for those who are unable to receive the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum, entrusting each one to the Divine Mercy by virtue of the communion of saints and granting the faithful a plenary indulgence in this regard of death, provided they are willing and have said some prayers during their lifetime (in this case the Church replaces the three usual conditions). To obtain this indulgence, the use of the crucifix or cross is recommended (cf. Enchiridion ablassentiarum, n. 12).”

Like a mother, the Church offers us the salvation of Christ even in extreme circumstances. We need not despair. God is with us and wants to forgive us our sins. Do the act of repentance daily and entrust yourself to the infinite mercy of God. he is with you

Father James Goodwin writes from North Dakota.