I guess I never thought of it that way...hmmm, guess you learn soemting new everyday afterall. Of course now I'll have to sue you for making my violate my post highschool vow to never learn anything ever again!! LOL
I'd say murder and rape are like accusing others, in that they stem from idolatry and playing God. I guess Mookie's right. Idolatry is the beginning. All other sins stem from and are the visible manifestation of thinking we can direct the world better than God can.
:) Jay, I almost didn't respond to your question, for I suspected you would call me to explain this difficult subject.
I don't proclaim to be a biblical scholar at all, so what I say is merely my opinion--that of a limited, insignificant layperson.
In Matthew's account of Jesus's teaching about this subject 12:33, after Jesus mentions sinning against the Holy Ghost, He goes on to say, "either make the tree good...or make the tree corrupt."
It seems consistent with these scriptures and with biblical principles to conclude that Jesus was speaking against a person who adamantly and deliberately rails against God and His work. It may well refer to some who do the work of Satan and call it the work of God, or who conversely call God's work that of Satan. Recall that some of the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demon spirits by Beelzebub. I think that could be blasphemy.
I know this is lengthy, but I do want to say that I don't believe someone can casually or accidently blaspheme the Holy Ghost.I'm working right now with a young woman who thinks she has blasphemed the Holy Ghost and thereby has committed the "unpardonable sin." I don't think she has, because occasionally she will come to church and she has let me pray with her.
I suspect blaspheming the Holy Ghost to be quite rare, and actually non-existent within a person who yet feels to inquire about the state...but I could be wrong.
You know, Jay, there is another sin that might hold hands with blasphemy: that of unforgiveness. For if we don't forgive...we remain unforgiven.
Thank you Shirley, and please know that many of us consider you anything but a limited, insignificant layperson.
All good responses to this post. Thanks to all who participated. My original intent was to say that the sin that matters the most is the one rejecting Christ's gift of forgiveness.
14 comments:
Accusing others.
Idolatry
I thought about idolatry. But I decided that accusing others is how we show our idolatry - how we worship ourselves instead of God.
I guess I never thought of it that way...hmmm, guess you learn soemting new everyday afterall. Of course now I'll have to sue you for making my violate my post highschool vow to never learn anything ever again!! LOL
I thought for sure murder and rape would be the first things listed.
well i think with murder and rape, its more or less an affront to fellow humans....I see the idolatry act as an in-your-face act against God Himself
I'd say murder and rape are like accusing others, in that they stem from idolatry and playing God. I guess Mookie's right. Idolatry is the beginning. All other sins stem from and are the visible manifestation of thinking we can direct the world better than God can.
It's rare it seems that deadmule and I seem to come to a consensus on things. Apparently I'm getting smarter, as I approach her genius!
{sigh} I can't believe you called her genius. You'll live to regret that one. ;)
Blaspheming the Holy Ghost.
Mark 3:29 (Jesus speaking)
"But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation."
Shirley,
If you could for my readers, explain what you believe is meant by "Blaspheming the Holy Ghost" as I have found that is an issue of much contention.
:) Jay, I almost didn't respond to your question, for I suspected you would call me to explain this difficult subject.
I don't proclaim to be a biblical scholar at all, so what I say is merely my opinion--that of a limited, insignificant layperson.
In Matthew's account of Jesus's teaching about this subject 12:33, after Jesus mentions sinning against the Holy Ghost, He goes on to say, "either make the tree good...or make the tree corrupt."
It seems consistent with these scriptures and with biblical principles to conclude that Jesus was speaking against a person who adamantly and deliberately rails against God and His work. It may well refer to some who do the work of Satan and call it the work of God, or who conversely call God's work that of Satan. Recall that some of the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demon spirits by Beelzebub. I think that could be blasphemy.
I know this is lengthy, but I do want to say that I don't believe someone can casually or accidently blaspheme the Holy Ghost.I'm working right now with a young woman who thinks she has blasphemed the Holy Ghost and thereby has committed the "unpardonable sin." I don't think she has, because occasionally she will come to church and she has let me pray with her.
I suspect blaspheming the Holy Ghost to be quite rare, and actually non-existent within a person who yet feels to inquire about the state...but I could be wrong.
You know, Jay, there is another sin that might hold hands with blasphemy: that of unforgiveness. For if we don't forgive...we remain unforgiven.
Thank you Shirley, and please know that many of us consider you anything but a limited, insignificant layperson.
All good responses to this post. Thanks to all who participated. My original intent was to say that the sin that matters the most is the one rejecting Christ's gift of forgiveness.
In the end all others will be equal.
By far the worst sin is Lite Beer.
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