Did you know that even though God is loving, merciful, and full of grace, there are still sins that He will not forgive? Yes, that’s right. The Bible reveals that there are four types of sins that He will not forgive, and knowing these sins will help us better understand how God is both the God of mercy and the God of justice.
So, what are these sins? Here are the four surprising and little-known sins God will not forgive:
What is the Unpardonable sin?
The unpardonable sin is a sin that God will not forgive. Different theologians interpret this unforgivable sin in various ways, but a common view is that if you’re worried about whether you’ve committed it, you probably haven’t. The idea is that someone who has committed this sin is beyond repentance, which is why the fear of having committed it is actually a sign that you haven’t.
Wikipedia mentioned that in Christian teachings, there’s a concept of the “unforgivable sin,” also known as the eternal or ultimate sin. This is a sin that God will not forgive. Wikipedia goes on to say that it’s often referred to as “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit,” and it’s mentioned in several parts of the Bible, like Mark 3:28-29, Matthew 12:31-32, and Luke 12:10, as well as in Hebrews 6:4-6 and 1 John 5:16.
Bible Verses About the Unforgivable Sin
Several New Testament passages are often linked to the idea of the unforgivable sin:
- Matthew 12:30-32: Jesus says that while most sins and blasphemies can be forgiven, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven, neither in this age nor the next.
- Mark 3:28-30: Jesus emphasizes that although sins and blasphemies can be forgiven, blaspheming the Holy Spirit is an eternal sin, which will never be forgiven, especially as it was said in opposition to His divine work.
- Luke 12:8-10: Jesus notes that while speaking against Him can be forgiven, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
- Hebrews 6:4-6: It describes the difficulty of restoring someone to repentance who has once known the truth but then fallen away, as they would be crucifying the Son of God again.
- Hebrews 10:26-31: This passage warns that willful sin after knowing the truth leaves no sacrifice for sins and instead leads to a fearful expectation of judgment, highlighting the severe consequences of rejecting God’s grace.
- 1 John 5:16: It mentions that there is a “sin unto death” which is so grave that it should not be prayed for, suggesting a level of sin that goes beyond ordinary forgiveness.
Sin no. 1: Blaspheming the Holy Spirit
We read in Matthew 12:31-32:
31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.
We can see here that the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. It adds that if we speak against the Holy Spirit, we will not be forgiven both in this age and in the age to come!
Now, that’s a scary thought if you ask me. What’s the big deal about blaspheming the Holy Spirit? What is blasphemy anyway? And, how do you exactly speak against the Holy Spirit? That’s a lot of questions that we need to answer.
First, what is blasphemy? The word blasphemy here came from the Greek word, “blasphemia.” Here’s how Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament defines blasphemia as the following:
- slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another’s good name
- impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty
So, in this verse, blasphemy is speaking evil things about the Holy Spirit. However, what is the Holy Spirit? We read in Luke 1:35:
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
Jumping to a few chapters in Luke 24:48-49, we also read:
48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
Indeed, in this passage, it becomes clear that the Holy Spirit represents the divine power of the Most High God and also of Yahshua the Messiah. When considering Jesus’ discussion about the unforgivable sin, it is evident that His opponents denied His authority and power, despite overwhelming evidence confirming His identity as the Christ, the Messiah, and the Savior of humanity! Therefore, refusing to acknowledge God’s and Jesus Christ’s power and authority in one’s life constitutes an unpardonable sin.
In the Old Covenant, blasphemy was a grave offense in the eyes of God, punishable by death according to His law, as stated in Leviticus 24:16:
16 And whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him, the stranger as well as him who is born in the land. When he blasphemes the name of the LORD, he shall be put to death.
Blaspheming or speaking evil of the Holy Spirit, the power of God and His Son, has a serious consequence, which would lead to unpardonable sin.
Yahshua (Jesus Christ) talked about the unpardonable sin in Matthew 12:31-32. However, if you read the earlier verses, you’ll see why Yahshua discussed this.
We read in Matthew 12:22-24:
22 Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23 And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”
As you can see, the Pharisees’ statement was far from a mere misunderstanding; it was a deliberate, shocking accusation where they ascribed God’s power to Satan. This intentional and outrageous lie, which attributed the work of the Holy Spirit to evil forces, was what Jesus unequivocally identified as blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
So, it’s not a small thing to blaspheme the Holy Spirit and it will surely lead to your spiritual death if done deliberately.
Sin no. 2: Falling away
We read in Hebrews 6:4-6:
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
Here’s another example of an unpardonable sin mentioned in the Bible. Now, what is Hebrews 6:4-6 telling us? It describes a person who had already come to repentance, understood and received the gift of forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Yahshua), understood the truth in the Bible, and received the Holy Spirit.
However, in spite of all his spiritual experiences, he still consciously, purposefully, and deliberately chose to reject God, then, that will resulted in the unforgivable sin.
Sin no. 3: Willful sinning
We read in Hebrews 10:26-27:
26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
When a person sins wilfully, the Bible tells us that there is no longer a sacrifice for sins for that person. If that person doesn’t repent and still chooses to sin in spite of knowing better, then that person will surely go through a fearful expectation of judgment.
When someone sins “willfully,” it means they’ve deliberately chosen to go against God, rejecting Him knowingly and with intent. Willful sinning involves planning to do the sin. It is pre-meditated. It is not done out of weakness, but rather out of rebellion and wickedness. This person adamantly refuses to follow God’s law, even though they fully comprehend what they ought to do.
A person who sins willfully will not find his name written in the Book of Life, but rather he will be thrown to the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).
Paul also addresses this deliberate sin in 1 Timothy 4:1-2, where we read:
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.
A person who sins willfully has his conscience seared with hot iron — meaning, that he or she no longer experiences guilt or shame because their conscience has become numb.
Sin no. 4: Unforgiving to one another
Matthew 6:14-15 tells us:
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Many people think that forgiving one another is just optional. However, the Bible tells us that it is a matter of life and death. If you don’t forgive others, God will also not forgive you. That’s how important it is to forgive one another!
Yes, sometimes, it’s not always easy to forgive especially when we are deeply hurt, offended, or betrayed. Nevertheless, we are not called to do the easy things, but rather the hard things.
God is forgiving. He is merciful and He wants us to follow His examples. If God can forgive us, how much more can we not forgive other people, right?
So, before you ask for God’s forgiveness, ask for a forgiving heart. Yahshua (Jesus) isn’t telling us that God is not willing to forgive us, but rather, He wants us to first understand what it means to forgive one another. If we are not going to forgive others, it only shows our lack of understanding of the true nature of God’s forgiveness toward us.
Forgive others so that God will also forgive you and that you will not commit the unpardonable sin.
Diverse Christian Perspectives on the Unforgivable Sin
Here’s a brief summary of each denomination’s view on the unforgivable sin:
Arminianism
Jacob Arminius defined the unforgivable sin as a deliberate rejection of Jesus Christ, stemming from malicious intent. John Wesley, a prominent figure in Arminianism, also emphasized that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which includes attributing the works of the Spirit to the devil, is unpardonable.
Mormonism
In Mormonism, Joseph Smith described the unforgivable sin as rejecting the Holy Ghost after having a clear vision of God and Jesus. Spencer W. Kimball noted that such a sin requires a profound level of knowledge, making it rare among ordinary believers.
Reformed Tradition
John Calvin, a key figure in Reformed Christianity, stated that the unforgivable sin involves willfully resisting the divine truth despite knowing it.
Roman Catholicism
The Catholic Church views the unforgivable sin as persistent impenitence, meaning refusal to repent despite recognizing one’s sins. Thomas Aquinas identified various sins against the Holy Spirit, such as despair and obstinacy, as particularly grave. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that while no sin is absolutely unforgivable, refusal to accept God’s mercy can lead to eternal separation from Him.
Russian Orthodox Church
The Orthodox tradition views blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as a conscious and hardened opposition to the truth, which leads to a refusal to repent and seek forgiveness.
Southern Baptists
Billy Graham, a notable Southern Baptist, suggested that the ongoing rejection of Jesus Christ is considered blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
Unpardonable Sin in Judaism
In Judaism, a parallel to Matthew 12:31–32 can be found in the Avot of Rabbi Natan, which states that profaning the heavenly Name has no possibility of being cleansed until death. However, Talmudic sources and Maimonides emphasize that repentance is always possible, even for severe sins.
Unpardonable Sin in Islam
In Islam, the Quran states that shirk, or associating partners with God, is an unpardonable sin. Those who die without repenting from shirk are doomed to eternal damnation. Shirk includes polytheism and elevating others to divine status alongside God.
Is There Any Sin That God Will Not Forgive?
For those who have received the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Yahshua the Messiah), there is no sin that God will not forgive. This profound truth is rooted in the sacrifice of our Savior during the crucifixion.
Romans 8:1 tells us:
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
This assures us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Jesus’ Mission of Forgiveness
The mission of the Son of Man was not to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17). Throughout His ministry, Jesus exemplified God’s incredible capacity for forgiveness. He forgave Zacchaeus, the sinful woman in Simon’s house, and the paralytic in Galilee (Luke 19, Luke 7, Luke 5). No sin was too great for His mercy. Jesus declared that even tax collectors and prostitutes were entering the kingdom of God as we read Matthew 21:31-32:
Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.
The Perfect Sacrifice
Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). His sacrifice was perfect, as Hebrews 9:14 states, and it provides complete forgiveness for those who believe in Him.
The blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin (1 John 1:7). In 1 Corinthians 6:9–11, Paul reminds the Corinthians that they were once characterized by various sins, but through Christ, they were washed, sanctified, and justified.
The Promise of Confession and Cleansing
1 John 1:9 reads:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
God promises that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Confession means agreeing with God about our sin. While God’s grace does not give us a license to continue sinning, a true believer will be sensitive to sin and quick to seek God’s forgiveness.
The Limitless Grace of God
God’s grace is limitless. There is no sin beyond His reach. Romans 5:20-21 tells us:
Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The apostle Paul, once a blasphemer and persecutor, found grace and declared, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15). If God can save Paul, He can save anyone.
The unfathomable depth of God’s grace means that no sin is beyond His forgiveness for those who are in Christ. So, no matter what you have done, if you turn to Him, His grace is sufficient to forgive and restore you.
The problem is, as we have already discussed, there are sins that God will not forgive — not because God cannot forgive, but rather, God chooses not to forgive it.
Remember, how can God forgive us if we don’t turn away from our sins? If you simply repent without the willingness to change, then you are not truly repentant.
That’s why, God, although He is full of mercy and grace, still places conditions on forgiveness. If He automatically forgives everything, then we should not find people who will be thrown to hell and instantly burn, right?
But thankfully, if we are truly repentant and we come to God, He will surely forgive us.
What should I do if I feel like I have already committed the unpardonable sin?
Feeling like you’ve committed the unpardonable sin is a heavy burden to carry. It can stir up deep fears and feelings of hopelessness. But let’s take a deep breath together and explore this concern with compassion and understanding.
Understanding the Unpardonable Sin
First, it’s essential to recognize what the unpardonable sin truly is. According to Scripture, it is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit—a deliberate, willful rejection of the divine work and power of the Holy Spirit, often characterized by a hardened heart that refuses repentance. But here’s a crucial point to remember: Jesus’ mission was to seek and save the lost, not to condemn them. The fear of having committed this sin might actually indicate that you haven’t—it’s often those who are concerned about their state who are still open to repentance and change.
What Does the Bible Say?
In Matthew 12:31-32, Jesus speaks about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as the unforgivable sin. However, it’s vital to consider the context. The Pharisees, who accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Satan, had hardened their hearts and refused to see the truth before them. If you’re worried about having committed this sin, it’s worth noting that genuine concern and a desire to repent are signs of a sensitive heart, not a hardened one.
The Path Forward
- Seek God’s Presence: Open your heart to God. Prayer is a powerful tool for expressing your fears and seeking His peace. Pour out your concerns to Him and ask for clarity and comfort.
- Repentance and Faith: Genuine repentance is more than just an apology; it’s a transformation of the heart and mind. Confess your sins to God, and trust in His promise of forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 assures us that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.
- Embrace Hope: Remember, Romans 8:1 tells us that “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” If you are in Christ, you are under His grace, not condemnation. His grace covers every sin, and His love is boundless.
- Engage with Scripture: Immerse yourself in the Word of God. Let Scripture remind you of His promises and His unchanging nature. Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Allow these truths to bring you comfort.
- Seek Counsel: Sometimes, talking to a trusted pastor or Christian mentor can provide guidance and reassurance. They can help you navigate your feelings and offer biblical counsel.
Remember His Love
God’s love for you is immeasurable. The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 beautifully illustrates God’s readiness to forgive and welcome back anyone who turns to Him, no matter how far they’ve strayed.
In your journey of faith, remember that God’s grace is always available to you. The unpardonable sin is not a barrier to God’s love but a caution against rejecting His Spirit’s work in your life. As long as you seek Him and are willing to repent, His grace is more than sufficient to cover any sin.
Feel His embrace, trust in His promises, and let His love lift you from despair. You are not alone, and you are never too far from His reach.
Final words
Yahweh is willing to forgive us our sins. However, sometimes, it is we who prevent Him from doing His miraculous work. If you notice all the sins that God will not forgive, the common denominator is this: unrepentant heart.
Thankfully, when we come to God and ask for His mercy and forgiveness, He will readily forgive us because of the sacrifice of Yahshua, our Passover Lamb. We must approach God with not just a repentant heart, but also a willing heart to change our sinful ways and start living a righteous life.
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