What is the “unforgivable sin”?

Written by Darren Hewer

girlcloseup Rev Dr Victor Shepherd, who has also been a pastor for several decades, describes some of his congregants’ fears about the “sin against the Holy Spirit”, sometimes incorrectly referred to as the “unforgivable sin”:

I have been a pastor for 27 years. In that time I have had scores of people huddle in my study and confess what they could barely bring themselves to mention: falteringly they have croaked out what they regard as heinous, so heinous as to have been mentioned to no one else. They have poured out vile mixtures of vice, immorality, folly, even criminality. And I have told them with conviction that as wide and deep as their depravity is, God’s forgiveness is wider and deeper still. And I have assured them that however inexcusable, horrific, and even despicable the sin they have committed, they have not committed the “sin against the Holy Spirit.” And I have told them that Jesus Christ himself authorizes me to press all of this upon them.

Life Lesson: Biblical perspective on the end times
Experience It: Living in the power of the Holy Spirit

Do you recognize these worries? If they sound at all familiar (or even if they don’t) please take a few moments to read our article What is the “unforgivable sin?”