BLASPHEME:IS IT DONE BY WORD, DEED, OR BOTH?

             

BLASPHEME: WORD, DEED, OR BOTH?

“… For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit,  who have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the power of the age to come— and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame. …” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT).

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AGAIN, THOSE are the ONES that it “IS” impossible to BRING BACK to REPENTANCE.

Have “those” possibly embarked on blasphemy. Many believers FEAR blasphemy because they have been told to utter any offense or insult about God, the Holy Spirit, could be regarded as blasphemy.

To INSULT God, the Holy Spirit is a GRAVE and possibly UNFORGIVEABLE SIN. Thus it is important to know HOW to AVOID blaspheming against God, the Holy Spirit. You can blasphemy in two ways. You can blaspheme whenever you insult or offend God, the Holy Spirit, by your ACTIONS or  your WORDS. Remember ACTIONS are a form of speech too! The bible talks about particular deeds that insulted and offended God, the Holy Spirit.

“... The person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the Lord; and that person shall be cut off from among his people. Because he has despised the word of the Lord and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt will be on him...’” (Numbers 15:30-31 NASB).

“... Those who brazenly violate the Lord’s WILL, whether native-born Israelites or foreigners, have blasphemed the Lord, and they must be cut off from the community. Since they have treated the Lord’s word with contempt (disrespect) and deliberately disobeyed his command, they must be completely cut off and suffer the punishment for their guilt...” (Number 15:30-31 NLT).

The bible also talks about those insulting and offensive deeds as blasphemies. The Levite’s DEEDS in making the golden calf was blasphemy. “...When they made an idol shaped like a calf and said, ‘This is your god who brought you out of Egypt!’ They committed terrible blasphemies...” (Nehemiah 9:18 NLT).

"...You shall have no other gods before Me...” (Exodus 20:3 NASB). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).  ^“Jesus Christ  (the Word of God) is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).

King David’s DEEDS of adultery with Bethsheba was considered blasphemy. “.. because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die...” (2 Samuel 12:14 NASB).“... because you have shown utter contempt (disrespect) for the word of the Lord by DOING this, your child will die...” (2 Samuel 12:14 NLT).

Offending and insulting God, the Holy Spirit, is the crux of blasphemy. “...every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come...” (Matthew 12:31-31 NLT). “...the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences...” (Mark 3:28-29 NLT). “... Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven...” (Luke 12:10 NLT).

The SAVED are PROTECTED by insults and offenses, intentional or unintentional, made against the “Son of Man,” because they are often made in ignorance. “... Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven...” (Luke 12:10 NLT).

 Jesus graciously accepts our vilification and stands in the gap for our insults and offenses made through our words or deeds. He said, “... Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me...” (Romans 15:3 NLT). “... the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me...” (Psalms 69:9 NLT).

Christ is always an example. He takes our insults and offenses upon himself and we are to follow suit when WE are insulted, offended, and treated disrespectfully. “... God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment.  Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls...” (1 Peter 2:19-25 NLT).

The bible speaks of another blasphemy that SAVED people, freed from sin, must avoid and that is when their WORDS or DEEDS cause ANOTHER SAVED brother or sister to STUMBLE. “..  if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil...” (Romans 14:14-15 NLT).

The SAVED are responsible for making sure their BEHAVIORS and DEEDS do NOT influence OTHERS to blaspheme against God too. “...  if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake; I mean not your own conscience, but the other man’s; for why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience?  If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks? WHETHER ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, DO ALL to the GLORY of God. GIVE NONE OFFENCE, “NEITHER” to the Jews “NOR” to the Gentiles, “NOR” to the church of God. Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, BUT the profit of many, that they may be SAVED...” (1 Corinthians 10:28-29 NLT).

Apostle Paul admonishes THOSE who claimed to be SAVED and yet LIVE a sinful lifestyle that they were CAUSING God’s name to be BLASPHEMED among the GENTILES. “...the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written...” (Romans 2:24 NASB).

Leading other SAVED people astray through YOUR behavior and deeds is ANOTHER form of blasphemy. “...those who brazenly violate the Lord’s will, whether native-born Israelites or foreigners, have blasphemed the Lord, and they must be cut off from the community...” (Numbers 15:30 NLT).  “...Thus says the Lord God, “Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed Me by acting treacherously against Me...” (Ezekiel 20:27 NASB).

Apostle Paul even INFORMED some teachers they NEEDED to be taught NOT to blaspheme. “... Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme...”. (Isaiah 52:5 NLT).

Jesus, the Word of God, spoke about the type of blasphemy MOST SAVED people FEAR and that’s blasphemy AGAINST the Holy Spirit. “...every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come...” (Matthew 12:31-31 NLT). “...the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences...” (Mark 3:28-29 NLT). “... Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven...” (Luke 12:10 NLT).

Blasphemy, therefore, is a REPROACH (insult, offense, disrespect, etc.) against God, done by WORD or DEED, and misrepresents his GLORY, his HOLINESS, or his DIVINE character. “... he spoke terrible words of blasphemy against God, slandering his name and his dwelling...” (Revelations 13:6 NLT). “... My name is continually blasphemed all day long...” (1 Timothy 1:20 NLT). “... Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? And against whom have you raised your voice, And haughtily lifted up your eyes? Against the Holy One of Israel!” (2 Kings 19:22 NASB). “...Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? And against whom have you raised your voice And haughtily lifted up your eyes? Against the Holy One of Israel!” (Isaiah 37:23 NASB).

Every time the SAVED misrepresent their position, as his children, by LIVING, blatant, unrepentant lifestyles, THEY are DAMAGING God, the Holy Spirit’s NAME. “...Don't let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me, O Sovereign LORD of Heaven's Armies. Don't let me cause them to be humiliated, O God of Israel...”  (Psalms 69:6 NLT).  “... By doing this you have shown utter contempt (disrespect) for the LORD...” (2 Samuel 12:14 NIV). “...the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written...” (Romans 2:24 NASB).“…their heart is far from me…” (Mark 7:6 KJV).  “…th[eir]… heart is not right in the sight of God…” (Acts 8:21 KJV).

In the New Testament, God’s people BLASPHEME (offend, insult, dishonor or disrespect) him by trampling on him, and profaning the blood covenant. They do this by “falling away” or “deliberately sinning,” thereby, they have “insulted (offended) the Spirit of GRACE” (disrespected, dishonored). “…If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?  For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God…" (Hebrews 10:26-31 NIV).

“…It is impossible for those who were “once” enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame…” (Hebrews 6:4-6 KJV).

The SAVING GRACE may be THIS: “... Anyone who speaks (or ACTS) against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven...” (Luke 12:10 NLT). “…The things which are impossible with men are possible with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV). “…I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).  “… [God] is able TO DO exceeding abundantly ABOVE all that we ask or think…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “…he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

 “…the Lord loves His people …” (2 Chronicles 2:11 NASB). In “… [IN] … His love and in His mercy He redeemed them…” (Isaiah 63:9 NASB). “… I have loved you with an everlasting love…” (Jeremiah 31:3 NASB). “… Indeed, He loves the people…” (Deuteronomy 33:3 NASB).

“… I will bring them home again,” says the Lord….” (HOSEA 11 NLT). “…Great is his love … and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD” (Psalms 117:2 KJV). “…[GOD] remembered his covenant with them  …” (Psalms 106:42-48 NLT).

“…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…This is real love…” (1 John 4:10 NLT). indw“…Love … is the perfect BOND of unity...” (Colossians 3:14 NASB). “…He… remains faithful [to his love for you]… [He can’t “ever” DENY who he is]...” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).   “… “I AM” WHO I AM…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).“…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). 

“The Lord is ...of great mercy…” (Number 14:18 KJV). “…The Lord God, [IS] merciful …” (Exodus 34:6 KJV).“…Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV). “…In this world we are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). “…Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (James 2:13 NASB). “…Owe no man any thing, BUT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law…” (Romans 13:8 KJV).

 Therefore, “…He helps me…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). “…The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him…” (Psalms 37:40 NLT). “…Blessed are those who wait for his help…” (Isaiah 30:18 NLT). “…The Lord who made you and helps you says: Do not be afraid …my servant …my chosen one…” (Isaiah 44:2 NLT). “… The Sovereign Lord helps me…” (Isaiah 50:7 NLT).  “… The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT). “…You are my helper and my savior…” (Psalms 40:17 NLT). “..Therefore come boldly unto the throne of GRACE, that [you]… may obtain mercy, and find GRACE to help in time of need…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV). “….Then you will know that I am the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT).

When the bible says: “…I delight in mercy” or “love covers over a multitude of sin” or “love one another as I have loved you;” how will you choose to respond to insults and offenses aimed at you from the wicked?   “…God “IS” LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…Love is PATIENT and kind…” (1 Corinthians 13:4 NLT). “… “I AM” WHO I AM…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).

“…The Lord loves His people …” (2 Chronicles 2:11 NASB). “…[In HIS] ... love and in His mercy He redeemed them…” (Isaiah 63:9 NASB). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).

“….The…faithful love of the Lord, [for you], never ends...!”(Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT). “…His faithful love endures forever…” (Psalm 136:1-3 NLT).  ). “… [Nothing]…shall be able to separate [you]… from the love of God which is “in” Christ Jesus our Lord…” (Romans 8:38-39 KJV). 

“…I WILL heal their apostasy, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from them.…” (Hosea 14:4 KJV). “…Where sin increased, [My]...grace abounded all the more…” (Romans 5:20 NASB). God’s “…GRACE is sufficient for you…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB).  His “…love covereth a multitude of sins…” (Proverbs 10:12, 1 Peter 4:8 ASV). His “…Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (James 2:13 NASB).

“…God “IS” LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “… “I AM” WHO I AM…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).

David REPENTED from his sins of blaspheme. “Create in me a clean heart, O God… Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart…” (Psalms 51:10-19 KJV).

“... The one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out...” (John 6:37 NASB). “... Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest...” (Matthew 11:28 NASB).

“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 KJV). The SAVED are FREE from sin, but they can STILL willfully and voluntarily CHOOSE to continue to PRACTICE a sinful lifestyle!

“…God “IS” LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “… “I AM” WHO I AM…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).

“...Return, [DIRECTLY].... to the Lord your God, for your sins have brought you down. Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord.  Say to him, “Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you our praises.  Assyria cannot save us, nor can our warhorses. Never again will we say to the idols we have made, ‘You are our gods.’ No, in you alone do the orphans find mercy.” The Lord says, “Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever...” (Hosea 14:1-4 NASB).

“... I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. Israel will blossom like the lily; it will send roots deep into the soil like the cedars in Lebanon. Its branches will spread out like beautiful olive trees, as fragrant as the cedars of Lebanon. My people will again live under my shade. They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines. They will be as fragrant as the wines of Lebanon. “O Israel, stay away from idols! I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me.” Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully.
The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall...” (Hosea 14:5-9 NASB).

“…God “IS” LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “… “I AM” WHO I AM…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “..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 KJV).“…There is no greater…love than to lay down one’s life (especially through the forgiveness of someone else’s wrongs toward you)…” (John 15:13 NLT). “…There is no greater LOVE …” (John 15:13 NLT).

“…It is impossible for those who were “once” enlightened, and ... If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance…” (Hebrews 6:4-6 KJV). “…The things which are impossible with men are possible with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV). “…I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). “…The Lord loves His people …” (2 Chronicles 2:11 NASB). “…For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more…" (Hebrews 8:12 NIV). His “…love covereth a multitude of sins…” (Proverbs 10:12, 1 Peter 4:8 ASV).

“….If they sin against you—you might become angry with them and “let” their enemies conquer them and take them captive to their land far away or near…” (1 Kings 8:46 NLT). “…They defiled themselves by their evil deeds, and their love of idols was adultery in the Lord’s sight. That is why the Lord’s anger burned against his people, and he abhorred his own special possession. He handed them over to pagan nations, and they were ruled by those who hated them. Their enemies crushed them and brought them under their cruel power. Again and again he rescued them, but they chose to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their sin…” (Psalm 106:39-43 NLT).

 “…. Again and again he rescued them, but they chose to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their sin. Even so, he pitied them in their distress and listened to their cries. He remembered his covenant with them and relented because of his unfailing love. He even caused their captors to treat them with kindness. Save us, O Lord our God! Gather us back from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you. Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting! Let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord!” (Psalms 106:42-48 NLT). “…He remembered his covenant with them and relented because of his unfailing love…” (Psalms 106:42-48 NLT).

“…[In HIS] ... love and in His mercy He redeemed them (again)…” (Isaiah 63:9 NASB). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).

No MAN or WOMAN can REDEEM you. You cannot REDEEM yourself, but it is NOT IMPOSSIBLE for God to REDEEM you once again. YOU must choose to GO to him for YOURSELF.  "...Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest...” (Matthew 11:28 NASB)..

If you remember from where you have fallen away or departed and RETURN to God; he will NOT cast you away! “... The one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out...” (John 6:37 NASB). “...

Therefore, “…Remember, therefore, from whence thou art FALLEN…” (Revelation 2:5 KJV).

 “…repent, and do the first works…” (Revelation 2:5 KJV).

FALLING AWAY OR DEPARTING FROM THE LORD RESULTS IN AN IMPOSSIBLE REPENTANCE, BUT YOU MUST CHOOSE TO GO TO NO ONE ELSE, BUT GOD, BECAUSE “NOTHING” IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM! “…It is impossible for those who were “once” enlightened, and ... to renew them again unto repentance…” (Hebrews 6:4-6 KJV). However, “…The things which are impossible with men are possible with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV). “…I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).

"…Therefore REPENT AND RETURN, “SO” that your sins may be wiped away…” (Acts 3:19 NASB). “…EXCEPT YE REPENT, ye shall all likewise PERISH…” (Luke 13:3 KJV).

The “ONCE SAVED; ALWAYS SAVED” debate can go on and on until the day of redemption, but for THOSE in Hebrews 6:4-8 it is TIME to REPENT while you CAN!

IF YOU ARE CHOOSING TO BLATANTLY LIVE A SINFUL LIFESTYLE, AFTER BEING FREED FROM SIN, AND ARE ALSO CLAIMING TO BE A BELIEVER, YOU ARE MISREPRESENTING GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT. THUS, MAKING YOUR SINFUL PRACTICES OR BEHAVIORS BLASPHEMY!