by P. Hulsey | Jan 4, 2015 | blog, T, U
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by P. Hulsey | Dec 31, 2014 | blog, S, TOPICS, U
UNPARDONABLE SIN
DEFINITION: The phrase “unpardonable sin” is not actually used in the Bible, but the term is based on Matthew 12:30-31 where Jesus mentions a sin that cannot be forgiven, a transgression that is deemed “unpardonable.”
FACTS ABOUT THE UNPARDONABLE SIN:
The unpardonable sin is a scriptural concept. Although the actual phrase is not used, it is drawn from an event recorded in Matthew 12:22-31. When Jesus cast a demon out of a blind and mute man, the Pharisees claimed He had cast it out by the power of Bellzebub, the prince of demons. From this reference comes the concept of the unpardonable sin. The Pharisees were attributing the work of God to Satan and Jesus said this was an unpardonable sin.
The unpardonable sin is attributing the work of God to Satan. This results in a reprobate mind that does not desire or seek repentance: “Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done” (Romans 1:28).
Satan often uses this to torment those seeking forgiveness from sin. They think their case is hopeless because they have committed the unpardonable sin. When a person truly has committed this sin, he will not have any interest in spiritual things, nor will he have any desire to repent because he believes that the work of God is actually that of Satan.
DEALING WITH THE UNPARDONABLE SIN:
Distinguish between other sins and the unpardonable sin. People who have murdered or abused a child, etc., may believe they have committed the unpardonable sin. Their guilt and shame may make them think their transgression is unpardonable. Do not minimize the seriousness of sin–whatever it is–but know that even such vile things as these are not unpardonable.
Recognize that because you are concerned, this indicates that you have not committed the unpardonable sin. It is God that draws men to repentance (John 6:44). You would not be concerned about repenting and being forgiven, nor would you desire absolution for sin if you had committed the unpardonable sin.
Realize that God is willing to forgive all other sins. He forgives all your sins (Psalm 103:3). Aside from the “unpardonable sin”, the only other sin that cannot be pardoned is sin which is not confessed: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” (1 John 1:9-10)
Pray a prayer of repentance. Confess your sin to God, ask forgiveness, and He will forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.
Bind the torment of Satan. If Satan returns with thoughts that you have committed the unpardonable sin, bind these thought sin the name of Jesus. Command them to go!
WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS ABOUT THE UNPARDONABLE SIN:
Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.
He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”
(Matthew 12:22-32)
He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him… (John 6:44)
Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. (Romans 1:28).
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. (1 John 1:9-10)
(See also the topics of “Assurance” and “Doubt” in this database.)
by P. Hulsey | Dec 31, 2014 | blog, TOPICS, U
UNFAITHFULNESS
DEFINITION: Unfaithfulness means to be untrue to a duty, obligation, or promise. It means being untrustworthy or acting as a traitor. The Bible speaks of several types of unfaithfulness: Unfaithfulness to God and His work, to friends and family, and to a spouse.
FACTS ABOUT UNFAITHFULNESS:
Unfaithfulness to God. When you accept Jesus as Savior, you are promising to make Him the Lord of your life. When you violate your promise and do things your own way or turn your back on God or His Word, you are being unfaithful. Without faith, it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). The parable of the talents in Matthew 5 confirms the importance of faithfulness.
An unfaithful spouse. Unfaithfulness to a mate–adultery–is biblical grounds for divorce (Matthew 19:9), but you are not required to divorce an unfaithful mate. The alternative is to seek to restore the relationship if both parties are willing. The erring party must be forgiven, both by God and their spouse. The unfaithful person must be absolutely discreet and honest about any dealings with the opposite sex in the future in order to rebuild trust. (See also the topics of “Divorce” and “Adultery” in this database.)
An unfaithful friend. An unfaithful friend can be a source of great disappointment. Perhaps they reject you or expose your confidences. The Bible says “Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble” (Proverbs 25:29).
DEALING WITH UNFAITHFULNESS:
Acknowledge unfaithfulness as sin. Whatever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). Acts of unfaithfulness, unbelief, iniquity, etc.–anything that is not of faith is sin and must be acknowledged as such.
Confess your unfaithfulness to God. Confess and ask forgiveness: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives” (1 John 1:9-10).
Confess unfaithfulness to your spouse and seek forgiveness. Ask forgiveness from your mate, seek reconciliation, and break the adulterous relationship. If reconciliation with your spouse is the goal, then the incident must be forgiven and never again brought up. When Satan tries to bring up the past, these thoughts must be rejected.
Confess unfaithfulness to friends and family. Ask those affected by your unfaithfulness to forgive you.
Forgive an unfaithful friend. Forgive your friend, then go to them according to the pattern described in Matthew 18:15-17. If he rejects you, then let him remain an acquaintance instead of a close friend. If he accepts you, pray together for restoration of the friendship. If a friend is abusive or leads you into sin, addictions, or violence, do not attempt to reconcile. (See also the topic of “Friends” in this database.)
WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS ABOUT UNFAITHFULNESS:
A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. (Proverbs 11:13)
Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble. (Proverbs 25:29)
Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (Proverbs 27:6)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28)
If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17)
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. (Luke 16:10, KJV)
…everything that does not come from faith is sin. (Romans 14:23)
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2)
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
(1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2, KJV)
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
(Hebrews 10:23, KJV)
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. (1 John 1:9-10)
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)
Read the parable of the faithful servant in Matthew chapter 25.
(See also the topic of “Adultery” in this database.)
by P. Hulsey | Dec 31, 2014 | blog, TOPICS, U
UNBELIEF
DEFINITION: The biblical meaning of unbelief is refusing to believe in God and His Word. Unbelief is a lack of faith.
FACTS ABOUT UNBELIEF:
The Bible says you are a fool if you do not believe in God. “The fool says in his heart, “‘There is no God'” (Psalm 14:1).
Some people refuse to be convinced. Jesus said that if people would not listen to the Moses and the prophets, then they would not believe even if someone rose from the dead to confirm the reality of God and His Word (Luke 16:31). Even supernatural miracles will not convince someone who refuses to be convinced (John 4:48).
If you do not believe in God, you are condemned. Jesus said, “Whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:18).
Unbelief hinders you from receiving God’s promises. You may believe in God, but if you are filled with unbelief regarding the promises in His Word you will miss many great spiritual blessings. God promised Israel their land, but their unbelief kept them from claiming it for forty years! They could not enter in because of their unbelief (Hebrews 3:19) .
Unbelief hinders the work of God. Jesus did not do miracles in Nazareth because of their unbelief (Matthew 13:58).
If you deny Christ, He will deny you. “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33).
DEALING WITH UNBELIEF:
Examine reasons for unbelief. What caused you to reject God and His Word? Perhaps it was disappointment because of unanswered prayer or a great tragedy you experienced. Perhaps you received false teaching. Go to the root cause of your unbelief.
Recognize the vital importance of believing in God and His Word. Your eternal destiny is at stake: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him” (John 3:36). Revelation 21:8 says those who refuse to believe will be separated from God for eternity.
Confess unbelief as sin. Whatever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). Confess your unbelief to God and ask forgiveness.
Ask God to help you believe. As the father who brought his ailing child to Jesus, cry out by faith: “Lord, I believe. Help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).
Study the Word, pray, and fellowship with believers. These three basics will strengthen your core beliefs in God and His Word. Faith comes by the Word of God, and fellowship with other believers strengthens it (Romans 10:17; Hebrews 3:12-13).
WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS ABOUT UNBELIEF:
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1)
Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord, the spring of living water. (Jeremiah 17:13)
Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33)
Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. (Matthew 13:58)
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. ” (Matthew 17:19-21, NKJV)
“Lord, I believe. Help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).
Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. (Mark 15:14, NKJV)
If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. (Luke 16:31)
If you are the Christ,” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. (Luke 22:67-68)
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:12-13)
Whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:18)
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him. (John 3:36)
Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, Jesus told him, you will never believe. (John 4:48)
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. (John 5:39-40)
The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe. (John 6:63)
For even his own brothers did not believe in him. (John 7:5)
I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am [the one I claim to be], you will indeed die in your sins. (John 8:24)
Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? (John 8:46)
Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. (John 12:37)
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)
Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. (Romans 4:20-21)
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:12-13)
So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief. (Hebrews 3:19)
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. (1 John 3:23)
But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars–their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)
(See also the topics of “Doubt” and “Faith” in this database.)
by P. Hulsey | Dec 23, 2014 | A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
