He that saith, I know him and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him.
(1 John 2:4)
If you have found the Christian articles and studies on this website beneficial and enlightening, please consider making a donation of any amount. It would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to know more about us, please read about Heavenly Manna. Please note that you do NOT need a paypal account to donate. You may safely use your credit card. After donating, you'll be returned to the home page.
Article Excerpts
Understandably, there is confusion regarding just what blasphemy is and what punishment it carries. There are biblical passages that speak of the blasphemer being put to death, others speak of his forgiveness. There are also the scriptures that speak of the blasphemy of the Holy Ghost which constitutes the unpardonable sin. Its not only imperative to understand how to avoid committing the unforgivable, but also to understand exactly why there is forgiveness for blasphemy against Jesus, but not against the Holy Spirit. Misunderstanding of this truth, sadly, has been used to give credence to the false teaching that Jesus is not God since blasphemy against Him is pardonable. What Is The Blasphemy Of The Holy Ghost And The Unpardonable Sin?
Life experience has given birth to many well known sayings that should aid in imparting wisdom to the young and that ring so true to those who've been students in the school of life. These may be considered "proverbs" since one of the definitions given for this word by a dictionary of the English language is, "words that embody a truth".
It's absolutely true that one should not "judge a book by its cover", knowing that "not all that glitters is gold." The knowledge that one can't always trust his eyes to reflect what's really in front of him applies also to spiritual matters. Man's opinions are formed from how he views something in his mind's eye. This is why opinions are also called "viewpoints". Sadly, the warnings against always trusting the natural eyes are seldom applied to trusting the spiritual or mental eyes.
People often refute the need to be prudent in the mental viewpoint by arguing that one should trust his heart to lead and guide him through life. Unfortunately, they have ignored or have not heard the biblical warning against this philosophy as well. There is a scripture that reads, "he that trusteth in his own heart is a fool..." (KJV, Proverbs 28:26). There is a standard for laws of the land to prevent everyone from following his own viewpoint of what is legal and what is illegal and thereby creating chaos and anarchy. Likewise, the Bible emphasizes that there's a standard for spiritual laws to prevent man from following his own viewpoint of what is righteous and what is unrighteous. Again, common sense says that such a haphazard "free-for-all" system can create nothing but mass confusion and rebellion. The heart can't be trusted because it's seldom clean.
Christians aren't automatically immune to allowing evil to influence what they intend for good. In fact, it often happens without their knowledge because so few believers truly understand the Bible.
The apostle Peter once spoke out in what he saw as good intentions towards Jesus, but quickly found himself being rebuked and came to know of how he had unknowingly allowed the enemy to influence his thought and speech. Matthew 16:21-23 says, "from that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples how that he must go unto Jerusalem and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him and began to rebuke him, saying, 'be it far from thee, Lord. This shall not be unto thee.' But he turned and said unto Peter, 'get thee behind me Satan. Thou art an offence unto me, for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.'"
This is why the Bible warns, "there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12).
©2008 All Rights Reserved