So I stumbled upon this after having some questions about “the condemnation of those who blaspheme the spirit”. Suffice to say, in my bible study in Mark, when I heard that Jesus WILL NOT forgive something, I grew a little anxious, haha, this is not what 19 years of hearing the gospel had told me. But you gave me a very straightforward answer to my question, and I thank you for that :)

Tammy

I have never said the blasphemous words but they assault me daily. I feel certain that I have initiated many of them for various reasons but I know I never did out hate or anger against God. I do not know if that matters at all but as someone stated above context matters when words are being considered. I suppose much of this is OCD related but that is no excuse.

I can not offer any advice beyond what I have given, but I dont think that God will send a believer to hell that simply had some bad thoughts that he didnt agree with.

God be with us all if it is his will

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.
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From the book: The Explanation by Blessed Theophylact of The Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew

Matthew 31-32. Wherefore I say unto you, Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in the age to come.

Explanation by Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid (1055-1107 AD):

He is saying here that every other sin, such as fornication or theft, has some defense, however slight. For we take refuge in human weakness and we may be forgiven. But when one sees miracles performed by the Spirit and slanders them as being the work of a demon, what defense will he have?

For it is clear that such a slanderer knows that these things are of the Holy Spirit, yet he speaks evil of his own will. How then can such a man be forgiven?

When the Jews saw the Lord eating and drinking, associating with publicans and harlots, and doing all the other things He did as the Son of Man, then they slandered Him as a glutton and drunkard; yet for this they deserve forgiveness, AND NOT EVEN REPENTANCE WILL BE REQUIRED. For they were understandably scandal­ized.

But when they saw Him working miracles and were slandering and blaspheming the Holy Spirit, saying that it was something demonic, how will this sin be forgiven them, UNLESS THEY REPENT?

So, then, know that he who blasphemes the Son of Man, seeing Him living as a man, and says that He is a friend of harlots, a glutton, and a drunkard because of those things which Christ does, SUCH A MAN WILL NOT HAVE TO GIVE AN ANSWER FOR THIS, EVEN IF HE DOES NOT REPENT. FOR HE IS FORGIVEN, AS HE DID NOT REALIZE THAT THIS WAS GOD CONCEALED.

But he who blasphemes the Holy Spirit, that is, the spiritual deeds of Christ, and calls them demonic, UNLESS HE REPENTS, HE WILL NOT BE FORGIVEN. For he does not have a reasonable excuse
to slander, as does the man who sees Christ with harlots and publicans and then slanders. He will not be forgiven either here or there, but both here and there he will be punished.

For many are punished here, but there, not at all, such as the poor man, Lazarus; while others are punished both here and there, as the Sodomites and those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit. But some, like the apostles and the Forerunner, are punished neither here nor there. For though they who are persecuted appear to suffer punishment, these are not punishments for sins, but rather trials and
crowns.
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From the book: A Collection of Letters to Nuns. Saint Anatoly of Optina
350. THE DEVIL IS VANQUISHED BY OUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF OUR SINS
March 8,1890
Blessed is God ‘Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.’ I rejoice for you, M., that you have overcome your adversary, even as the host of those clothed in white rejoiced after St. Andrew the Fool laid low the black giant.

And it is not just one company but all the countless hosts of the heavenly powers who rejoice, according to the word of the Lord Himself, over one sinner that repenteth (Luke 15:7). Peace to you and salvation! And the blessing of the Lord from henceforth and forevermore.

“There is no unpardonable sin, save the unrepented one.”2 So the holy Fathers teach.

If the whole world were filled to overflowing with your sins, one drop of the Saviour’s blood would burn them all up in an instant. Gather together the sins of the world, teaches Chrysostom, and all of them, all of them will appear as a single drop in the boundless ocean.3

Read the homily of St. Dimitry of Rostov “On the Laudation of the Theotokos,” that is, for next Saturday. And thank the Lord Who has snatched you out of the mouth of the lion of hell. Save yourself!

That right now it is difficult and frightening for you — this is the Devil’s wonted device to confuse a person and hinder him in his work; but all of this will pass. It cost much to acknowledge your sins and to say them. But now [you have] the mercy of God. I advise and bless you to remain at K.

You see for yourself how everything is pointing in that direction. And everyone will be at peace. As for it being far away from me, that is a childish notion. The kinship between you and me is spiritual, and distance is no hindrance to the spirit. Peace to you!

footnotes:
1. I Timothy 2:4; exclamation from the service of Holy Baptism, and from the tonsure service.
2. The Ascetical Homilies of St. Isaac the Syrian, Homily 2, p. 10.
3. See also The Ascetical Homilies of St. Isaac the Syrian, Homily 51, p. 244: “As a handful of sand thrown into the great sea, so are the sins of all flesh in comparison with the mind of God.”

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If you want cure your soul, you need four things. The first is to forgive your enemies. The second is to confess thoroughly. The third is to blame yourself. The fourth is to resolve to sin no more. If we wish to be saved, we must always blame ourselves and not attribute our wrong acts to others. And God, Who is most compassionate, will forgive us.

Modern Orthodox Saints I, St. Cosmas Aitolos
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Meditate on what it means to be sealed by the holy spirit. I to struggle with these things. But the seal thats talked about in this verse cannot be broken.

Just some extra words of advice because I struggle with some mind things as well, if you choose to meditate (or think about) things that make you have fear or worry, then fear and worry will dominate your mind. Instead meditate on other things, if your like me you probably can’t get your mind off your fears until you a 100% good in the eyes of God and that salvation is secure, but let grace and thoughts of grace take over your mind. Instead of meditating on fear and worry, think about what Grace truly means and study it. Also it may be a good idea to have a “good” teacher or friend by your side to get you through this. The more people around you who understand how grace truly works in a persons life the better. This is not meant to be done alone. The beauty of the position alot of us seem to be in is that we realize that without Jesus, there is no hope. Your already in a place of humility, now just accept that his death paid it all. But it all “starts” with Jesus death and the grace that comes from that. Grace is god’s favor and is expressed in many different ways. As sin increases, grace increases Romans 5:20. As our sin increases, God grace increases as a result of Jesus death. This is why we are blameless in the eyes of God, because he see’s what Jesus did on the cross for you, not your sin. Again, I hope this helps, I to struggle with these things and am struggling, but i’m getting better and it can’t be done without Jesus. I know it probably feels like Jesus is against you because your afraid he’ll condemn you, but it’s him who will relieve your fears through his love. The above scriptures should help if you meditate on those things instead of fear and remember, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (romans 8:1).

So when you recieve and put your faith in Jesus Christ who died and paid for your sins, there is no condemnation, you’ve been sealed with the holy spirit, and as sin increases, grace increases. While grace isn’t a liscense to sin, without it we wouldn’t be saved.

Another thing i’d like to add that I struggle big time doing, is scriptures actually say not to worry about anything. I can’t find the scripture at the moment but i’d google it.

Hopefully this will help you and I get beyond our fears and begin to pursue God in a healthier way. Hope everything gets better guys, good luck guys and I’ll say a prayer for ya.