Does blasphemy have to be spoken?

Question

I know that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is considered the unforgivable sin.

People who have done this, or people who think about it a lot... does it need to be spoken out loud or written down to count? Do stray thoughts count?

I try to excercise mind control but when I think about this particular topic I get stray thoughts that I don't want. They are not intentional (on a conscious level, necessarily... you know what I mean... when you randomly get a thought in your head?)
I'm not going to write these thoughts because then that probably would be Blasphemous however unintentional (since I'm just trying to explain..) but you know. If one has blasphemous stray thoughts would it count against them?

Geez, my mind needs taming. ¬_¬

Thanks for your input, anyway.

Answer 1

Mark 3:28-29. "28I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. 29But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin."

First, note the graciousness of God in the verses above, that "every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men" (my emphasis) except one. Two examples that come to mind are Paul and possibly Peter. Paul admitted in 1 Tim 1:13 that he "was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man" but "was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief."

The reference to an unforgivable sin has troubled many unnecessarily. The "unforgivable sin" is deliberate hostility to God, to the point that there is no contrition and repentance. If one's conscience is bothering him to the point that he feels he is too guilty for God to forgive, he has the assurance of God's Word that forgiveness is possible. The very fact that he is bothered by his sinfulness shows that the Holy Spirit has not abandoned him and they have not committed this sin!

Answer 2

Spoken or written. I expect that some ministers/priests would argue that what is in your mind also counts, but frankly, learning to rid yourself of stray thoughts is very difficult, and you cannot reasonably be blamed for them.

Now we come to the question of whether such self-discipline is not ultimately self-defeating. Consider the works of C.S. Lewis, for example. One of his best works is The Screwtape Letters, a charming bit of irony wherein he speaks for a devil. Not The Devil, but one of his minor servants. A petty bureaucrat in Hell, if you will. The book is not only vastly entertaining, it is sound theology.

P.S. I'm a former Christian who is now a witch. Take that for what it's worth.

Answer 3

stray thoughts count- but i believe there's leeway given as these thoughts are not something you're willfully or cheerfully coming up with, with the intent of lessening your faith or dishonoring God's name.

i was talking to a muslim man the other day with a similar question. it is my belief that God knows what our hearts want (to draw closer to Him), even if our brains get in the way. everyone's mind needs taming! it's not just you, guy.

pray on it, try to be careful in what you think, and try praying outloud if this helps to keep distracting thoughts quiet. peace to you, and Allah Ma3aq.

Answer 4

very few extremely Orthodox talk only Yiddish. and that i say this as someone who has walked the streets of Mea Shearim many cases (the extremely Orthodox enclave of Jerusalem) and ordinarily heard Hebrew being spoken on the line. I even have heard that element of the assumption replaced into to shop Hebrew, that's the "holy tongue" for non secular issues alongside with prayer or learn yet for commonplace communication to apply a distinctive language. or you are able to desire to be terrific that some are so "anti Zionist" that they won't talk Hebrew conversationally (yet might understand the language from non secular aspects).

Answer 5

blasphemy stops free thinkers from having free speach the people who do not believe the fairy tale so why do govermants alow the churches to run govermant when the people do not vote the churches into govermant the churches have to mutch power in govermant

Answer 6

God knows what is in your heart... So if by some chance you think about something evil and do not want to and try your hardest to not think of these things then I know that god will understand.

Answer 7

NO - it can be written or thought - or whatever you want your blasphemy to be!
Enjoy. And upset as many christian right members as possible.

Answer 8

My mother used to say, You can't keep birds from flying over your head, but you don't have to give them a place to roost. She was referring to bad thoughts.
She was weird sometimes like that.