Eternal Sins

[jwalker524]

So I know that Eternal Sins are also referred to as unforgivable sins, and that blatent blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an Eternal Sin. This would imply that it is unable to be forgiven, however I have been told that even an Eternal Sin is forgivable through confession. Is this true? When I go to confession on Friday (for the first time since my first confession) and I confess an eternal sin, can I be forgiven? Or am I forever doomed to hell?

Thank you,

Josh

 

[Tantum_ergo]

So I know that Eternal Sins are also referred to as unforgivable sins, and that blatent blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an Eternal Sin. This would imply that it is unable to be forgiven, however I have been told that even an Eternal Sin is forgivable through confession. Is this true? When I go to confession on Friday (for the first time since my first confession) and I confess an eternal sin, can I be forgiven? Or am I forever doomed to hell?

Thank you,

Josh

Dear Josh: I am not sure where you ever heard the terminology ‘eternal sin’. Is it possible that you misunderstood and you are thinking of ‘mortal’ (i.e., deadly) sin?

Mortal sins MUST be confessed (in number and kind) in confession and if you are sincerely repentent the priest should forgive you.

When you go, please talk with him and ask him to help you understand because right now I think you do not QUITE understand. I’m sure he can explain it much better than I can. God’s blessing on you.

 

[jwalker524]

I found the term “Eternal Sin” in my research online. There is a wikipedia entry on it, though it is not clearly written. I guess it is not an actual Catholic teaching, so sorry for the pointless question. I know that Mortal Sins must be confessed, but I thought this was a higher “tier” if you will. Thank you for clarification.

 

[1ke]

So I know that Eternal Sins are also referred to as unforgivable sins,

I’m not sure where you are getting this. The Church does not categorize any sins as “eternal sins.”

and that blatent blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an Eternal Sin. This would imply that it is unable to be forgiven,

Final impenitence, the unwillingness to seek forgiveness, is really the only thing that is unforgiveable and only because one does not seek forgiveness. A permanent disposition of the will away from God and toward Hell is ultimately the individual’s choice.

however I have been told that even an Eternal Sin is forgivable through confession. Is this true? When I go to confession on Friday (for the first time since my first confession) and I confess an eternal sin, can I be forgiven? Or am I forever doomed to hell?

There is no such thing as an “eternal sin.”

Go to confession, ask the priest for assistance, and confess whatever sins you have so that you may resume the sacramental life.

 

[valentino]

JWalker524: There is only one eternal sin.Do you know what Blaspheme against the Holy Spirit Means?

 

[LoyalViews]

I think “Eternal Sins” is an LDS (mormon) thing. In no way is it Catholic. There is no sin that is unforgivable. Our God is merciful and just, and all loving. He shall punish the bad and reward the good. As long as you are truly repentant, and most importantly go to confession, your mortal sins can be forgiven! God Bless.

 

[Godfollower]

So I know that Eternal Sins are also referred to as unforgivable sins, and that blatent blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an Eternal Sin. This would imply that it is unable to be forgiven, however I have been told that even an Eternal Sin is forgivable through confession. Is this true? When I go to confession on Friday (for the first time since my first confession) and I confess an eternal sin, can I be forgiven? Or am I forever doomed to hell?

Thank you,

Josh

The concept of the unforgivable sin comes from Jesus. Note that He states that there is only one unforgivable sin:

But the Pharisees hearing it, said: This man casteth not out the devils but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knowing their thoughts, said to them: Every kingdom divided against itself shall be made desolate: and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself: how then shall his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if I by the Spirit of God cast out devils, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. Or how can any one enter into the house of the strong, and rifle his goods, unless he first bind the strong? and then he will rifle his house. He that is not with me, is against me: and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth.

Therefore I say to you: Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but the blasphemy of the Spirit shall not be forgiven. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but he that shall speak against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in the world to come.

Matthew 12:24-32 (emphasis added).

But the Church has always taught that Jesus’ teaching here is not that a simple act of blasphemy dooms the speaker to eternal Hell; it is that refusing to accept the Holy Spirit condemns you. And that makes perfect sense: if, like the Pharisees in this passage, you witness the healing power of the Holy Spirit but obstinately attribute it to the devil, then you cannot receive forgiveness – because you are refusing it.

To put it another way, the only unforgiveable sin is the refusal to accept forgiveness. Because, if you refuse to accept the forgiveness that we are offered through His grace, He cannot bring you into Heaven except by violating your free will, which He refuses to do.

So, no, you haven’t irreversibly condemned yourself to Hell. You’re still alive, so you’re still capable of accepting God’s grace.

 

[Fergal]

Mat 12:31-32 **"31 Therefore I say to you: Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but the blasphemy of the Spirit shall not be forgiven. 32And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but he that shall speak against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in the world to come."

---

The sin spoken of here is the conscious decision to refuse the mercy of God when our soul is conscious of the presence of mortal sin. Refusing the mercy of God is to refuse the Holy Spirit. Refusing the Holy Spirit sins against the Holy Spirit.

A sin can only be eternal when we refuse to seek God’s forgiveness. The prayer of absolution said by the Priest in the Confessional demonstrates the link between forgiveness, mercy and the Holy Spirit when it says:

***"God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son
has reconciled the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins;
Through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace,
and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

---

Sinning against the Holy Spirit is sinning against Mercy itself and the sin remains until we decide to confess it.

 

[jwalker524]

JWalker524: There is only one eternal sin.Do you know what Blaspheme against the Holy Spirit Means?

Honestly, not 100% sure, to be fair. I however do know what Blasphemy is, and I know that the Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity. So I am assuming that several things I have done are blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Such as attributing works of God to Satan, and teaching others as such, spending most of my life purposfuly commiting sins, and breaking the laws of the Church, and successfully leading others down that path. Teaching to others that Satan is not only as powerful as God, but in many ways MORE powerful. Performing corrupted versions of the sacraments such as baptism and communion in the name of Satan… there is more, but in my mind, yes. I have Blasphemed against the Holy Spirit.

Now you may correct me if I am wrong, and I would appreciate the guidance.

Josh

 

[jwalker524]

In light of other replies, I realize now that I had misunderstood. Thank you all for your help.

 

[LoyalViews]

I just can’t grasp as to why someone to commit a sin against the Holy Spirit (a sin against mercy)? If they themselves think that they cannot be forgiven?