What is the sin unto death?

For years I thought the sin unto death in I John 5:16 was a specific solitary sin. What was most confusing, I did not know what that sin was. Others have regarded the sin unto death as the unpardonable sin. That is the sin that is discussed in Matthew 12:31-32. The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. These are two separate matters.

So, back to the original question, what is the sin unto death? Well, before I answer that question, let us read the text. “If anyone sees a fellow believer committing a sin that does not lead to death, he should ask, and God will give him life – to those that commit a sin that does lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying one should pray for that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin that does not lead to death” (1 John 5:16-17).

How do we make the distinction between a sin unto death and a sin not unto death since the writer John does not provide an example of each in his letter? That is why it is very important to be well versed in God’s word. A sin not leading to death is one whereby a believer is confronted about their sin, they repent, and they are restored into a right relationship with God and with the saints (Galatians 6:1).

As John said, fellow believers can intercede on behalf of the sinning believer and God will grant the offender life because it is not a sin that leads to death.

A sin unto death is when a believer has a premeditated, unbroken habitual pattern of sinful behavior – oftentimes against the Body of Christ. Ultimately, they are living as if they are unsaved. A very serious offense!

A few things can happen when believers are in sin. 1) the sinning believer will be severely chastised by the Lord which is a good thing (Hebrews 12:5-11). A Godly spanking does hurt but it will also bring about healing, deliverance, growth, and holiness. As children of God, sometimes we need to be punished for our sins so that we can feel ashamed and endeavor to do better. We all run-off-the-rails sometimes and tough loving discipline from our Heavenly Father puts us back in right relationship with Him.  2) the offender can be put out of the Church so that their current evil ways do not corrupt other believers. Bad company corrupts good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33). God must maintain the purity of His church (Matthew 18:15-17). This Godly discipline should make the offender ashamed of themselves which should bring about contrition and wholehearted repentance. We must continue to admonish them in love (2 Thessalonians 3:15). 3) God could allow Satan to take the life of the person. In their current state of sin, they are absolutely no good to anyone. They are a current embarrassment to the Lord, the Church, and themselves. They are a liability to the kingdom, and not an asset in their current state of rebellion (1 Corinthians 5, whole chapter).

The last matter, of course, is a case where one is not to pray for. Why? In the fifth chapter of 1 Corinthians a man is fornicating with his father’s wife – most likely his stepmother.  That is a gross sin against another believer! Paul said to give one over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh that his soul may be saved in the day of the Lord (vs 5).

The matter is bitter-sweet in these instances. Why? Because the believer decides not to repent of their sin(s), they could die early – never fulfilling their role in the Body of Christ. They also will suffer I believe great loss at the judgment (Bema) seat of Christ. They will lose in terms of rewards because they deprived themselves of the joy of serving the Lord and others while on earth (1 Corinthians 3:13-16). The sweet part is that since they are eternally secure, they will not lose their salvation – their soul has been saved.

Concluding, a sin unto death could be any sin that is pre-meditated, unconfessed, habitually repeated with no remorse. When we see someone in that state of mind and we know it because we have talked and pleaded with them to repent to no avail, prayer will not help them.  God will deal with them most severely – perhaps even to the point of ending their lives.