Central text: 1 John 5:16: "If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that." I. Every sin merits eternal condemnation. Negative example: the Pharisee in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9–14) Positive example: James, when he states that one offense suffices to condemn a human being (James 2:10) II. We should not assume too quickly that someone has committed the unforgiveable sin Negative example: those who murmured against Jesus when he announced that he would lodge with Zacchaeus in Jericho (Luke 19:5–10) Positive example: Paul, when he delivered Hymenaeus and Alexander to Satan (1 Timothy 1:18–20) Less