Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit

Steve Kissell

Introduction:

In this section we will attempt to discovered:

  1. what the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is;

  2. is it the same as the "sin unto death;"

  3. how can we know whether we have committed this sin?

I.  What is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? (Matt. 12:22-32)

A. First, it should be understood that this sin of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is not said to be "unpardonable."

  1. Jesus said that those guilty of this sin "will not" be forgiven; he did not say that they "cannot" be forgiven.

  2. Many sins "will not" be forgiven, not because the cannot be forgiven, but simply because the sinner has not repented.

 B.  Jesus had just healed a man who was blind and mute. This miracle was done in the presence of a  multitude that included some Pharisees. This miracle was designed to provide proof that Jesus was sent by God and that his message was trustworthy.

C. Instead of accepting the truth that they had witnessed with their own eyes, the Pharisees attributed Jesus' power to Satan rather than the Holy Spirit. By ascribing the work of the Holy Spirit to the devil, they were, in effect, calling the Holy Spirit Satan. This was blasphemy.

II. Can one be guilty of this sin today?

A. The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit consisted of witnessing a miracle Jesus performed through the power of the Holy Spirit, and deliberately blaspheming by crediting the devil with the miracle, to discredit Christ. This manifested a hardness of heart so extreme that the person was irretrievable. It's not that they could not repent, and be forgiven; it's that they would not repent given the degree of the hardness of their hearts.

B. This specific situation does not now exist. One cannot witness what they witnessed and do what they did. There are many millions of people who will go to their graves as unbelievers, and as such, unforgiven. But while they live, they have the opportunity to repent and be forgiven.

C. Anyone who is concerned that they may have committed the "unpardonable sin" should understand that no sin is unpardonable unless a person's heart has become so hardened that he has reached the point of irretrievability. Anyone so concerned has obviously not reached that point.

III. The "Sin Leading to Death"

A. 1 John 5: 16-17. Notice:

  1. There are sins that do not lead to death.

  2. There are sins that do lead to death.

B. 1 John 1: 7-9

  1. If we walk in the light, Jesus blood "cleanses us from all sin." Notice the "all sin."

  2. If we are willing to confess our sins…"He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Notice the "all unrighteousness."

  3. Any and all sin that one is willing to repent of is sin Jesus is willing to forgive. These are sins that do not lead to death because they are forgiven

C. Since Jesus is willing to forgive any and all sin that we are willing to repent of, the sin leading to death is any sin one is not willing to repent of. This is not a sin of weakness or ignorance; it is the sin of willful rebellion and defiance. There is no hope for this person as long as he is unwilling to repent. That is why there no point in praying for this person's forgiveness.