The sin of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit is one of the most serious sins mentioned in the Bible. This sin is also known as the unforgivable sin and is often misunderstood by Christians. What exactly is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? What does the Bible say about this sin? And what are the consequences of committing this grievous offense against God? This article will provide answers to these important questions.
What is the sin against the Holy Spirit?
The sin of blaspheming or speaking against the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the three Synoptic Gospels:
“Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12:31-32)
“Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin” – (Mark 3:28-29)
“And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” (Luke 12:10)
These verses indicate that blaspheming or speaking against the Holy Spirit is a grievous sin that will not be forgiven. The context of these passages shows that Jesus was being accused of using the power of the devil to cast out demons. The Pharisees who accused Jesus of this were attributing the work of the Holy Spirit through Him to Satan. By accusing Jesus of being demon-possessed, they were blaspheming against the Spirit of God.
Therefore, based on these verses, the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit involves attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to the devil. It is to speak evil against God’s Spirit by calling good evil and evil good. It is rejecting the convicting power and work of the Holy Spirit and hardening one’s heart against repentance.
It is not accidental blasphemy
This sin is not taking God’s name in vain or accidentally blaspheming the Spirit in a moment of anger or weakness. It is the deliberate and ongoing rejection of the Spirit’s work and identity. It is a conscious decision to call the Spirit’s activities evil, and persists in a determined rejection of the biblical truth about the Holy Spirit.
It is not criticizing Spirit-empowered acts
Questioning the source of a supernatural act is not automatically a sin against the Spirit. John instructs believers to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1). Seeking truth and having doubts is not blasphemy against the Spirit. It only becomes the unforgivable sin when one deliberately and permanently rejects the Spirit’s testimony about Jesus Christ.
What does the Bible say about the sin against the Spirit?
In addition to the Synoptic Gospels, the apostle John also speaks of an unforgivable sin:
“If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.” (1 John 5:16)
Though John does not use the term “blasphemy against the Spirit,” this passage describes a sin that leads to death and for which prayer is useless. Many scholars equate this with blasphemy against the Spirit since it is a sin that will not be forgiven.
The author of Hebrews also offers a grave warning about the danger of rejecting the Spirit’s testimony:
“How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:29)
These verses indicate the seriousness of repeatedly rejecting the Spirit to the point where no repentance is possible. The person who persists in hardening their heart against the Holy Spirit will be beyond repentance and forgiveness.
It reveals a heart issue
Jesus said evil words come from an evil heart (Matthew 12:34-37). The blasphemy against the Spirit reveals a corrupt and unrepentant heart. It shows someone has reached a state of outright rebellion against God and a determination to remain in sin. The condition of their heart prevents repentance and faith in Christ.
It is a continuous action
The blasphemy against the Spirit is not a one-time act but an ongoing attitude. The verbs in the passages from Matthew, Mark, and Luke are in the present tense, indicating a continuous action. It is persisting in defiant rejection of the Spirit and attributing the Spirit’s work to Satan. This ongoing hardening of the heart makes repentance impossible.
Why is blasphemy against the Spirit unforgivable?
Jesus stated this sin will never be forgiven in this age or the next (Matthew 12:32). Why is this sin unpardonable while all other sins can be forgiven?
It rejects the Holy Spirit’s convicting work
A key role of the Holy Spirit is convicting people of sin and drawing them to repentance (John 16:8-11). To blaspheme the Spirit is to continually reject conviction and harden one’s heart against repentance. Since repentance is required for forgiveness, blasphemy against the Spirit cuts off the possibility of forgiveness.
It attributes the Spirit’s work to Satan
The Holy Spirit testifies about Christ and glorifies Him (John 15:26, 16:14). To call the Spirit’s testimony satanic is to completely distortions God’s grace and label the ultimate good as evil. It puts one totally out of touch with truth.
It hardens one’s heart beyond repentance
Continually rejecting the Spirit’s voice dulls one’s spiritual senses. Persisting in sin opens the door to greater deception (Ephesians 4:17-19). Eventually, the heart becomes irreversibly hardened so that a person is no longer capable of repenting.
It is a denial of Christ’s deity
Since the Spirit bears witness to Christ, blaspheming the Spirit is a rejection of Christ’s authority and deity. The Son and Spirit are so unified in purpose that to reject one is to reject the other (Matthew 10:20, Mark 3:28-29). The unpardonable sin is adamant rejection of Christ’s Lordship.
Forgiveness requires repentance
God cannot forgive impenitence. As long as someone stubbornly rejects the Spirit’s conviction and refuses to repent, that person remains unforgiven (Proverbs 28:13, Acts 3:19). The blasphemy against the Spirit is unforgivable because it consists of persistent unrepentance. The forgiveness for all other sins hinges on repentance.
What are the consequences of blaspheming the Spirit?
The eternal consequences of blaspheming the Holy Spirit are dire. This sin shuts the door to forgiveness both now and forever. Some sobering results of rejecting the Spirit’s work include:
No sacrifice remains for sins
The book of Hebrews warns that those who reject Christ’s sacrifice have no other way to atone for their sins. There is no other sacrificial offering left for unrepentant blasphemers (Hebrews 10:26).
Eternal judgment and condemnation
The person guilty of an unforgivable sin faces eternal separation from God. Jesus said whoever blasphemes the Spirit “will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:32). They are eternally condemned and beyond all pardon.
Loss of eternal life
Since eternal life comes through faith in Christ, those who reject Christ’s Spirit forfeit eternal salvation. Without the Spirit bringing regeneration, there is no reconciling relationship with God (Titus 3:5-7).
Eternal destruction
The unforgivable sin leads to eternal destruction. Jesus said speaking against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven “either in this age or in the age to come” implying an inescapable judgment (Matthew 12:32). The book of Revelation describes the lake of fire as the final destination for unrepentant sinners (Revelation 20:14-15).
Can a Christian commit this sin?
It is debatable whether a genuine believer can commit this sin. Some argue a true Christian permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit could not utterly reject the Spirit’s work. However, others argue that because of the deceitfulness of sin and human free will, even true Christians must diligently guard their hearts against offense and bitterness (Hebrews 3:12-14).
Views that believers cannot commit this sin
Some key reasons why it may be impossible for a true Christian to commit the unforgivable sin:
- True regeneration results in permanent indwelling of the Spirit (John 14:16-17).
- Those born of God have a new nature that cannot habitually sin (1 John 3:6-9).
- Genuine conversion produces fruit of the Spirit not consistent with blaspheming the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
- True believers have eternal security and cannot lose salvation (John 10:28-29).
Views that warn believers about this sin
Reasons why some argue true Christians should still warn against blaspheming the Spirit:
- Passages about this sin are addressed to Jesus’ disciples (Matthew 12:22-32).
- No distinction is made between believers and unbelievers committing this sin.
- Believers are exhorted to examine themselves (2 Corinthians 13:5).
- Warnings against apostasy show the danger of turning away (Hebrews 6:4-8).
Regardless of the position, many agree this sin is difficult for a true Christian. But believers must avoid hardening their hearts to the Spirit’s conviction and sowing to their flesh (1 Timothy 1:18-20, Galatians 6:7-8).
How can one avoid this sin?
The sobering truth about blasphemy against the Spirit should produce a holy fear of God and motivate Christians to actively avoid anything leading to a hardened heart. Some tips include:
- Maintain a tender heart before God (2 Chronicles 34:27).
- Do not resist or quench the Spirit’s promptings (1 Thessalonians 5:19).
- Immediately repent of sin and harbor no unforgiveness (Hebrews 3:13).
- Avoid environments and influences that promote sinful unbelief.
- Ask God to create and renew a steadfast spirit (Psalm 51:10).
Above all, recognize that apart from God’s grace, we are all capable of grave sins (1 Corinthians 10:12). The way to avoid hostile rebellion against God’s Spirit is to humbly walk with Him each day through prayer, obedience, and trust.
Conclusion
The dire warnings against blasphemy against the Spirit should cause every Christian to revere God in deep humility and godly fear. This grievous sin is an ongoing, deliberate rejection of the Spirit’s work and a hardening of one’s heart against His conviction and grace. It cuts one off from all possibility of forgiveness now and eternally. While debate exists over whether a true believer can commit it, the danger should compel every Christian to carefully guard their heart by maintaining a tender conscience and quickly repenting of any sin. The Lord is gracious and just to forgive those who humbly walk with Him, but those who persist in defiant rebellion face eternal loss.