It is alarming in life how all other sins are forgivable, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not. The term blasphemy is closely associated with sins that are intentionally done to provoke God and question the purity of His power. In Mark 3:28, Jesus teaches that all sins can be forgiven except blaspheming the Holy Spirit. So, how do you know if you have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit?
You know you have blasphemed the Holy Spirit when you speak ill of his works or link his power to that of Satan. However, Christians who believe in Jesus Christ and walk like Jesus cannot blaspheme the Holy Spirit. We have been granted the Holy Spirit as our only guide and to convict us of our sins. When we fail to adhere to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and work in disregard of the power of the Holy Spirit, we are sinning grievously against God.
So, what is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? Why did Jesus say blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable? What are the consequences of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? Is unintentional blasphemy against the Holy Spirit be forgiven? Continue reading to get the answers to these questions and more.
What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
Theologians suggest that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is grievous and happens when a person denies God’s manifestation and credits the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan. God forgives any sin man seeks pardon for. However, if we go contrary to the voice of the Holy Spirit, whom we all seek pardon for our sins, we begin to silence His belief, leading to the loss of His convicting power.
This eventually blocks the working of God in our lives because we push the Holy Spirit to the extreme ends of our lives. Therefore, if you find yourself talking evil of the manifesting work of the Holy Spirit or wholly associating his work with evil, you will be committing the unpardoned sin of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.
So what is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? Many think it means renouncing God, which is like cursing God. Jesus’ words, as recorded in Mathew’s gospel Chapter 12, verses 32, say that “Whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. ” Jesus is warning that sinning against the Holy Spirit is just like attributing God’s work to Satan. Christians are reminded to honor God as the father, who is equal to the Holy Spirit. He who pardons their sins deserves all the greatest glory, and sinning against Him invites an unforgivable punishment.
Why did Jesus say blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable?
Jesus said blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable because it rejects the one who forgives sins. Jesus’ teachings about the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit are recorded in the gospel books. While Jesus was teaching, a blind man was brought to him so that he could heal him. The Pharisees and teachers of the Jewish law accused him that he was using the demonic Spirit of the Prince of Belzeebul to drive out demons from the possessed man (Mathew 12:22-32).
This drew His attention, and he began teaching them in parables. He said that whoever speaks of the Son of man can be forgiven, but talking ill about the Holy Spirit is blasphemy and is unforgivable. We learn in the Old Testament that the Spirit of God only said what God had instructed Him to and not His words. Therefore, speaking ill about the Holy Spirit is the same as speaking ill about God. This is why Jesus warns that it is an eternal sin that cannot be forgiven in this age or the ages to come.
The Gospel of Mathew 12:30-32 notes, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven, 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.”
Therefore, we understand from Jesus’ teaching on blasphemy against the Holy Spirit that it is a huge sin and a grievous one that cannot be forgiven. Working against the Holy Spirit is working against God himself. It is rejecting God and everything he does. We are hereby instructed to keep faith in the Holy Spirit as it is our helper on earth.
What are the consequences of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
The consequences of sinning against the Spirit are grave. Though Jesus teaches that all sins are equal before God, their consequences are certainly not. Grieving the Holy Spirit is an eternal sin that Jesus notes it cannot be forgiven either now or later. The sins against the Spirit are progressive as resisting the Spirit can cause quenching of the Spirit, which leads to grieving and eventually can be viewed as insulting the Spirit.
Some theologians posit that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is punishable by death. John 5:16-17 “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. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death”. However, we cannot be totally sure that John was talking about blaspheming the Holy Spirit as the sin that leads to death.
In Acts 5:1-11, Ananias and his wife Sapphira are punished by death for not only sinning against God but also lying to the church and the Holy Spirit. They sold land and kept some money to themselves, yet they were supposed to give all their earnings to the church. They both die as a consequence of lying against the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, just as Jesus taught that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable, it invites an equal measure of consequence. Believers are cautioned against such since it invites harsh punishments because sinning against the Holy Spirit is the same as rejecting God Himself.
Is Unintentional blasphemy against the Holy Spirit forgiven?
The question of unintentional blasphemy against the Holy Spirit has not been addressed in the bible. Through Jesus’ teachings, it is made clear that any sin can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven. However, there are some passages in the bible that can guide us through this.
Theologians argue that God can forgive us any sin if we repent and seek forgiveness. They reference 1st John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” However, unintentional blasphemy is still doing wrong against Holy Spirit though unaware.
Paul, who persecuted people and worked against God, was forgiven his sins even though what he did grieve the Holy Spirit. (1st Timothy 1:13-15). Scholars and bible readers argue that he was forgiven because he was unaware of his sins against God, and he was convicted in his heart after being aware that he could be forgiven. They argue that any sin can be forgiven with conviction in one’s heart.
Another lens to analyze whether unintentional blasphemy is forgivable is the teachings that one will be judged according to the information they have or received. For those who know much, more accountability will be required from them than those who sin unaware. Therefore, if this is anything to go by, then unintentional blasphemy can be forgiven because the sinner was not aware of the sins they have committed. Theologians note this will also be applied to other sins during judgment day (Mathew 11:21-24).
References
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and the Unforgivable Sin
What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
Is unintentional blasphemy forgiven?
What are the consequences of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
Christians cannot commit the unpardonable sin.