Have you ever worried about whether you might have committed a sin that God cannot forgive? This is a fear that troubles many, often stemming from a reading of Matthew 12:31, where Jesus states, “Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.” For some, like a student I once counseled, this verse can trigger intense anxiety and the paralyzing fear of having crossed a line of no return. This young woman, despite her sincere love for the Lord, was deeply concerned that some rash words she had spoken might constitute this “unforgivable sin.”
Understanding what blasphemy against the Holy Spirit truly is becomes crucial in alleviating such fears and gaining a clearer perspective on God’s forgiveness. So, what exactly is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? What constitutes this sin that Jesus declares unforgivable?
Let’s begin with a concise definition: Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, often referred to as the unforgivable sin, is the persistent and hardened rejection of the Holy Spirit’s work to bring you to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. It’s not merely about uttering specific words, but rather a deeply rooted issue of the heart that may manifest in words and actions.
To fully grasp this concept, we need to delve into the key biblical passage where Jesus addresses this issue: Matthew 12:24-37. As we examine this text, pay close attention to the words emphasized below, as they highlight that Jesus is speaking about a fundamental condition of the heart, not just isolated sinful words.
24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.” 25 And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? 27 If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30 He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters. 31 Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. 33 Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35 The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. 36 But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Notice the absolute language used in this passage. Phrases like “divided against itself,” “He who is not with Me is against Me,” “make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad,” and “out of that which fills the heart” all point to a fundamental disposition, a state of being, rather than just isolated actions or words.
Similarly, examining the parallel account in Luke 12:8-10 reinforces this understanding. Again, observe the emphasized words:
8 “And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; 9 but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him.”
The phrases “everyone who confesses Me before men” and “he who denies Me before men” highlight the core issue: a person’s fundamental stance towards Jesus. It’s not simply about a momentary lapse or a regrettable word, but about a deep-seated rejection.
Connecting to Old Testament Roots and Repentance
To further enrich our understanding, it’s insightful to consider the connections Matthew draws to earlier biblical themes. Recall John the Baptist’s stern words to the Pharisees and Sadducees in Matthew 3:7-8:
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance…”
Matthew, by using the language of “vipers” and “bearing fruit” in both John the Baptist’s message and Jesus’s condemnation of the Pharisees in chapter 12, invites his readers to draw a parallel. John’s call to “bear fruit in keeping with repentance” is crucial. When we encounter Jesus’s teaching on blasphemy against the Spirit, the theme of repentance should be at the forefront of our minds.
Matthew consistently emphasizes the theme of “fruit” throughout his Gospel. From John the Baptist’s initial call (3:8, 3:10), to Jesus’s teachings in the Sermon on the Mount (7:15-20), to the parable of the soils (13:23), and even in a later judgment passage against the Pharisees (21:43), the concept of “fruit” representing the outward manifestation of inner reality is central. For Matthew, what resides in the heart inevitably reveals itself in actions, words, and the overall direction of life – the “fruit” we bear.
Furthermore, the concept of blasphemy in the Old Testament provides additional context. Numbers 15:30-31 speaks of “blaspheming the LORD” as a “defiant” act, a sin “with a high hand,” signifying a deliberate and willful rejection of God’s word.
“But the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the LORD; and that person shall be cut off from among his people. Because he has despised the word of the LORD…” (Numbers 15:30-31)
As biblical scholar Craig Blomberg notes, listeners familiar with the Old Testament would connect Jesus’s words in Matthew 12:31 to this idea of defiant sin as blasphemy, a “flagrant, willful, and persistent rejection of God and his commands.” It’s not an accidental slip of the tongue, but a conscious and ongoing posture of rejecting God. Numbers 15:31 explicitly links this to despising “the word of the LORD,” highlighting that blasphemy is not just about words, but about a fundamental rejection of God’s revealed truth.
The Holy Spirit’s Role in Conviction and the Unforgivable Sin
Understanding the Holy Spirit’s role in conviction is key to grasping why blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is so grave. It’s not simply saying something offensive about the Holy Spirit. Rather, it’s the persistent rejection of the Holy Spirit’s very work – the work of convicting us of sin and leading us to Christ. Jesus himself explains the Holy Spirit’s mission in John 16:8: “And he, when he comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.”
As theologian Michael J. Wilkins explains, rejecting the Holy Spirit means rejecting the very one who convicts us of sin and points us to forgiveness. If someone continually rejects the Spirit’s prompting, how can they ever come to a place of repentance and find forgiveness? This persistent rejection of the Spirit’s work is the essence of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, the unforgivable sin is not a single, impulsive sinful word or a dramatic act of sin. The Bible is full of examples of God forgiving grievous sins like murder and adultery (consider David and Paul). Instead, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the ongoing, unyielding hardening of your heart against the Holy Spirit’s call to repentance and faith in Christ. It is a matter of the heart, manifesting in a continuous rejection of the Spirit’s ministry. The person who consistently and unrepentantly rejects the Holy Spirit’s witness to Christ is the one who commits this unforgivable sin. This sin is unique because it is the rejection of the very means God has provided for forgiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQ#1: What does it mean when Jesus says speaking against the Son of Man is forgivable (Matthew 12:32)?
This can be a confusing statement. Michael Wilkins offers a helpful perspective, suggesting that speaking against the Son of Man implies a lack of full understanding about Jesus’s identity. Someone might speak ignorantly or in disbelief due to a lack of revelation. However, through the Holy Spirit’s work, they can receive greater understanding, repent, and find forgiveness. Rejecting Jesus in ignorance is different from rejecting the undeniable witness of the Holy Spirit to Jesus’s divinity and saving power. The former leaves room for repentance and understanding, while the latter closes the door to it.
FAQ#2: If God forgives all other sins upon repentance, why not this one?
F.F. Bruce provides insight into this question by noting that forgiveness is offered for every kind of sin, including blasphemy in general, when repented of. However, the nature of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is such that it inherently involves a lack of repentance. Those who commit this sin and persist in it are characterized by their hardened hearts and rejection of the Spirit, which prevents them from recognizing their sin and turning to God in repentance. They have rejected the very conviction that would lead to repentance.
FAQ#3: As a Christian, should I worry about accidentally committing this sin?
Reassuringly, Craig Blomberg points out that the very fact that a professing believer worries about having committed the unforgivable sin is strong evidence against having committed it. This concern demonstrates a sensitivity to spiritual matters and a heart that is not hardened against God. The unrepentant heart, the heart that has truly blasphemed the Holy Spirit, is unlikely to be concerned about their spiritual state in this way. If you are worried, it’s a good sign that you haven’t crossed that line.
In conclusion, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not a sin that a believer who loves God is likely to commit unknowingly. It is a deliberate and persistent rejection of the Holy Spirit’s work to draw you to Christ. If you are concerned about this sin, take heart – your concern itself is a testament to the Spirit’s ongoing work in your life, a work that is far from unforgivable.
Notes:
[1] Craig L. Blomberg, Matthew, NAC (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1992), 203-204 citing W. C. Kaiser, Jr., Toward an Old Testament Ethics (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1983), 298.
[2] Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew, NIVAC (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004), 449.
[3] Wilkins, Matthew, 449.
[4] F. F. Bruce, The Hard Sayings of Jesus (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1983), 90.
[5] Blomberg, Matthew, 204.
This post is based on resources available at Kindle Afresh: The Blog and Website of Kenneth Berding.
