Any Bible-reading Christian knows of the unforgivable sin. And some Christians may have worried that they have unknowingly committed it.
The Gospel of Matthew details how Jesus condemned a group of Pharisees for committing the unpardonable sin of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 12:31
Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
But to truly understand what Jesus meant here, we need to back it up a bit and get some context to this story.
Let’s start at Matthew 12:1 and list events and how the Pharisees reacted to them.
+ Jesus’ disciples pick heads of grain and eat on the Sabbath, because they were hungry. The Pharisees condemn the disciples for doing work on the Sabbath.
+ Jesus heals a man’s withered hand in the synagogue. The Pharisees ask whether it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath. They then took counsel against Jesus to see how they could destroy him.
+ A person possessed by a demon, and who was blind and unable to speak, was brought to Jesus for healing. Jesus healed the man and the people were amazed. But the Pharisees said that only by Beelzebul (Satan), did Jesus cast out those demons.
It was because of that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit – that Jesus used the power of Beelzebul (Satan) to cast out demons and NOT the power of the Holy Spirit – that Jesus said …
Matthew 12:32
Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in that which is to come.
Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in that which is to come.
These words that Jesus speaks are overwhelming. The dread and sorrow of living an eternity out of God’s presence is too much to bear.
The joyful news is …
We – as lovers of Christ – most surely have NOT committed this unforgivable sin!
Jesus was specifically talking to unrepentant Pharisees who knew in their hearts that Jesus was doing God’s work. But they spoke against Jesus and slandered the Holy Spirit.
Since we were not there and could not speak such a despicable lie in Jesus’ face, we can be sure that we have committed no such sin.
In fact, we are promised that when we accept Christ as our savior, there is no sin that will not be forgiven.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The operative words here are “ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.” So, be confident in the grace that has been bought for you through Jesus’s sacrifice and draw near to God. Because as promised in James 4:8 … if you draw near to God, He will draw near to you!
