PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 12:30-32
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” (Matthew 12:32)
Some people are desperately convinced that they have committed this sin.
And yet their sorrow suggests otherwise, for sorrow is a fruit of the Spirit.
Its got to be more than one time saying something against the Spirit.
“It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance.” (Hebrews 6:4-6)
These verses suggest that Jesus is speaking of ultimately rejecting the Spirit’s work within.
We can’t say ourselves when this happens; even sinners like Paul are forgiveable!
Only God knows when this happens, and He keeps on trying until that point.
If you WANT forgiveness, you have NOT committed the sin against the Holy Spirit.
It is the Spirit of Jesus in you that is convicting your heart to want forgiveness.
Satan wants you to think you – or someone you love – has committed this sin.
Be encouraged, God’s patience is immense, even for the worse of sinners (1 Timothy 1:16).
From our vantage point, there is always time to repent, until the very end.
PRAYER
Lord, worse sinners than us have been forgiven. Help me not to listen to Satan’s lies about the sin against the Spirit. Help me to cling to the hope of Your immense patience.
Great explanation for this Pastor Norm.
I’m reminded how important it is for my worries, concerns, and anxieties to be surrendered to God – if our trust and faith are not with Him, then our worries and stresses work us against Him.
Seems to me that stopping the work of the Holy Spirit in me – stops me from growing and being more like Jesus – but blasphemy is more that simply ignoring and stopping – but is defiant and rebellious – and totally the opposite of humility and seeking forgiveness. It is our defiance of the Holy Spirit’s work that makes it unforgivable- because I want to stay in charge and we move away from God. How can I become more Christlike without the work of the Holy Spirit?
Blasphemy against the Spirit is the unforgivable sin. But anyone who is true believer of Jesus has the Holy Spirit dwelling in him/her and so cannot blaspheme the Spirit.
I think one who resists to believe and deny the working of the Spirit in his life but give glory to another spirit is he one blaspheming the Spirit.
As believers we at times grieve and quench the Spirit but we won’t blaspheme Him.
I never really understood what the unpardonable sin is, but I appreciate, Norm, your explanation. I am grateful that God forgives me over and over!
My only hope is in Christ Jesus. He is the Giver of life. I need Him every hour. The thief on the cross recognized God’s grace and was saved. One but not the other. I need the purifying work of Christ in my life. He reigns in me.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.