Matthew 12
One of the most frequent questions I get asked is, "Have I committed the unpardonable sin by blaspheming the Holy Spirit?" I immediately ask the person to unpack the question. They usually tell me a story about a time when they were angry with God. In their anger they cursed God and told him that they hated him. Because of these words, they struggle with fears about their eternal destiny.
In Matthew 12 Jesus says this, "Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven." The immediate context of this statement is that Jesus has healed a man. The Pharisees who saw this miracle rejected it, saying it was done by the power of Satan. These religious leaders were rejecting the grace of God revealed right in front of them. And by attributing the power of God to Satan, they weren't just doubting, they were denying the truth.
The bottom line is this: the sin of "blaspheming the Holy Spirit" is essentially rejecting Jesus. The work of the Holy Spirit is to reveal Jesus as God the Son and King of the universe. If we reject this work of the Holy Spirit, we will never come to the place of receiving forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Persistent rejection of the work of the Holy Spirit leads to a place where repentance is no longer possible. Beware!!
I encourage the person who asked this question to realize that even their concern over this issue reveals their heart is still open to the Spirit's work. The amazing grace of God can forgive every sin in our lives. What God can't do is forgive a person who willfully hardens their heart against the Holy Spirit's whisper. If you hear his whisper today, follow his leading.
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