The Unpardonable Sin
The unpardonable sin, as it is called, seems to worry many faithful Christians. They worry that they may have committed the sin and do not know it. A vague scriptural understanding of this sin fuels this worry. To put minds to rest who may worry that they have unknowingly committed this sin, the answer is no you have not. Blasphemy is more than just slanderous words. It involves the intent of the heart. The unpardonable sin is presented in Matthew (12:24-32) and in Mark
(3:22-30). Luke mentions the clenching verse (12:10) but does not contain the
clues to understanding this sin. So, to get the understanding we need we will
use the passages in Matthew and Mark.
Here are the main verses from both these gospels: Matt 12:31-32 "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. "Anyone who 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 the age to come. Mark 3:28-30 "Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; "but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation"-- because they said, "He has an unclean spirit." Now the word blasphemy according to Thayer's definition means: 1) slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another's good name; 2) impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty. Therefore, to blaspheme the Holy Spirit is to make derogatory remarks or to defame God's Spirit. Whoever does this of course is reviling God. Who would dare to do that? Only two types of people could do this. First, those who do it out of ignorance, emotion, or anger. Second, those who knowingly do it because God's Spirit is a threat to their unrighteous will. Of these two, the ignorant, emotional, and angry have a chance for forgiveness. Those who knowingly blaspheme for their unrighteous purpose(s) will never be forgiven in this age or in the age to come (the thousand-year millennium). One must realize it takes a very hard and calloused heart to fearlessly defame God or His Spirit. Since the unpardonable sin does involve slanderous and derogatory remarks combined with resentful attitudes and emotions, some have worried about awful words they may have said toward God in the past. Though their remarks did not make God happy but rather hurt Him, they did not commit the unpardonable sin. Notice what Jesus says in Matt. 12:31. All blasphemy will be forgiven men. All blasphemous words directed toward God are generally committed during a severe or emotional circumstance. The words generally come out in anger or frustration toward God blaming Him, holding Him responsible, and even feeling hatred toward God for what has happened to them in their lives. This is where spiritual maturity and enduring to the end must rise above emotions, regardless of hardships or any unpleasant or traumatic event. We must realize God is in control. He sees the big picture. It is not for us to question God. He works for the good of those who are the called. Sometimes we understand why things happen early on. Sometimes it takes a while, especially if we hold anger inside of us. The majority of those who fall into this emotional type of blasphemy will feel a conviction and guilt will hover in their minds. Once their anger or emotion has subsided they will repent and seek forgiveness from God. It is possible (but not probable) if one severely hardens his heart because of the circumstances or the traumatic event and continues in his anger and resentment then he may turn away from loving God and worshiping Him. If he goes to his grave as such, he will exclude himself from the grace of God and ultimately from the salvation of his soul. Therefore, if you have committed this sin in the past or it happens at some future time you must not remain in this sin. You must repent and seek forgiveness from God and commit yourself to worshiping and serving Him once again. The sooner you do this the better it will be for you. In contrast to the emotional blasphemy is the deliberate, calculated, and intentional blasphemy. This is the blasphemy that the Pharisees committed. Their blasphemy was accusing Jesus of casting out demons by the ruler of the demons. In other words, Jesus was working by the power of Satan to cast out demons. This is clearly the content of their blasphemy because Mark 3:30 identifies the blasphemy "Because they said he had an unclean spirit." The Pharisees knew the scriptures and the coming of the Messiah. They also knew only the power of God could raise the dead, heal the sick, and make whole the crippled. In all scripture there was no record where Satan or His demons did anything righteous or miraculous. The Pharisees were at risk of losing their authority among the people and their monetary and material gains. Up to the time of Jesus they had enjoyed basking in the attention and gifts of the people while perverting the intent of the scriptures to maintain these benefits. Jesus directly accused the Pharisees of their hypocrisy. The Pharisees positions and the welfare that came with them were far more desirable than the truth of God's word or His Messiah. Now, combining the facts that they knew only the Spirit of God could do the things Jesus did and their lecherousness for gain, we have the making of the unpardonable sin. The gospel of Christ being a danger to their status and authority, they knowingly blasphemed the Holy Spirit in the hope of turning people against Jesus and away from the truth. The key to understanding the unpardonable sin is the intent of the blasphemy. If done only out of emotional turmoil, as mentioned before, blasphemy can be forgiven. However, if one speaks slanderously against God or His Spirit with the intent to suffice his own unrighteous will he is committing the unpardonable sin. Only hearts that are far away from God could commit this sin. They have neither fear of God nor the consequences of their blasphemy. In the past all blasphemy was quickly punished. Blasphemers were put to death. However, today blasphemy committed in ignorance or in emotional outbursts can be forgiven. This is due to the grace we are under through Jesus’ death. The opportunity to get right with God exists under this grace. However, it is certain that anyone who blasphemes God is in a dangerous state. One who continues in blasphemy without repenting and renewing commitment to God will become hardened and calloused in his heart. His conscience will become seared as with a hot iron no longer fearing God nor honoring Jesus. Then blasphemy will not be forgiven and his soul will be lost. The indicator that someone can be forgiven of blasphemy is when he or she feels conviction and guilt lingers in his or her mind. Repentance will eventually come. They will seek to get right with God and return to His will and grace. There is another type of blasphemy that we should mention as it will affect our everyday lives and the salvation of our souls. This blasphemy concerns those who claim to be followers of Christ but live an unrighteous life. An ungodly life by one who claims to be a follower of God or Christ blasphemes simply because their words and actions dishonor the holy and righteous name of God. (Ezekiel 20:27 NKJV - "Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "In this too your fathers have blasphemed Me, by being unfaithful to Me. Rom 2:23-24 NKJV - 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you”). By pursuing the rewards of the world and seeking greatly to fulfill the lust of our eyes and the lust of our flesh, and the pride of life we can greatly jeopardize the salvation of our souls. We become unconscious of God, His will, and the righteousness He desires in us. We become like the world instead of a child of the kingdom of God. We should be like Christ in righteousness, holiness, and in love for our brethren. All unrighteousness is sin and dishonors Jesus and God. Willful continuance in unrighteousness will lead to an eternal death. (Heb 10:26-27 NKJV - 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries). God wants us to sanctify our heart, mind, and works. Therefore, be aware of your walk. Make sure your priority is God with appropriate service to Him. Be sure not only to hear the words of righteousness but also to do righteousness and to speak justly and to love the brethren. A follower of Christ is to be a light to the world. We cannot be a light of the Savior if our light is oiled by the world and its uncleanness. Remove yourself from all unclean influences. Be careful and particular about what you watch, to what you listen, and with whom you socialize. The world and its available wickedness can draw you in. Put on Christ and sanctify yourself by a holy, pure, and righteous walk. To conclude, one can blaspheme God or Jesus through an emotional outburst or out of spiritual ignorance and can still receive forgiveness because of the grace of God through Jesus. Blasphemy is more than just injurious or reproachful speech. However, if one continues in this sin, never expressing repentance nor recommitting to God, they will be lost. They will be lost by default due to their own hardened heart. If one knowingly blasphemes for their unrighteous will they will commit the unpardonable sin. It takes a person with no fear of God or the consequences to commit blasphemy. They have no intention of repenting. They seek to suffice their own agenda, desires, lusts, and pride. Such was the goal of the Pharisees when they accused Jesus of working by the power of Satan. Those who commit this sin do so with eyes wide open and a callous heart. It is possible but not probable that a true follower of Christ would commit the unpardonable sin. It is more possible that a follower of Christ could fall into a blasphemous lifestyle and upon never repenting (the sin unto death) could forfeit his salvation. The most unpardonable sin today is to reject Jesus as Savior and Lord of your life.
|