Written by Paul J Bucknell on October, 30, 2018
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit
Christ said in Luke 12:10 that those who speak against the Holy Spirit would never be forgiven here in this life and the world which to come. Please what is the meaning of that statement? Since many have previously attacked the Holy Word but are now saved by Christ grace.
Jesus repeatedly states that those who blaspheme against the Holy Sprit will never be saved.
“And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man shall confess him also before the angels of God; 9* but he who denies Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. 10 “And everyone who will speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him. (Luke 12:8-10)
Luke 12:10, Mat 12:31-32; Mark 3:29
Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. And whoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit…” (Matt 12:31–32).
“But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin” (Mark 3:29).
So should believers fear blaspheming the Holy Spirit? Absolutely not. Believers do not need to fear this blasphemy as it is impossible for believers to deny the very source of their life. The problem of “blasphemy of the Spirit” originates from Jesus’ rebuke to those who had hardened their hearts against God even though they saw His miraculous work. True believers born of the Spirit (John 3:5–6) cannot commit blasphemy of the Spirit.
Can unbelievers blaspheme the Holy Spirit? Yes, Jesus’ words are not directed toward confused or erring believers but to unbelievers who saw the mighty works of Jesus done by the Spirit and yet still repudiated Christ’s claims. These people cannot find forgiveness for they have shut the door to God’s work of the Spirit, the door to salvation.
People can be critical against Jesus Christ and the Word of God, but if they demean the works of the Holy Spirit, then these people are proving to be hardened against the One who would soften their hearts and save them. Their hardened hearts prove the Spirit of God is not working in them.
Check out the BFF NT Digital Library, which includes all our New Testament resources.