The statement, “God forgives all sin” is not Biblical. While God does forgive sin, there’s one specific sin, if committed, that he will not forgive. This sin is called the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. This is also referred to as the unpardonable sin. If an individual commits this sin, there is no forgiveness… ever. The Scripture says this very very plainly. Just what “is” this sin, what does it look like and how do we as Christians ensure that we never ever commit it?
Before I even begin, let me say from the outset that because of the very nature of this teaching, there are going to be those who read it and due to their own spirit of condemnation that they walk in, they’ll think, “This is me! I’m lost forever!”. The devil will play on their minds and twist the very passages of Scripture to do so.. just as he did to Eve in the Garden! You who struggle in this area of satan whispering that you’ve “crossed the line”, know this: If you’re honest with your sin and bondage and seek to walk in freedom – genuinely seek freedom! – you are not in the category of being a blasphemer. In fact, you are on your way to deliverance! Christians struggle and many are in bondage to sin and are seeking the freedom of Christ in their lives. This article is referring to those who love their sin, enjoy their sin and are hypocrites; it’s these that are in danger of damnation and it’s to these that the Scripture cries out against.
There are various ideas among Believers today on what the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is. Some hold that it cannot be committed by genuine Believers while others hold that it can. There are also different views on “how” it’s committed. I want to take some time in this article to look into this topic and dig into the Word of God for my own position on this matter.
First, we must define the word blasphemy as it relates to the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. The word blasphemy means “to blaspheme, rail at or revile,” is used (a) in a general way, of any contumelious speech, reviling, calumniating, railing at, etc, as of those who railed at Christ, (b) of those who speak contemptuously of God or of sacred things, “rail at,” 2 Pet. 2:10; Jude 1:8,10; “railing,” “slanderously reported,” “be evil spoken of,” “speak evil of,” “being defamed” (Vine’s Greek Expository Dictionary)
So we see first of all that to blaspheme the Holy Spirit is to defame Him and His word; it’s to revile Him and to speak slanderously against Him. This is certainly not limited to verbal speech but most certainly includes our lifestyle.
We now ask: Is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit an instant occurrence or a progressive one?
1- Progressive: “But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.” (Mark 3:29)
2- Instant: “And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.” (Luke 12:10)
I submit that in order to finally and eternally commit the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, one must constantly, continually and progressively insult the Holy Spirit to such a degree that at some point – known only to God – one crosses a line whereby God no longer offers redemption.
I believe with all of my heart that God has made it very very difficult to blaspheme the Holy Spirit; His grace and mercy are so deep and so inviting to those in need of cleansing, forgiveness and freedom that it would take constant deliberate attacks against the working of the Holy Spirit in order to come to such a place as to blaspheme Him. Nonetheless, the Scripture does present such a thing as a reality for us.
What are some things that lead to the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
1- Resisting the Holy Spirit is the first step towards blaspheming Him. In Acts 7:51 we read “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye”.
When we resist the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, we’re in great danger. To resist means to fight against. If we resist the Holy Spirit and His convicting work in our hearts, we will then grieve Him.
2- Grieving the Holy Spirit means to cause Him deep sorrow. In Ephesians 4:30 we read “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption”.
In resisting the Holy Spirit, we then provoke Him to become grieved at our decision of fighting against His work in our lives. Vine’s Greek Expository Dictionary states concerning the word grieve the following: “to cause pain, or grief, to distress, grieve”. When we resist the Holy Spirit we cause Him pain and distress which then leads to quenching His work in our lives:
3- Quenching the Holy Spirit means to put out His work in our lives. In 1 Thessalonians 5:19 we read “Quench not the Spirit.”
Quenching the Holy Spirit can be compared to putting out a fire. The moment you throw water on a fire… that fire goes out. In the same way, if we resist and grieve the Holy Spirit through deliberate and continual disobedience in our heart attitudes and in our lifestyles, we’re telling Him to stop doing His work in our lives; that we’re not going to submit to His convicting power.
Is it possible for a Christian to blaspheme the Holy Spirit? Are there examples of anyone in the Scriptures who were in covenant with God who were later cut off from covenant, never to be offered redemption again? Yes. One example we will look at is Esau. This is recorded in Hebrews 12:15-17 which says, “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.”
Esau’s birthright under the Old Covenant is a type and shadow of our birthright – Salvation – in the New Covenant. According to GotQuestions, we read concerning the birthright: “A birthright was an honor given to the firstborn, bestowing “head of household” status and the right to inherit his father’s estate. The son with the birthright would receive a double portion of whatever was passed down (see Deuteronomy 21:17).”
Esau, according to the writer of Hebrews, gave up his birthright to his brother due to his carnal appetite for food. Amazing! Yet how many today are selling their birthright in Christ for their carnal desires for pornography, slander, gossip, unforgiveness, etc? How many today are shouting “Victory!” when behind closed doors there’s a double life being lived; a life of fornication, bitterness and profaneness concerning the Holy things of God?
According to the text in Hebrews, we must be ever cautious not to allow bitterness to take root in our hearts as this is the very first step in selling our birthright and potentially blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Look at the progression in the text. Bitterness leads to defilement which then leads to fornication and profaneness.
Finally, concerning Esau, notice the statement “he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.”
Esau understood and realized what a horrible sin he had committed … but only after the fact! It was now too late and he was rejected.. though he plead and plead and plead! In modern times, Esau would be at the front of the altar, weeping … but he would be rejected! Why? Not because God is not gracious, compassionate and merciful but rather because Esau was profane and treated his birthright as though it were something not of eternal value! He wanted his immediate hunger met and sold his birthright as a result. What does it look like to be a blasphemer of the Holy Spirit? In Romans 1 we get a clear and frightening picture in Romans 1:26-32 when we read ” For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
Notice the words “God gave them up”. In many circles, it’s taught that “God never gives up” yet this passage, in the New Testament, says the exact opposite. Now “why” did God give these people up? Verse 25 of the same chapter tells us: “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”
Notice the words “Changed the truth of God into a lie”. There was a dishonesty in the hearts of these people. They changed the truth of God into a lie and therefore the Lord rejected them. The result? The words ” Being filled with all unrighteousness…”
When we live lives of dishonesty and hypocrisy; when we stand before men and pretend we’re holy when in secret we enjoy fornication, pride, backbiting, slander, gossip, etc (all the things listed in Romans 1), then we’re in danger of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Those who proclaim victory or who shout they want to be free when they in fact continue to indulge in sexual sin, bitterness, etc, are hypocrites and unless they stop resisting the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, a point will come where there is no more forgiveness offered. This is not because God does not want to redeem people… but because hypocrites are the ones who show, by their heart attitudes and actions, that they themselves do not want forgiveness and freedom from sin and it’s power. They speak much about wanting to be free… yet their lives tell a different story.
Now, don’t get me wrong! There are believers who struggle and who are in bondage… yet they’re honest about it! They don’t play the hypocrite card; they’re open about their struggles and not only with their words… but their hearts hate the very sin and bondage that they’re enslaved to. The difference between them and the one in danger of blaspheming the Holy Spirit is that they’re honest while the other is not. There’s a longing and a cry for freedom in their hearts while the ones who resist the Holy Spirit, grieve Him and quench Him have no tangible intent to allow God to transform them. They “say” it with their mouths and may even weep… but there’s a dishonesty in such people.
Lastly, how can we ensure that we will never begin down the path to the blasphemy of teh Holy Siprit? Here are 5 biblical principles to walk in on a a consistent daily basis:
1- Daily Prayer: In Acts 3:1 we read “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
Prayer – daily prayer – will release God’s Presence in your life and keep your heart soft. You’ll sense the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit as you walk with God.
2- Daily repentance: In Luke 9:23 we read, “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Repentance must be daily; we must come before God on a daily basis and crucify, by the Power of the Holy Spirit, our selfish desires and carnal ambitions. We must say “No!” to sin and “Yes!” to holiness. If we do sin, we must immediately repent and forsake that sin!
3- Constant cleansing: In 2 Corinthians 7:1 we read, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
Scripture is clear: Whatever and whoever influences us to sin, we must remove from our lives. It doesn’t matter what it is… if it influences us to sin, we must get it out and never look back!
4- Submission to godly leadership: In Hebrews 13:17 we read “ Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”
Godly leadership … they “watch over your soul”. When a godly leader sees danger ahead, we would be foolish not to take heed. The Lord has set in the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for our spiritual growth and maturity in Christ.
5- Humility and brokenness: In James 4:6-7 we read “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” and then in Psalm 51:17 we read “ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
Humility and brokenness are to be our heart attitudes. We’re never to rise up against others or rail against others; we’re to wash one another’s feet and pray for those who use us and misuse us. We must have an ever growing dependence on God for all things!
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Backsliding isn’t the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit but it “can” be… one thing for sure is that for Christians it’s the first step in committing the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Don’t listen to any minister, ministry or message that is light on sin and backsliding; don’t allow yourself to be deceived by those who see sin as nothing big. Rather, hate sin, despise sin and love God and His Word. Let us never fall away and turn from Christ, thus endangering ourselves. In walking in the principles listed above, the Holy Spirit will continually bring us closer and closer to Christ Jesus where our hearts remain soft and sensitive to Him.
