The Sin Against the Holy Spirit

Introduction

Perhaps no other subject has been more debated since the 1st century. Is it really possible to commit a sin of which one cannot repent? is it possible to ignorantly or inadvertently speak against or blaspheme the Holy Spirit? Would doing this cause one to enter a state in which one could not repent even if they wanted to? Read the text:  Mt. 12:31-32; Mk. 3:28-29; Lk. 12:10. The sin against the Holy Spirit is an indication of a condition of heart which renders forgiveness impossible.

I.  What this Sin is NOT.

A.    Not merely blasphemy.  1 Tim. 1:13

B.    Not Murder. 1 Jhn. 3:15

C.    Not Adultery. 1 Cor 6:9-11

D.    Not Suicide

II.  The Context Surrounding the Sin Against the Holy Spirit.

A.    Matthew/Mark: Jesus’ statements surround the same event.

1.     Mt. 12:22 - Just before: Christ entered a house & multitudes followed. 

a)    Mt. 12:23 - could this be the Son of David? 

B.    Mt. 12:14 - Scribes/Pharisees sought to destroy Jesus.

1.     desperate attempt in 12:24 (Mk. 3:22) - power of Beelzebub.

a)    Beelzebub: "Philistine god of flies. Designated the prince of all moral impurity.”

C.    The Refutation: 12:25-26 - parable of division

a)    Jesus asks "Why would Satan fight against Satan?"

b)    Jesus was fighting Satan w/the spirit of God!

2. 12:29 - Jesus speaks of the parable of the strong man.

a)     Satan was not going to bind himself - Jesus was going to overpower Satan & destroy his goods.

b)     12:30 - Scribes/Pharisees sought to scatter because they opposed the Lord.

D.    The Warning.

1.     12:31 - "Therefore I say to You…"  (Also Mk. 3:28)

a)    Jesus not giving warning to the whole multitude - but to only the scribes/pharisees.

b)    they deliberately called the spirit of God Beelzebub or Satan!

c)    As long as they continued to reject Christ & the H.S. they would in no way be forgiven.

2.  What does the passage in Lk. 12:10-11 mean?

a)     12:12 - they would see the power of the H.S. working in them.

b)     If they allowed themselves to get the same heart of the Pharisees/Scribes they would meet the same fate.

III.  Can this sin be committed today?

A.      No.  Why?

1.      Direct power of the Holy Spirit is not being displayed in miracles today.

B.      3 Passages demonstrate that we harden his heart to where forgiveness is impossible.

1      Heb. 6:4-6; Heb. 10:26-27; 1 Jhn. 5:16

a.     God will forgive all sins confessed - 1 Jhn. 1:9

Conclusion:

A.    Key to forgiveness:  the condition of one's heart.  How is your heart?