The Unforgivable Sin

11. November 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

Today, we will return our study on the book of Matthew. You may want to scan back to the last couple of lessons just to refresh your memory of the flow.

Our text today has a major controversial statement in it. The bible teaches that there is one sin and one sin only that a person can never be forgiven of. That sin is called “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit..” Christians have often asked me because of some of the things that they have said against God in their “crazy” seasons are they guilty of this sin and have genuinely felt nervous about their salvation.

Today, we will look at the context in which this “unforgivable” sin was created.

Here is our text:

Matthew 12: 22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” 25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house. 30 “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

As you can see in the context, the issue on the table is that Jesus had just healed a demon possessed man and the Pharisees made claims that this healing was done by Beelzebub, the prince of demons.

Jesus responds to their claims first very logically by stating that if Satan is trying to advance his kingdom on this earth then why would he be casting out demons? The casting out of demons on Satan’s behalf would decrease his army not increase so that argument from the Pharisees makes no sense. The people saw the miracle and asked could he be “the son of David” but the Pharisees made claims that he was acting on behalf of Satan.

Jesus then states that a kingdom divided against itself can not stand. If he were of Satan’s kingdom then he would be divided against Satan and therefore the kingdom would eventually fall. Jesus also says that a household that divided against itself will also be ruin. In both these cases, the importance of oneness and unity is needed to advance a kingdom whether good or bad. The power is in unity.

Jesus then makes a powerful declaration. He states that if he then drives demons out by the Spirit of God then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Jesus also states that he who is not with him is against him and those who do not gather with him scatters.

It is out of this context that the statement is made. The issue was that they saw the miracles of God and it clearly was a miracle and act of the Holy Spirit for Satan would not be working against himself by healing and delivering and casting out demons so it is clear that this act was done by the Spirit of God. The Pharisees attributed it to the work of the devil.

Jesus is clear in the text and says that anyone can say anything against the son of man and it will be forgiven but “blasphemy” against the Holy Spirit which is attributing the works of God to the devil will never be forgiven.

This is the Strong’s Concordance definition of the word blasphemy.

1. slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another’s good name
2. impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty

The issue is that when it is clear that a miracle has occurred credit should be given to God and not attributed to Satan. When you go around making claims that it is the work of the devil when Satan would never heal, deliver, set free, cast out demons, etc because it would divide his kingdom and not advance it then you have now begun impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty. In other words, you are speaking against the power of God and giving credit to the devil.

I hope this has helped the many people who have struggled with this statement about the sin that will never be forgiven.

It is even fascinating how Jesus says that the things that are said about him will be forgiven. Many of us know that the world speaks very harshly concerning Jesus and the claims that are made about him through God’s word.

Jesus teaches us in this story that all that can be forgiven but giving credit to the devil when it should go to God is another matter.

Stay encouraged!!!!

All is well, Everything is safe and Everything is as it should be.

God Bless!!!!

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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