Do Not Blaspheme The Spirit

Posted April 15, 2021

Matthew 12:31

“And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.”

In this verse, Jesus says that it is a very serious sin to blaspheme the Holy Spirit; so serious that it will not be forgiven. The Greek work from which “blasphemy” is translated here means malicious talk, slander, insult or curse. By inference, it may also mean to abuse, refuse or deny.

Because of the context surrounding this verse, some theologians feel blasphemy “involves attributing the ministry and miraculous power of the Holy Spirit (such as the authority to drive out demons and power to heal the sick) to Satan rather than God. It involves a deliberate rejection of the Holy Spirit’s witness to Christ and the gospel.”1

I have often heard it said that if you are concerned about so seriously blaspheming the Spirit that you aren’t forgiven, then it is a good sign that, in fact, you haven’t blasphemed Him. Someone in that condition would never care about whether they had or not.

If you are concerned, then to be sure of your secure position in Christ, repent to the Father of any way you might have done this in the past, and get it covered under the Blood. There is no sin that the Blood of Jesus cannot cleanse. Those who remain unforgiven have never repented.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE:

Talk to the Father about your desire to always honor and revere Him and His Holy Spirit. Repent to Him if you feel any conviction from the past regarding blasphemous words or actions you might have had. Thank Him for the security of your salvation in Christ Jesus.

Dive Deeper: Study Matthew 12; consider today’s verse in light of Isaiah 63:10; Mark 3:28-30; Acts 5:3-5; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy 1:13.