The unforgivable sin: Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost
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In Mathew (Matthew 12:31-32), Mark (Mark 3:28-29) and Luke (Luke 12:10), Jesus tells us that all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven, but blasphemy the Holy Ghost (spiritual blasphemy) shall not be forgiven. However nowhere does Jesus explain what it means to blasphemy the Holy Ghost nor is it explained anywhere else in the bible. Therefore it’s probably better that we do not know exactly what it means because maybe we will be less likely to commit it. However through logical deduction and a rational knowledge of the bible it can be concluded.
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Let us consider what it means to be born again of God, which is our spiritual birth. It’s the same as our physical birth when we are born of the flesh. Once we are born of the flesh the seed is planted and the seed can never be changed. We can never change what we are. A flesh and blood human being is what we’ll remain until we die. Sure we can surgically alter and modify ourselves and change genders and etc., but we will still remain human. Our father and mother will always be our parents. We may become estranged at times and totally sever the relationship. However the fact will still remain. They will still be our parents and we will still be their children. It’s the same when we are born of God. That can never be changed either. God will always remain our father. The seed will always remain (1John 3:9).
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Now that’s a difficult concept for many to comprehend because they still believe our salvation and favor with God is based on our righteous works. Though it clearly states in Ephesians “For by grace are ye saved through faith (Romans 10:9-10) and not of yourselves. It is a gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Yet they still argue that you have to protect your birthrights through good works and remain sin free. Even though that is an impossible task. That’s why God sent Jesus Christ into the world to cover all of man’s sin (meaning past, present and future). As long as we remain in the flesh (even though we are spiritually born again) we will remain sinners because sin is inborn in the flesh. It is inherent from Adam and Eve and has been passed on from generation to generation through the blood. The actual act of committing a sin is the manifestation of the inborn sin. Though we endeavor to walk righteously our flesh ultimately deceives us (Romans 7:14-25).
Now let’s reconsider Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-29 and Luke 12:10, which states all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven, but blasphemy the Holy Ghost (spiritual blasphemy) shall not be forgiven. So what possibly can blasphemy the Holy Ghost be? It has to be something spiritual. What kind of spiritual sin can there be that would be irreversible? Well we know that being born again of God is irreversible (1John 3:9) because seed cannot be changed neither in our physical world nor in the spiritual world. So what would be the opposite of being born of God’s seed? By answering that question gives you the answer to what blasphemy the Holy Ghost is.
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If I understand exactly what you are saying, I would have to say no. Matthew12:32 states "whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven". What I'm saying is God's gift to man, our spiritual rebirth (i.e. being born again of God's spirit), is irreversible. The seed will always remain (1John 3:9). Unlike with Adam and Eve (who's spirit was conditional), their spirit died when they commited the original sin. Our spirit and new birth is not subject to those conditions. However that was the necessity and purpose of Jesus Christ to reconcile mankind to God (Genesis 3:15) to regain His spirit because that's where the true life is. So having said that, I believe to blasphemy the Holy Ghost is the opposite of being born again. The devil has counterfeits for nearly everything God does. He is a deceiver. For Christ there is the antichrist. For being born again of God's spirit there is being born again of the seed of the serpent. Just like being born again of God's spirit being born again of the seed of the serpent is irreversible and unforgivable. Seed cannot be changed. Cain was born again of the seed of the serpent (1John3:12) that's why his sacrifices were not acceptable to God. His works were evil.
The Lord Jesus DOES explain in the Word what it means to blaspheme the Holy Spirit. You stopped shy in Mark 3 at vs. 29. He defines what it is in verse 30: (29-30) "but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"--BECAUSE they were saying, "He has an unclean spirit."
In Luke 12:10 Jesus says blaspheming the "Son of Man" (His flesh) can be forgiven, but no one is to blaspheme His Spirit, by calling the Holy Spirit of God unclean.
The other passages indicate 'denying' Jesus, but Peter denied Him three times, so this cannot be the unforgivable sin.
Thought provoking and very important.
Having an unclean spirit is a matter of demon possession (Matthew 9:32, Mark 5:2) which has a remedy and that is to have the unclean spirit cast out (Matthew 10:1, Mark 5:2-20). This is not to be confused with exorcism which is a Catholic ritual and is another matter in itself. However being “born again of the seed of the serpent” has no remedy and cannot be changed therefore making it unforgivable. Seed cannot be changed and shall remain (1John 3:9). What we are born unto is how we will remain.
When spirits are cast out, they are cast out by the Spirit of God. Those accusing Jesus were accusing Him of casting them out by the spirit of Satan. That's blaspheming the Holy Ghost. I've never heard of being 'born again of the seed of the serpent' ~ some man-made doctrine, no doubt. The Bible says the unbelieving are condemned already. Only those born again of the Holy Spirit are saved. There's no need for the lost to be 'born again of the seed of the serpent'. That's my take on that doctrine. If someone isn't born of the Spirit, they are lost. That doesn't mean they've blasphemed the Holy Spirit, for they can yet be forgiven, as we were, and saved.
Let's look at the Antichrist, for instance. He will do all kinds of signs and wonders attributed to Satan, but I bet he won't be casting out demons...
When we are born we are already spiritually dead children of Satan. What would we have to do specifically to be born again of Satan - what would that even mean other then we live the rest of our life in this world having no chance for forgiveness? Could it have more to do with our state of mind or heart at the time of our death? The Word testifies of the Truth- to still reject it at our death would be an unpardonable sin.
I should not have used the reference "born again of the seed of the serpent" in the point I'm trying to make. I apologize. However the devil (serpent) does have seed (Genesis 3:15) and like God does have children (1John 3:10). Cain was of that wicked one (1John 3:12) which was the reason his sacrifices were not acceptable to God. Jesus accused the Pharisees (John 8:44) of their father being the devil. Therefore if their father is the devil they are born of the devil (spiritually speaking). Unlike when we are born. We are not born spiritually dead, we are merely born without spirit. Then there are 3 paths that can be taken. (1) to be born of God's spirit (and become one of His children) (2) to be born of the devil's spirit (become one of his children) which is not the same as being possessed (3) receiving neither God's spirit nor the devil's. The latter still has the chance in the Judgement of the just and unjust, but the children of the devil are doomed (the unforgivable sin).
How to be born of the devil? I can't say for sure? However Cain apparently did it as did some of the pharisees. But the devil is very deceptive and has many counterfeits. Look at how he deceived Eve. I suspect it would be similiar to becoming born again of God's spirit. In fact, I suspect that's what he was trying to do in Matthew 4:8-9 with Jesus.
Thanks, that gives me more to look into. Not that I didn't have enough already. I do however appreciate it! Got me thinking about a love for the world and I'm still hung up on rejecting the Truth as being unpardonable.
Good discussion. I agree with Shepherd's Lamb the Pharisees accusing Jesus of casting out devils because they were being cast out by the spirit of satan. If I remember correctly, the person who I first heard that by said that Jesus' preaching and teaching changed after that. It changed from more of a direct approach to parables.
The accusation definitely was a direct hit towards Jesus laying in the seeds of doubt about Jesus in the minds of those who heard and trusted the Pharisees. Those who heard would have went and told others, and the evil seed grew.
Voted up.
Excerpt of an excerpt found on the internet
The One UNPARDONABLE Sin
Under the Law of Moses, one could sin against God and be forgiven, but one who blasphemed Him was stoned to death (Leviticus 24:16).
What is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
http://www.oldpaths.com/archive/brown/t/pierce/192
BLASPHEMY – The use of slander to make one’s thoughts publicly known in an attempt to ruin the good name and reputation of someone else in order to hinder them.
Why did Jesus bring up the subject? The Jews were blaspheming Him. They had accused Him of casting out demons by the spirit of the Devil. There are those who ASSUME this was blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, for they think that since He was really casting them out by the Holy Spirit, they were calling the Holy Spirit the spirit of the Devil. THIS ASSUMPTION is wrong for several reasons, but the simplest is that Jesus Himself makes a distinction between blaspheming Him and blaspheming the Holy Spirit. But since they were blaspheming HIM and knNEW THEY WERE LYING, HE WARNS THEM, in effect, "If you continue in that direction, you will become so hardened that you may get to the place where you can speak evil against even the Holy Spirit. If you ever get to that condition, you will never be forgiven!"
We need to know that principle: Any time a person sins in a deliberate fashion, calling "good" "evil," he becomes HARDENED, and if he persists in that kind of deliberate sin may become so hardened that he may not care if he speaks evil of the Holy Spirit Himself.
· BLASPHEMY – The use of slander to make one’s thoughts publicly known in an attempt to ruin the good name and reputation of someone else in order to hinder them.
According to the definitions above, to blaspheme the spirit of God is to make one’s thoughts known in a calculated and deliberately evil way. To blaspheme the Spirit an evil person sets out with a plan devised to publicly vilify God with the aim of destroying His reputation and His credibility. This is done by contemptuously hindering the operation of God’s spirit and slandering His authority. You can see this is more involved than angrily cursing God, or using Jesus’ name in a profane or corrupt manner.
Jesus spent three days and three nights in the tomb after he was crucified; the 3 days and 3 nights of Jonah correspond to the “sign” God was giving to the Jews. After God raised Jesus from the dead, the Jews paid the soldiers that were guarding his tomb to spread rumors and lies, instructing them to say that Jesus’ disciples had stolen the body. This PROVES the Jewish leaders were working against GOD, not just against the son of man.
When the Jews began working against God by denying the resurrection they crossed a line that meant no return for them.
charles wade 5 months ago
kcpenn48, The Holy Spirit testifies to the truth of God's Word, which testifies about Jesus. So, to deny the Jesus the Word of God testifies of would be blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. I think that is true. Is that what you are saying?