The Unpardonable Sin
In Matthew 12:31, 32, Jesus says, “All manner of sin and blasphemy will be forgiven man, except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.” This sin is also known as the unpardonable sin. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a constant resisting to the love of God’s Spirit to the point of not being able to hear His voice any more.
The Holy Spirit does three things: He teaches us the things we need to know for our salvation (John 14:26), He guides us into all truth (John 16:13), and He convicts of sin (John 16:7, 8). When a person sins, his conscience is moved with a sense of guilt. The Holy Spirit is calling him to repent. As long as he allows the Holy Spirit to teach, guide, and convict, he could never be guilty of committing the unpardonable sin. But if he repeatedly refuses to repent over a period of time, his conscience becomes hardened (1 Timothy 4:2).
Then, the Holy Spirit respects the person’s decision and he approaches the parameters of committing the unpardonable sin. It is for this sin that a person cannot be forgiven, because he has rejected the Spirit that convicts of sin (John 16:8). So, if a person still feels convicted of sin and plans to repent, he has not committed the unpardonable sin.
Noah warned the antediluvians of a coming flood. The Holy Spirit deeply stirred them with conviction, but they would not move out to obey the message. After years of patient preaching, almost all the inhabitants of the world rejected Noah’s warnings and passed over the point of no return. The Spirit withdrew to leave the rejecters of the truth to their choices. “And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man” (Genesis 6:3). When they turned away from God’s Spirit and refused to listen and obey, God left them to their fate.
Therefore, today, the Lord pleads with His children saying, “grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). Our prayer should be like that of David’s, “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me” (Psalm 51: 11). And the Lord will hear our request.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
