Expert: Quentin Parker - 3/9/2010

Question
What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
How do you know if you have done it?
Is there absolutely no hop/forgiveness for someone who has done this sin?
What about 1 John 1:9, Romans 10:13, and Acts 2:21?
Do those verses just not apply to those who have blasphemed the Holy Spirit?

Answer
Hi Susie,

Thank-you for your question.

The sin of blasphemy can be defined as blatant, intentional irreverence. Many people believe, from the context of Matthew 12: 31 and other portions of Scripture in which Jesus’ same statement is found (Mark 3:22-30; Luke 11:14-26), that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the sin of attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan, as the Pharisees had just done in the portion of Matthew 12 prior to Jesus’ statement. In the passage in Luke those words come directly after Jesus warning that "he who denies Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God" (vs. 8-9). The Pharisees accused Jesus as being in league with Satan because he was able to cast out demons. They were attributing the miraculous and righteous work of the Holy Spirit to the evil work of the devil!

No, Jesus’ statement gives no hope of forgiveness from this sin; that is by definition the nature of an ‘unforgivable sin’. Christ said that “anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” (vs. 32b) Whoever speaks blasphemy against the Holy Spirit hardens his heart with a conscious, intentional, and perverse rejection of the truth of salvation and forgiveness.

In your question, you referred to 1 John 1:9 among other verses, wondering if these promises do not apply to one who has committed the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. 1 John 1:9 says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Romans 10:13 and Acts 2:21 both tell us that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. However, what is distinctive about the unforgivable sin that precludes its forgiveness is a lack of repentance. The assumption here is that anyone who so willfully and defiantly blasphemes the Holy Spirit possesses such a hardened and contrary heart that he will never turn to Christ, will never confess his sins, and will never call on the name of the Lord or seek forgiveness.

While I would be inclined to believe that there is no indication from Scripture that this admonition was ever rescinded, many insist that because this sin seems to have been particular to that portion of Jesus’ earthly ministry and since the warning is not repeated in any of the post-resurrection epistles, this sin cannot be committed today.  

Thanks again for your question, Susie. I do hope you find this helpful.

God bless!
Quentin Parker