Shall Not Be Forgiven

Author: Joseph

Date: July 12, 2020

Only one sin in the entirety of Scripture is said to be unpardonable. While exploring this topic, take great care with the knowledge you are given because this should be handled with meticulous care. The consequences of committing this sin are eternal.

The Pharisees witnessed Yeshua casting out demons and healing those who had been oppressed and troubled by these evil spirits on various occasions (ex. Matthew 9:33-34). They did not believe that Yeshua was the Messiah nor did they accept His authority as from the Father. Jealousy, anger, and bitterness towards Yeshua was their way of interacting with Him. They were corrupted leaders who were far from the heart of God (cf. Mark 7:6). Even worse, they were blaspheming God, speaking against His goodness and mocking His good works.

The Pharisees accused Yeshua, saying, “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons” (Matthew 9:34) The Pharisees accused Yeshua again, saying, “This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons” (Matthew 12:24).

Demons were not being cast out by other demons, nor the ruler of the demons. Demons were being cast out and people were being freed by God’s Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:28). Yeshua, with the helping hand of God’s Spirit, was performing the miraculous work of freeing people from demons.

So that no one would be deceived who was witnessing these acts and hearing the Pharisees false accusations, Yeshua made it clearly known how severe the blasphemy of the Pharisees was:

“He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters. Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12:30-32).

The Pharisees who spoke against God’s Spirit will never be forgiven.

Anyone who speaks against God’s Spirit will never be forgiven.

Speaking evil of God’s Spirit is unforgivable because if someone witnesses the miraculous works of God and then while denying Him also accuses Him of being evil, there is no further hope for them. There is history, testimony, preaching, and other sorts of witnesses that direct a person to God, but to see or hear of a miraculous act of God’s Spirit is to receive a direct offer of faith to believe in God. It is God presenting Himself so that you can put your trust in Him; speaking evil of God’s Spirit and rejecting such miraculous works is to deny the greatest offer of faith. What more can be shown to someone to make them believe (ex. Hebrews 3:7-12)? How can a person ever turn to God after they have persistently denied His presence and spoken against Him for evil? This sin in unforgivable because it means a person has hardened their heart against God and spoken evil of Him even after God has made Himself known to them in a manner that leaves them without excuse for disbelief (and absolutely no reason for speaking evil of Him).

"Speaking evil of God’s Spirit is unforgivable..."

In the same manner many Israelites died in the wilderness on their exodus from Egypt, having seen the miraculous works of God and received heavenly provision, yet they spoke against God and did not listen to Him when they were told to go into the land of promise (Number 14:22-23). They blasphemed against God’s Spirit Who would go before them into the land and help them conquer it (Exodus 23:20-23).

“Be on your guard before him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious toward him, for he will not pardon your transgression, since My name is in him” (Exodus 23:21). Guard your lips and ensure that you do not blaspheme God’s Spirit by speaking evil of Him. Both the Israelites in the wilderness and the Pharisees were eternally condemned because of it. Do not harden your heart against Him and falsely accuse Him of being evil as the Israelites did in the wilderness. Do not attribute His good works to demons as the Pharisees did. Be mindful of God’s Spirit and revere Him for who He is and for His wonderful deeds. Take great care to honor His presence and heed His works, which can build great faith in your life. Matthew 12:22-32

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright by The Lockman Foundation (www.lockman.org).