Jesus states that there is only one sin that cannot be forgiven and it is “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit”. He says that blasphemy towards Him or the Father can be forgiven but of the Holy Spirit, He is off limits. Many Christians have identified the unforgivable sin as murder or adultery. But this sin is something spoken; spoken evil of. The question that should be asked is, can a Christian be forgiven of ALL sin? If Blasphemy is the only sin that cannot be forgiven, is that a sin that can keep us from God’s mercy, forgiveness and grace?

We have three books in the bible that reference this sin:

  • “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12:31-32).
  • “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation—because they said, “He has an unclean spirit”.”(Mark 3:28-30).
  • “And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.” (Luke 12:10).

Of the three passages, Mark 3:28-30 give more explanation of exactly why it is unforgivable. Let’s take a look at the setting when Jesus warned told the Pharisees of this unpardonable sin.
In Matthew 12, scripture indicates that there was a demon-possessed man brought to Jesus where Jesus cast out the demon and healed him of blindness and his inability to talk. After the followers of Jesus saw His power they asked “”This man cannot be the Son of David, can he?” (this miracle pointed to the promised “descendant” of David, the Messiah.) The Pharisees saw that the crowd was beginning to believe Jesus was the Messiah so they decided to discredit the source of the power that Jesus displayed by saying “this man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.” Jesus proceeded to explain that “if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided and his kingdom will not stand; he would be defeating himself”. Jesus also showed them how crazy that comment was by asking “ if your disciples or sons claim they cast out demons, they must also be in league with demons”. After Jesus showed them how absurd they were, he continues to tell them that the demons were cast out by the Spirit of God. He tells them that they can speak evil of Him but those that speak evil of the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

“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 12:28-32)

What the Pharisees (religious council) did was call the Holy Spirit an unclean spirit of Satan. It was blasphemy against the Spirit, which is a sin that cannot be pardon or forgiven by God. Can Christians commit this unpardonable sin?

The answer is no. Christians are regenerated by the very spirit that could be blasphemed and the Spirit of God would never indwell in someone that considers Him a demon of Satan. God tells us that “He knocks on the door and we choose to let Him in” (Rev 3:20), we are not forced. Christians are new creatures with eternal life and no one can snatch us out of His hands. I have heard Christians angry with God or Jesus but never heard them blasphemy the Holy Spirit. If a Christian ever became so harden to call God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit one of Satan minions, it is impossible for them to have ever been one of God’s children.

If you are a Christian and fear that you have not been forgiven because you spoke against God or Jesus, ask yourself did you ever refer to the Holy Spirit as Satan? As for those that have not yet turned their life over to Christ, if you spoke those words, were they spoken out of ignorance? If so, remember what Jesus said to God as He was dying on the cross “forgive them for they know not what they do”. It is not too late. Forgive yourself as He has forgiven you!