What Is the Unpardonable Sin? A Biblical Explanation of the Unforgivable Sin

What is the unpardonable sin? The Unforgivable Sin is explained in the Bible.

Introduction

Perhaps no other teaching of Jesus has eroded and misled us as much as His warning about the unpardonable sin.

There's a lot of people who have asked themselves this question quietly:

Am I guilty of the unpardonable sin?

Is it possible for God to forgive all of the sins?

Does God show no mercy for any sin?

What was Jesus saying?

These have been questions which have been debated among Christians for centuries.

The augurs are that the Bible has the context we require.

Jesus' warning was not meant to discourage or frighten those that are sincere believers.

This was a serious indictment on anyone who would persistently deny God's truth, when it had been more than clearly made known to them.

To grasp the warning you need to know the context.

Where does Jesus mention the unpardonable sin?

The teaching is on display at:

* Matthew 12:22–32

* Mark 3:22–30

* Luke 12:10

The most detailed account is in Matthew 12.

Jesus has just healed the man who was:

* Demon possessed

* Blind

* Unable to speak

The people went astounded.

Then many started to wonder if Jesus was really the long awaited Messiah.

The Pharisees did not rejoice, they made a shocking accusation.

They said:

Matthew 12:24, KJV reads, "This is a man that casteth out devils, and by Beelzebub the prince of the devils he doeth.

They were outrageously attributing the miracles of the Holy Spirit to Satan's work.

Jesus' warning was in response to this accusation.

Jesus' Warning

Jesus declared:

All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. (Matthew 12:31)

Pay attention to the beginning of the verse.

The initial point that Jesus makes is how incredible God's mercy is.

"All manner of sin..."

Only then does He warn about one unique kind of blasphemy.

This is an outstanding warning due to an exceptional situation.

What is the meaning of "blasphemy"?

The word blasphemy is derived from the word blasphemy that means to speak against God, which is disrespecting, insulting or defaming God.

However, in this text, Jesus is speaking more than just about careless words.

The Pharisees had seen conclusive proof of God's power.

They saw:

* The miracles.

* The compassion.

The power of Jesus.

But they knew that the work of the Holy Spirit was of the devil.

This was not stupor.

Deliberate rejection.

Why was this sin so serious?

The Holy Spirit's work is to reveal the truth about Jesus.

Those who keep on denying the Spirit, deny the One who brings them repentance.

The Pharisees had no lack of evidence.

They possessed more evidence than any other people.

They had a problem with their hearts being hard!

They rejected Truth: they declared Truth evil.

Jesus said that there is a spiritual blindness when people resist so much.

Is the Unpardonable Sin One Sentence?

Many people worry:

If I told you something horrible years ago, what would you say?

Suppose I have a blasphemous thought?

"What if I became angry with God?"

It's written in the context of Jesus saying something much more than just one sentence.

It's an established and persistent denial of the witness of the Holy Spirit to Christ.

It is not a coincidental word.

It is a stubbornness of the heart to reject God's Goodness, even after the knowledge of truth has been imparted.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit:

Convicts the people of sin.

* Explains who Jesus is.

Invites people to repentance.

* Brings people to salvation.

* Glorifies Christ.

When someone continually refuses this work, they refuse the means whereby God is bringing them to Himself.

It is not because God will no longer be willing to forgive.

The issue is that the person continually refuses the forgiveness God offers.

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Is This Sin Really Unforgivable?

Jesus' words should be taken seriously.

They need to be recognized as a part of God's message of mercy, which is repeated throughout the pages of the Bible.

Scripture tells us forgiveness is offered to those guilty of:

* Murder

* Adultery

* Idolatry

* Persecution

* Theft

* Denial of Christ

The unique thing about the Pharisees' response was their deliberate and persistent rejection of God's obviously displayed work.

The unpardonable nature of sin is that it's just a refusal to repent.

What About the Apostle Paul?

Paul was once a persecutor of Christians.

He approved of Stephen's death.

He imprisoned believers.

But God had mercy on him.

Why?

Paul said that he had "acted ignorantly in unbelief" (1 Timothy 1:3).

His life illustrates that all evil can be forgiven when there is true repentance.

This sin isn't.

The unpardonable sin is NOT:

* Having doubts.

* Asking honest questions.

* Feeling spiritually dry.

* Losing your temper.

Speaking impudently and then regretting it.

Backsliding and repentence to God.

Denying Jesus, like Peter did.

Intrusive/Unwanted Thoughts – difficulty getting rid of thoughts that seem to show up out of nowhere.

Throughout the Bible, God's mercy has been extended to those who turn to Him in repentance.

How can you be sure whether you have committed the unpardonable sin or not?

1. You Desire God's Forgiveness

A stony heart will not be moved with pity.

Your heart is not indifferent to God, it's because you want to be forgiven.

2. You Feel Conviction

The Holy Spirit convicts people to get them back to God.

Conviction is very different from complete spiritual hardness.

3. You Still Care about Christ

People who have fallen away from Christ don't care to approach Him.

If you want to have a relationship with Jesus, then having a desire to have a relationship with Jesus is important.

4. You Want to Repent

Repentance is the opposite of the Pharisees' response.

Repentance embraces truth in preference to resisting it.

5. You Trust God's Mercy

The gospel continually invites sinners to come to Christ.

Jesus declared:

“Everyone will come to him who is sent to him;” (John 6:37)

Lessons We Can Learn

1.Don't Ignore God's Voice

The more the person denies God's truth, the more that denial is ingrained and the easier it is for the heart to become insensitive.

2. God's Mercy Is Astonishing

Jesus started His warning by telling them that all sin is forgiven.

This reveals the greatness of God's grace.

3. Truth should never be called evil.

Even though the Pharisees saw God's work, they did not believe.

When we are humble, we allow God to correct us.

4. Answer When God calls

When the Holy Spirit convicts us, there is only one response: repentence, faith and obedience.

Jesus' Warning is Also an Invitation

By his words, he is encouraging people to come out of hardness and into the abundant forgiveness God has given through Christ.

Common Misunderstandings

“There's no such thing as a sentence that can't be used again.”

The context does not refer to one time rejection of the witness of the Holy Spirit, but it refers to ongoing rejection.

When I'm thinking about doing this sin, I've probably done it.

In most examples, it is the other way round.

Those who have a strong desire to be in God's presence have an open heart that still craves His presence.

God doesn't pardon certain individuals.

Throughout the Bible, God's attitude towards forgiving those who genuinely repent and trust in Christ is expressed as being ready and eager.

The tragedy of the unpardonable sin is a refusal to receive the forgiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

May a Christian commit the unforgivable sin?

Jesus' caution was addressed to the religious leaders who willfully denied the testimony of the Holy Spirit in spite of the evidence before them. Scripture doesn't tell believers to be afraid that one failure, one moment of doubt has forever alienated them from God.

Are both blasphemy against the Holy Spirit and unbelief?

It's more than a case of unbelief. It is an obstinate and deliberate refusal to believe the very sure Word of the Holy Spirit concerning Jesus.

If I have been afraid that I have done this sin, what should I do?

Turn to Christ.

Confess your sins.

Believe His word and accept what He says: All who come to Him in faith shall be received.

So if your heart still yearns for God then go on seeking Him with confidence in His mercy.

Does God show mercy to every sinner who turns from his sin and repents?

Yes.

Forgiveness through Jesus Christ is repeatedly declared in the Bible for all who really repent and believe the gospel.

Reflection

Of all the warnings in Scripture, Jesus' warning about the unpardonable sin is one of the strongest.

But it is one of the Bible's most important promises:

God loves to show mercy.

God's forgiveness is not the problem.

The risk is that the heart will always reject the forgiveness that is freely given.

The invitation to the gospel is still extended today.

Christ receives all who fall into sin, and He receives them when they repent and believe in Him.

His grace is bigger than our sin; His mercy is for everyone who believes in Him.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your awesome mercy and grace. Keep my heart humble and sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit. Lead me never to be resistant to Your truth, but to live each day in repentance, in faith and in obedience. Thank You that there is forgiveness for all who turn to You with a broken heart through Jesus Christ.

In Jesus' name, Amen.