1/10/19 Matthew 12:30-32 BONUS BLOG
There have been many Christians that have struggled with what actually is the sin “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.” Many have even feared that they may have committed this sin. If you or someone you know is fearful of having committed this sin that sensitivity is a good indication that they have not. Remember from last week’s message (Rom 2:24) blasphemy means to injure the reputation of another or show a lack of reverence. Put another way blasphemy means extreme slander. The sensitivity to having committed this sin shows respect and reverence in and of itself. The sensitivity may indicate that the person has been converted, but it does not guarantee it.
Basically there are two views. One view states the meaning to be anyone who rejects the Holy Spirit’s conviction and dies unconverted is guilty of this sin. The key here would be that we are never able to label someone as having committed this sin. The second view is that those who have witnessed and know the truth and power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus and then attributed that to evil or Satan are guilty. I personally hold to the second view, because I think that is more in line with the context of the passage and is what the Pharisees are doing. I do not disagree with the truth stated in the first view, but I believe that it is only a secondary principle that can be drawn from this passage.
The issue here is related to other passages of unforgivable sin (Heb 6:4-6, Heb 10:26-31, possibly 1 John 5:16) where a person has been exposed to the truth, and received full awareness and understanding of the truth, then willfully rejects that truth, and turns from the truth, and even slanders it.