By Charles P. Mawungwa

Introduction

The Bible tells us that all kinds of sins and blasphemies can be forgiven except for one, The unforgivable sin, which is the sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. But how does one blaspheme the Holy Spirit? If someone says, “such a prophet is a false prophet” and it turns out that he was a true prophet, is that blaspheming the Holy Spirit? If someone says, “the Holy Spirit is evil and not God”, is that blaspheming the Holy Spirit?

Many people, including me, have been accused by Satan of committing this sin, simply because they did not have enough scriptural understanding of what it is and how one commits it.

There Is Only One Unforgivable Sin

The first and main thing to note is that there is only one sin, that cannot be forgiven. Just one.

Mark 3:28-29 (ESV) 

28 “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—

So what this means is that, when we go through the bible and find out instances where we are given a sin that can not be forgiven, then it is all talking of this sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

Here in Mark 3:28 it is called, Blasphemy of the Spirit.

In 1 John 5:16, John calls it, A Sin Unto Death

The Book of Hebrews 6:6 calls it, Falling Away / Apostacy

Hebrews 10: 26 calls it Sinning Willfully

The apostle Peter in 2 Peter 2:22 calls it, A Dog Returning to its Vomit

All these verses are describing an eternal sin, a sin that one can not recover from, a sin that has no forgiveness.

In order to fully understand the Unforgivable sin and under what circumstances it can be committed, we must look at all these teachings together.

Blasphemy against Jesus

To Blaspheme is to speak evil of, to speak reproachfully against, to vilify, to defame, to revile.

When the issue of Blasphemy is first mentioned in the New Testament, Jesus had just performed a Miracle that his enemies could not refute. This miracle was a clear sign that he was a man sent from God.  The issue starts with Jesus declaring that he was the Lord of the Sabbath. The sabbath was the sign that God had made himself with Israel. By claiming that He was the Lord of the Sabbath He was claiming to be equal to God himself. Whilst in the synagogue of the pharisees, Jesus then heals a man with a withered hand on this sabbath day, thereby irrefutably revealing His Lordship on that day. After seeing this irrefutable manifestation of the Christ, the Pharisees refuse to believe, but rather make plans on how to destroy Jesus.

Matthew 12:13-14 (ESV) 

13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

This background is very important to know. As these pharisees were planning on how they can destroy Jesus, he performs another greater miracle that proves that he has been truly sent by God. He casts out a demon, from a man who was blind and mute. In the history of Israel, no man, not even Moses, had exercised authority over demons. These Pharisees could no longer deny, who He was, so in order to destroy Jesus, they conspired to go around telling people that Jesus was casting demons by Beelzebub.

Matthew 12:22-26 (ESV)
22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 

24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself.

Take note, that Jesus responded to their thoughts. The pharisees were saying these things in their own heads.

Matthew 12:30-32 (ESV) 

30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 

31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

When someone says that Jesus has a demon, they are not speaking against the Holy Spirit, they are speaking against Jesus. We learn this when Jesus speaks to the crowd he had fed with five loaves and two fish, and they later say he has a demon 3 times.

John 8:48-49 (NKJV) 

48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?”

49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.

By saying that Jesus had a demon, they were dishonouring Jesus. And Jesus says that anyone who blasphemes the Son of Man can be forgiven. So if someone says, He has a demon, they are not speaking against the Holy Spirit, they are speaking against Him.

1. It’s a Wilful Sin

The book of Hebrews describes the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as a wilful sin.

Hebrews 10:26-29 (NKJV) 

26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 

28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

From verse 26 we can tell that a person who sins wilfully must be a person who has received knowledge of the truth. This means a person who has not received the gospel cannot commit the unforgivable sin.

From verse 29 we learn that this person is someone who was sanctified by the blood of the covenant. This is someone who is saved. This is someone who accepted the gospel, believed it and received forgiveness of sins.

So an unbeliever cannot commit a wilful sin. From verse 29 again, we learn that this person. Who accepted the gospel, and became sanctified by the blood of the covenant, then turns around and tramples upon Jesus, and says, the blood of Jesus is worthless. Such a person is considered to have insulted the spirit of grace.

This is talking of a person who believed the gospel at one point, and then later turns around and says, I no longer believe in the gospel of Jesus and I don’t want this Holy Spirit anymore.

A High-Handed Sin

In the Old Testament, a wilful sin was also known as a High-handed, presumptuous or defiant sin.

Numbers 15:28-31 (NIV) 

28 The priest is to make atonement before the Lord for the one who erred by sinning unintentionally, and when atonement has been made, that person will be forgiven. 29 One and the same law applies to everyone who sins unintentionally, whether a native-born Israelite or a foreigner residing among you.

30 “‘But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or foreigner, blasphemes the Lord and must be cut off from the people of Israel. 31 Because they have despised the Lord’s word and broken his commands, they must surely be cut off; their guilt remains on them. ’”

In the Old Testament, a defiant sin, was any sin that a person committed in order to  knowingly, and actively fight against God. For example what Balaam did. He knew Jehovah, he could speak to God and hear from him. Yet, he chose to use his knowledge to teach Balak how to defeat the people of God. It was a defiant and wilful sin. 

Such a sin against the Law of God, was known as Blasphemy against Jehovah. It was Blasphemy against the Father. Any person who actively fights against the Father, can receive forgiveness of sins in Christ, but any person who does the same to the Holy Spirit can not receive forgiveness.

2. It is an Apostasy

Hebrews 6, gives a further explanation on what kind of a person commits this wilful sin, and why they can’t be forgiven anymore. When reading Hebrews 6, we should start from verse 1.

Hebrews 6:1-6 (NKJV) 

1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

The reason why such a person can not be forgiven is because they will never repent. The reason why they will never repent is because they have rejected the Holy Spirit and it is the Holy Spirit who gives people conviction of their sins.

John 16:8 (ESV) 

8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

They have been enlightened

From Hebrews 6, verse 4, we are told that this person must have been enlightened. This means they have received the knowledge and understanding of the truth. The knowledge of the 6 elementary principles of Christ. When a person has understood the foundation of repentance from dead works. When a person has understood the principle of faith towards God, doctrine of baptisms, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgement. They have now been enlightened.

They Have Tasted the Heavenly Gift

This person must have tasted the heavenly gift, which is righteousness in the  life of Jesus Christ. 

Romans 5:17 (ESV) 

17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

A person who repents and gets baptised, will receive remission of sins through their faith in the blood of Jesus.

Acts 2:38 (NKJV) 

38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 10:43 (NKJV) 

43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

When sins are remitted, it means they are completely blotted out and it’s as if they never existed. This remission of sins is called, the free gift of righteouness. This righteousness given to you, is the righteousness that Christ lived in on earth. It is his life given for yours.

So every person who has received remission of sins, is considered to have tasted grace and the free gift of righteousness. They are considered to have tasted the life of Christ, which is also known as eternal life.

Partakers of the Holy Spirit

The word partake there means to associate, to partner with, or work with, or share in.

In order to understand what it is to partake of the Holy Spirit, let’s look at another instance where this word is used. The apostle Paul was preaching against eating food sacrificed to idols, because it led to fellowship or partaking with demons.

1 Corinthians 10:20-21 (NKJV) 

20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.

So to partake of demons does not mean you are possessed, it can simply mean you are associating yourself, or sharing a meal together with a demon. In the same manner, partaking of the Holy Spirit refers to sharing in his work, associating with him, or having communion with him. Any person who has operated in the gifts of the spirit, has partaken of the Holy Spirit. Any person who received the baptism of the Spirit has partaken of the Holy Spirit. If you have prophesied, healed the sick, received revelation, dreams from the spirit, spoken in tongues, interpreted tongues, received wisdom, and such things from the Holy Spirt, then you qualify.

A person who has never experienced any gift of the spirit, can not blaspheme the Spirit. Their sin can not be considered a wilful sin. It’s not unforgivable.

Tasted the Good Word of God

Hebrews 4:12-6 reveals that Word of God is Christ himself. To taste the word is to experience the benefits and the goodness of Christ.

The Powers of The Age to Come

The word power there, is Dunamis which is also translated miracles. For you to sin wilfully, you must be a beneficiary of the miracles of Christ in one form or another. 

AND THEN FALL AWAY

To fall away, does not refer to committing a sin like adultery or even to have errors in doctrine or to stop going to church etc. Falling away is when a person completely turns away and says, I don’t believe in all of this anymore. I don’t believe in Jesus, I don’t believe in the Gospel anymore.

There are Christians who will fall into grievous sins, and live like that for years, but later repent and come back to Christ. But you will find that during those years, when they were living in sin, their hearts still acknowledged that Christ is there and they regularly felt the need to get right with God.

However when a person has received the remission of sins, and tasted the righteousness of Christ; If they have received enlightenment, which is full understanding of the foundational principles of Christ; when they have moved in the gifts of the spirit; when they have tasted the goodness of Christ; if they then turn and say, I no longer want Jesus. And they leave Christianity and say, I don’t believe in the gospel anymore. Such a person is sinning willfully. Such a person has insulted the spirit of grace. Such a person has blasphemed the work of the Holy Spirit.

RENEW THEM TO REPENTANCE

Paul says, it is impossible to renew them to repentance. If you are still able to repent, it’s a sign that you have not committed the unforgivable sin. A person who commits this sin, will never repent. They will never want Jesus again. We are talking of a person who says, I was a Pastor for 18 years and now I have decided that there is no God and the bible is fake. A person who says, I led evangelism for 12 years and now I am rejecting Christ and becoming a Buddhist.

The apostle Peter says, it is better never to have known Christ, than to have been made righteous and then reject him.

2 Peter 2:20-21 (ESV) 

20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.

The statement by Peter above there, is similar to what Jesus says in his parable concerning a man who gets repossessed by an unclean spirit that had been cast out before.

Matthew 12:43-45 (ESV) 

43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

Jesus actually repeats this exact same parable in Luke 11:16-24 when the Jews say, he casts out demons by Beelzebub. If people want to receive the benefits of Christ, his miracles, his deliverance, his healing, and yet they don’t want his spirit to live inside their hearts, ultimately, satan will return, and their end, will be worse than their beginning.

3. ITS A SIN UNTO DEATH

John tells us that this sin, is a sin unto death, and that we should not pray for people who commit it. 

1 John 5:16-17 (NKJV) 

16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

In this chapter, John starts by teaching us what life is. Only if we understand what it is to have life, can we understand what a sin unto death is.

1 John 5:12-13 (NKJV) 

12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

1 John 5:11-13 (NKJV) 

11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

So John starts by saying that Jesus has eternal life. Every person who has Jesus, has life. The one who believes in the name of Jesus, is the one who has Jesus. Below that, he then says if we see a brother sin a sin not leading to death, we should pray for them. For there is a sin leading to death and a sin not leading to death.

The sin that leads to death is the sin of stopping to believe in the name of Jesus. If a brother (A Christian), who once believed in Jesus and had full enlightenment, and was full of the spirit, turns and decides, I no longer believe in the name of Jesus. I no longer believe that Jesus is my saviour. I don’t want him anymore – this is a sin unto death.

Just like the decision to come to Christ is a decision made with full understanding and determination of heart. So this decision to leave Christ, is not just words that people shout to God when they’re angry. It has to be a proper, well thought out, determined decision to stop believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Peter and Judas

On the day that Jesus was crucified Peter rejected the Christ. This is the same man who had received revelation that Jesus was the Christ. Yet when he was caught by the soldiers he not only denied Jesus, but he also swore and cursed in the process.

Mark 14:66-71 (NKJV) 

66 Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.”

68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.

69 And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, “This is one of them.” 70 But he denied it again.

And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.”

71 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!”

In all of this, Peter did not commit the unforgivable sin. Peter said those things because he was afraid. He didn’t really mean them. There are some of us who have, lashed out in anger, pain, depression or fear and spoken words against God, against Jesus and against his spirit. 

God does not count these outbursts as an blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. It is not a willful or defiant sin. After this, Peter wept bitterly.

Mark 14:72 (NKJV) 

2 A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.

Peter no longer counted himself worthy, but when Jesus came back Fromm the dead, he made a special request to see Peter. Instead of rebuke, Jesus gave Peter headship over his household.

Judas- The Curse of the Unforgivable Sin

Judas is the one example from the bible that we know, definitely committed the unforgivable sin. The scriptures tell us that the sin of Judas can never be forgiven.

Psalms 109, was written concerning Judas. Apostle Peter quotes in Acts Chapter 1.

Psalms 109:6-9 (NKJV) 

6 Set a wicked man over him, And let an accuser stand at his right hand.

7 When he is judged, let him be found guilty, And let his prayer become sin.

8 Let his days be few, And let another take his office.

9 Let his children be fatherless,

Verse 7, shows that Judas will never be forgiven. All his prayers will be considered as sin.

So what Makes Judas sin so unique. We know that on the cross, Jesus forgave all those who had crucified him, yet Judas was not.

Luke 23:33-34 (ESV) 

3 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

The people who crucified Jesus, did it in ignorance. They did not know who he was. Of all the people that crucified Christ, Judas is the only one that committed the wilful-high handed sin.

He was Enlightened

The Jews had been blinded by God from recognising that Jesus was the Christ.

John 12:37-41 (NIV) 

37 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: 40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal them.” 41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.

However, Judas was one of the 12 apostles of Christ, and the 12 apostles were not blinded. In fact, Jesus had opened the eyes of the twelve to see that Jesus was the Christ, and to understand the mysteries of the kingdom.

Matthew 13:10-17 (NKJV) 

10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”

11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 

13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:

Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,

And seeing you will see and not perceive;

16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

He had Tasted the Heavenly Gift

The heavenly gift that Judas tasted was Christ himself. He was chosen to be a witness of the righteous life of Christ. The twelve were chosen to live with Jesus. He ate what Jesus ate, he heard every sermon directly from the mouth of Jesus. 

He Partook of The Spirit

Remember, to partake is to associate, to partner, to work with, or to fellowship. Jesus gave the twelve power to operate the gift of the spirit through His name.

Mark 6:7 (ESV) 7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

Matthew 10:8 (ESV) 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.

These works that were given to the twelve, were the work of the Holy Spirit, and by operating these gifts of the Spirit, they were partaking of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 12:28 (ESV) 

28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

The powers of the age to Come

Judas was a beneficiary of the power and miracles of Christ. He was among those who ate the multiplied loaves of bread. He was in the boat when Jesus, commanded the wind to stop. He saw Jesus walking on water. He saw Him raise the dead. 

He Sinned Wilfully

After receiving the full knowledge of the truth, concerning Christ, he then chose to become an enemy of Jesus.

After being rebuked by Jesus, Judas sought after the enemies of Jesus, and orchestrated a plan to bring an end to Christ.

Mark 14:10-11 (ESV) 

10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.

The Chief Priests were spiritually blinded from seeing Jesus as Christ, so they are blameless. However Judas had enlightenment, and he knew the truth in the spirit. So he was wilful and defiantly fighting against Christ. The apostle Paul, blasphemed and fought against Christ, but he was forgiven because he did it in ignorance.

1 Timothy 1:13 (NIV) 

13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

But concerning Judas it says…

Psalms 109:4-5 (ESV) 

4 In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer.

5 So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

Psalms 109:16-20 (ESV) 

16 For he did not remember to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and the brokenhearted, to put them to death.

17 He loved to curse; let curses come upon him! He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him!

18 He clothed himself with cursing as his coat; may it soak into his body like water, like oil into his bones!

19 May it be like a garment that he wraps around him, like a belt that he puts on every day!

20 May this be the reward of my accusers from the Lord, of those who speak evil against my life!

Conclusion

So, the  blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a willful high-handed sin. It is a sin unto death. It is the sin when someone has received the enlightenment that comes through the spirit of God, and has believed in the gospel. When one has been taught and through the revelation of the spirit they understood all the principles of the doctrine of Christ. When one has received remission of sins, and has been operating in the gifts of the spirit, and has benefited from the miracles of Jesus. If such a person, then turns around and stops believing in the name of Jesus, and rejects the work of the Holy Spirit that has been in their life. They are blaspheming the Holy Spirit. It’s a sin that they can never be forgiven for. 

An example of this sin, is given in the nation of Israel. God took Israel out of Egypt, they saw the ten plagues against the Egyptians. They were saved from death by applying the blood of the Lamb on their doors, which symbolised the blood of Christ. They crossed over the Red Sea, which was a type of the Baptism. They drank water from the Rock, which was a type of the Baptism of the Spirit. They received the Law on Mt Sinai, which was a type of Enlightenment. 

After all this, when they got to the border of Canaan, they turned and said, we want to return to Egypt. We no longer want the promise.

Numbers 14:1-4 (ESV) 

1 Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”

Numbers 14:20-23 (ESV) 

20 Then the Lord said, “I have pardoned, according to your word. 21 But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, 22 none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, 23 shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it.