By Craig L. Blomberg
Read: Matthew 12:24-32
“Anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” (v. 32 NIV)
People have often asked me about the unforgivable sin. Too frequently they are worried they have committed it. Maybe it’s that they don’t think they “did things right” when they trusted in Christ, that God has seemed absent for some time, or that they have committed a particularly serious sin. Rarely do they understand the context of Jesus’s warning.
The people Jesus says are in danger of crossing such a line are a group of his opponents who were so misguided that they saw the undeniable, supernatural, healing power of the Holy Spirit in his miracles and attributed it to Satan (v. 24).
I have never yet met anyone worried about the unforgivable sin who admits to having done this. Even if I did, I would add that there’s no example anywhere in Scripture of someone genuinely wanting to repent — to turn to God and follow him — who is refused the chance. Presumably, then, the unforgivable sin is going to one’s grave with an unrepentant heart, never wanting God’s forgiveness.
In that light, I try to assure people that if they are worried about committing the unforgivable sin, they can’t have done so. Anyone who has sinned in that way wouldn’t ever be concerned.
The real warning for Christians is to be very cautious about ever claiming that the devil is working through another believer. That just might reflect a spirit that never truly wants to follow Jesus!
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Craig L. Blomberg is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Denver Seminary. He has written or edited more than 30 books, including a recently revised and expanded commentary on Matthew. He teaches regularly in churches, including his home church of Centennial Covenant in Littleton, Colo. He and his wife Fran have two daughters and three grandchildren.
Read: Matthew 12:24-32
“Anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” (v. 32 NIV)
People have often asked me about the unforgivable sin. Too frequently they are worried they have committed it. Maybe it’s that they don’t think they “did things right” when they trusted in Christ, that God has seemed absent for some time, or that they have committed a particularly serious sin. Rarely do they understand the context of Jesus’s warning.
The people Jesus says are in danger of crossing such a line are a group of his opponents who were so misguided that they saw the undeniable, supernatural, healing power of the Holy Spirit in his miracles and attributed it to Satan (v. 24).
I have never yet met anyone worried about the unforgivable sin who admits to having done this. Even if I did, I would add that there’s no example anywhere in Scripture of someone genuinely wanting to repent — to turn to God and follow him — who is refused the chance. Presumably, then, the unforgivable sin is going to one’s grave with an unrepentant heart, never wanting God’s forgiveness.
In that light, I try to assure people that if they are worried about committing the unforgivable sin, they can’t have done so. Anyone who has sinned in that way wouldn’t ever be concerned.
The real warning for Christians is to be very cautious about ever claiming that the devil is working through another believer. That just might reflect a spirit that never truly wants to follow Jesus!
—————
Craig L. Blomberg is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Denver Seminary. He has written or edited more than 30 books, including a recently revised and expanded commentary on Matthew. He teaches regularly in churches, including his home church of Centennial Covenant in Littleton, Colo. He and his wife Fran have two daughters and three grandchildren.
