The unpardonable sin

Matthew 12:31

'Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shalt be forgiven unto men: but
blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.'

LUKE 12:10; MATTHEW 12:24-31; MARK 3:22-30

The word 'blaspheme' means 'to speak evil of; defame; or revile.' In context, Jesus is saying that
blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is attributing the working of the Holy Spirit to the devil. Many
people in the Bible did this, including Saul, who became the Apostle Paul. However, we see in 1
Timothy 1:13, that Paul said he received mercy concerning his blaspnemy because he had done it
'ignorantly in unbelief.' Therefore, the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost that Jesus warns about
must be the willful reviling of the Holy Ghost with knowledge of what is being done. This parallels
Hebrews 6:4-6, where qualifications are placed on those who can fall away from grace. This passage
indicates that only a mature Christian can commit such a thing. Likewise, with blasphemy against the
Holy Ghost, rash statements spoken against the Holy Spirit in ignorance or unbelief by those who
don't really know what they are doing can be forgiven.

From our human perspective, no clear line can be drawn as to when someone becomes accountable
for blasphemies and has committed this unpardonable sin. We can be assured that God knows the
hearts of all men and that He will judge righteously concerning this. However, God's Word does
show us that when anyone becomes a 'reprobate,' they lose all conviction from God (Rom. 1:28).
Therefore, anyone who is convicted and repentant over having possibly blasphemed the Holy Ghost
has not yet reached the place where it is unpardonable or they wouldn't care. Keep your heart
tender and sensitive to Him. Listen to His voice speak to you through His Word today.