Why is the sin against the Holyspirit not forgiven according to Matt 12:31?

1. 76

   Barine Sambarisposted 11 years ago

   Why is the sin against the Holyspirit not forgiven according to Matt 12:31?
   
   And what is exactly a sin against the Holy spirit which cannot be forgiven?

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2. 71

   LoisRyan13903posted 11 years ago

   As far as I know blasphemy is the only unforgivable sin which is what is described in Matthew 12:31.  I honestly do not know what it is and should study about that more.  However, during the time of the Great Tribulation when people chose to take the sign of the anti-christ, that will not be forgiven since they chose the side of evil to live rather than choosing the side of good (but being executed).  Maybe that verse is a bit of prophetic warning of what is yet to come.

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3. 76

   Barbara Kayposted 11 years ago

   I've always been told that it is the sin of not listening and believing. They never accept Christ as their Saviour, so they don't go to heaven. I think this is a difficult verse to understand.

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4. 74

   Wakerraposted 11 years ago

   This is when you completely deny Christ and God when you have a sure and sound understanding of them.  To blaspheme against the witness of the Holy Ghost and fight against God.  These are also known as "Sons of Perdition".  Lucifer/Satan/The Devil falls under this category.
   
   I think the key here is a complete witness, the undeniable surety that you know these things are true, and yet you'd turn around and fight against it

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      LaurieNunley517posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I believe this answer.  The unforgiveable sin is blatant disbelief...refusal to believe.

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   2. 76

      Barine Sambarisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I do agree with you

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5. 79

   Judah's Daughterposted 11 years ago

   If you read Matthew 12 in context of Jesus' statement in vs. 31 "but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven", we need to go back to vss. 22-30.  Jesus had just cast out demons and was accused that the power (the Spirit) by which He did so, was that of Beelzebul (Satan).  To blaspheme the Holy Spirit is to attribute what is of God to that of Satan.  Thus, those who are deceived and take the mark by following after the false god (the Antichrist will claim to be God - blasphemy of the Holy Spirit), they attribute what is of Satan to being of God or vise versa.  It is the unforgivable sin.
   
   Those who crucified Jesus that were of His chosen (Israel), though many of them were of Edom (including Judas), were ignorant that they just crucified their Messiah.  For this reason, Jesus prayed on that cross, as recorded in Luke 23:34 "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."  They accused HIM of blasphemy, while they were ignorantly guilty of blasphemy.
   
   I also warn people who say the gifts of the Spirit, namely speaking in tongues, is of the Devil.  They do this in ignorance and I pray forgiveness is granted to those who repent.  They are walking a fine line of blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

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   1. 65

      glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Speaking in languages unknown to the believer was a gift of the Spirit in the early Church. After the canon of Scripture was completed, the Church no longer needed this sign gift. What people speak today is gibberish, not a known language. I'm sorry.

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   2. 79

      Judah's Daughterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      1 Cor 13 was written before 1 Cor 14.  God's gifts are irrevocable.  He doesn't give them to take them away.  "That which is perfect is come" (1 Cor 13:10)  is speaking of Him, our Lord Jesus, whom we will see face-to-face. Phil 1:6

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   3. 65

      glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      God isn't giving the gift of apostleship today; apostles had to be eyewitnesses of the Resurrection. He is not giving the gift of prophecy today in the sense of predicting the future and proclaiming new revelation, because we have a completed canon.

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      dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      glynch1, it drives me nuts when people call themselves apostles.

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   5. 65

      glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      dianetrotter,
      If those who call themselves apostles would only read the Scriptures, they would see that they do not qualify. But alas! Scripture is the last thing that concerns them (or so it seems).

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   6. 53

      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      glynch it is clear you have had more than your share of the kool aid.   there is nothing in the new covenant that has passed away yet.

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   7. 65

      glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I do not drink Kool-Aid; I do not even like it. Why so caustic?. You have read my other hubs; you know I do not swallow the latest theological fads. God will fulfill the New Covenant with Israel in the future. Do you see apostles and prophets today?

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   8. 79

      Judah's Daughterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      1 Cor 14:39 "Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues."

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   9. 65

      glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Judah's Daughter,
      Yes. When Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, it would have been wrong to forbid anyone from exercising this gift. God used it as a sign to provoke the Jews to consider the gospel as truth. However, the gift ceased after the NT was completed.

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   10. 79

       Judah's Daughterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       glynch1 - to say 'that which is perfect' is the canon is opinion.  What is in part will be complete when we see Jesus face-to-face (1 Cor 13:12). Ch 14 was written after 13. God's gifts are irrevocable (they do not cease) - Rom 11:29.

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   11. 65

       glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       If you examine the context of Romans 11, Paul is not referring to spiritual gifts here, but to God's election of Israel as His people.

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   12. 79

       Judah's Daughterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       That is not true, glynch1.  The context of Rom 11 shows that the natural branches can be cut off and must not continue in their disbelief to be grafted in again.  Rom 11:29 and 1 Cor 12:31 = charismata (gifts of the Spirit).  You are obviously blind.

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   13. 65

       glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       God will fulfill His covenants with Israel when Christ returns. Charismata here speak of the privileges Israel had as God's people (Romans 9:4,5). Tongues have ceased of themselves (1 Cor. 13:8). There is no reason for you to launch personal attacks.

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   14. 76

       Barine Sambarisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I do agree with Judah's daughter that God's gifts are irrevocable and practical to all generations. The thing is, most people misuse it, while others do not know how to use it.

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6. 76

   MickeySrposted 11 years ago

   Jesus said that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws them, He actually said in a prayer that He was NOT praying for everyone but was praying only for those the Father gives to Him . . . the way the Father draws men to Jesus in through the Holy Spirit, unless a person is convicted of sin and Jesus is revealed to them as their only hope, and they do indeed turn to Him, they cannot be saved - it is the work of the Holy Spirit who brings us to that point. So, if you are a believer, a Christian, if you are saved it is because the Holy Spirit has convicted you of sin, brought you to Jesus, and given you the gift of eternal life - if you reject that work, if you sin against the Holy Spirit drawing you to Jesus, etc, then there is no other forgiveness available to you.
   
   God has determined that He will redeem men, and He as established the means by which He saves us is through the sacrificial work of Jesus and the convicting and enlightening work of the Holy Spirit - God has ordained the way of salvation, if we resist it, if we deny Jesus and sin against the Holy Spirit's effort to open our eyes and soften our heart, then there remains no hope for us, there is no other way God has set forth for men to be saved . . . so, sin against the Holy Spirit = remain unforgiven.

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      snapcracklepopposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Because sinning against the the holy spirit which is God's active force, by which he uses to accomplish His will, is denying the operation of it in a person's life,  just as the wicked religious leaders of Jesus day did.

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7. 61

   dianetrotterposted 11 years ago

   In this passage, He was addressing the Pharisees.  The Pharisees saw the miracles He had done and attributed them to Satan.  That is a hardness of the hard.  Imagine giving false testimony in court.  We know that when we confess He is faithful and just to forgive us of all unrighteousness.  Peter denied Christ but then grieved and asked for forgiveness.  Questioning whether or not you have committed the unforgivable is a good sign.  At that  point, ask the Lord for forgiveness of sins you are aware of and ask for conviction of the things you don't know about.  After conviction, ask for forgiveness of those sins also.

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      Disappearingheadposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I think this is the best answer. The others are speculation based upon personal interpretation. The point is Jesus was talking to Pharisees who said his works were of Satan. This is the blasphemy, nothing more.

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   2. 61

      dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Bless you Disappearinghead!

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8. 65

   glynch1posted 11 years ago

   We must examine the context to arrive at a reasonable conclusion. I include an excerpt from my commentary to try to accomplish this objective.
   
   The Lord’s next miracle creates another ruckus among His enemies. After hearing the multitudes (who have just witnessed Jesus heal a blind and deaf man by casting out a demon [v. 22]) ask if He is the Messianic king (“the Son of David”) [v. 23], the Pharisees jump on this opportunity to turn the people against the Lord, accusing Christ of using Satanic power to perform this miracle (v. 24). Drawing upon His omniscience (v. 25; cf. 9:4), Christ rebukest His opponents (vv. 25-37), demolishing their contention that He is using Beelzebub (“the lord of flies”—a Philistine deity), whom He identifies as Satan, to cast out demons. Jesus says, in effect, “Satan would never do such a stupid thing. He would destroy his own kingdom by exorcising his own subjects” (vv. 25-26).
   
   Jesus takes the position that His power derives from the Holy Spirit, and states that this exercise of authority proves that He represents the Kingdom of God (v. 28).  At this point Christ, referring back to His previous discussion with the Pharisees about Satanic exorcism (“Therefore”), declares His condemnation of anyone attributing the Holy Spirit’s work to the devil. God forgives every offense, except “the blasphemy of the Spirit” (v. 31). One “speaking a word against the Son of Man” (Jesus) God may forgive, but one “speaking against the Holy Spirit” will never experience remission (v. 32). [Ryrie believes that this “unpardonable sin” pertained only to the times when Jesus dwelt on Earth; no one during the Church Age can commit this offense (27).]

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9. 59

   Maggie Bennettposted 11 years ago

   Well, I think this is very simple and doesn't even need a scripture reference.  Jesus is something you may or may not believe in. He is a religious figure from history.  The Holy Spirit is actually with us here on the planet and will make itself known to those wishing it too....or if the Holy Spirit  wishes too. Denying that after being shown is just fool hardy.  I believe that is why it is unforgivable.

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      MickeySrposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It's a dangerous thing to concoct doctrine apart from Scripture. The work of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Jesus. Being foolhardy is not unforgivable. Jesus is not merely a historic figure, rejecting the Holy Spirit's reveal of this is unforgivable.

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      glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Jesus is not "something"; He is a Someone. If you end up in Heaven, it will be because you come to know Him as your Savior. He claimed to be God in human form. The Spirit is not an "it"; He is the third Person of the Trinity. Please read the Bible.

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      Maggie Bennettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      What if I'm not a Christian?  The Holy Spirit makes it self known too all.  Sorry if you do not understand that.

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      Maggie Bennettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I thought I responded to this.   The Holy Spirit makes itself known to all ... therefore if you ignore the Holy Spirit that is unforgivable.  I'm not concocting anything. 
      
      I also have the most read Bible of anyone I know.

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      MickeySrposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      If the Holy Spirit makes Himself known to all then all would come to Jesus and be Christian. What you are saying is God forgives rape and murder and all - except foolhardiness. It has nothing to do with Jesus being past and the holy Spirit here now.

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   6. 65

      glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I am afraid you are the one who does not understand the theology of  the Holy Spirit. Again, He is not an "it," an impersonal force; He is a Person in the Godhead. Without the Spirit's enablement, you will never understand the Bible's message.

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   7. 59

      Maggie Bennettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      MickeySr.....I answered the question posted and stand by that answer.   What you are asking now has nothing to do with Matt 12:31 an therefore isn't relevant to this conversation.

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   8. 76

      Barine Sambarisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I do know that the Holy Spirit was sent after Jesus left, to comfort and teach us, and also to make us bold (evident in the apostles after the Pentecost) But he doesn't just manifest to everyone, only real children of God, who believe in God.

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10. 61

    barrierbreakerposted 11 years ago

    When I, as an atheist, look at scriptures like this and the conversations on them, I wonder...if God loved the world and wanted to make sure all people were saved, would he really have made it so hard to understand?  Even the most intelligent scholars struggle with that question.  Wouldn't this be one of the things God would really try to make clear?

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       dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Hi barrier, I haven't read where scholars struggle over it.  People who don't study the Word are not able to put it in context.  The passage should not be lifted out and addressed.  The Scriptures before provide the setting.  out of space :-(

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       glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       God's eternal decree did not include everyone's salvation; Christ died for His sheep only. The Scriptures are sufficiently clear in most places;  however, only the Spirit can open the mind so that we can believe. The "wise" regard Scripture as folly

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       celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       scripture is not difficult to understand, the difficult part is accepting the blood of Christ as payment for your sin, when you dont think you are a sinner and then submitting to the Holy Spirit to give you the understanding of scripture

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    4. 76

       Barine Sambarisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I agree with the other comments.  God did not make the scriptures difficult, we just need to open our minds to the holy spirit.

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    lone77starposted 11 years ago

    The Holy Spirit is the true self (when ego is vanquished).
    
    If you deny the child of God within (soul, Holy Ghost), then you are blocking your true self its chance at salvation -- reawakening -- turning back to God -- removing the separation between self and all through love.
    
    Denying your own true self is worse than suicide, for it is the selfishness of enforced separateness -- an amplification of the original sin.

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       celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       WHAT???  we are not the Holy Spirit , we are to submit to, learn from and follow Him.

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       Barine Sambarisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       The Holy Spirit is another divine entity of God meant to teach, comfort and inspire us. We listen to him and not to our 'true self'. A person with a 'true self' as you said is someone who actually listens to the Holy Spirit.

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    snapcracklepopposted 8 years ago

    The Pharisees and the Sadducees denied that the operation of God's holy spirit was with His son, Jesus Christ...These wicked religious leaders  accused Jesus of getting his power to perform miracles from Satan the devil.

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