What Is The Unforgivable Sin?

Name: Kip Chappell
Question: Where in the Bible does it explain the unforgivable sin?

Answer: Kip, thank you for the question.

The unforgivable sin is mentioned in at least three places, but it’s commonly misconstrued to mean something it’s not. We’ll talk about that, and provide Scripture so you can read it for yourself.

So what is the unforgivable sin?

Simply stated, it’s to blaspheme the Holy Spirit.

To understand what that means, we are going to open our Bible and read what Jesus said.

Matthew 12:31
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

Jesus told us two things here.

All sins can be forgiven, even murder, rape, and homosexual acts, which are all worthy of death, (Lev 20:13, 24:17, Deut 22:25). However, you cannot ‘blaspheme’ the Holy Spirit. If you do, that sin is the unforgivable sin.

Now, what exactly is “blasphemy”?

It’s “vilification,” “evil speaking” and “railing” against something. In this case, “vilification,” “evil speaking” and “railing” against the Holy Spirit. Though I cannot imagine an honest Christian doing something like that.

Let’s continue reading.

Matthew 12:32
And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Every day, there are people that vilify, rail against, and speak evil of Jesus. They can all be forgiven.

However, if someone rails against the Holy Spirit, they will suffer permanent destruction. We are talking about being cast into the Lake of Fire here. Look, “the wages of sin is death” without repentance, (Romans 6:23, Acts 3:19).

However, Jesus said if someone commits the unforgivable sin, there is no repentance, and they cannot be forgiven. That means they will have sentenced themselves to death. It’s a serious crime against God!

Who can commit it?

Anyone.

All right, now I want to provide you with a specific example of some people getting very close to committing this heinous sin.

Turn your Bible with me to,

Mark 3:28
Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:

This verse closely echoes what we just read in Matthew.

Let’s have the next verse.

Mark 3:29
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

also: Luke 12:10

Why did Jesus say that?

Mark 3:30
Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

Who are “they”?

The scribes.

Jesus was talking to the scribes as they said,

“…He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.”

Mark 3:22

That right there is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

The scribes plainly stated, that Jesus had cast out devils through the power of the “prince of the devils”. However, Scripture explicitly tells us, Jesus cast out devils and performed mighty works through the Holy Spirit, (John 5:30, Matthew 3:16, Luke 4:1, 14, Acts 10:38).

Therefore, the unforgivable sin is to accuse the Holy Spirit of being evil.

Let me explain further.

The scribes declared, the Spirit that was working in Jesus was actually evil, and that of “Beelzebub”. Their accusation meant, the Holy Spirit was evil, and It was purposely working against Itself in order to deceive the followers of Jesus.

Hence, why Jesus rebutted by stating, “How can Satan cast out Satan?”

Evil cannot cast out evil, you will always know someone by their works, (Matthew 7:16-20). So the scribes should have never made such an accusation.

Instead, the scribes should have recognized the Spirit working through Jesus was righteous. As Jesus explained, their folly placed them “in danger of eternal damnation”.