Untitled Sermon (2)

Blasphemy against Holy Spirit

Synopsis

The denial of the action of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of Jesus Christ, or the attribution of his works to demonic influence.

Jesus Christ warns against blasphemy

Mk 3:29

Mark 3:29 (NLT) — 29 but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences.”

See also 1 Jn 5:16

1 John 5:16 (NLT) — 16 If you see a fellow believer sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it.

Blasphemy as erroneously attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to demonic influence

Jesus Christ is accused of being possessed by demons

Mk 3:22

Mark 3:22 (NLT) — 22 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”

See also Mt 10:25; Jn 7:20; Jn 8:48; Jn 8:52; Jn 10:20

Matthew 10:25 (NLT) — 25 Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!

John 7:20 (NLT) — 20 The crowd replied, “You’re demon possessed! Who’s trying to kill you?”

John 8:48 (NLT) — 48 The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?”

John 8:52 (NLT) — 52 The people said, “Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, ‘Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!’

John 10:20 (NLT) — 20 Some said, “He’s demon possessed and out of his mind. Why listen to a man like that?”

Jesus Christ is accused of casting out demons by demonic power

Mt 9:34

Matthew 9:34 (NLT) — 34 But the Pharisees said, “He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons.”

See also Mt 12:24

Matthew 12:24 (NLT) — 24 But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.”

Jesus Christ refutes these charges

Mt 12:25–29

Matthew 12:25–29 (NLT) — 25 Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 26 And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. 27 And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. 28 But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. 29 For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.

Blasphemy as acting in ways which deny the Holy Spirit’s work

Ac 5:3

Acts 5:3 (NLT) — 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.

See also Is 63:10; 1 Th 5:19; Heb 10:26–31

Isaiah 63:10 (NLT) — 10 But they rebelled against him and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he became their enemy and fought against them.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NLT) — 19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 10:26–31 (NLT) — 26 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. 28 For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. 30 For we know the one who said, “I will take revenge. I will pay them back.” He also said, “The Lord will judge his own people.” 31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.