“It Will Not Be Forgiven Him” Matthew 12:31-32 “It Will Not Be Forgiven Him” Matthew 12:31-32 Introduction Is there ever something we can do which God will not, and cannot forgive? Some have the idea that there are some sins which will lead to hell, and others that, being less severe, will not. Catholic doctrine of venial and mortal sins – venial sins are not as severe as mortal sins, which can lead to eternal death. (Like the difference between a lie, and murder.) However, “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). Also, “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4 – Sin is breaking God’s law period.). Cf. Galatians 5:19-21 – Works of the flesh. ALL will keep you out of heaven. Yet, in Matthew 12:31-32, Jesus speaks of a sin which is UNFORGIVABLE – “blasphemy against the Spirit.” Does not God want to forgive everybody? – God is “not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9 – so how is there a sin He will not forgive?). What constitutes “blasphemy against the Spirit,” can this sin still be committed today, and why is it unforgivable? Blasphemy Against the Spirit – In Context

Blasphemy Against the Spirit – In Context – Matthew 12:22-32 – 12:1-8 (Sabbath – Pluck Grain); 12:9-14 (Sabbath – Heal Man); 12:22-30 (Accused of Association with Beelzebub); 12:31-32 (Warning Against Blaspheming Spirit) – – HS and Messianic Kingdom: Matt. 21:33-38; John 15:26-27; Acts 2:32-33, 36 (“last days”) – Luke 12:8-12 Blasphemy Against the Spirit – In Context Matthew 12:22-32 (NOTE: Mark 3:28-30 same context.) Sabbath – Disciples pluck heads of grain – Matthew 12:1-8 – Accused of lawlessness by Pharisees. Not supposed to work on Sabbath, but Jesus’ disciples plucked heads of grain – lawlessness? (vv. 3-5) – When there is a need on the Sabbath, the Lord has permitted action to be taken in the past. “And He said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath’” (Mark 2:27). It was not God’s intention that man suffer, or neglect necessities in observance of the Sabbath. He permitted, i.e. it was lawful to do such a thing on the Sabbath. (vv. 6-8) – They misinterpret the Law with their hardened hearts. Jesus made the Law! He, and His disciples, were doing nothing wrong – Pharisees simply wanted to trap Him  Sabbath – Jesus heals a man with withered hand – Matthew 12:9-14 – Accused of lawlessness by the Pharisees. (Similar – work on Sabbath) (v. 10) – Their motive was to accuse Him from the start. (vv. 11-13) – Jesus showed that it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath, and healed the man. (v. 14) – Despite the truth presented by Jesus, He was rejected by the Pharisees. Accused of Association with Beelzebub – Matthew 12:22-30 – Healed man, cast out demon, accused of doing so with power of Satan. (v. 24) – The Pharisees did not deny the miracle that occurred – UNDENIABLE – but claimed the power to do it Jesus derived from Satan. Jesus shows how such reasoning is folly: (vv. 25-26) – Not logical – WHY WOULD SATAN BE AGAINST HIMSELF? (v. 27) – Logical inconsistency – some Jews had power to cast out demons – IF THEY DID WHAT JESUS DID, WERE THEY WILLING TO ADMIT IT WAS BY BEELZEBUB? (vv. 28-30) – The crux of the matter – what the miracle indicated, they rejected: (v. 28) – Kingdom of God upon you – Jews should have seen in Jesus the coming of God’s kingdom. (v. 29) – Such was Jesus’ work in preparation to destroy Satan. (v. 30) – Their failure to accept such shows they were against Jesus, thus, against God. As Jews, they prided themselves in being of the righteous, and God’s people. However, they were not because they rejected His will. Jesus warns of blaspheming the Spirit – Matthew 12:31-32 – This is what the Pharisees had done, and it was dangerous to be guilty of such. Blasphemy – compound word: “Blapto” – to hurt “phemi” – to speak. To speak to hurt; to speak against. (vv. 31-32) – Blasphemy/speak against the Spirit: (v. 28) – Demon cast out by Spirit of God. (vv. 25-26 – Wouldn’t make sense for Satan to do such.) Pharisees – did not deny the miracle, nor did they fail to realize by what power Jesus must have performed it. THEY SIMPLY DID NOT WANT TO ACCEPT THE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH! Cf. Acts 10:38 (Peter Speaks to Gentiles) – Jesus anointed by God with HS. (NOT that He didn’t have Divine power, but the HS was working TOGETHER with Him.) Cf. Isaiah 61:1 – Prophesied about the Messiah – He would be anointed with the HS, and perform these works. Pharisees spoke against, or blasphemed the Spirit: (v. 28) – It was done by the HS, which indicated the Messiahship of Christ, and the immanency of the Kingdom. THEY DID NOT MISINTERPRET, OR MISUNDERSTAND – THEY KNEW, BUT REJECTED, AND DEFIED. HS, JESUS, AND MESSIANIC KINGDOM: Cf. Matthew 21:33-38 – Parable of wicked vinedressers. (vv. 33-36) – Rejected God, and His servants (Prophets). (vv. 37-39) – God sent His Son, but they rejected Him and killed Him. “Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him” (Matthew 12:32). But not the HS because He is the last appeal of God to the world for salvation  Cf. John 15:26-27 – Work of the HS through the Apostles. Will testify of Jesus – even and especially to those who rejected Him. Thus, the last effort of God to save man is through the Spirit – EVEN FOR THOSE WHO REJECTED THE SON. Cf. Acts 2:32-33, 36 – Apostles speaking by inspiration of HS – testifying of Christ. They rejected Christ, but are now given testimony of Him by the Spirit. What if they reject the Spirit? NOTHING LEFT  (v. 17) – “last days” – i.e. before the judgement – God is not sending anyone else! Thus, to blaspheme, or speak against, or defy the HS is to be in such a state that is unforgivable. Luke 12:8-12 – The HS given apostles to reveal truth, thus to speak against the HS is to speak against the truth given to save. Those who defy such will not be forgive, FOR IN DOING SO THEY REFUSE THE VERY FORGIVENESS OFFERED. Blasphemy Against the Spirit – Today

Blasphemy Against the Spirit – Today – Willful Sin – Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-29 – Impenitent Sinner – 1 John 5:14-17 – Blasphemy Against the Spirit – Today Willful Sin Hebrews 6:4-6 – impossible to renew them to repentance. (vv. 4-5) – Describes one who has become a Christian by obeying the HS’s revelation. Enlightened – by HS revelation. Tasted heavenly gift – through obedience to HS revelation. Partakers of HS – His promise, namely, remission of sins/forgiveness/salvation. Tasted good word of God – revealed by the Spirit. (v. 6) – Fall away, not in the sense of being overtaken, but DELIBERATLY TURN BACK TO THE WORLD AND AWAY FROM THESE THINGS. Impossible – because they blaspheme the Spirit – reject His revealed truth (in context – about Christ – Hebrews turning back to OT), and what He offers  Hebrews 10:26-29 – Willful sin? – Sin “after we have received the knowledge of the truth” – in the sense of rejecting the truth. (v. 26) – No sacrifice left – rejected sacrifice truth revealed. (v. 29) – worse punishment: Trampled Son of God underfoot. Counted blood of the covenant common. INSULTED THE SPIRIT OF GRACE – Blasphemed the Spirit – defied the HS. Will not be forgiven if rejected God’s will for forgiveness!  Impenitent Sinners 1 John 5:14-17 – God forgives us when we ask for forgiveness, unless we reject His will for forgiveness, and continue in the sin. Sin unto death?: In context – rejecting the Spirit’s revelation about the Christ (cf. 1 John 4:2-3). (Blaspheme the Spirit) Praying for forgiveness for one who has rejected such is praying for forgiveness outside of Christ and the HS. Application – rejecting HS revelation concerning sin by refusing to repent of such. Sin not unto death?: Sin which is exposed as sin by HS, then repented of. Do not reject HS revelation which convicts of sin, but submit to it! Cf. Acts 2:38 – Peter, THROUGH THE HS, called for repentance. Those who accepted the HS teaching repented and obeyed. Those who rejected the HS teaching, defied Him/blasphemed Him, and were not forgiven. (AND CANNOT BE FORGIVEN, UNLESS THAT ONE STOPS BLASPHEMING THE SPIRIT)

“It Will Not Be Forgiven Him” Matthew 12:31-32 Conclusion The reason for the blasphemy of the Spirit not being forgivable is because as long as one is speaking against the Spirit, he is rejecting God’s ultimate terms of forgiveness. Anytime we are taught the truth, and see the truth, but reject it simply because we wish to live in the world, we blaspheme the Spirit, and cannot be forgiven!