The Jordan Valley

The Promise Land is Near

The Sin God Won’t Forgive

6–9 minutes

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We believe that God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one—united and inseparable in essence and nature. This perfect unity is evident from the very beginning, even in the work of creation. In Genesis 1:26, God declares, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” The plural expression here reveals the triune nature of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—acting together from the start.

The Only One God

John proclaims that in the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God—and this Word took on flesh in the person of Jesus, who lived among us (John 1:1,14). Later, Jesus explained to His disciples that it was necessary for Him to depart so that He could send them the Holy Spirit (John 16:7). This reveals the unity between Jesus and the Holy Spirit. That promise came to fulfillment on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the believers. Since God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one, sinning against any of them carries the same weight and seriousness. However, the sin described as unforgivable is marked by its unique severity and gravity.

Blasphemy Against the Spirit

When believers do not fully grasp the truth of one God, they often struggle to understand why blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is considered unforgivable. To resolve this question, it is important to view Jesus’ words through the lens of God’s love. How could Jesus—who gave His life so that we might receive forgiveness from the Father—declare that there is a sin that cannot be pardoned? Does blasphemy against the Holy Spirit somehow lie beyond the reach of God’s mercy? And since the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one, how could sin against the Spirit seem more severe than sin against the Father or the Son?

And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. — Matthew 12:31 (NIV)

This statement is difficult for many to understand because believers often approach God in fragmented ways. Some give their full reverence to God the Father, while others focus only on Jesus and His sacrifice, at times failing to follow Him as the way to the Father. Unfortunately, the Holy Spirit is often treated merely as a supportive power—strength in weakness or force in spiritual warfare—rather than as a divine person equal with the Father and the Son. This is further complicated by referring to them as “first person,” “second person,” and “third person,” which can create the misleading impression of three separate beings, when in truth they are one.

Another reason for this confusion is that many believers elevate the written Word of God while neglecting the essential role of the Holy Spirit—the very author of Scripture—who enables us to rightly understand the message of the Father and the Son. Instead, they rely heavily on the interpretations of scholars, which, though valuable, can distract from seeking personal revelation through the Spirit. In doing so, they are not truly seeking God’s heart, but placing human perspectives above the living Word revealed by His Spirit.

Mistaking The Holy Spirit For Evil Spirit

To understand spiritual truths that often seem difficult, we must rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He is our Helper and Teacher, promised by Jesus to lead us into all truth. Yet many believers hesitate to approach Him, fearing—through lies planted by the enemy—that what the Spirit reveals might be blasphemy. As a result, they lean more on precedents or the interpretations of Bible scholars, rather than seeking God personally.

In the Gospel accounts, Jesus’ warning about the unforgivable sin is tied to a specific context. Luke records it before the religious leaders accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons (Luke 11:15) . Matthew and Mark also connect His warning directly to this accusation. This shows that the unforgivable sin is not simply a careless word, but a deliberate and hardened rejection of the work of the Holy Spirit—attributing God’s power to Satan, even when confronted with undeniable evidence of God’s hand and truth.

Jesus questioned by the teachers of the law

In that incident, people mistook the work of the Holy Spirit for that of a demon, likely because they were more familiar with the latter. Likewise, in today’s context, some believers—though unintentionally—allow the enemy to influence their pursuit of the Spirit’s power. This often occurs when they seek spiritual gifts, especially the gift of tongues, without understanding the true purpose and role of the Holy Spirit.

In their eagerness for spiritual manifestations, some create an atmosphere where demonic influences can creep in, particularly during worship gatherings, mistaking counterfeit expressions for genuine movements of God. Sadly, this too can become a form of blasphemy—one that many believers do not realize they are committing.

The Gravest Sin

Scripture also warns with equal seriousness about those who persist in sin after having already received forgiveness. It teaches clearly that there is no further or greater sacrifice for those who continue to sin willfully after knowing the truth. This does not mean that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit—or a hardened heart that continually chooses sin even after understanding the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus—is beyond God’s ability to forgive. Rather, it means that by doing so, we step outside the bounds of His abundant grace and refuse the forgiveness freely offered to us. At the same time, when we hinder others from coming to God, we stand on the side of the devil (Luke 11:23). Jesus also gave a severe warning to those who cause others to stumble in their faith.

If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. — Matthew 18:6 (NIV)

Therefore, we must understand that although Jesus specifically warned against blasphemy of the Spirit, persistent sin—even after being cleansed by His blood—leaves no further sacrifice for our cleansing. This path ultimately leads to spiritual death. This makes it clear that since the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one, continuing in sin against any of them brings the same spiritual consequences.

Paul also included another form of unforgivable sin: suppressing the truth by covering it with lies (Romans 1:18–20). If we continue to align ourselves with the world, which hides the truth of God behind man-made substitutes, we too are guilty of this sin (Romans 12:2).

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is emphasized because, while God’s love has been revealed and the grace of Jesus demonstrated on the cross, the work of the Holy Spirit is ongoing—He is the seal of our salvation. If we reject His work and refuse to let Him lead us into the fullness of salvation freely offered, then there remains no other way to be saved.

That is why it is essential to remain within the boundaries of God’s grace—living in constant awareness of His love, which is limitless. His love has no end, but to experience its benefits we must choose to remain in it. Since God has already given His Son as the atonement for sin, no sin is beyond forgiveness. Yet Scripture reminds us that there are realms of darkness where God’s face will not shine again (Revelation 22:11). If we choose to remain in that darkness, we step outside the covering of Christ’s blood that cleanses us from every sin.

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. – Hebrews 10:26-27 (NIV)

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