Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:22-30)

 Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit

“The scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, 'He is possessed by Beelzebul," and 'He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons." And He called them to Himself and began speaking to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan? "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. "If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. "If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished! "But no one can enter the strong man's house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house. "Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"— because they were saying, "He has an unclean spirit." (Mark 3:22-30)

The Concern

There are dear Christians who worry that they may have blasphemed the Holy Spirit; however, the very fact that they are worried about committing such sin is evidence to the contrary. This worry likely comes from doubts about salvation. Doubting your salvation is serious, and you should use all the means of grace to make your call and election sure (2 Peter 1:3-11). But it would be illogical for a true believer to blaspheme the Holy Spirit, as he is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and kept by the power of God.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5)

The Evidence 

The evidence against a believer committing blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is made clear in Jesus’ parable. A kingdom cannot stand against itself. Jesus was casting out demons. If He were doing so by the power of the devil or in collusion with the devil, He would be standing against Himself. Instead, He was casting out demons by the power of God. He was binding the strong man (the devil) and tearing down the devil’s kingdom.

The Sin

The scribes were accusing Jesus of being a devil. They could not deny the miracles, so they attributed them to Beelzebul, saying Jesus was possessed by him. 

Let us take note of their hardness of heart. They were so hardened that they would do anything to deny the Lordship of Christ. This is not the attitude of a Christian worried he has offended his God. This leads to understanding why this sin is unpardonable.

The Unpardonable Aspect

This sin is unpardonable because the Holy Spirit, whom they call the devil, would need to be their salvation. They hated Christ. To commit this sin, one would need to hate God.

“Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"— because they were saying, "He has an unclean spirit.” (Mark 3:28-30)

Could you who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and concerned not to offend your Savior, ever say, “He has an unclean spirit?” It’s not possible because you love Him.

The Solution for Worry

“Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:3-8)