“Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that which is to come.” (Mat 12:31-32)

Though seldom discussed amongst Christians, Satan loves to fill our hearts with the fear that, in some way, we have been guilty of an ‘unforgivable sin’; and are therefore forever condemned to Hell. Many, including great men and women of God, such as John Bunyan (of ʻPilgrims Progressʼ fame) as well as novice Christians (such as myself) have fallen foul of this particular trap; which can manifest in various disguises to snare those of a tender conscience, the carelessly over-confident and all those in between.

Satan is the ultimate expert in misusing and distorting God’s Word. His favourite tactic is to subtly misquote and misapply even the truths spoken by God himself; not to mention the words spoken by godly men and women who have only imperfectly understood what they have heard from God.

(For example notice how, during the Serpent’s temptation of Eve (Gen 3:1-6), she says that God has told them they would die if they touched the fruit. God didn’t say that: he said, “Don’t eat it.” Adam’s job was to tend the trees of the garden; so he would have had to touch the tree. But it seems that, in passing on God’s instructions to Eve, Adam had exaggerated slightly (Gen 2:15-18). So, when Eve touched the forbidden fruit and lived, it would have seemed to her that the Serpent was right.)

In his book, ʻGrace Abounding to the Chief of Sinnersʼ, John Bunyan relates in detail, from paragraphs 132 to 232, how Satan first hounded him into what seemed like a rejection of Jesus, then tormented him for years with recurring accusations that he could never be forgiven. It is a harrowing and difficult read: but contains many valuable insights into Satan’s tactics of twisting Scripture against us; and the way in which careful examination of the Scriptures, combined with words of spiritual revelation, finally restored him to full confidence in God’s saving grace.

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

It is vitally important to understand that this ʻUnforgivable sinʼ is something extremely rare; and far more serious than murder, or even blasphemy against Jesus himself. Sins such as the latter, on account of their obvious seriousness are referred to in some theological circles as ʻmortal sinsʼ: yet these are not ʻUnforgivable,ʼ as Jesus is careful to point out. Peter denied Jesus; and St. Paul was a self-confessed killer of Jesus’ followers (Acts 26:9-11): yet both were forgiven.

Jesus’ warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, cited above, is also repeated in Mark 3:28-29 and Luke 12:10. Both Matthew and Mark place this in the context of a discussion triggered by the scribes and Pharisees, suggesting that Jesus was using demonic power to cast out demons. But notice that Jesus does not explicitly say that they had already blasphemed against the Holy Spirit by saying this: though he is clearly warning them that, by attributing the Spirit’s work to an evil cause, they are coming perilously close to doing so. But how close – and why?

Some assume, for example, that some blasphemous statement of the form, “Jesus is …” is a blasphemy against Jesus; whereas simply substituting, ʻHoly Spiritʼ for ʻJesusʼ would make this an Unforgivable sin. Either statement is deeply offensive to God: and cannot ever be lightly passed over. Yet, if one looks at the fact that the scribes and Pharisees were directly attributing a work of the Holy Spirit to the prince of demons, then it becomes very difficult to understand why Jesus did not instantly condemn rather than simply warn them.

What Makes this Sin Unforgivable?

The epistle to the Hebrews addresses this issue and offers further insight into the true nature of this blasphemy. It contains 3 references, the second of which is the most detailed:

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Heb 10:26-31 KJV)

I have deliberately used the King James Version here in order to emphasize the word, ʻwilfullyʼ. This is an exceptionally strong word, used only one other time in the New Testament, to convey the sense of a determined, entirely voluntary, commitment to a particular course of action. Moreover, it is a decision taken after receiving ʻknowledge of the truthʼ: not as a result of ignorance. As the passage goes on to explain, it involves a deliberate rejection of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins as being worthless; and instead despising the gracious, forgiving work of the Holy Spirit by inflicting shame or injury on him.

The epistle to the Hebrews is written to Christians during a period of gross immorality and serious persecution, when many of them would find themselves sorely tempted to compromise or abandon their faith. Some did: but, as we have seen with Peter, this did not make their situation irredeemable. So chapter 10 (Heb 10:32-39) ends with an exhortation to hold on and not give up; chapter 11 (Heb 11:32-40) speaks of how men and women of faith achieved the seemingly impossible in spite of having to endure what seemed like crushing defeats. Then chapter 12 (Heb 12:1-13) continues with a further exhortation not to despair when we fail and get into trouble. Even when God allows us to suffer for our sins, it is far from being a sign of abandonment. He is doing this because he loves us; and he wants us to repent and be restored:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? (Heb 12:1-7)

But Satan, that expert twister of scripture, loves to use it for our condemnation rather than our encouragement. And there follow 2 verses in this chapter that have been a long-standing favourite of his:

Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. (Heb 12:12-17 KJV)

Notice that the writer’s main message is, “There is hope. Don’t give up or be sidetracked! And be aware that, if you fail to take this exhortation seriously you may lose out big time.” But Satan loves to take these last 2 verses to insinuate, “Don’t waste your time! God has finished with you!” But, not only is that not true for you: it wasn’t true for Esau either. Esau never got his birthright back, and missed out on the firstborn’s blessing: but Isaac’s substitute blessing (Gen 27:38-40) was nevertheless fulfilled (Gen 33:8-11). Sin and neglect of God’s gifts has serious, and possibly permanent, consequences: but, where there is repentance, forgiveness and fresh opportunities are still available.

Esau’s initial tears were not tears of repentance; they were tears of murderous jealousy (Gen 27:41), similar to that of Cain before he killed Abel (Gen 4:5-8). But, in time, Esau underwent a change of heart, repenting of his original intent; so when he finally met Jacob again, it was to embrace him as a brother (Gen 33:4).

Repentance – Proof of Enduring Grace

During my time as a Christian I have met a number of people who have been tormented by fear that they have committed the Unforgivable sin – and even been in that position once myself. But only once have I met someone who I feared might indeed have done so. Of course, I have met many who I fear have yet to have had a saving encounter with Jesus, some in spite of their claims to already be followers of Jesus: but that is not the same thing. I have also met many who for various reasons have fallen into sin, or seemingly abandoned their faith for a time, and been subsequently restored. So what is the crucial difference? Let’s briefly recap and look at a few more scriptures:

For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame. (Heb 6:4-6)

For if, after they have escaped the defilement of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in it and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb, “The dog turns to his own vomit again,” and, “the sow that has washed to wallowing in the mire.” (2Pe 2:20-22)

Firstly, as noted before, we are talking here about those who have already experienced the truth and reality of the gospel. Those who have yet to commit their lives to Jesus as their Saviour are not liable to commit this particular sin. (Though that is not to suggest that they are in any less immediate danger, because “He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.” (John 3:18))

Secondly, by deliberate, voluntary choice they have brought shame on Jesus and the redeeming work of the Holy Spirit. This is deeply offensive against God and places them in great peril of being counted as one who has blasphemed against the Holy Spirit. However, much depends upon the extent to which a person has deliberately set themselves in opposition to God. Only God really knows that: so we cannot reliably use this as a test.

But, thirdly and most importantly, it is impossible for such a person to repent (Heb 6:6); that is, to undergo a genuine change of heart, rekindling their desire to follow Jesus and obey the Spirit’s promptings.

The Unforgivable sin is Unforgivable precisely because the individual won’t repent. Therefore, there is no possibility of forgiveness. But, because of their previous experience of the reality of God’s justice, which they have rejected, there is no shortage of fear and remorse. But the critical difference between the one who has committed the Unforgivable sin and one who has only fallen for a time, is that the latter’s remorse becomes focussed, not on the punishment that they face: but on the awfulness of their offence and present separation: and their heart cries out for fellowship to be restored. (See, for example, David’s prayer in Psalm 51:1-19.)

Practical examples

John Bunyan

Bunyan endured a season of incessant mental suggestions that he should sell Jesus in exchange for the things of this life. In spite of all his efforts to resist, the thoughts would not go away; until one morning, exhausted, he felt himself thinking, “Let Him go, if He will.” He goes on, “140. Now was the battle won, and down fell I as a bird that is shot from the top of a tree, into great guilt, and fearful despair.” There followed years of torment with occasional periods of respite as God’s Spirit spoke comfort to his soul. “174. … suddenly there was, as if there had rushed in at the window, the noise of wind upon me, but very pleasant, and as if I heard a voice speaking, Did’st thou ever refuse to be justified by the blood of Christ? and withal, my whole life of profession past, was in a moment opened to me, wherein I was made to see, that designedly I had not: so my heart answered groaningly, No. Then fell, with power, that word of God upon me, See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh. Hebrew xii. 25.” (Heb 12:25)

“229. … suddenly this sentence fell upon my soul, Thy righteousness is in heaven; and methought withal, I saw with the eyes of my soul, Jesus Christ at God’s right hand: there, I say, was my righteousness; so that wherever I was, or whatever I was doing, God could not say of me, He wants My righteousness; for that was just before Him. I also saw moreover, that it was not my good frame of heart that made my righteousness better, nor yet my bad frame that made my righteousness worse; for my righteousness was Jesus Christ Himself, The same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Heb. xiii. 8. (Heb 13:8)

“230. Now did my chains fall off my legs indeed …”

My Testimony

As a recently-converted 15 year-old, I was passionately in love with Jesus. But one day I was unexpectedly confronted by a novel sexual temptation that I had never faced before; and it piqued my interest. I quickly realized that it was wrong; and the thought went through my head, “What if Jesus were to return now, while you are doing this?” But instead of stopping immediately, curiosity got the better of me and, though I felt badly about it, I continued to ʻinvestigateʼ for a while longer. But, no sooner did I stop, than Satan stepped in with the accusation, “That was a wilful sin. Such sins are Unforgivable!” I knew that scripture (Heb 10:26 KJV), and I was petrified. I went to my room, fell on the floor in the dark and pleaded with God for forgiveness: but there was no response – just blackness and silence.

I felt totally forsaken; and condemned to be forever barred from his presence. I couldn’t bear the thought: so I pleaded with God for a sign that all was not lost. I had just grown sufficiently to be able to jump and touch the ceiling if I used both legs: so I prayed that I would be able to manage it, jumping on one leg. Then I summoned up all my strength, jumped – and failed! That scared me so much that I tried again with such desperation that I actually did it! But, of course, Satan came straight back at me with the accusation that it was only the first attempt that counted.

Thinking myself to be forever lost, I started wondering how I could now spend the rest of my life; and I found myself praying this prayer: “Father, even if I never get to heaven, please will you grant me one last favour. Will you let me go on serving you for the rest of my life; because there is nothing else I would rather do.” Only then, as I sat there in the dark, did God’s answer come into my mind: “If you had committed the Unforgivable Sin, you wouldn’t have prayed that prayer!”

With that, peace was restored. Yet, for a long time Satan would seek to torment me with the suggestion, “What if God has merely granted your request. How will you respond when, at the end, he finally condemns you to hell?” My response was and still is that, even if this were true, I would still only have grounds to praise God for his righteousness and mercy. My confidence does not rest on my righteousness: but only in Jesus’ death for me.

An Unrepentant One?

During my student days, I and a friend met a man who told us that he had committed the Unforgivable Sin and was living in constant fear of God’s judgement. In an effort to help him, we invited him round to my flat, where he told us his story.

He had been converted through witnessing the dramatic, instantaneous healing of a child crippled by cerebral palsy and became a regular member of a well-known Pentecostal church, where he had witnessed many miracles. But one day, whilst listening to a young man testify how he had been recently set completely free from alcohol addiction, he thought in his heart, “I bet I could get you back on alcohol again.” He arranged a meeting with the young man, where he managed to get him drunk. The young man’s life was shattered; and he ended up leaving the church.

I spent some time counselling his tempter, both warning him about his position (which he already knew and feared) and seeking to bring him to a place of repentance. It was a bizarre situation. He was a heavy smoker; and at times was deliberately trying to waft the smoke in my direction, as if he thought this might have the same effect on me as the alcohol had on his previous victim. But, in spite of pointing out that forgiveness was possible – if only he would repent – that was something he would not do. At times he prayed to God; and at other times to Satan, saying that he wasn’t such a bad master. It eventually became clear that he still thought that he had been ʻcleverʼ to seduce that young man. Is it possible that he might ever have truly come to his senses? I can’t be sure: but in the end I had to let him go, still fearful but unrepentant.

If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for those who sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death. I don’t say that he should make a request concerning this. (1Jn 5:16)

Don’t Be Afraid

Satan is devious and determined; whereas we are often vulnerable to his threats and deceptions. But we do not ever need to live in fear that we will fail because of our weakness or lack of faith. The whole Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – are committed to seeing us through to the end. They will not let us down.

This saying is faithful: “For if we died with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He can’t deny himself.” (2Ti 2:11-13)

But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God. For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God… (Rom 8:11-16)

What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things? Who could bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, “For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:31-39)