The Sin God Never Forgives

I’ve always taken the unforgivable sin to be attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan having to do with the miracles Jesus was performing, which were attributed to Satan by the religious leaders. But in the following sermon, John MacArthur expands on that to blaspheming other works of the Holy Spirit which would include the recorded words of scripture inspired by the Holy Spirit, direct revelation from God to us. Moreover, this would also apply to the Holy Spirit giving the full revelation of Jesus Christ to an unbeliever and their subsequent rejection, hardening their heart and searing their conscience. And God said, “but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.” This seriously expands how many people could have severed themselves from the possibility of reconciliation with God. Could this have something to do with our time and how many people have been turned over to the reprobate mind of Romans 1, and why so many in the tribulation won’t believe and be saved?

Mark 3:22–30

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit

[22] And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” [23] And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? [24] If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. [25] And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. [26] And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. [27] But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.

[28] “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, [29] but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—[30] for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.” (ESV)

Matthew 12:30–32

[30] Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. [31] Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. [32] And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (ESV)

2 Peter 1:19–21

[19] And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, [20] knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. [21] For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (ESV)

2 Timothy 3:16–17

[16] All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (ESV)