What does blasphemy against the Holy Spirit mean?

Question: What does “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” mean?

Response: In Matt. 12:31 Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” So what’s blasphemy against the Spirit? What’s the one sin that won’t be forgiven? Listen to what Jesus already said in Matt. 6:14-15: “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Do you see? You can’t be forgiven unless you also forgive. Refusing to forgive is the one thing that will not be forgiven (allowed) – it must be “blasphemy against the Spirit.” You must forgive. That doesn’t mean that if, once upon a time, you didn’t forgive, you can never be forgiven – for all of us have refused to forgive at one point or another. If we hadn’t, there’d be no point in Jesus telling us to forgive. This all means that you can’t be at peace with God and refuse to forgive your neighbor; you can’t go to heaven until you forgive as you are forgiven. Forgiveness is like a river that you jump into – it’s the river of Life. Through his Spirit, and in the name of His Son Jesus, God the Father gives you the strength to forgive even as you receive His Forgiveness.

I pray that you surrender to the Spirit, and step on the head of the snake. You’re most powerful weapon is the grace of God in Christ Jesus. If you really want to do damage to the evil one, just start praying – out loud – “In the name of Jesus, I forgive ______________;” then list everyone you can think of, including yourself. You must include yourself. Forgiveness itself burns the evil one. He hates it. Forgiveness is the blood of Christ and the life of God. He hates forgiveness for it is the annihilation of evil and the accuser. When you forgive Jesus throws the evil one into a lake of burning hot Grace. When all is forgiven there is no more space or time for the “accuser of the brethren.”