This is a topic that has stirred up no small amount of controversy and consternation. As a pastor and a counselor I have sat with many heavy-hearted individuals who have feared that they have committed the unforgivable sin and will be condemned by God. Our struggle with this concept, however, may be alleviated if we will take the time to read the relevant text carefully and in context.
There are a couple of texts that speak to this idea, but I want to focus on the specific account of Jesus’ teaching about it. Matthew 12:22-32 reads:
Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?”24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 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.
The language the text, it is important to note, does not say that a sin cannot be forgiven, as in it is impossible to forgive. Rather, it says it will not be forgiven. That’s a big difference. God can forgive any sin, but this text says He won’t forgive the sin in question. But what is the sin in question? The text tells us plainly that the sin in question is blasphemy against the Spirit. The noun is important here, for I often have people who fear they’ve committed this unforgivable, unpardonable, sin and yet not a single one has focused on blasphemy against the Spirit. But Jesus is very specific in His teaching here. The text tells us that every sin and every blasphemy will be forgiven – even the sin of blasphemy against the Son of Man! So the specific issue in mind is blasphemy against the Spirit.
We still have to figure out what that blasphemy is, but we can at least acknowledge what it isn’t: sin in general, blasphemy in general, blasphemy against Jesus specifically. We should also note that this is not speaking of all sin against the Holy Spirit as being unforgivable, but only blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Every sin is against the Spirit in some sense, Jesus has a very narrow idea in mind here. Jesus is talking about blasphemy, which has to do with words (“speaks a word against”), and specifically blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. That’s the target of this discourse. Everything else fails to meet the criteria of this condemnation.
There have been lots of interpretations of this sin throughout church history. People are often trying to pin the label “unpardonable” unto various sins. So some have said murder is the unpardonable sin. But that is not blasphemy. Others have said suicide, but that’s not blasphemy either. We need to let the text of Scripture dictate the answer. So, what in this context is Jesus addressing? What is He responding to? The accusation of the religious leaders that Jesus is casting out demons by the power of Satan. That’s the specific sin to which Jesus is responding. Jesus is warning the religious leaders that they are coming perilously close to a sin that cannot be forgiven.
Here is what I think this text tells us is the sin that won’t be forgiven: to attribute what you know to be the work of Christ to the demonic. How is this a blasphemy against the Spirit? Consider how you come to know who the Christ is: the Spirit of God reveals it to us (Eph. 1:17-18; John 16:8-11; 13-16). When God has revealed the truth to us and we look at the work of Christ and attribute it to the demonic, then we have rejected with specific intentionallity the work of Christ. Note, as well here that this is not simply a rejection of the truth, for Romans 1 makes clear that we all do this (Rom. 1:18). Nor is this simply a rejection of the gospel, which we have all also done until the Spirit reveals the truth to us. It is a specific focus of rejection the revealed work of Christ. The unforgivable sin is not merely a rejection of objective truth, for we all do this and then would all be condemned. It has a subjective/experiential component to it: we are rejecting what we know to be the truth by virtue of the Spirit’s revelation in our hearts/minds about the work of Christ.
This, by the way, is what I think the author of Hebrews means when he writes in chapter 10, verses 26 – 29 about those who “outrage the Spirit.” We read:
For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?
What is the author talking about? Those who know the truth about Christ but attribute his work to the demonic. They have outraged the spirit, profaned the blood, and trampled the Son of God. They have knowingly rejected the revealed truth of Christ’s work on the Cross.
To summarize, the “unforgivable sin” is a very specific, very narrowly defined sin, in which a person willfully attributes to the demonic what the Spirit has revealed to Him is actually the work of Christ. This may not help to alleviate all the fears and anxieties of a person struggling with the assurance of their salvation, but it should help to limit the focus of this issue. Jesus is being intentionally specific and we want to draw our theological conclusions from what the text actually says. Have you sinned against God? You can be forgiven. Have you sinned against Jesus specifically? You can be forgiven. Have you blasphemed God? You can be forgiven. Have you blasphemed Jesus? You can be forgiven. Have you sinned against God’s Holy Spirit, grieved the Spirit even? Friend, you can be forgiven. Jesus has a very narrow and specific issue in mind and we need to surrender to what the text says. In fact, it’s a sin to call unforgivable what isn’t, but the good news for us is that there’s forgiveness and grace for that sin too.
Pastor Dave Online 
I have dealt with many suicidal persons who have asked me about this one thing.
I would tell them that God certainly does not want them to end their life this way, and that as He does not want it, it was a sin to demand and to take this decision out of His hand. Their best avenue lie in hope, and hope waits for tomorrow. Sometimes in the darkest of nights, we must hang on to the branch that is in our hands until dawn reveals the good earth to be but inches below us, or that our safety is but one handhold above.
To those who have lost a loved one to despair, I would prevail that I know our God to be compassionate beyond our comprehension, and that surely He understands the anguish of heart, the pain of outcast, the despair of hope, that some go through, and that I believe that His arms are right there to comfort even, and especially these dear souls. I do not broadcast this view, lest it should be used in confidence that one should go through with their last act to jump into His arms. Thankfully, I never saw any suicide successes amongst those I counseled, although there were a good handful of close calls. God’s Grace intervened.
I agree with this articles 100%, and I would greatly value your opinion of my case. Ok so a little about me. I was saved (or so I though) when I was about 7; however I believe I truly dedicated my life to Christ in Middle School. I’ve been through some rough times recently, and I looked to the Bible for comfort. Then I came across the verse mentioning the unpardonable sin. Since I have been into pornography I have been trying to get out to no avail. I ask so many times for a way out no matter what. I liked to place verses about forgiveness as wallpaper on my phone. I searched for one on the internet to find the unpardonable sin. I was concerned that I had done so due to curses against God that had crossed my mind. I later found out that what had crossed my mind was not the unpardonable sin. Fast forward about 2 weeks (my time may be off). I decided to look at the passage again for reasons I can’t remember. I read the passage, and in my stupidity did not take the warning seriously. Curses once again swarmed my mind (I honestly do not remember what all they were, but I’m scared it could have been thoughts similar to what the Pharisees said). I remember having an absolute feeling of despair come across be, and I became upset once again. After this I can remember feeling this sudden strange feeling that I can’t describe. Was that the Holy Spirit leaving me? I want to be forgiven more than anything, but can I? I’m afraid it was me that thought those thoughts because I wasn’t thinking strait for a bit. I fear that I’m my stupidity I though the unpardonable sin. This sparked a dark spiral of thoughts in my head. I met with the youth minister at the church, and we discussed it. He said that the unpardonable sin was attributing the work of Jesus to Satan. I agree with this definition of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. I remember I felt relieved by his words, and went on; however, the worry was not all gone. Again with the dark spiral of evil thoughts. One thing that particularly crossed my mind was (I do not want to state the first thought it because the phrase alone scares me) “Insert phrase that says the glory of God was actually the glory of…….you can guess” then I thought “maybe it was” then “oh gosh no no no that’s not true”. Then despair came across me. Again the dark spiral of bad thoughts. To this day I have not found genuine lasting peace. I don’t remember the vast majority of my thought, but I’m almost certain that one of those evil thoughts was me commuting the unpardonable sin. I still despise myself to this day for my stupidity in that moment following my reading of the unpardonable sin chapter a 2nd time. How could I have been so stupid as to loose reverence for the word of God, and not take it seriously. I am almost certain that because of this I have committed the unpardonable sin. For the past 6 months or so I have been living in a constant state of fear that I committed the unpardonable sin. I can’t believe I thought those things, and I hate myself for it. I’m afraid what I did was kinda intentional (but without meaning). Let me say I do not agree with those thoughts, but I’m afraid I allowed them to enter my mind because I was just plain stupid (or done in the heat of the moment). Honestly I’m not sure if I knew 100% what I was actually doing. I just kinda happened. I didn’t think about it. I’ve been researching this topic a lot, and I have come across so many interpretations. I do agree with the idea that the unpardonable sin is giving Satan credit for God’s work. I am terrified, and scared out of my mind. Not a day has gone that I haven’t worried about it. I’ve lost 21 pounds, been depressed, and most importantly I’m afraid of my spiritual condition. To this day I’m having crazy thoughts, and I’m scared I’m entertaining them. I also don’t feel convicted like I use to (if at all). Or is my fear of committing it conviction? I don’t agree with my sin by an means, so don’t get me wrong their. I’m also having a hard (if not impossible) time feeling God’s presence. I have spoken with the head pastor of our church, and he believes that if such a sin could be committed today that I have not committed it simply because I’m worried. He is also convinced that God has a big plan for me, but I’m afraid God has given up on me. Can I ever get out of this worry? Could this sin unsave me? Does it mean I wasn’t saved to begin with? I want to come to Jesus more than anything, but I’m afraid he won’t accept me. I’m afraid the desire to come to Christ is from me, and not the Holy Spirit. Have I committed the unpardonable sin? Do I have hope, or am I hopelessly condemned? Is the Lord going to reject me? Please get back with me ASAP.
Grant,
I am so sorry for your struggle. I would give you this hope, friend: the gospel offers salvation for all. The Scripture’s make it clear that salvation is offered to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord. You can be forgiven of any thoughts, friend.
There is a vast difference between having a thought – particularly one that is possibly more intrusive than self-generated – and what the Pharisees did. The Pharisees were bold and unrepentant in their denial of Christ. Your situation sounds like a real fear, guilt, and sorrow over a sinful thought. If you have repented and asked for forgiveness then trust that Christ has forgiven you, friend (1 John 1:9). Conviction of the Spirit is evidence of God’s work in you. The Pharisees very clearly did not have that. I hope that helps.
I have the same fear. I think I have committed that sin. I don’t really remember if it was a thought or wether I’ve said it outloud but I’m really scared. I want to be a Christian forever. I’m scared. Please help me.
Reply please
If I may, Grant and Kharnaior, and I take great fear to tread onto Bro Dave’s page here
I have agreement with Grants “head pastor of our church, and he believes that if such a sin could be committed today that I have not committed it simply because I’m worried.” You indicated a sense of regret for what you have done. Your conscience is not “seared”.
I would encourage you both read a pastoral section that Paul wrote; a follow-up letter to a previous one in which he had previously sharply rebuked someone in the church (1 Corinthians 5 ?).
2 Corinthians 7:8-11
“For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.”
Here Paul is referring to the sense wherein we grieve our sinfulness. He makes I think the same point that your head pastor was indicating. This you can compare with the full rejection (without regret) of the callousness of the religious “Leaders” as they were throwing mud on the work of God.
I would add to that, the counsel and encouragement Samuel charged Israel with in 1 Samuel 12:20-22 “… you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.” Don’t quit. Keep coming before the Lord, because it PLEASES the Lord to work in your life to make you His,
Which means I’m forgiven?
Pastor Dave,
I verbally said very similar to what the Pharisees said out loud to my sister one night when discussing religion and Jesus. After I read Mark 3:29 in the Bible I started to think “what if?” As if trying to understand the Pharisees point of view. Then I was thinking about the verse in Revelation that says “even the devil can disguise himself as an angel of light”. So I got in a spiral of thinking these terrible things. Finally I said out loud to my sister one night: “what if Jesus is the anti-***** or the de*** and we’re being tricked? Even the miracles?”
I have begged for forgiveness since I realized I just perpetuated what the Pharisees had said exactly. In a way, at the time I thought I was just having an open discussion, but I later realized I ended up committing the unforgivable sin because I said it out loud to someone else.
I live in fear every day for years since I said it. What is someone supposed to do after committing this sin? I am currently just waiting for hell
Jo,
I actually don’t think what you’ve described as your sin is the same thing as what the Pharisees did. I also sense, in your words, a real desire to be in relationship with the Lord and that is something only the Spirit of God can give. On that basis, then, I would want to give you assurance that you have not committed the unforgivable sin. My words, however, may not provide the comfort you need. It would be ideal for you to meet with a pastor or counselor to work through this struggle you are having. God bless.
Jo,
If I may, I don’t think what you are describing is that sin at all. I went through this several years ago, and your comment brought me back to this article via an email notification. From what I hear, it sounds to me like you were having a discussion, not making a proclamation or smear the name of the Lord. I believe context matters, and based on what you described, it doesn’t sound like you were blaspheming the Lord. If simply repeating that phrase constituted blasphemy, anyone who read that passage would be in trouble. Same for anyone with OCD and/or Tourettes. Not to take away from this SERIOUS warning in scripture, but what you are describing is a far cry from what the Pharisees did. At least, that’s how I understand it. I’m by no means a theologian or a pastor, so my work isn’t law by any means. I’m just telling you what I believe that scripture is detailing. Regardless. Read: John 3:16, John 6:37, Romans 10:9-13, and Revelations 22:17. Scripture repeats over and over that anyone who comes to Jesus in faith won’t be cast out. Therefore, at least from my understanding, simple logic dictates that anyone who comes to Christ isn’t guilty of what he’s referring to in this passage.