How Does One Blaspheme the Holy Spirit? Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (pt. 3)

Teaching through Mark we came upon the sober passage on the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. While theologically thought provoking, this study provides much more than a theological question. The consequences to blaspheming the Spirit are grave, as they are eternal. So, we wish to clarify what it means to blaspheme the Holy Spirit that we might guard ourselves and others from it.

Last post, we broke down Mark 3:28-29 to define what blaspheme of the Holy Spirit is. Succinctly put, to blaspheme the Holy Spirit is to slander, demean, or malign the Holy Spirit. Unlike other sins however, the blasphemer will never be forgiven and has a sin that results in eternal judgment.

Now, how does one actually do this, or protect himself from not doing it? Is to blaspheme the Holy Spirit saying these precise words, “I blaspheme the Holy Spirit”? (This appears to be the route of many who partook of youtube’s blasphemy challenge). No, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is not exclusive to uttering those words (as some kind of magic phrase), but nor is the pronouncer of this phrase certainly innocent either.

• Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is broader than speaking these words: “I blaspheme the Holy Spirit.” This seems obvious as we noted before that to blaspheme is simply to slander or malign. You can degrade the Holy Spirit in many more ways that simply saying “I blaspheme the Holy Spirit.” That is, instead only saying you blaspheme the Holy Spirit, you actually do it. (Now realize, I do not recommend either as a good proposition to take).
• Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is a heart issue. This, too, seem obvious judging professions of faith for salvation. Saying you are a Christian or that Jesus is your Lord (cf. Matt. 7:21) does not make Him really your Lord or does not make you really a Christian. Though not entirely insignificant (Eph. 4:25), words are mainly just words. More importantly, words manifest what goes on in our hearts. Or as Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34). Our words are a window into our hearts. The one that simply utters the words “I blaspheme the Holy Spirit” may or may not be eternally condemned. But the heart that dishonors, distrusts, and hates the Spirit condemns itself for all time.
• Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is ultimately a Jesus issue. This assertion appears less intuitive from our discussion. So, I will take the next post to cover this specifically.
• Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is a continual denial of Jesus, not just a single event. Taking the previous bullet-point for granted, see how the verbs in Mark 3:29-30 point to a continual denial of Jesus, just as they point to a perpetual guilt or punishment.* After mentioning the act of blasphemy in a general way (“aorist tense”) in verse 29, Jesus continues by disclosing a perpetual lack of forgiveness and guilt for eternal sin. Here, the perpetuity comes out in the use of Greek’s present tense (“[he] does not have forgiveness” and “he is guilty…”). More importantly however, are Mark’s verbs in verse 30. Talking about the scribes, Mark writes, “they were saying” (imperfect tense). They did not just say or think it this for a moment. The scribes were continually asserting that Jesus had a demon. Furthermore, the scribes, as put by Mark, did not think Jesus had a demon for a time, but that He ”has an unclean spirit” (present tense). These verb tenses tell us that the scribes blasphemy of the Spirit was more than a one-off denial or passing thought. These are not chance doubts or weak moments. Their denial was continual and perpetual. This is a perpetual denial of Jesus as God’s Son and Savior to sinners.

Very straightforwardly then, why is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit an eternal sin? You deny the lone Person who can take your sin and its punishment, other than yourself. So if you deny the only salvation, there is no other one (cf. Acts 4:12).

But, the perpetual aspect to blasphemy of the Holy Spirit also provides hope and good sense of the gospel invitation from the Scripture. For the heart that God draws to come to Christ out of its denial, receives forgiveness and reconciliation with God. As Jesus said, “Whoever comes to Me, I will never cast out” and “Truly, truly I say to you, whoever believes in Me has eternal life” (John 6:37, 47).

So, troubled  heart know Jesus will take you in, if you will just come.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).

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