#1. What is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? (Matt. 12) 1. Matt. 12:22-37. 2. A careful study of this passage in its context will clearly show what the "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" is. a. Jesus had just healed a man blind and dumb. Such miracles were God-given credentials that Jesus was sent of God. Miracles could not be performed by one "except God be with him" (John 3:2; see Jno.20:30-31; Mk.16:20). b. These Jews felt the force of this miraculous proof. But their intent was to somehow discredit Jesus. To discredit Jesus they either had to deny the miracle he performed, which they could not do, or else attribute His power to Satan, knowing well that the Holy Spirit was with Him (John 3:34). They chose to lie and deliberately call the Spirit unclean. They blasphemed the Spirit. Mark specifies, "because they said, He hath an unclean spirit" (3:30). Their blasphemy consisted in saying that Jesus worked miracles by the power of the devil. c. By knowingly and wilfully ascribing the work of the Spirit to the devil, they rejected the final evidence by which he might believe and have eternal life. 3. Can one be guilty of this sin today? a. The blasphemy against the H.S. consisted of witnessing a miracle Jesus performed through the power of the Holy Spirit, and deliberately blaspheming by crediting the devil with the miracle, to discredit Christ. b. This situation does not now exist. One cannot do what they did. 4. However, it is possible to sin against the Spirit in other ways. a. May resist the Spirit (Acts 7:51-53) b. Christians may grieve the Spirit (Eph.4:30) c. Warned not to quench the Spirit (1 Thess.5:19). d. May do despite unto the Spirit (Heb.10:29). 5. Fear of committing a certain sin, for which there is no forgiveness, has haunted many for generations. In reality, God stands ready to forgive us of every sin through the sacrificial death of His son Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:22,23) MATT.12:22-32 (notes) 23) Proper response 24) Leaders had the same evidence, but refused to renounce their stubborn will. Contrast Nicodemus, Jno.3:2. 25) Their statement was illogical and impractical. Why would Satan fight Satan? If Satan casts out his own demons, then he is opposing himself, diving his kingdom, and destroying his house. 28) Lk.11:20: "the finger of God." 29) Christ's victory over Satan. Eph.1:15-23; Col.2:15; Eph.6:10ff. Neutrality v.30; 43-50. Beware an empty life! It is a standing invitation for Satan to go to work. In the spiritual war being waged you cannot be neutral. You are either for Him or against Him. What about today? This situation existed only while Christ was ministering on earth.