Subscription Lists

There is only one totally unpardonable sin. It is a sin in which the heart has been wilfully hardened until it cannot be softened so that sin may be forgiven; the Holy Spirit has been "quenched". It has become blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. He cannot penetrate the hardness (1 Thessalonians 5:19).

This is the reason the Apostle Paul admonishes the Ephesians not to even "grieve" the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:29-31). We can grieve the Spirit by refusing His leadership in our minds and hearts, refusing to listen or respond to that still small voice in our conscience, in our thoughts, and in our responses to Him. The mind has been permanently hardened and set. It will not change direction, regardless of events.

Refusing to respond to the urgings and leadings of the Holy Spirit in spiritual growth can eventually result in a hardened heart. This is reminiscent of the days before the flood when God said in effect, "enough is enough" - the Spirit ceased to strive with humanity any longer. Although it grieved Him, God chose to destroy all, and begin again through Noah. They had become unpardonable (Genesis 6:3).

The condition of becoming unpardonable is described by the writer of the book of Hebrews. (Hebrews 6:1-8). Make no mistake. It is possible for a Christian to commit this sin. Examples of those who have done so and will do so are recorded from Genesis through the book of Revelation. Refusing or neglecting to grow as directed by the Holy Spirit is very dangerous indeed. It apparently had not occurred to those to whom Hebrews was written, and they were being encouraged to go on toward greater maturity. There was the possibility that they would not, else there would have been no need for it to be described in such detail. It is obvious that there is extreme danger for the Christian to take his or her profession casually, instead of going forward in growing spiritually, rather than with being satisfied with the status quo of their relationship with God. Christians are called to be re-created into the image of Jesus.

This takes time. And it takes moving forward in the life in which He has placed us. This is the reason the writer of Hebrews states the need and intent that Christians should have in leaving what should have already been learned and formed in their character. Some researchers have found that in many ways the Christian church is dying by degrees because of complacency and self satisfaction. The word "self" is the fly in the ointment in many cases.

When Israel came out of Egypt, they became so accustomed to God providing their needs, they began to presume upon God. They were content with just having God do things for them. They became so complacent that they could not be persuaded to move forward. Even when moving forward meant a new life in a new land. They became so accustomed to the statue quo, they refused to obey God and cross over into the promised land. Their hearts had become so hardened that they refused to obey. Our hearts can be hardened also. And it probably would not take forty years for it to happen (Hebrews 3:7-9).

There can be no standing still. There is either going forward or eventual going backward. During the time of the end recorded in the book of Revelation, there is the prediction of a time when many will repent out of all nations and peoples, and receive salvation. But there are also many who become so hardened by events, and the workings of Satan, that they will not repent regardless of the urging of the Holy Spirit (Revelation 9:20; 16:9,11).

Much of the world becomes unpardonable. They cannot be softened in heart unto repentance. They have grieved and quenched the influence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. But there is a great multitude that we will be saved during this time whose hearts have been softened to receive the indwelling of the Spirit. They have surrendered to be led by the Holy Spirit, and to receive eternal life (Revelation 7:9-17). The Apostle Paul tells us that in the beginning of the last days, many will not endure sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2-4). The lukewarm condition of the Laodecians church of Revelation 3 seems evident.

But if you think you may have committed the "unpardonable sin", you haven't. Those who have don't ask the question any more. It never occurs to them.

Those who have committed this sin by blaspheming the Holy Spirit, have made a total disconnect with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

"He who is not with Me [definitely on My side] is against Me, and he who does not [definitely] gather with Me and for My side scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy (every evil, abusive, injurious speaking, or indignity against sacred things) can be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the [Holy] Spirit shall not and cannot be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Spirit, the Holy One, will not be forgiven, either in this world and age or in the world and age to come." - Matthew 12:30-32 (AMP)

"Bible verse and quote" from Jan Couns

Bible and Quote - February 25 - March 1