Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit - What is it?

Quick answer

Originally, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit was attributing Jesus’ Spirit-empowered miracles to Satan. Today, it is persistently rejecting the Holy Spirit’s testimony about Jesus, which is unforgivable if continued until death.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Blasphemy in the Bible, speaking irreverently or disrespectfully about God, was a serious offense, punishable by death (Leviticus 24:16). When the Pharisees told Jesus that He was casting out demons by Satan’s power, Jesus told them that they were committing blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, which could not be forgiven (Matthew 12:24, 31-32; Mark 3:28-30). This sin revealed a heart so hardened that it refused to recognize or accept God’s truth. It is unforgivable not because God lacks mercy, but because the person refuses the only path to forgiveness—faith in Jesus. Dying in this state of rejection is what makes the sin unpardonable. Today, we cannot see and call Jesus’ acts as coming from Satan, but people can blaspheme the Holy Spirit by willfully and persistently rejecting the Holy Spirit’s testimony about Jesus Christ. Refusing to believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins is the only sin that cannot be forgiven.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not found in the Old Testament. However, blasphemy was a serious offense in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, blasphemy was defined as speaking irreverently or disrespectfully about God, His name, or His works. Leviticus 24:16 states that "whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death," emphasizing the gravity of dishonoring God. This punishment was severe because it demonstrated the importance of honoring God's holiness and His authority.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

In Mark 3:20-30 and Matthew 12:22-32, we see sobering accounts of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. After witnessing Jesus’ miracles, among which was casting a demon out of a blind and mute man, the Pharisees, unable to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, claimed that His power came from Satan.
In response, Jesus clarified that while all sin and blasphemy, even against Himself, could be forgiven, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit would never be forgiven (Mark 3:28-29; Matthew 12:31-32). The Pharisees’ willful rejection of the Holy Spirit’s testimony is the essence of blasphemy against the Spirit, a sin that is unforgivable because it represents a total rejection of God’s redemptive work through Christ.
The gravity of not acknowledging Christ as Lord was expressed by the apostle John: “and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already” (1 John 4:3).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not taking the Lord's name in vain. It is not getting mad at God and telling Him you wish things were different. It is not pledging allegiance to Satan or having an ungodly thought flicker across your mind. It is deliberately attributing Jesus’ work to Satan, as a result of a hardened heart. This aspect of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit cannot happen today. Jesus is in heaven, so we cannot watch Him perform a miracle and claim it was done in Satan's power.

What can be done today, however, is continually refusing to believe the Holy Spirit when He testifies in our hearts the truth about Jesus Christ. Jesus is God (John 1:1, 10:30). He died, was buried, and rose again for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). And Jesus is the only way for us to reconcile with God (John 14:6). To refuse to believe this is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit today, and God cannot forgive someone who dies in this sin. If we die, having continued to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit's promptings by rejecting these truths, we cannot be forgiven. This is the unpardonable sin—the only sin that will keep us from receiving forgiveness from God and going to heaven.

UNDERSTAND

Originally, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit was calling Jesus’ Spirit-powered miracles the work of Satan.
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit revealed a deliberate, hardened rejection of God’s truth and was unforgivable.
Today, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is persistently rejecting the Spirit’s testimony about Jesus until death.

REFLECT

How does understanding the seriousness of rejecting the Holy Spirit affect the way you live out your faith?
How can fear or doubt make you hesitate to fully trust in Jesus’ saving work?
How can you be more attentive and responsive to the Holy Spirit’s voice in your daily life?

ENGAGE

Why do you think attributing Jesus’ miracles to Satan was such a serious and unforgivable offense in His time?
How can we tell the difference between honest doubt and a hardened, persistent rejection of the Holy Spirit’s testimony?
What does the seriousness of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit reveal about God’s character and call to responding to Him?