The Unforgivable Sin
Matthew 12:22-37 (ESV)
Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit
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. And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 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. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 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. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 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.
A Tree Is Known by Its Fruit
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Study Guide Questions:
Observations
What were the three afflictions that Jesus healed in this passage, and why were they significant?
What were the reactions of the different groups to the healing, and why were they significant?
What accusation did the Pharisees make about the source of Jesus’ power, and how did Jesus respond?
Interpretation
What is the distinction between amazement and belief that Jesus is making?
What is the unforgivable sin?
Speak to how Hebrews 6 helps understand the seriousness of the unforgivable sin?
Why is it likely that if you are asking yourself whether you’ve committed the unforgivable sin that you have not committed it?
Life Application
Forgiveness always comes at a cost. When we forgive, we are choosing to absorb the weight of the wrong or trust that it has been dealt with. Is there someone in your life you are struggling to forgive? What would it look like to “absorb the cost” or trust God with it?
Have you ever found yourself simply amazed by Jesus or the things of God, but not actually surrendering your life to Him? What would it look like for you to move from amazement to faith?
Are there areas of your life where you are holding back from Jesus—places where you say, “God, you can have everything except this”? What is one step you could take this week to surrender that area to Him?
If you are worried about someone you love who seems to have walked away from faith, how can you keep sharing Jesus with them and praying for them, trusting that as long as there is breath in their lungs, the invitation to return remains open?