Is there an unforgivable sin?

“And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” - Matt. 12:31

This posting covers the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, which is considered the only truly unforgivable sin.

Most theologians agree that the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is refusing the witness of the Holy Spirit for conviction of sin and the revelation that Jesus is the Messiah and Savior.

Let's review the passage in context (Matthew 12:20-32):

1. Jesus healed a man who was blind and mute (think of how profound a miracle that is!), and the people were wondering if Jesus was the Messiah.
2. The pharisees (theologically conservative, yet blind and hypocritical religious leaders) interjected that it was by a demonic power that Jesus did his healing and casting out of demons.
3. Read what Jesus said in response in verses 25-28:
   “Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
4. Then in verses 30-32, we get to the heart of the passage:
   “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”

So, in context, the passage seems to be saying that attributing the work of the Son to the Devil - which is rejecting the witness of the Holy Spirit in power as the anointed one of God. Jesus makes it clear that we are either for him or against him. He told the pharisees that if they rejected him, they rejected his father as well.

If we acknowledge the witness of the Holy Spirit in testimony of who Jesus is, exchange our broken, dead lives for His, then we avoid the unforgivable sin.