The sin God cannot forgive is blasphemy against the Spirit (Matthew 12:31). But what is this blasphemy? People believe many different things: some say it is murder, others cursing the Holy Spirit, suicide, denial of Christ, some heinous act, or worshiping a false god. The following questions will shed light on this crucial matter.

The Bible says that all kinds of sin and blasphemy will be forgiven. So none of the sins listed in question 1 is the sin God cannot forgive. No single act of any kind is the unpardonable sin. It may sound contradictory, but both statements are true: A. Any and every kind of sin and blasphemy will be forgiven. B. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Jesus made both statements (Matthew 12:31), so there is no error. To harmonize them, we must understand the work of the Holy Spirit.

The work of the Holy Spirit is to convict us of sin and to guide us into all truth (John 16:8,13). The Holy Spirit is God’s agency for conversion. Without the Holy Spirit, no one feels sorrow for sin, nor is anyone ever converted.

When convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit, we must confess our sins in order to be forgiven. When we confess them, God not only forgives but also cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). God is ready to forgive you for any and every sin you could commit (Psalm 86:5) — but only if you confess and forsake it.

If we do not confess our sins, Jesus cannot forgive them. Thus any unconfessed sin remains unpardonable until we confess it, because forgiveness always follows confession and never precedes it (Proverbs 28:13).

The Bible says: A. The psalmist says he made haste and did not delay to keep God’s commandments (Psalm 119:60). B. Paul reminds us that now is the accepted time and the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). C. Paul urges us to arise immediately, be baptized, and wash away our sins, calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16). Scripture repeatedly states that when convicted of sin we must confess it at once, and when we learn new truth we must accept it without delay.

God solemnly warns that the Holy Spirit will not indefinitely keep pleading with a person to turn from sin and obey God: the Holy Spirit will not strive with man forever (Genesis 6:3). God warned the people in Noah’s day that His Holy Spirit would not keep pleading with them forever; nor will He today.

The Holy Spirit stops talking to a person when that individual becomes deaf to His voice. The Bible describes it as people who hear but do not hear (Matthew 13:13). There is no point setting an alarm clock in a deaf person’s room; he won’t hear it. Likewise a person can condition himself not to hear an alarm by repeatedly shutting it off. The day finally comes when it rings and he does not hear it. So it is with the Holy Spirit: if we keep shutting Him off, one day He will speak and we will not hear Him — and He will sadly turn away, because we have passed the point of no return.

God, through His Holy Spirit, brings light (John 1:9) and conviction (John 16:8) to every person. The Bible rule is that when the Holy Spirit brings us new light or conviction of sin, we must act at once — obey without delay. The Bible compares the path of the just to a shining sun that grows ever brighter to the perfect day, and the way of the wicked to darkness (Proverbs 4:18,19). Jesus calls us to walk while we have the light, lest darkness overtake us (John 12:35). If we walk in the light, God keeps giving us light; if we refuse, even the light we had goes out and we are left in darkness.

Yes. If we steadfastly refuse to confess and forsake any sin, we will eventually become deaf to the Holy Spirit’s pleading and pass the point of no return. Examples: A. Judas’ unpardonable sin was covetousness (John 12:6) — not because God could not forgive it, but because Judas refused to listen to the Holy Spirit. B. Lucifer’s unpardonable sins were pride and self-exaltation (Isaiah 14:12–14). C. The Pharisees’ unpardonable sin was their refusal to accept Jesus as the Messiah (Mark 3:22–30): they hardened their hearts and finally grew deaf to the Spirit’s voice. We can choose to respond or refuse, but we cannot choose the consequences — they are fixed. If we consistently respond, the Holy Spirit seals us as children of God (Revelation 7:2,3).

He pleaded with God not to take the Holy Spirit from him: pleaded with God not to take His Holy Spirit from him (Psalm 51:11). David knew that if the Holy Spirit left him, he was doomed from that moment, since only the Spirit could lead him to repentance and restoration. Elsewhere the Bible says God finally left Ephraim alone because he was joined to his idols (Hosea 4:17) and would not listen to the Spirit. The most tragic thing that can happen to a person is for God to have to turn away and leave him.

Paul warns us not to quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). The Holy Spirit’s pleading is like a fire that burns in a person’s mind and heart. Sin affects the Holy Spirit as water affects fire. As we continue in sin, we pour water on that fire. Any unconfessed or unforsaken sin can ultimately snuff out the fire of the Holy Spirit — whether refusal to keep the Sabbath, use of alcohol, an unforgiving spirit, immorality, or keeping God’s tithe. Do not put out the fire: no greater tragedy could take place.

God says that those who refuse to receive the truth and conviction brought by the Holy Spirit will — after the Spirit departs from them — receive strong delusion and believe the lie (2 Thessalonians 2:10–12). A sobering thought.

Those crying “Lord, Lord” will be shocked that they are shut out (Matthew 7:22,23). They will be positive they were saved. Jesus will likely remind them of that crucial time in their lives when the Holy Spirit brought new truth and conviction. It was crystal clear it was the truth; it kept them awake at night. But finally they said “no” — and a strong delusion came that made them feel saved when they were lost.

Jesus solemnly warned that not everyone with a feeling of assurance will enter His kingdom, but only those who do the Father’s will (Matthew 7:21). Today a false assurance is sweeping Christendom, promising salvation to people who keep living in sin with no change at all. But when we accept Jesus as Lord and Ruler of our lives, we become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), gladly keep His commandments (John 14:15), and through Him can do all things (Philippians 4:13). To those who follow Him He promises that no one can snatch them out of His hand (John 10:28). Any other “assurance” is counterfeit.

Paul says that God, who began a good work in us, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ and works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 1:6; 2:13). Those who make Jesus the Lord and Ruler of their lives are promised the miracles that will see them safely into His eternal kingdom.

Jesus says He stands at the door and knocks: if anyone hears His voice and opens the door, He will come in and dine with him (Revelation 3:20). Jesus knocks on the door of your heart through His Holy Spirit, coming to you with loving guidance and counsel. What folly to be too busy or too disinterested to form a warm, lasting friendship with Him. Jesus’ close friends will be in no danger of rejection on the judgment day — He will personally welcome them into His kingdom (Matthew 25:34).