Sins Against the Spirit Introduction What is a

Sins Against the Spirit

Introduction What is a sin against the Holy Spirit? Several sins specifically noted (blasphemy) ◦ Mt 12: 31 -32; Mk 3: 28 -29; Lk 12: 10 Let’s take a deeper look to see if we can identify what are some sins against Holy Spirit

Blasphemy / Rejecting God is willing to forgive the vilest of sinners ◦ Is 1: 18; 1 Tim 1: 15 -16 Blasphemy against the Spirit - Mt 12: 14 -30 ◦ ◦ ◦ Jesus worked a miracle vs 14 -23 Pharisees attributed it to Satan vs 24 Jesus explained why they were wrong vs 25 -30 Jesus did it by the Holy Spirit vs 28 Blasphemy “Impious & reproachful speech injurious of the divine majesty” – JH Thayer

Blasphemy / Rejecting Blasphemy against Spirit shall not be forgiven? ◦ Miracles, proof He was Son of God – Jn 20: 30 -31 ◦ One who believes Christ’s miracles are by Satan won’t ever believe in Him – Jn 12: 37 -40 ◦ Not God’s unwillingness to forgive, but one’s unwillingness to believe in the truth

Blasphemy / Rejecting Can we blaspheme the Holy Spirit? ◦ Becoming so hardened of the heart we are unreachable Alien Sinners – Mt 13: 13 -15 Erring Christians – Heb 3: 7 -15; Heb 6: 4 -6

Resisting Resist: To fall, rush or stand firm against – Jim Tuten, The Holy Spirit, His Person & Work The Jewish nation killed the prophets The council killed Christ The council killed Stephen – Act 7: 54 -60 When one closes his ears to the Word of God and persecutes the preacher, he is fighting not just a man but God – Lk 10: 16

Tempting Ananias & Saphira lied to Spirit – Act 5: 1 -4 How did they tempt the Holy Spirit? ◦ Not in the sense of enticing Him to sin – Jas 1: 13 ◦ Testing His power, knowledge & punishment ◦ They lost the test – Acts 5: 5 -11 We tempt God by sin and unbelieving disobedience – Heb 3: 7 -9 ◦ We will lose the test – Heb 3: 10 -11

Grieving Eph 4: 30 Godly parents grieve when their children sin God is saddened when we leave Him – Heb 3: 10 -13

Quenching 1 Thes 5: 19 1 st Century Christians “quenched” Spirit by: ◦ Discouraging use of Spiritual gifts – 1 Thes 5: 20 ◦ Failing to use Spiritual gifts – 1 Tim 4: 14; 2 Tim 1: 6 We can be guilty of a parallel sin if we: ◦ Discourage others service to God – 1 Sam 8: 1 -7 ◦ Fail to use opportunities & abilities in service to Christ – Mt 25: 14 -30

Conclusion Be on guard so not to make mistake of: ◦ ◦ ◦ Rejecting the testimony of the Spirit in unbelief Resisting & refusing the Gospel Tempting the Spirit through sin & disobedience Grieving the Spirit by sinning Quenching the Spirit by discouraging others in their service to God or failing to work ourselves The Spirit invites all to be saved - Rev 22: 17