Blaspheming The Holy Spirit

Blasphemy means speaking (disrespectfully) against God. Who speaks against God? One who rebels against Him, and is stubborn, unwilling to obey. He hates God's sound counsel and direction.

When does one speak against God? When his heart is full of bitterness and hate. The primary figure is Satan who is against God and tries to stir believers against God.

In Matthew 12:25-37 we see how Jesus helps us understand what it means to blaspheme the Holy Spirit.

The Pharisees with their self-righteous and religious mindsets could not accept Jesus. They found Jesus to be unorthodox or unconventional. Jesus did not fit into their so-called religious boxes. He lacked the 'outward finesse' but did things only God could do. So instead of trying to learn more, they rejected Him and began saying Jesus was demonic. They were calling God, an evil spirit. Jesus was operating through the power of the Holy Spirit. They were attributing the works of the Holy Spirit to Satan. A horrible thing to say - a blasphemy!

In Acts 7:51-53, Peter reminds the Jews of how they persecuted God's prophets. He calls them stiff-necked and uncircumcised at heart. A stiff-necked person is proud and refuses to turn away from his prideful ways. The uncircumcised at heart are those who haven't received Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

A believer may never go against the Holy Spirit, but he does grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). How? When he lets bitterness and unforgiving natures rule him. The more we leave ourselves unattended by the Holy Spirit, the more we slowly backslide and begin to nurture feelings against God.

Dear child of God, you are planted by God, and being nourished by the Holy Spirit to reflect Christ to the world around you. Renew yourself in the Holy Spirit in prayer and fellowship, and you will find yourself in eternity with The Loving Heavenly Father.

Maranatha, Praise God, and Amen.