Question:
Dear Greg,
I
have been reading the Bible and have come across something I do not understand
and was wondering whether you can help me.
In
Matthew 12:32 it says, “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.”
What
does this mean? Does “in this age
or in the age to come” mean we will never be forgiven?
I hope not. This scares me.
I believe that all sins can be forgiven so I must be misunderstanding
something. Also, what is the
difference between speaking against the Son of Man and speaking against the Holy
Spirit?
I
really look forward to hearing from you. Thank
you for your time.
Harry
Answer: Dear Harry,
The
short answer is this: blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the willful and
continual act of someone who knows what God can do, and still refuses him.
This is the decision of someone who rejects God over and over again, who
will not accept him, believe in him, or obey him.
Speaking against the Holy Spirit does not mean the verbalization of words
in any language, but of the continual actions of someone who rejects God over
and over again, even though that someone knows full well the power and mercy and
love of God.
God
does not force us to accept eternal life. God
does not force his love and mercy upon us. Humans
have a choice, and this passage speaks of those who will reject God, knowing
full well exactly what they are doing. They
“know better”. That’s the
short answer—hope that helps. God
bless you.
In
Christ,