Introduction: On different occasions I have been asked about the sin of “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.” Questions such as; what is it? Can we commit this sin today? Is there no way a person can be forgiven of this sin? Is there such a thing as an “unforgiveable sin” and would this be it? In this study we want to answer these questions. 
I) What is it? 
A) The blaspheme means to speak or rail against. 
1. To hurt, to speak irreverently, impiously, defamation of character. 
2. The speaker is intending to do harm. Speaks to the intend or heart of the speaker.  (With malice in their heart.)
B) The Bible speaks of blaspheming many things
1. One can cause others to blaspheme  God, Romans 2.24
2. To speak evil of the word of God is to blaspheme the word of God, 1 Timothy 6.1
3. To blaspheme the doctrine of Christ is to pervert and reject it. 
C) Jesus was accused of blasphemy, showing the seriousness of the charge
1. When He forgave a man of His sins, Mark 2.5-7
2. When He claimed to be the Son of God, Matthew 26.65
II) Blasphemy is not
A) Rejection of the miraculous saving operation of the Holy Spirit
1. The Holy Spirit never saved anyone miraculously but through the preaching of the Gospel, Romans 1.16
2. Jesus was not accusing the Jews of simply not believing His word but something more. 
B) Murder, some believe this is the unforgiveable sin
1. David committed murder but God forgave him. 
2. The Jews killed Jesus but they were offered a way of forgiveness, Acts 2.38
C) Apostasy – opposite of once save always saved is once saved and then lost, always lost
1. Simon fell but returned to the Lord, Acts 8.22-24
2. Peter denied Jesus but was forgiven of his sin. 
D) Suicide – granted it is hard for a person to commit suicide and be forgiven. However, Jesus was not speaking to those that were committing suicide
E) A general life of sin
1. Some think they have lived in sin so long and committed so many sins they have blasphemed the Holy Spirit. 
2. Those at Corinth lived a life of sin but were forgiven, 1 Corinthians 6.9-11
F) Just any blasphemy
1. Paul was a blasphemer but he found forgiveness, 1 Timothy 1.13
2. Could Paul have been wrong either about his sin of blasphemy or his forgiveness? 
III) Possible views of this sin
A) It is a specific sin that cannot be committed today
1. Limited to the time of miracles, Mark 3.30
2. They accused Jesus of working miracles by the power of satan; not simply denying the miracle but its source. 
B) Simply not believing Jesus
C) Any sin un-repented of, Luke 13.3
D) Some undefined sin that once committed cannot be forgiven
1. The hardening of one’s heart to the point one will not accept the truth
2. Example of Madelyn O’Hare 
IV) Our Text, Matthew 12.10; Mark 3.5
A) Matthew 12.14, 24-25, 32
1. Verses 33-37 they had seen the miracles but were not persuaded
2. They asked for a sign after they had already seen a sign of Jesus’ power
B) Hebrews 6.4-6 impossible to renew them to repentance
1. Some think this means one cannot be saved after they have fallen away
2. Hebrews 3.1,12,13 warns brethren to not depart, which means it is possible to depart
	a. When one departs they reject the sacrifice of Jesus, Hebrews 	10.26,28,29
	b. The only way of salvation is Jesus
3. Keep in mind Hebrews 6.4-6 was written to Christian about the serious nature of departing.  This cannot contradict Galatians 6.1, Acts 8.22.
V) Today
A) People reject the message
1. They reject the Lordship of Jesus Christ
2. They do not love or want the truth, John 3.18-20
B) There is a point the Gospel does no good, Acts 13.45-46
1. Not because of the Gospel but the hearts of the audience
2. People reject the grace, mercy, and love of God until they are past the point of return. 
3. Judas and Paul show the contrast between sin and repentance; sin and rejection of repentance. 
VI) 1 John 5.16
A) Context is our prayers to God
1. Verses 12-14 having the Son means having spiritual life
2. Our prayers must be according to His will, verse 14
B) What is the difference in sin unto death and sin not unto death?
1. All sin leads to death if not forgiven, Romans 6.23
2. Sin washed away by the blood of Christ is forgiven, Romans 4.7,8
3. Sin committed by a Christian is forgiven when confessed, 1 John 1.9
4. Hardness of heart leads to death
Conclusion: Any sin that hardens our heart to the point that we will not do what God says results in our rejection of the Holy Spirit and death. Ironically, Madelyn O’Hare died a number of years ago. She did not want her death publicized because she did not want Christians to pray for her. Eventually her possessions were auctioned off. The one item that brought the most money was her Bible.