How can we discern the Holy Spirit's work to avoid blasphemy? Understanding Luke 12:10 “And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” (Luke 12:10) Why This Sin Is So Serious - The Holy Spirit is God’s own presence testifying to Jesus (John 15:26). - To call His work evil is to reject the final, clearest witness God provides (Hebrews 10:29). - Persistent hardness shuts the door on repentance; therefore forgiveness, which always comes through repentance, becomes impossible. Scripture’s Tests for Discerning the Spirit’s Work 1. Alignment with God’s Word • The Spirit never contradicts Scripture (2 Peter 1:20-21). • Measure every teaching and experience by the written Word (Acts 17:11). 2. Exaltation of Jesus Christ • “He will glorify Me” (John 16:14). • Anything diminishing Christ’s deity, atonement, or resurrection is not of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3). 3. The Fruit Produced • “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22-23). • Works of the flesh—envy, dissension, impurity—signal a counterfeit (Galatians 5:19-21). 4. Confession of the True Gospel • “Every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” (1 John 4:2-3). • Guard against new revelations that add to or override the apostolic gospel (Jude 3). 5. Character of Holiness • The Spirit is “Holy”; He moves toward purity (Ephesians 4:30). • Any claimed move of the Spirit that excuses sin is self-refuting (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8). Practical Steps to Avoid Blasphemy - Stay tender-hearted: quickly confess known sin (1 John 1:9). - Saturate your mind with Scripture; the Spirit speaks through what He has inspired. - Pray for discernment; He delights to answer (James 1:5). - Seek counsel from mature, Bible-anchored believers (Proverbs 11:14). - Observe long-term fruit before labeling something divine or demonic. - Guard your speech: if unsure, withhold judgment rather than risk calling God’s work evil (Ecclesiastes 5:2). Encouraging Assurance Those who desire to honor Jesus, submit to Scripture, and welcome the Spirit’s sanctifying work are not in danger of this sin. The very concern to avoid blasphemy reflects a heart responsive to Him (Philippians 1:6). |
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