The word itself strikes fear in the hearts of many. While some are secretly afraid they have committed the “unpardonable” sin, most people don’t even know what it actually is, and very few are teaching the truth about it. Jesus addressed this issue in Mark 3:28-29. “Assuredly I say unto you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation.” Did you know that some blasphemies are forgivable?Jesus understood that all of mankind was bent toward evil ever since the fall of Adam and Eve. He knew we would be capable of making horrific and blasphemous mistakes, and He was willing to die so that we could be forgiven for such awful things. But He mentions one line that we may not cross, and that is accusing someone of using/having the power of darkness when it is actually the Spirit of God at work.
If someone through the power of the Holy Spirit, performs a miracle, speaks in tongues, shares a word of wisdom or knowledge, or gives you a prophecy, and you say, “It’s of the devil,” or “All that died with the apostles,” well let’s just say, you don’t want to go there. Granted, there are false prophets and deceivers (Matthew 7:21-23), but that doesn’t mean you are free to say and believe the gifts of the Spirit died with the early church. If you believe that, how can you be saved? You’re shooting yourself in the foot. You are denouncing the very power that draws people to Jesus. No wonder it’s the unpardonable sin. We need lots of discernment these days (which is available from the Holy Spirit) but when it comes to judging, less is more. If you don’t personally know someone, or you’re not familiar with their calling or gifting, I suggest you choose your words very carefully when you talk about them.
Some people are afraid of those who are walking in the Spirit (because light exposes darkness), others are jealous or envious. God has a very unique way of sharing His rewards and keeping everyone on the same page. It’s okay if you’re not an evangelist or prophet, just be a blessing to one and you’ll receive a prophet’s reward. In Matthew 10:41-42 Jesus says, “Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, he will certainly not lose his reward.” How simple is that? No reason to be envious when you can receive the same reward with such a simple gesture. Instead we fight and wrangle or even worse, call something from God demonic.
Many have (because of fear and ignorance) completely removed themselves from the game. They’re not sure what it takes to be a threat to the enemy, but they’re also aware of the fact that many will be deceived in the end, so they put it in neutral and become lukewarm. Sorry, but lukewarm isn’t the answer. It is written, “So then, because you are lukewarm, I will vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” — Revelation 3:16-17.
I believe it’s time to step up and pick a side. Are we for the power of the Christ, or against it? Every person on Earth can be totally and completely transformed through a personal encounter with God. The key is the personal part. Each individual person must ask, seek, and knock on their own (Matthew 7:7). You don’t find the Kingdom simply by joining a church or acting like a good person. You find it by diligently searching for the King. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” - Hebrews 11:6.