The Son Forgives But the Spirit Does Not

January 11, 2016

“Because of this, I tell you, people will be forgiven every sin and blasphemy, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the one to come.” (Matthew 12:31–32, HCSB)

The Son can forgive a person. But the Spirit does not forgive. Why is that? The reason is because Jesus is in the business of forgiving sins. But the why doesn’t the Spirit forgive a person of sin? Because the role of the Spirit is to convict a person of sin.

The Father  judges sin.

The Spirit convicts sin.

The Son forgives sin.

This is the reason why Jesus can say that anyone who blasphemes against the Spirit cannot be forgiven. The Spirit doesn’t forgive. It is not part of His role. The Spirit convicts of sin and enters a person to lead them to live righteously. This is why the Holy Spirit can remind a Christian of a sin because that is what the Holy Spirit does. He shows us that sin is wrong.

Jesus is speaking here about the critical role of the Holy Spirit. We can’t just dismiss His convicting work. The Holy Spirit will not be controlled or caged by any man. He will not tolerate blasphemy. If you reject the work of the Spirit, there are consequences. Jesus may love you and forgive you. But the Spirit commands respect.

We don’t wait until the judgment of God. We allow the Spirit to work in our lives to convict us of sin and help us overcome it. The Holy Spirit is the only One who can help us overcome sin, if we will listen to Him. The Son may forgive me, but the Spirit will not.