What is the unpardonable sin? Does it occur at one time or over a period of time? At what point is a person beyond hope of salvation? What can we do to steer clear from the danger zone and be assured of our salvation?
Overview
Bible passage – Matt 12:22-37; Mark 3:20-35; Luke 11:14-28; Luke 12:10
Introduction
Unbelievers’ deception
- Doubt
- Delusion
- Damnation
Believers’ perception
- Realization
- Reality
- Release
Recap
Discussion
Objectives
To understand:
- What attitudes and actions result in the unpardonable
- How to salvage hardened hearts before they are led to damnation
Bible Passage
Matt 12:22 Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him, so that the mute man spoke and saw.23 All the crowds were amazed, and were saying, “This man cannot be the Son of David, can he?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.”
Bible Passage (Cont'd)
Matt 12:25 And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, “[Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? 27 If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Bible Passage (Cont'd)
Matt 12:31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 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.
33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
Bible Passage (Cont'd)
Matthew 12:34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Introduction
In line with the messianic prophecy, Jesus heals a man blind, mute, and demon possessed demonstrating his messianic nature in three characteristics rolled into one. Some choose to believe resulting in salvation. Others choose to disbelieve resulting in damnation.
Types of bad spirits in the Bible
Unclean spirits (spiritus immundi) fell from the heavens wander about between the sky and earth
Unclean spirit (pneuma akatharton), – mark 5:1-20 – Animals and liminality
Evil Spirit (pneuma poneron): Uses sexual parts that serves no reproductive purpose – an uncontrolled form of sexuality that invited demonic influence
Types of bad spirits (Cont'd)
Divinatory Spirit (Pneuma pythona or puthona) occurs only once in the New Testament. In Acts 16:16–18
Deceiving Spirit, Spirit of Error (Pneumata plana)
In 1 Tim 4:1,2 Paul defines apostates as those who are drawn to “deceiving” or “seductive” spirits (pneumasin planois) and demonic teachings. 1 John 4:6 refers to pneuma tês planês, “the spirit of error.“ [1]
Types of bad Spirits (Cont'd)
Spirit of infirmity (pneuma astheneias), or “spirit of weakness,” is unique in the New Testament to Luke, Luke 13:10-13
Speechless Spirit (pneuma alalon) renders the possessed mute (Greek alalon, “without speech”). Mark 9:14-29
This demonic possession manifests itself through symptoms that resemble epilepsy, as is suggested also by Matthew 17:15
Unbelievers’ deception - Doubt
Matt 12: 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.”
Unbelievers’ deception - Delusion
There are many swimming in delusions ..including believers (Mk 6:52) though our perception is slowly clearing in Christ’s light.
Matt 12: 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?
What delusions are we playing with?
Unbelievers’ deception - Damnation
Matt 12:27 If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges.
Their own descendents will judge them
Satan will be bound
His house (with all those he deceived) plundered
The Kingdom principle: Even Satan’s kingdom is united.
Believers’ perception - Realization
Matt 12:22 Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him, so that the mute man spoke and saw.23 All the crowds were amazed, and were saying, “This man cannot be the Son of David, can he?”
Helpless on three counts – blind, mute, demon possessed
Unable to even realize his condition
He was led by the faith of others to the only one who could help
Believers’ perception - Realization
Jesus clearly demonstrated the statements below:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives,
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set free those who are oppressed,
19 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19
Believers’ perception - Reality
Matt 12:25 And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? 27 If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges.
Believers’ perception Release
Matt 12:22 Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him, so that the mute man spoke and saw..
Release is an ongoing act of seeking healing from the divine healer in our innermost parts – daily via the word of God and prayer
How about us?
Can Christian believers be affected by demons?
Yes, but not in a controlling sense – possession is highest level
Solution:Other believer/s are mandatory for release.
Yes, to different levels – oppression – lower level
Solution: Where there are clear symptoms, the believer with the help of stronger believers need to pray (if necessary fast) for full release
Eg. Of even lower level – Mental illness, fear, anxiety, depression, apathy, negativity, etc.
Solution: Believer has to get themselves out through word and prayer.
Share examples.
Are we experiencing release?
Colossians 2:2
Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:
Galations 4:9
But now that you know God–or rather are known by God–how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
1 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Some conclusions
All physical illness need not originate from sin – eg blind man – Jesus says it is for God’s glory – John 9:1-12
All spiritual illness (sin, mental problems, sexual perversion, etc.) need not originate from the devil. (Eg. Even in millenial rule, when satan is bound, there will be sin) – however it opens us to his attacks.
As we are never perfect in this world, we need to:
- Continuously seek perfection and purification.
- Continuously pray (fast in severe cases) God’s protection over our loved ones– family and church
- Constantly support those with demonic manifestations till they find release. Surrender specific body parts to God for deliverance.
Cleansing is Spiritual healing
2 Timothy 2:21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Recap - The unpardonable sin
Unbelievers’ deception
- Doubt
- Delusion
- Damnation
Believers’ perception
- Realization
- Reality
- Release
Discussion
1.The process of realization, reality, release should be ongoing for believers – in the spiritual realm. How can we consciously break strongholds in our lives. Give examples.
2.Pray over one satanic stronghold in your life silently. Surrender it it to God.
3.Is attributing the work of the holy spirit as evil spirit THE unpardonable sin?
Note: The term blasphemy may be generally defined as “defiant irreverence.” [2]
Good fruit in God’s sight can only come by a heart transformed by the Spirit.
There are only two hearts – good heart, and bad heart
A good heart is one that is sensitive to the spirit and surrenders to the transforming power of Christ and vice versa.
The fruits “of the spirit” (Galations 5:22) expose the heart. There can be deceptive fruits which can only be discerned by the Spirit.