Day 18

Gen 37:1-38:30; Matt 12:22-45; PS 16:1-11; PR 3:27-32

MT 12:31-32 - The unforgivable sin...This is and has always been a big question on the heart of believers new and old.  What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? If you will allow me to, I'm going to get a little teachy here for a moment. 
Blasphemy is a Greek word literally defined as "to speak harm."  In the biblical context it is a disrespect toward the character of God.   The sin of blasphemy is a forgivable sin. In fact Paul himself says that he was forgiven of that sin in 1 Timothy 1:13.  However, the sin of blasphemy AGAINST the Holy Spirit is unforgivable. I think one very important thing to remember here is that it is the Holy Spirit that draws us to God and fills us with conviction when we sin.  To commit the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to willinglyy and consciously reject God's saving grace despite being presented with all the proof of Jesus as our savior. It is not simply to say I don't believe but rather to say I believe but I refuse to listen to the Holy Spirit's convictions.  As I say to people who worry about having committed this "unpardonable sin," it is impossible to have committed it and still be worried about it.  It is the Holy Spirit that convicts of sin and so if you are wanting to repent of the this sin, you have not committed it.

vs 33-37  We can sometimes have a misconception about ourselves.  Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought "I look pretty good." But then you see a photo or video of yourself and the truth is revealed. I have, it's not fun. I'm going back to the gym soon.  The same can be said for what we think of what our heart is really like. Have you ever thought you were a pretty good person but someone told you somethings you needed to work on in your life? It can hurt and be confusing sometimes.  But what Jesus is saying here is a lesson we ALL need to take and apply to our lives, probably everyday. If you want to know what is in your heart, start listening to the words that come out of your mouth.  Does it seem like problems follow you everywhere you go?  What are you saying? Are you creating chaos? Are you creating discord among your friends, family and church family?  Verse 36 tells us that we will be judged by God for EVERY idle word that comes out of our mouths.  It also says that we will be justified or condemned by the words that we speak.  Gives new meaning to the phrase "watch what you say" doesn't it?

That's it for today...