What Is the Unforgivable Sin?

The Questions We Keep Asking – Post 7 of 10

“Have I done something God can’t forgive?”

This is one of the most feared and misunderstood questions in Christianity. Some live in anxiety that they’ve committed the “unforgivable sin.” Others wonder if people they know are beyond God’s grace.

I. Jesus Spoke of a Sin That Will Not Be Forgiven

Matthew 12:31–32
“Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”

Jesus spoke these words after the Pharisees attributed His miraculous work to Satan (see Matthew 12:24). It was not a moment of doubt—it was a hardened, willful rejection of the Spirit’s work in Jesus.

II. The Unforgivable Sin Is Final, Deliberate Rejection of the Spirit’s Witness to Christ

Mark 3:28–30
“Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man… but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—for they were saying, ‘He has an unclean spirit.’”

This sin isn’t an accidental slip. It’s a settled state of rebellion by someone who sees the truth but continually and knowingly calls it evil.

III. If You Fear You’ve Committed It—You Haven’t

Psalm 51:17
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

If you are afraid you’ve committed the unforgivable sin, that fear is actually a sign of spiritual softness—not hardness. The unforgivable sin is unrepentant rejection. Those who commit it aren’t worried about it.

John 6:37
“Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”

IV. God’s Grace Covers Even the Worst Sins—If We Repent

1 Timothy 1:13–14
“…though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me…”

Paul had persecuted Christians, yet he received grace. So did David, who committed adultery and murder. So did Peter, who denied Jesus. The only unforgivable sin is the one you refuse to bring to Jesus.

1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive