Sins Against the Holy Spirit

I am somewhat intrigued about the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Godhead with a separate identity, personality and work distinct from the Father and Jesus. I am always overjoyed concerning his work for us this present day. I believe the work of the Holy Spirit is to manifest the active presence of God in the world and in the Church. This expression by the Church is not just in signs, miracles, and wonders but in a life which does not prevent the manifestation and activity of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, the presence of God was manifested in the glory of God. Jesus was the manifest presence of God among men and now the Holy Spirit is the prominent presence resident in us the Body of Christ, the Church.

Yet, the Holy Spirit’s presence can be suppressed not by the devil perse—even though demonic influences abound against the plans and purposes of God but by our (believers) inability to trust the Holy Spirit thereby restricting the presence of God. When this occurs, we have actively engaged in willful disobedience which is demonstrated by our ability to blaspheme, resist, insult, lie, grieve, and quench the Holy Spirit. This is sin which undermines faith, spiritual development, and maturity. This is not just a notion or opinion but a biblical fact.

What is sin?

 
Let me say in a general sense, sin is any failure to conform to the moral law of God in action, attitude, or nature. This includes expressed acts or actions, attitudes contrary to what God requires, and a moral nature underlying our internal character and essence. Since, the work of the Holy Spirit involves manifestation, then anything which prohibits, forbids, disallows, bars, rejects, refuses, repudiates, declines, snubs….etc.. is sin. Why?  Because any of such as identified is contrary to what God requires which displeases God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  Simply put such sinful activity is displeasing to God and will not result in blessings.

What are the activities of the Holy Spirit? 

My intent here is not to create an all inclusive list nor to necessarily exclude, but to highlight some of the Holy Spirit’s work which would include:

·       The Holy Spirit Empowers for life and for service,

·       The Holy Spirit Purifies,

·       The Holy Spirit Reveals, and

·       The Holy Spirit Unifies.

There are a number of scriptures which could provide a basis to support the above work. I would add that in John 14:17, 15:26, 16:8 the Holy Spirit is the “Spirit of Truth”, our “Helper” sent from the Father by Jesus to be received by every believer to continue the work of Christ.

Sins against the Holy Spirit

As mentioned earlier, it is a sin when we displease God by our failure to allow for the manifestation of God’s presence through the work of the Holy Spirit. The following scriptures present a vivid illustration of various types of sins against the Holy Spirit. 

a. Blaspheme the Holy Spirit

According to Matthew 12:31-32 (Message Bible), “There’s nothing done or said that can’t be forgiven. But if you deliberately persist in your slanders against God’s Spirit, you are repudiating the very One who forgives. If you reject the Son of Man out of some misunderstanding, the Holy Spirit can forgive you, but when you reject the Holy Spirit, you’re sawing off the branch on which you’re sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives.

b. Resist the Holy Spirit

According to Acts 7:51-53 (Message Bible), “And you continue, so bullheaded! Calluses on your hearts, flaps on your ears! Deliberately ignoring the Holy Spirit, you’re just like your ancestors. Was there ever a prophet who didn’t get the same treatment? Your ancestors killed anyone who dared talk about the coming of the Just One. And you’ve kept up the family tradition—traitors and murderers, all of you. You had God’s Law handed to you by angels—gift-wrapped!—and you squandered it!”

c. Insult the Holy Spirit

According to Hebrews 10:26-31 (Message Bible), “If we give up and turn our backs on all we’ve learned, all we’ve been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ’s sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God’s Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit? This is no light matter. God has warned us that he’ll hold us to account and make us pay. He was quite explicit: “Vengeance is mine, and I won’t overlook a thing” and “God will judge his people.” Nobody is getting by with anything, believe me.

d. Lie to the Holy Spirit 

According to Acts 5:3-4 (Message Bible), “Peter said, “Ananias, how did Satan get you to lie to the Holy Spirit and secretly keep back part of the price of the field? Before you sold it, it was all yours, and after you sold it, the money was yours to do with as you wished. So what got into you to pull a trick like this? You didn’t lie to men but to God.” 

e. Grieve the Holy Spirit 

According to Ephesians 4:30 (Message Bible), “Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. 

f. Quench the Holy Spirit 

According to 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 (Message Bible), “Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master.  On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good.  Throw out anything tainted with evil.

In these scriptures, the address is given to all as reference to sins against the work and activity of the Holy Spirit.  Strong and continued disobedience can and will bring judgment. As true believers, we must not say no to this work nor should we disallow the expression by others.  In doing so, we bring reproach on ourselves which is sin. As New Testament believers, we should delight in the presence of God in our lives and for the manifestation to please Him.  Such pleasure leads to our being blessed and God’s fame is spread.

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Artesian Well Church

Pastor James P. Norman Jr.