“Just for a Moment”

Rev. G.J. Van Aalst, Klaaswaal, the Netherlands

The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

We can resist the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51) in His general administration, such as in the preaching. We can quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19) by despising the prophecies. God’s children can also grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). These are all sins against the Holy Spirit, but no matter how sinful they may be, the Lord will still forgive them in the all-cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. There is, however, one terrible sin that we consequently must call the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This sin cannot be forgiven.

Blaspheming of the Spirit is a tender and difficult subject. It is striking in pastoral work how often and how long people can wrestle silently with this concern. There is constantly a voice inside which tells them they have committed the sin against the Holy Spirit. That sin cannot be forgiven. What good does it do, therefore, to continue praying and going to church? It is striking that those who are bowed down under this assault cannot give an answer to the question as to what exactly this sin is. When you continuously think to have committed this sin, it becomes a satanic maze from which it is almost impossible to extricate yourself. To all those who wrestle with this concern, there is this urgent pastoral advice. Take care that you know what exactly is meant with this blasphemy. Read about it and eventually discuss it with an office bearer. In any event it must be clear what it really is.

In 1990, a worthwhile publication by Rev. D. Rietdijk (1929-1993) was made available titled The Sin Against the Holy Spirit.1 Unfortunately, this book is out of print. It may be possible to obtain a copy from the librarian of the theological school in Rotterdam for those who can read Dutch (for a fee to cover the costs involved). Therefore, it is necessary to prayerfully read what this sin is exactly! In a short volume of seventy-five pages, Rev. Rietdijk offers a great deal of information. Office bearers who are called to provide spiritual advice should read this volume and make it available, or something similar, of course, if it is easily accessible, to those who are under the burden of this sin. We want to point out four things in this article:

1. It is not the sin against one of the Ten Commandments. That is not to say that this evil would not be so bad, but it is not the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. To use an example, it is not the sin against the third commandment when it concerns thoughts about cursing. Nor is it the sin against the seventh commandment when it deals with self-gratification.

2. It is an evil for which a way is laid, that is, against better knowledge, to call God’s work the work of the devil. As an example, it is like the Pharisees did. In their heart they felt that Christ was God’s anointed, but they accused Him of being a devil.

3. It is a process of hardening and becoming blinded whereby we place ourselves outside of the boundaries of God’s grace as Rev. Rietdijk terms it. Then there is no possibility of turning back.

4. What has always been said amongst us is definitely true; if you are afraid that you have committed this sin, that is proof that you have not done so. Those who have committed this sin are past this point. They are no longer bothered about it.

Many anxious moments and wrestlings in this regard can be blamed on lack of knowledge. Man does not know what the nature of this sin is. That is why you must clearly know what this secretive sin is. That is why the committing of this sin must be warned against. Also, those assailed souls who go on bowed down under the thought of having committed this sin may be encouraged. “But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His Word do I hope” (Psalm 130:4&5). Let your instruction, then, come from God’s Word.

1De zonde tegen de Heilige Geest; De Groot Goudriaan, Kampen, Pasmuntserie 15.

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