Speaking Evil of Christ, the Living Commandments
“The sin unto death” and being cut off from the Lord
The sin we review in this study is often referred to as the unpardonable sin. However, there is no such thing as the “unpardonable sin”; that term is an invention of carnal minds and not a pattern of sound words. A most basic truth and promise of the Lord is that all sins are forgiven, and all mankind sees the salvation of the Lord.
Luk 3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
The command not to blaspheme
We are commanded not to blaspheme and bridle our tongue from such utterances, knowing the Lord is working all things. The Greek word for blaspheming is often translated as “evil speaking” and even “railing accusations” in the Scriptures. We are not to blaspheme whatsoever and have the additional specific warnings about blaspheming the Holy Spirit, which is the focus of this study.
Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Mat 15:20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking [blasphemy], be put away from you, with all malice:
While all sins are forgiven in due time, the Scriptures clearly distinguish between “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit” and other sins. When the Holy Spirit is blasphemed, the timing of one’s forgiveness is delayed, and they are disqualified from being saved in this age. We have multiple witnesses in Scripture that confirm the truth, warn of this sin, and spell out the consequences.
Mat 12:31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
Mat 12:32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, in this age or in the one to come
Carnally minded translators erred in many ways, all ordained by the Lord to further hide the truth. Yet the Lord has preserved the Scriptures and given us the principles to rightly divide the Word. We use multiple witnesses to confirm all truth, also applying the principle that the sum of thy word is truth [Psa 119:160, 2Pe 1:20]. It is only here in Matthew’s rendering of this blasphemy event where the sin is not forgiven, with the added emphasis being even in the age to come. There are not two or three witnesses to confirm this matter; the actual Greek is inconsistently translated, and words such as “age” have been added. The Matthew version conflicts with the renderings of Luke and Mark, to say nothing of all the Scriptures that speak to the forgiveness and salvation of all. The same translator bias supporting eternal hell and torment was used here.
Even still, blaspheming the Holy Spirit is a serious sin, as it has no forgiveness until the last harvest of men in the lake of fire.
Mar 3:28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
Mar 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath no forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal [age abiding – not eternal] damnation:
Mar 3:30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
Here in Mark’s account, we again see the erroneous bias of carnal KJV translators turning this verse into an eternal damnation [hell] supporting verse. Yet we know better, as all sins are forgiven in the end, and every man is going to be saved from those sins in the appointed time. The wages of all sin is death, but the gift of Christ is eternal life, our rising from the dead.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
The Scribes spoke of Jesus Christ as Beelzebub, a demon, and thereby spoke evil of His work. We must remember that Christ is the Living Word, and His Word is Spirit. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is speaking against those Words or, more specifically, the living Commandments which is the Gospel. Christ spoke of this egregious sin after hearing the blasphemy from the Scribes and Pharisees. Those carnal scribes have not received the Gospel with open eyes and ears, so they blasphemed in their unbelief. Sins done in ignorance are readily forgiven, yet it becomes far more consequential when the commandments come by the preaching of the Gospel, the hidden mystery that is then revealed unto us.
Act 17:30 NKJV Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
Act 17:31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” [The resurrection of the living word within us]
The flesh Jews, today representing Christians who have yet to receive mercy and be given ears to hear and eyes to see the hidden Gospel of the Living Christ. They speak evil of things they know not about, and thus it is done in ignorance. We all blaspheme the Lord’s commandments during our time in orthodoxy, knowing the flesh Jesus, and even later in spiritual Babylon, before we “hear” the Lord call us out and receive the Spirit.
Rev 13:6 And he [the beast from the earth] opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
All such blasphemy before we receive the true Gospel is forgiven because it is BEFORE faith that is the Spirit of the Lord, the Gospel we hear begins to sanctify us by the washing of the water of the Word. Paul’s example shows us that all who have spoken evil against the commandments [the Gospel, the Holy Spirit] can yet be saved in this age and used mightily.
1Ti 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
1Ti 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Having received the Gospel, if one then blasphemes the Spirit, even while waiting on the Promise, they speak against the very power of salvation and are in danger of a harsher judgment. Those given the Spirit of God, these living and active commandments in their heart are given much, and if one falls from the truth, they are given a more severe chastening in the appointed time.
Luk 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
The sin is speaking against the Holy Spirit after we come into the knowledge of the truth and have tasted of the heavenly gift that is the Gospel which the Lord gave us to see and hear.
Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God,and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Knowing the truth and then speaking deceitfully is lying to the Holy Spirit and is blasphemy. Such workers are to be cut off from the city of God and remain outside.
Psa 101:7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
Psa 101:8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
Such spirits are not allowed to come eat with the Lord and His Christ in the Holy City.
Rev 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Falling away from the faith is leaving Christ by forsaking His commandments, as some we walked with were caused to do. Many who walk with Christ, the Living Word, do not continue walking. At some point, all ordained of God, some cease from eating of His Body and drinking of His cup and speak against the holy commandments.
Joh 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Few are given to endure and continue to eat the flesh of Christ and drink of His cup. Blaspheming the commandments [the Spirit] returns one to their carnal vomit [that defiles a man] even after they were once washed by the truth. We go back to the mud that is a mixture of our carnal mind [dust] and the Spirit that is the water.
2Pe 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2Pe 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
The sin is also appropriately called “the sin unto death” by John. Once we are given the truth, the Word, the Living Commandments, and then speak evil against those commands and the work of the Spirit, that is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and a betrayal of Christ. This sin is “unpardonable” in this life and disqualifies one from being the elect of God in this age. All other sins are forgiven, but if one speaks against the holy commandments they have heard they have blasphemed the Holy Spirit and are cut off from the living Word who is Christ and His Christ.
1Jn 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
1Jn 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
This sin leads to spiritual death, and there is no coming back in this age as the Spirit of grace has been insulted. We are to pray for brothers who struggle with sin, but are commanded not to pray for those who commit the grievous sin unto death. All blasphemy and doctrinal disputes with brethren are not the sin leading to death. Brethren can be separated over doctrinal disputes, and the Holy commandments should not be blasphemed. These brethren would be restored and forgiven if they repent. We need to be very circumspect and judge righteously even the smallest matters. We are in the last times of our walk, and our faith is going to be tested severely. Many antichrists bringing false gospels and doctrines of demons are sent to try us in the Lord’s fire.
1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Anyone who commits the “sin unto death” was caused to do so by the potter who is working all things for the counsel of His will. Those called, chosen, and now being made faithful in this age were declared and chosen before the world was even formed. Free will has nothing to do with it. This just shows us that some who walk with Christ for a while, do not continue to the end to be saved. We mourn the loss of many brethren, but we expect it as it is declared in the Scriptures.
Joh 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
A denial of Christ by our continued sin and unbelief, which we all do first, is different than a betrayal of Christ once we have the true knowledge of the Spirit that is the Gospel. Judas, who betrayed the Lord, is a type for those who have tasted of the heavenly gift, represented by knowledge and holding of the money bag, and who then fall away and betrayed Christ. One has to eat of the heavenly gift at the Lord’s table to be guilty of this betrayal.
Mat 26:23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
Mat 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
Ananias and Sapphira are also prime examples of those who tasted of the heavenly gift and then lied to the Holy Spirit, which is speaking evil against the Spirit. They died quickly in the physical, committing the sin unto death to remind us of this important spiritual truth, keeping the fear of God before us.
Act 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Act 5:4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Act 5:5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
In the Old Testament type, Esau’s story also represents those who, in this age, forgo their inheritance for a bowl of porridge, which symbolizes sustenance [the accusing and excusing reasoning] for all flesh. Esau later sought repentance with tears, but it was not given in this age. So it is to this very day. This is why we are taught to be diligent in pursuing holiness and not failing the grace of God
Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Heb 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
Heb 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
We are to do what Jesus did
As the Christ of Christ, the saviour’s on Mt. Zion, we follow the Lord. We quote this verse often as it always reinforces that we are doing what Christ did and is doing now in our hearts through the Spirit of the Living Word.
Joh 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
The Lord and the Son of man [Christ in YOU] has power given to us by God to forgive and to retain sins here on the earth. Believe the Lord.
Joh 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Joh 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
As “the Christ”, sons of the Living God, we have the power in our hearts to forgive sins or to retain them. Scribes and Pharisees among us think this is blasphemy, but we believe in the Living God and His Word, not the reasonings of men.
Luk 5:20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
Luk 5:21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
Retained sins are sins that are not now forgiven. Instead of forgiving those who blaspheme the Spirit, we are commanded to separate from them. We, the angels and messengers of the Lord, deny those who deny the living commandments, which is the Holy Spirit of God.
Luk 12:8 “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God.
Luk 12:9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.
Luk 12:10 “And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.
We are to withdraw from ALL who hear the commandments, that is, the Living Gospel, and later speak evil or blaspheme the truth. The more we preach the Gospel and focus on the resurrection [the commandments living within], the more perverse men, devoid of the truth, seek to engage in carnal disputes. We are to cut such deceivers out of our lives.
1Ti 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
1Ti 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings [blasphemy – G988 blasphēmia], evil surmisings,
1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
There are many false Christs who bring another gospel and false teachings. They claim to be Jews, but they are actually of their father, the devil. We are to have nothing to do with them.
Rev 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Paul tells us to let those who bring false Gospels be accursed, meaning to separate from them and thereby deliver them up to Satan.
1Ti 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
1Ti 1:20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Not all who call themselves Israel are Israel. Deceivers are easy to spot once the mystery of the Gospel and the Living Word, the very commandments, take hold in our hearts. Remember that evil company corrupts, and we are to be set apart. This command to cut off those who blaspheme the Word of God is consistent even in the shadow of the Old Testament.
Num 15:30 ‘But the person who does anything presumptuously, whether he is native-born or a stranger, that one brings reproach on the LORD, and he shall be cut off from among his people.
Num 15:31 Because he has despised the word of the LORD, and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt shall be upon him.’
Those who deny the commandments deny that Jesus [the Word that is Spirit] has come in the flesh and are antichrists. Our handling of those who blaspheme against the Spirit may seem harsh, but if we do not obey the commandment, we become partakers of their evil deeds.
2Jn 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2Jn 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
2Jn 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
2Jn 1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Sins we commit in our ignorance and unbelief are recompensed in due time, but not as severely as sins we commit wilfully after receiving the knowledge of the commandments [the truth, the Gospel]. If one sins willfully rather than out of weakness, they trample the Living Word and insult the Spirit of Grace after being given the truth through the blood covenant with the Lord. Many stripes are coming in the appointed time to burn this direct rebellion against His commandments out of one’s heart
Heb 10:26 NKJV For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
Heb 10:28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Heb 10:29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
We endure to the end and finish our race, and only then enter fully into the rest that is Christ, the Living Gospel and the Commandments. Peter called this undertaking “making your calling and election sure.” We need to be diligent, working, we need to fight, and engage in the daily battle, leaning on the Lord’s commands by the Spirit to help us. Once we have tasted the heavenly gift of the Spirit, the Holy Commandments, we cannot draw back to perdition as did Judas Iscariot, but continue to the saving of our souls.
Heb 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Heb 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Our disobedience gives occasion to the adversary.
We need to know that our sins harm the kingdom of God and give occasion for those outside the faith to blaspheme the Lord and His commandments. We see that in the story of David and his sins regarding taking Bathsheba as his wife. The Lord scolded him through Nathan the prophet, and the result of the grievous sin was death. The child, representing the renewing mindset born out of this union, in type and shadow, dies.
2Sa 12:14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
Ezekiel prophesied against the priests of Israel who would fall from the faith and profane the holy commandments, thereby blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
Eze 22:24 Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation.
Eze 22:25 There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things [The commands]; they have made her many widows [No Christ, no husband] in the midst thereof.
Eze 22:26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
It is only by the mercy of our God that we are spared from making this mistake once we have tasted of the Holy Spirit by receiving the Gospel. Our conduct as the Lord’s people and the light unto the world impacts how the Lord and His Word are received in the world. Paul connected our disobedience to the Lord’s commands with causing those outside the faith to blaspheme the Lord.
Rom 2:23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
Rom 2:24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
1Ti 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
The Restoration of Israel and Salvation of All
Our fallen brothers and sisters are restored and grafted back into Christ at a future time. We do not need to sorrow over that, but should fear that we do not stumble ourselves. We can also be cut off if we fall from grace and blaspheme against the Lord and His commandments.
Rom 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Those ordained to fall away from the faith are renewed unto repentance in the times appointed, when they live out their day of the Lord in the lake of fire. Salvation cannot be lost; it comes to pass for all in the appointed time. Nonetheless, we have many admonitions not to fall away and to stay focused on the living commandments and to remain steadfast on the journey.
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Heb 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
Understanding this serious sin and our ongoing need for diligence, Peter’s admonitions carry much greater weight.
1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1Pe 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
Peace and grace to the brethren sojourning with us in the faith.
