Matthew 12:22-32
Introduction
On several occasions the Lord Jesus was accused of casting out demons through the power of Satan, the prince of demons. It happened near Capernaum (Matt 9:34); it happened in Judea or Perea (Luke 11:14-23); and in Galilee (Matt 12:22-32).
Thesis
The unpardonable sin is attributing the work of God to the work of Satan.
The Controversy Concerning the Sin
A. The Cause
- The Lord healed a deaf mute.
- Jewish exorcists could not heal him.
- The people suggested that Jesus might be the Messiah.
- The Pharisees were riled and reviled Jesus.
B. The Charge
- The Pharisees said that Jesus casts out demons because he is a friend of Satan. Who wants to follow a friend of Satan?
- Jesus replied that a kingdom or house divided against itself cannot stand.
- Since Jewish exorcists do not cast out demons because they are friends of Satan, neither does Jesus.
- Perhaps this miracle is a sign that the Kingdom of God has come!
The Character of the Sin
A. It was directed against the Holy Spirit.
- Blasphemy against the Son of Man–men may misunderstand Jesus’ ministry, but that is forgivable.
- There is no excuse for misunderstanding the power of the Holy Spirit.
- They could not misunderstand the power of the Spirit and keep on preferring darkness to light and the works of Satan to those of God and expect to be forgiven.
B. It was determined by a special situation.
- The sin of the Pharisees was not a sin of the tongue, but a sin of the heart, expressed in words, vv. 33-34.
- Their sin was committed to His face.
- Attributing the works of the Spirit of God to Satan is the unpardonable sin, and rejecting the evidences of His power in our day is unpardonable.
C. It was eternally damning to the soul.
Such rejection can never be forgiven, not because God withdraws His grace but because people withdraw themselves from all possible contact with God’s grace. Forgiveness will never come in any age, since man’s eternal destiny is determined in this present life.
The Cure of the Sin
A. As long as a man has breath, he can be forgiven for any sin.
B. The Lord urged His hearers to take their stand with Him rather than against Him (v. 30), to show repentance of the heart (vv. 33-35), and to speak words that would demonstrate their righteousness, rather than words that would result in their condemnation (vv. 36-37).
C. No sin is unforgivable as long as one has breath to call on the Lord for forgiveness (1 Tim 1:13-15).