How can we discern the Holy Spirit's work to avoid blasphemy?
UnderstandingLuke 12:10
“And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” (Luke 12:10)
Why This Sin Is So Serious- The Holy Spirit is God’s own presence testifying to Jesus (John 15:26).
- To call His work evil is to reject the final, clearest witness God provides (Hebrews 10:29).
- Persistent hardness shuts the door on repentance; therefore forgiveness, which always comes through repentance, becomes impossible.
Scripture’s Tests for Discerning the Spirit’s Work1. Alignment with God’s Word
• The Spirit never contradicts Scripture (2 Peter 1:20-21).
• Measure every teaching and experience by the written Word (Acts 17:11).
2. Exaltation of Jesus Christ
• “He will glorify Me” (John 16:14).
• Anything diminishing Christ’s deity, atonement, or resurrection is not of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3).
3. The Fruit Produced
• “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22-23).
• Works of the flesh—envy, dissension, impurity—signal a counterfeit (Galatians 5:19-21).
4. Confession of the True Gospel
• “Every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” (1 John 4:2-3).
• Guard against new revelations that add to or override the apostolic gospel (Jude 3).
5. Character of Holiness
• The Spirit is “Holy”; He moves toward purity (Ephesians 4:30).
• Any claimed move of the Spirit that excuses sin is self-refuting (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8).
Practical Steps to Avoid Blasphemy- Stay tender-hearted: quickly confess known sin (1 John 1:9).
- Saturate your mind with Scripture; the Spirit speaks through what He has inspired.
- Pray for discernment; He delights to answer (James 1:5).
- Seek counsel from mature, Bible-anchored believers (Proverbs 11:14).
- Observe long-term fruit before labeling something divine or demonic.
- Guard your speech: if unsure, withhold judgment rather than risk calling God’s work evil (Ecclesiastes 5:2).
Encouraging AssuranceThose who desire to honor Jesus, submit to Scripture, and welcome the Spirit’s sanctifying work are not in danger of this sin. The very concern to avoid blasphemy reflects a heart responsive to Him (Philippians 1:6).
