Matthew 12:22-32 Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit

What exactly is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, the unforgivable sin? Let's follow the story and we will find out. A demon possessed man who was blind and mute is exorcised by Jesus. Exorcism is one of the signs of the coming of the kingdom of God and the Messiah. Signs are meant to point to a reality and compel people to believe. That's why some raised the question: "Can this be the Son of David?" The Pharisees accuse Jesus of performing the exorcism by Beelzebul. Beelzebul is a term derived from an ancient pagan god Baal and used by the Jews to refer to Satan or a demon.

Christ's argument against such a thought is that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. He also points out that some Pharisees, in the past, had attempted to exorcise though without success - he questions by whom or in whose name did they try to exorcise. The only way to cast out demons (plunder the house) is by binding the devil (strong man) first. And to be able to bind the devil there must be faith in Jesus; there must be an allegiance to the Messiah and his kingdom. So the unforgivable sin, the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to continually refuse to make an allegiance with the Messiah despite the display of signs by the Spirit. It is unbelief in the face of the Spirit's call, through signs, to believe.

I wouldn't limit the work or signs of the Spirit to an era of miracles in Jesus' time and later the apostles'. The Spirit is alive and continues to work even today until the Lord's return. There are signs all around me. God is at work every day. The proclamation of the Gospel must be followed up by signs to drive people to believe. I must pray to my God to manifest himself in ways that serve to point people to the reality of the kingdom. I must pray that God will lift the blindness of this world so they may see Jesus. 

My emphasis on intellectual proof alone is not going to cut it. I need to believe that God will intervene in people's lives and pray to that end to see it become a reality. Arguments alone will not bring people into the kingdom. We need the demonstration of God's power in people's lives. Many times we think this must be a demonstrable miracle, but God can break through into people's lives in so many different ways. Do I believe? Am I praying for it?

Lord, grant me a passion to see you at work in people's lives. Move me to pray for signs in our day so people can me moved to believe. Help my unbelief. Open my eyes to see the splendor of your work as you give signs of the reality of your kingdom.