[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World whiteboard.]

The Unpardonable Sin

There’s one sin even Christians can’t be forgiven of.

Yes, God promises forgiveness through Jesus Christ for every sin—except this one.

Now, while we shouldn’t live in constant dread of committing it, if you fall into it, the consequences are terrifying.

The Bible gives clear, direct answers. And in this video, we’ll explore exactly what this sin is, why it’s so serious, and how you can avoid it.

Jesus said plainly:

“Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven” (Matthew 12:31-32).

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit Explained

But what is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? To understand, we need to look at the situation Jesus was addressing.

The Pharisees—religious leaders of the time—had just witnessed one of Jesus’ miracles. And instead of acknowledging it as a work of God, they said:

“This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons” (Matthew 12:24).

In other words, they accused Jesus of using Satan’s power. But here’s the key: they knew better.

In John 3:2, Nicodemus—himself a Pharisee—admitted:

“Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

They understood Jesus was sent from God. They recognized the power of the Holy Spirit working through Him. And yet, they willfully and knowingly denied that truth, choosing instead to slander the Spirit of God.

And this is why Jesus said in Mark 3:29:

“He who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation.”

Sinning Willfully vs. Willingly

Hebrews 10 adds this:

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries (Hebrews 10:26-27).

Now, while all of us sin willingly out of weakness or ignorance, this passage describes sinning “willfully.” That is, sinning purposely against God and His Spirit, fully understanding the consequences, and doing it with an unrepentant, rebellious attitude.

This is exactly what the Pharisees did.

The Unforgivable Sin Defined

They knew that Jesus was from God, and the miracles He performed had to be by the power of God’s Spirit, but they proclaimed to the people that He worked by the power of Satan the Devil.

So the one sin that God won’t forgive is when a person has experienced the power of God’s Holy Spirit and the good fruit it produces, and blasphemes it by casting it aside, all with an unrepentant attitude. They understand what they are doing, understand the consequences, and still choose to sin and refuse to repent.

Can You Lose Your Salvation? Yes

Now, there are two passages that help us understand that this sin can cause a Christian to lose their salvation. The first is in Hebrews 6.

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame (Hebrews 6:4-6).

This is describing a person who:

• Was truly converted
• Received the Holy Spirit
• Understood the truth
• And then rejected it knowingly

And the second passage giving insight to the consequences is in 2 Peter.

For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire” (2 Peter 2:20-22).

In other words, yes, even a baptized, Spirit-begotten Christian can fall away—to a point where repentance is no longer possible (and come to a point where they refuse to repent.)

Consequences: The Lake of Fire and the Second Death

But what are the consequences of losing one’s salvation?

Hebrews 10:26-27 says such a person faces “fiery indignation.” And Revelation 21:8 is even more specific.

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Revelation 21:8).

The second death is not symbolic. It’s permanent. It means total destruction—eternal loss of life in the lake of fire.

That is the ultimate consequence of the unpardonable sin.

How to Avoid the Unforgivable Sin

Obviously, the unpardonable sin is extremely serious. So how can a Christian avoid it?

And here’s the good news: If you’re afraid of committing this sin, or that you already have, that’s actually a strong sign that you haven’t. Why?

Because the unpardonable sin is rooted in hard-heartedness—not fear, not struggle, not weakness.

The Apostle John reassures us in 1 John 1:7, 9.

If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin…. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7, 9).

God will forgive every single sin a person ever commits if they are willing to live in obedience to Him and have faith that Jesus Christ’s shed blood cleanses them from those sins.

To avoid the unpardonable sin:

• Stay repentant.
• Walk in the light.
• Obey God’s commandments.
• And place your faith in Jesus Christ—who gave His life for your forgiveness.

The unpardonable sin is real. It’s not theoretical. And the Bible gives us this warning for a reason. But it also gives us the tools to avoid it.

So stay close to God. Nurture your relationship with Him. And never stop striving to obey, repent, and grow.

He who endures to the end shall be saved (Matthew 24:13).

If you want to better understand what blasphemy of the Spirit is, watch this next video, “The ONE sin that cannot be forgiven.”