"So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven--except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come." (Matthew 12:31-32, NLT)
Ever since I was a child, I've struggled to understand this part of Jesus' teachings.
This morning, it struck me: if we think of the Holy Spirit as acting as a whisperer of conscience, then this Truth can be understood to mean that humans must not violate their conscience, regardless of whether they speak for or against Christ--and whether they figure Him into the picture.
People who claim to be Christians can blaspheme the Holy Spirit, and that is unforgivable. People who do not give verbal allegiance to Jesus might follow their consciences in a way that is acceptable. Beware of allowing religion to cloud conscience. Our country can afford that no longer.
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