Mark 3:20-30
20 Jesus entered a house, and the crowd gathered again so that they were not even able to eat.[a] 21 When his family heard this, they set out to restrain him, because they said, “He’s out of his mind.”
22 The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and, “He drives out demons by the ruler of the demons.”
23 So he summoned them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand but is finished. 27 But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house.
28 “Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for all sins and whatever blasphemies they utter. 29 But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”[b]— 30 because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”
The question of whether someone has committed the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit has caused many to wonder and doubt God’s work in their lives. However, to fear whether you have committed the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is to know you have not. The reality of your question demonstrates the presence and work of God in your life. The struggle to trust and believe when doubt arises is the daily struggle of following Jesus.
Heart & work of God
God want us to live in freedom, hope, renewed priority and reason, joy, love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness…
1 Timothy 2:4 – wants all to be saved
John 3:16, 17 – came to love the world not to condemn it
Col 2:15, I John 3:8, Heb 2:14 – offered up his life and destroyed the works of the enemy
Acts 9 – to reach those who many consider well beyond reach
The enemies schemes
The enemy wants us to live with anger, shame, fear, unforgiveness, despair, bitterness, jealousy, misaligned values and priorities…
John 8:44 Father of lies, confusion, deception
James 1 & Galatians 5:19-21 tempts us to live apart from God i.e destructive habits, misguided values, selfish, angry, vengeful, greedy etc.
Revelation 12:10 Accuses us before God as being unworthy of his love and work in our life.
Our role
Our role as followers is to believe in the work and grace of Jesus. To live in his presence and the power of the Spirit – to trust his promises as the enemy tries to discourage, confuse and derail us.
Romans 7,8 – acknowledge the struggle, know God’s grace, trust his promises and walk in the power of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16-26 – keep in step with the spirit – be impowered by the Spirit
Colossians 3 – set our minds on things of God, discard your old ways of living and clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility etc.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – as the enemy tries to confuse and derail you, take the thoughts and put them up against the work, grace, and promises of Who God is, what he has done, who you are in him
*** could be said every week ***
Follow Jesus and his ways, invite him into your moments/hours/ days – your life.
Discover who he is, what he’s done, what he’s doing and what he’s going to do.
When we begin to discover these truths, we can follow and trust him in all things.