What It Is Not
The unpardonable sin is not resisting the Spirit of God, but rather blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which is when we deliberately and willfully reject God and His power.
D.L. Moody emphasizes the significance of the Holy Spirit's work in revealing sin and the importance of being troubled by our sins as a sign that the Spirit is still present. He clarifies that while resisting the Spirit is common, it does not equate to the unpardonable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Moody reassures that having evil thoughts is not a sin in itself, but harboring them is. He encourages believers to fight against these thoughts and not to feel condemned for their struggles, as the desire to seek God indicates the Spirit's influence. Ultimately, the sermon highlights the hope and grace available to all who recognize their need for salvation.
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I admit there is such a thing as resisting the Spirit of God, and resisting till the Spirit of God has departed; but if the Spirit of God has left any, they will not be troubled about their sins. The very fact that they are troubled, shows that the Spirit of God has not left them. If a man is troubled about his sins, it is the work of the Spirit; for Satan never yet told him he was a sinner. Satan makes us believe that we are pretty good; that we are good enough without God, safe without Christ and that we don't need salvation.
But when a man wakes up to the fact that he is lost, that he is a sinner, that is the work of the Spirit; and if the Spirit of God had left him, he would not be in that state; and just because men and women want to be Christians, is a sign that the Spirit of God is drawing them.
If resisting the Spirit of God is an unpardonable sin, then we have all committed it, and there is no hope for any of us; for I do not believe there is a minister, or a worker in Christ's vineyard, who has not, some time in his life, resisted the Holy Ghost; who has not some time in his life rejected the Spirit of God. To resist the Holy Ghost is one thing, and to commit that awful sin of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, is another thing; and we want to take the Scripture and just compare them.
Now, some people say, "I have such blasphemous thoughts; there are some awful thoughts that come into my mind against God," and they think that is the unpardonable sin. We are not to blame for having...BAD THOUGHTS come into our minds. If we harbor them, then we are to blame. But if the devil comes and darts an evil thought into my mind, and I say, "Lord help me," sin is not reckoned to me. Who has not had evil thoughts come into his mind, flash into his heart, and been called to fight them! One old divine says, "You are not to blame for the birds that fly over your head, but if you allow them to come down and make a nest in your hair, then you are to blame.
You are to blame if you don't fight them off." And so with these evil thoughts that come flashing into our minds; we have to fight them, we are not to harbor them; we are not to entertain them. If I have evil thoughts come into my mind, and evil desires, it is no sign that I have committed the unpardonable sin. If I love these thoughts and harbor them, and think evil of God, and think Jesus Christ a blasphemer, I am responsible for such gross iniquity: but if I charge Him with being the prince of devils, then I am committing the unpardonable sin.
Sermon Outline
- The Spirit of God and Sin points: null
- The Spirit of God convicts us of sin points: null
- Satan tries to make us believe we are good enough points: null
- Resisting the Spirit of God points: null
- Resisting the Spirit is not the unpardonable sin points: null
- Harboring evil thoughts is a different matter points: null
- The Unpardonable Sin points: null
- 'III.A: Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is the unpardonable sin'
Key Quotes
“Satan makes us believe that we are pretty good; that we are good enough without God, safe without Christ and that we don't need salvation.” — D.L. Moody
“If I have evil thoughts come into my mind, and evil desires, it is no sign that I have committed the unpardonable sin.” — D.L. Moody
“You are not to blame for the birds that fly over your head, but if you allow them to come down and make a nest in your hair, then you are to blame.” — D.L. Moody
Application Points
- We should fight off evil thoughts and not harbor them.
- We should be careful not to deliberately and willfully reject God and His power.
- We should seek to follow God's guidance and convict us of our sins.