The unpardonable, or unforgivable, sin. What is it? And can someone still commit it?

The unpardonable sin is mentioned by Christ during a particularly tense moment. Having just performed a notable exorcism the Pharisees began to say that Christ did so through “Beelzebub the prince of the devils” (Matthew 12:24). Christ then warns that to blaspheme against the Holy Ghost is an unforgivable act. (See Matthew 12:22-37, Mark 3:22-30, and Luke 12:8-10)

It is clear that Christ’s warning is to not attribute the good works of the Holy Ghost to satan. To say that what God does is actually the enemy doing it is unforgivable.

Now, can someone still commit this grievous sin? To answer let’s look at two portions of scripture.

“If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.” (1 John 5:16)

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” (Hebrews 5:4-6)

Clearly, John warns us that there is a “sin unto death.” Seeing as Christ only ever lists one sin as unforgivable we could safely say that blaspheming against the Holy Ghost is the “sin unto death.” The writer of Hebrews gives us, I believe, a clue as to who might commit such a sin.

I believe that committing the unforgivable sin can be performed by someone who has “tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,” and then turns their back on God. That they then might say that God’s work is evil and done by the enemy. These cannot be forgiven.

The question now is if someone who has never experienced the Holy Ghost can commit this sin. Based on His warning to the Pharisees it would seem so.

What are your thoughts? Feel free to share below. Please use scripture to back up any arguments.