ESOCS Devotional 14 February 2023
TEXT: MATTHEW 12:31-37
MEMORY VERSE: “Wherefore I say unto you, all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men”. Matthew 12:31
Jesus Christ healed a man who was possessed by a demon, blind and mute. Rather than appreciating this, the Pharisees accused Him of doing so with “Beelzebub the prince of the devils”, which was blasphemy. This was the grave error of the Pharisees in their attack against Jesus and His ministry.
Blasphemy is any malicious and injurious speech against the work of God. It is ascribing the work of God to Satan. It is ascribing the glory due unto God for His good works unto Satan. Put in another way, it is denying that the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin.
Why must we be careful of blasphemy, either in thought, words or action? From our memory verse, such “shall not be forgiven unto men.” In verse 32 of our text, Jesus explained further that “it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” In verse 36, “idle word” was emphasized by Jesus: “But I say to you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment.”. The idle word refers to the slanderous, malicious, and injurious word that the Pharisees spoke against Jesus. One will reap the results of such wickedness on the last day.
Great kings in the Bible blasphemed and were punished: Nebuchadnezzar in the Old Testament and Herod in the New Testament (see further reading for Bible portions).
Let us be mindful of our thoughts, words, and action because we will be judged on the last day.
- Careless words, evil thoughts, and actions may translate to blasphemy.
- Father, help me to put my word, thought, and action in check to avoid blasphemy.
FURTHER READING: Daniel 4:28-37; Mark 3:22-30; Acts 12:20-23
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 14 February 2023
