“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, any sin and blasphemy can be forgiven. But blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven”. - Matthew 12:30-32.

“Truly I say to you, every sin of humankind will be forgiven, even insults to God however numerous. But whoever slanders the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, he carries the guilt of his sin forever” – Mark 28:29.

 

The Church has identified six ways we can fall victim of the sins against the Holy Spirit, namely:

Presumption: This is regarded as taking God’s mercy for granted.

Despair: This is a complete loss or absence of hope.

Obstinacy in sin: This is a quality or condition of stubbornness or inflexibility in sin.

Resisting knowledge of divine truth, and refusal to change, or a determination to remain the same: This refers to resistance to known truth, which one knows to have been revealed by God: “I assure you that people can be forgiven of all their sins and all the evil things they may say.

But whosoever says evil things against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, because he has committed an eternal sin”. (Mark 3:28-30).

Envy of another’s spiritual growth and welfare, or a feeling of discontent and or resentment aroused by another’s desirable possession or qualities.

Final impenitence: A firm determination not to repent, or the lack of a feeling of regret about one’s sin.

In conclusion, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the deliberate refusal to accept God’s mercy and forgiveness (CCC1864).