Leviticus 24:20 is notorious. People complain that, followed through to its logical conclusion, “the whole world will go blind.”
But nobody denies the necessity of a criminal justice system, and this law was intended to limit punishment, not perpetuate it.
If you allow one comparable punishment for a crime, then the felt need for justice is fulfilled. It is appropriate to suffer through a proportional human consequence for sin.
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We read–in Matthew 12:32, Mark 3:29, and Luke 12:10–a strong warning against blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.
Speaking against Jesus is forgivable, but speaking against the Spirit has consequences in this life and the next.
What makes this sin so serious?
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The first reference to the Holy Spirit is found in Psalm 51.
The psalm’s heading reads, “For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.” This account is recorded in 2 Samuel 11-12.
It is fascinating that the Bible’s first mention of the Holy Spirit (in isolation from God the Father and Son) is found in a song and prayer of repentance after David’s most grievous sin.
The only other mention of the Holy Spirit by name in the Old Testament is found in Isaiah 63.
In verses 7-14, Isaiah reviews one of Israel’s many rebellions. It is in this context, anguish in sin, that we read about the Holy Spirit.
I am surprised by this pattern.
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You’re free. But not free to sin. So live out the fruit of the Spirit, not the acts of the sinful nature.
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In verses 1-2, Paul tells the Galatians to restore people caught in sin gently. He also cautions them that it is easy to become tempted while correcting another person.
We are to carry one another’s burdens to follow Jesus’ example.
I tend to focus on getting through my own difficulties. But we are expected to do more than this.
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Paul lists nine behaviors which indicate that a person is following the Spirit and not the sinful nature.
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Paul makes a list in verses 19-21.
I hate this list because I’m not off the hook. I am guilty of following the sinful nature sometimes.
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