Beelzebub or the Finger of God? Accusations of “Strange Fire”
Last night, for perhaps the first time ever, I believe God revealed to me what blaspheming the Holy Spirit is.
The unpardonable sin.
It’s always been such an unfathomable concept for me. What sin could be so great, so distinct from the others which, from white lies to mass murder, are all the same in God’s eyes? What could be so great that it could supercede all else? Well this was the passage God illuminated for me.
“And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.” So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house. Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”— because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.””
So what do we see here?
Jesus casts out a demon.
The scribes and Pharisees accuses Jesus of being possessed by the King/Ruler of Demons, Beelzebub.
They accuses Jesus of using demonic power to cast out demons.
Jesus teaches them the fallacy of division.
Jesus pronounces a warning/judgement.
And with this judgement comes the introduction of the unpardonable sin. These men--having a form of godliness, yet denying the power thereof--accused Jesus heavily. The called what was holy, unholy; what was good, bad; what was right, wrong. And from this entire passage we learn…
The Definition of Blaspheming the Holy Spirit: Attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to the work of Satan.
Simple as that.
It’s seems so identifiable, so easy to not do. Yet it it were, then Christ wouldn’t have distinctly warned us against doing it.
And here is where the trouble comes in.
My “Uncle” Apostle Renny McLean, always says, “the mantle that you judge, will judge you.”
Nowadays, many incorrectly judge the work of the Holy Spirit to be the work of an evil spirit. They confuse the All-Consuming Fire with strange fire (an accusation you may have heard recently) and that, my friends, is dangerous ground indeed.
Just because a person, people, or a movement has quirks, or even blatant mistakes doesn’t mean that it was rooted in God. Just because there is imperfection doesn’t mean that God isn’t in it.
If one healing evangelist decides to live a life of fornication or adultery, does that mean that the power to heal isn’t from God?
If one too many televangelists manipulate people into giving money, does that mean that paying tithes and offerings is wrong?
If prayer groups operate in dysfunction or even a spirit of Jezebel (witchcraft, manipulation), does that mean that prayer and intercession are wrong?
The answer to all of these is no.
Correction is needed when error is present, absolutely. But we never throw out the baby with the bath water. The baby needs guidance and maturity that will not come in an environment of accusation.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit--prophecy; speaking in tongues; healing; the demonstration of signs, wonders and miracles--these are ALL of God. God doesn’t do “take-backs.” He doesn’t do this:
“And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.”
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Then change His mind. After all, the gifts of God are irrevocable (Romans 11:29).
When we call strange what is holy, we slap God in the face. And in a spirit we know not of, we accuse Him of being exactly what He is not. And then we are consumed by His holy fire.
“For our God is a consuming fire.”
If we’re not careful, we’ll become our accusation. That is the judgement. So if you don’t want to come under judgement, best to not judge what you can’t discern. And if you’ve still got problems--pray. That’s what it’s for.
