31And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
32Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
- P63
Jesus heals a demon-possessed man who could neither see nor speak. The crowd begins to question whether Jesus could be the Messiah while the Pharisees accuse Jesus of driving out demons by the power of the devil. Jesus refutes their accusation and proclaims that the kingdom of God has now come. - P64
Jesus’ act of healing the blind and mute man showed not only compassion but a confrontation: Jesus came to restore what sin had corrupted since humanity’s fall and evil had to flee before His kingdom; the Pharisees’ rejection of Jesus could not stop the advance of His reign. And today, the kingdom of God continues to advance as Jesus gives freedom from sin’s reign to all who trust Him. - P64
In response to the Pharisees‘ words, Jesus teaches that just as the quality ofa tree is known by its fruit, the contents of a person‘s heart are known bywhat their mouth speaks. A good person speaks good things out of the goodstored in them and an evil person speaks evil things out of the evil stored inthem. - P64
Jesus warns that everyone will have to give account before God forthe words they have spoken. Our speech exposes what our hearts are fullof Careless words reflect sin while gracious words reflect a heart shaped byGod‘s Spirit. When Christ is on the throne of our hearts, our speech reflectsHis life-giving, truthful, and full of grace. - P64
Father, may my speech bear witness before others that my heart and life have been changed. Help me to show the difference that being indwelt by Your Holy Spirit has in my life. Thank You for the forgiveness of sins that only You can give. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P65
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