Sin and the work of the Holy Spirit

There are several responses I can offer. For starters, our sinful condition alone makes us worthy of God’s condemnation (Psalm 51:5; Ephesians 2:3). Without even talking about words or actions or thoughts, our natural sinful condition by itself merits damnation.

Next, any sin is worthy of God’s condemnation (Romans 6:23; Galatians 3:10). Jesus made it clear that sinful thoughts are as worthy of God’s condemnation as sinful actions (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28).

In addition, impenitence over sin can lead to people receiving God’s eternal condemnation (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

Finally, there is one unforgiveable sin, and that is the sin against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:22-32). I wonder if that is the context of the comment you heard. The sin against the Holy Spirit amounts to permanent, malicious rejection of the Holy Spirit’s testimony to Jesus in the gospel. That rejection takes place against better knowledge. The sin is unforgivable because it cuts off the person from the only way in which there is forgiveness of sins: through the work of the Holy Spirit and his gift of saving faith.

Your question is a reminder to take sin—all sins—seriously. When we take sin seriously, we confess it to God (Psalm 32:5). We confess our sins to God fully trusting in his forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9). Then, cheered and fortified by the forgiveness of sins, we seek to distance ourselves from sin in the future (John 8:11).