‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.”

This is a turning point in Matthew’s Gospel.

The Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons as the leader of demons.

Matthew 12:25-29 ESV

“Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.”

Jesus counters their thoughts in three ways:

• If Jesus were Beelzebul, why would he cast out himself?
• The Pharisees’ own disciples cast out demons.
• Jesus is more powerful than Satan and the demons.

Matthew 12:30-37 ESV

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.””

Jesus gives three warnings:

• There is no middle ground.
• Do not give Satan credit for what the Holy Spirit is doing.
• You will either be justified or condemned by your words.

• Check your heart. Make sure your actions and intentions line up with who Jesus is.
• Extend grace to those who are at an earlier stage in their faith journey.