The concept of the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is central to Christian theology, emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding, teaching, and revealing divine truth to humanity. The Holy Spirit's inspiration is seen as a vital source of wisdom and understanding, particularly in the context of Scripture and prophecy. However, throughout biblical history, there have been individuals and groups who have despised or rejected this divine inspiration, often resulting in severe consequences.

Biblical Instances of Despising the Holy Spirit's Inspiration

1. Old Testament Examples:

· Korah's Rebellion: In Numbers 16, Korah and his followers challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron, who were divinely appointed leaders inspired by God. Their rebellion was not merely against human leadership but against the divine inspiration that guided Moses. As a result, the earth opened up and swallowed them, demonstrating God's judgment against those who despise His chosen instruments of inspiration (Numbers 16:31-33).

· Prophets Rejected: The Old Testament frequently records instances where prophets, inspired by the Holy Spirit, were rejected by the people of Israel. For example, Jeremiah faced significant opposition and persecution for delivering God's messages (Jeremiah 20:1-2). The rejection of prophetic messages often led to national calamity, as seen in the Babylonian exile.

2. New Testament Examples:

· Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit: In the New Testament, Jesus warns of the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This sin is understood as a willful and persistent rejection of the Spirit's work and testimony about Christ. Jesus states, "And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven" (Matthew 12:31).

· Ananias and Sapphira: In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira lied to the apostles about the proceeds from the sale of their property. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, confronted them, saying, "You have not lied to men, but to God" (Acts 5:4). Their immediate deaths served as a stark warning against deceit and hypocrisy in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

· Simon the Sorcerer: In Acts 8, Simon the Sorcerer attempted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit with money. Peter rebuked him, saying, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!" (Acts 8:20). Simon's misguided attempt to manipulate the Spirit's power highlights the danger of misunderstanding and disrespecting the Holy Spirit's inspiration.

Theological Implications

Despising the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is not merely a rejection of divine guidance but an affront to God's sovereignty and authority. The biblical narrative consistently portrays such actions as leading to divine judgment and punishment. This serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of reverence and obedience to the Holy Spirit's work in the life of believers and the church. The Holy Spirit's role as the inspirer of Scripture and the guide into all truth (John 16:13) underscores the necessity of honoring and heeding His influence in all aspects of faith and practice.2 Chronicles 36:15,16
And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zechariah 7:12
Yes, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts has sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Bible
... breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those ... this unity of
objective and inspiration coordinates with ... the coming of the Holy Spirit in the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/the bible.htm

The Knowledge of God Conspicuous in the Creation, and Continual ...
... certain persons concerning a secret inspiration quickening the ... Epicureans, and other
gross despisers of piety ... to believe, since the Holy Spirit pronounces all ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 the knowledge of.htm

2 Timothy iii. 4-Jan
... or it is probable that Paul knew them by inspiration. ... And speaking of the holy
Scriptures, he has added ... is light, what then is the Spirit which quickeneth? ...
/.../homily viii 2 timothy iii.htm

"The Eternity of Hell-Torments"
... of the Son of God, who had the Spirit given him ... Scriptures to be written by the
inspiration of God ... proved, from the express declarations of holy scriptures, and ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the eternity of hell-torments.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... tasted the heavenly gift, and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have ...
the unrighteousness of God would be great, if He merely punished sin, and ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

The Prophet Amos.
... until a higher power, viz., divine inspiration, impelled him ... not the altar of incense
before the holy of holies ... Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit, and whither ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm

Introductory Notice Respecting Tauler's Life and Times
... positive was to be learnt from Holy Scripture respecting ... and Sisters of the Free
Spirit, and made ... authorities, and by them apparently punished with imprisonment ...
/.../introductory notice respecting taulers life.htm

Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200
... came forward and was condemned to be punished. ... teaching, show that their principal
inspiration was other ... to other nations in the character of the Holy Spirit. ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period iii the critical period .htm

The Christians are not the Only Contemners of the Gods Contempt of ...
... more holy; or rather, [620] the more holy they are ... of your philosophers, whom a certain
inspiration of truth ... course, possessed of a more religious spirit in the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter x name christians are.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... If thou dost love me pray for me, that my God would not forsake me, nor take his
Holy Spirit from me; and that God would fit me to do and suffer what shall be ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

Is there proof for the inspiration of the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Inspiration: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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