Are We Sinning Against God and the Virgin Mary
Are We Sinning Against God and the Virgin Mary
As the month of May is normally dedicated to the Virgin Mary, mother of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we felt it right to bring to you this very important lesson.
Many of us, without realizing it, may be misled into spiritual error, to the point of sin, by how we speak of Mary during prayers like the Rosary.
In Catholic spirituality, especially among certain cultural expressions, terms like “spouse of the Holy Spirit” are often meant to express intimacy with God and Mary’s unique role in salvation history, particularly her cooperation with the Holy Spirit in the conception of Jesus.
In some Hispanic Catholic communities, especially in the context of Marian devotion such as the rosary, it is not uncommon to hear Mary referred to as the “Esposa del Espíritu Santo” (Spouse of the Holy Spirit), “Esposa de Cristo” (Spouse of Christ), or even “Esposa de Dios” (Spouse of God). This reflects a devotional and mystical language rather than a formal doctrinal position of the Catholic Church.
But such expressions are poetic or symbolic, not found in the Bible or formal dogma. Still, when they’re used without careful theological explanation, they can mislead people into thinking Mary holds a divine status or is part of the Godhead, which she absolutely is not.
Biblical Clarity: Mary’s Relationship to God
Mary is described in Scripture as:
A favored one (Luke 1:28)
A servant of the Lord (Luke 1:38)
The mother of Jesus the Messiah (Luke 2:7)
But she is never described as God’s wife or the Holy Spirit’s spouse. There is no verse in the Bible that refers to Mary as the "Wife of God" or "Wife of the Holy Spirit." This kind of language is extra-biblical and not supported by Scripture.
Scripture never uses marital language between Mary and God or the Holy Spirit. The conception of Jesus was miraculous and non-sexual, accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit. To use spousal terminology between God and Mary misrepresents both the nature of the Trinity and the uniqueness of the incarnation. In fact, the Bible carefully avoids such language to preserve God’s holiness and the purity of the incarnation. The miraculous conception was a work of divine power, not a marital or sexual union.
"The angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; for that reason also, the holy Child will be called the Son of God.’"(Luke 1:35)
The Virgin Mary is highly honored in Scripture. She was chosen by God to bear Jesus Christ, the Son of God, through the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit. Mary's role, therefore, is that of a humble servant of the Lord (Luke 1:38), and she herself acknowledged her need for a Savior (Luke 1:47), which affirms her humanity and her participation in God's grace rather than divinity or spiritual matrimony. Therefore, to call Mary the wife of the Holy Spirit introduces a concept that confuses God’s nature and borders on mythologizing what is sacred.
Is This Blasphemy?
Blasphemy is generally understood as irreverence or dishonor toward God, His name, character, or work (Leviticus 24:16; Matthew 12:31-32). From a biblical standpoint, using such language carelessly or with false understanding can become blasphemous, especially if:
It implies God had a consort, like pagan deities.
It leads to idolatry, elevating Mary to a role she does not have.
It confuses the persons of the Trinity, suggesting that Mary is joined to one of them in an eternal or marital bond.
Calling Mary the "Wife of God" or "Wife of the Holy Spirit" assigns a role or relationship to her that God Himself did not ordain or reveal in Scripture.
Therefore, if someone knowingly attributes to Mary a divine or marital status that contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture, that can veer into blasphemous territory, especially if it diminishes God's holiness, the nature of the Trinity, or Christ's unique divine incarnation. The effect of such language is to ascribe to Mary what belongs only to God, which crosses into blasphemy or at least serious theological error.
Are We Sinning, then, Against God and the Virgin Mary?
The final answer is YES. We sin against God when we go against His commandments. When we choose to, knowingly or not, bring dishonor toward God, His name, character or work. When we lie.
When people repeatedly profess something about God, or about anyone related to Him, that contradicts Scripture, they are indeed professing a lie, even if unintentionally. In the case of calling Mary the "Wife of God" or "Spouse of the Holy Spirit," that is a non-truth as it is not found anywhere in the Word of God and stands in opposition to sound doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3-4).
Here's what Scripture says about such repeated error:
“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, Or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.” (Proverbs 30:5–6)
“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24)
When unbiblical language is made part of regular prayers or repetitive liturgy, it reinforces false ideas in the minds of the people. Even if the intent is reverence or love for Mary, the result can be a departure from truth, and over time, this distorts the gospel and the nature of God.
Why this matters:
It distracts from the sole glory of Christ, who is the only Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5).
It can lead to idolatry, where Mary is venerated in ways that resemble worship.
It risks confusing believers, especially the young or untrained, about who God is and what the Bible really teaches.
So yes, this is not just a minor error or “cultural expression.” Repetitive profession of non-truth in matters of doctrine is dangerous, and those who teach it are accountable:
“Let not many of you become teachers, my brothers and sisters, knowing that we will incur a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1)
When someone calls Mary the “Wife of God,” “Wife of the Holy Spirit,” or “Wife of Christ” they are bearing false witness against the truth (Exodus 20:16). These statements are not found in the Bible, not taught by the Apostles, and not authorized by Church Fathers, ecumenical councils, or canon law. In fact, it violates multiple Scriptural truths:
· The Church is the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25–27).
· Mary is the wife of Joseph (Matthew 1:18–20).
· God is not a man to take a human wife (Numbers 23:19).
· The conception of Jesus was a holy act of creation, not a marital act (Luke 1:35).
To teach or publicly declare otherwise, especially in prayer and repetition, is a falsehood, a doctrinal error, and yes, a sin as it misrepresents God. This is a classic warning sign of tradition overriding Scripture, which Jesus warned against: “And you invalidated the Word of God for the sake of your tradition.” (Matthew 15:6)
One Final Thought
No, Mary is not the "Wife of God" or "Wife of the Holy Spirit" according to the Bible. And calling her that can indeed be theologically dangerous and possibly blasphemous, especially if it elevates her beyond the role God revealed in His Word.
We must be careful never to go beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6) and to worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24), letting Scripture be our highest authority.
Out of respect for people’s sincerity, we must gently but firmly guide them back to Scripture:
Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Honor Mary for her unique role and example of faith. Do not exalt her beyond what God has revealed.
Correct with gentleness (2 Timothy 2:25) and call people back to the Word as the final authority.
Guard the worship of God alone (Exodus 20:3; Revelation 22:8-9).
Let us not let heartfelt devotion drift into doctrinal distortion. Love for God must be rooted in truth, not tradition alone.
True reverence requires alignment with the Word of God. The highest way we can honor Mary is by imitating her humility, her submission to God’s will, and her reverence for the Lord, and not by placing her in roles she herself never claimed.
In the end, our worship must point to Christ alone, and our words must reflect what is written. Let us then return to the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3), upholding the truth with clarity, charity, and unwavering faithfulness. That is how we honor God, and honor Mary rightly.
Experience a New Life in Jesus Christ
If you have not yet experienced the life-changing power of a relationship with Christ, we invite you to open your heart to Him today. Embrace the truth of His resurrection and embark on a journey of transformation, guided by His presence and fueled by His mission of love and redemption.
The Bible teaches us in Romans 10:9-10 that "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation."
Do it today and start enjoying a new life in Jesus Christ.
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Scriptures for this Bible Study taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB), © 2025 The Lockman Foundation. Used with permission. www.Bible.com
"Are We Sinning Against God and the Virgin Mary" is a Christian Bible Teaching presented by Second Ridge Ministries
05/21/2025 | © 2025 Second Ridge Ministries. All Rights Reserved.
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