Written By Benjamin Dankaka
Do you act like God?
Does God change His mind? While there are Christians who believe that God changes His mind, there are those who disagree. Remarkably, each of these groups backup their claims with Scriptures. Those who believe that God doesn’t change His mind support their claims with the words of Balaam, “God is not a man that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind,” (Numbers 23:19). But those with contrary views often refer to Jonah’s story (Jonah 3:10). Interestingly, each of these contrasting positions is correct but then, they are often quoted out of context.
Anytime the Bible mentions God’s unchanged mind, it refers to His integrity or nature. God is by nature, unchangeable. Unlike man, God doesn’t mature or grow. Also, because of His integrity, God does not break a promise. It was based on this context that Balaam affirmed God’s unchangeable character. Unlike humans, God would NEVER break a promise. If God promises to give you anything, He wouldn’t change His mind. But when it comes to empathy and forgiveness, God changes His mind. In the Bible, there are several instances where God changed His mind after “sinners” repented.
Do you act like God?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to be like you. Amen.
REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Exodus 32:1-14; Psalm 110; Hebrews 7:21-22; Romans 12:2
Unless otherwise stated all scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.