Does God change His mind?

[RachelP03]

I have a question. My whole life I was always told that God is the All Knowing, in which I agree. Many stories in the Bible God changes His mind with doing things, like destroying Nineveh with Jonah and when God wanted to destroy the people of Israel with Moses. Does He actually change His mind? Would it be a lie if He said one thing and then changed His mind? God dosent lie tho.....am I missing something? lol

 

[Reborn]

Considering that God knows the outcome of everything, ...I am pretty sure He can't or does not change His mind on matters?
At least in any way we can understand.

That would make Him indecisive.
Right?

 

[SoulWeaver]

God does not ever change His mind regarding the unchanging goodness of His character, or faithfulness of His promises and His Word, and this is what the Bible refers to when it is said that He does not change, or does not change His mind. He is not unreliable and untrustable like man.

God changes His mind only under one Biblical circumstance. This is repenting from GOOD into BETTER (because God does not do evil like man) for His mercies' sake... this is when He wants to give a just judgment, which is good, but changes into better that grace might abound and this is indescribable goodness, the forgiveness of God... a core example of this is Old Covenant being changed into New Covenant. The change is here not because of God but because of us. We need to understand what we have really deserved (which is just administration of God's wrath) to understand the greatness of God's grace and how good God really is. Some examples:

Psalms 106:45 And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
Jonah 3:10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil [evil here doesnt mean sin but the intended destruction of Ninevah], that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
Judges 2:18 And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them. ---God changes His mind for His mercies' sake...
2 Corinthians 3:11 For if that which is done away [the Old Covenant] was glorious, much more that which remaineth [the New Covenant of grace] is glorious. ---God changing things from good into much better...

 

[chootchooot]

It is interesting was thinking lately what lying was, think lying has to do with something that isn't in the future. If someone asks "did you go to school yesterday?" and you didn't but said "Yes" that is lying. Future events seems not to be lying. Jesus was asked by his brothers "are you going to the Feast of Booths" Jesus said "no I am not" He later decided to go, Jesus never sinned so seems like that isn't considered lying to have a change of mind.

 

[Reborn]

It is interesting was thinking lately what lying was, think lying has to do with something that isn't in the future. If someone asks "did you go to school yesterday?" and you didn't but said "Yes" that is lying. Future events seems not to be lying. Jesus was asked by his brothers "are you going to the Feast of Booths" Jesus said "no I am not" He later decided to go, Jesus never sinned so seems like that isn't considered lying to have a change of mind.

God though?
When someone changes their mind, the are basically hoping for a different end result.
If God already knows the outcome of option A, B and C, then He really can't "change" His mind.

He may shift plans, so that we humans can understand a little better.....but He still knows the final outcome of any plan He "goes" with.

 

[p_rehbein]

Sometimes, thankfully...............

 

[Jeff_56]

yes, but everyone does. ("missing something"). (I ONLY read the Op, not any other posts here yet... )

the answer is not an answer - but a full trusting by faith that God does know completely without any error or shadow what is totally perfectly always best for you Rachel Beloved of God in Jesus.

as is clear all through His Word

- He utterly from beginning to end of time everlasting knows the absolute best

for you Rachel Beloved of God in Jesus;

and He works out EVERYTHING.. EVERYTHING.. EVERYTHING... INCLDING the death of His Son Jesus. by Crucifixion, for your good and the good of all who love Him and are called according to His Purpose.
resulting in RESURRECTION. (of you with all who love Him and are called according to HIS PURPOSE IN CHRIST JESUS FOREVER)....

I have a question. My whole life I was always told that God is the All Knowing, in which I agree. Many stories in the Bible God changes His mind with doing things, like destroying Nineveh with Jonah and when God wanted to destroy the people of Israel with Moses. Does He actually change His mind? Would it be a lie if He said one thing and then changed His mind? God dosent lie tho.....am I missing something? lol

 

[Reborn]

Sometimes, thankfully...............

How?
I like you PR.....but that's a flat out lie though, brother.

Why are you telling her this?
Maybe we all have a different definition of what "changing" is?

 

[Jeff_56]

It is interesting was thinking lately what lying was, think lying has to do with something that isn't in the future. If someone asks "did you go to school yesterday?" and you didn't but said "Yes" that is lying. Future events seems not to be lying. Jesus was asked by his brothers "are you going to the Feast of Booths" Jesus said "no I am not" He later decided to go, Jesus never sinned so seems like that isn't considered lying to have a change of mind.

everything He said and wrote/put in His Word / was for us who He Loves, us who Love Him, us who are called by Him according to His Purpose ---

it was said and written and known /made known to us/ for our edification, training, discipline, perfection in holiness in yahshua hamashiach by his grace and his doing and his all in all ----

i.e. when it is written "changed his mind" or "repented" it is solely for our benefit in Him. His Way is not our way. He knows and always knew Perfectly what we need, all ways, always, all the time... and how to perfect us in Him; and that is what He has done in Yahshua Hamashiach(Jesus Messiah).

 

[Jeff_56]

How?
I like you PR.....but that's a flat out lie though, brother.

Why are you telling her this?
Maybe we all have a different definition of what "changing" is?

ooops........ not quite. hopefully in love not actually. not on purpose. but rather 'human' way of seeing things.

yahweh sees things differently - and it takes a lifetime plus , all in amazing generous overflowing grace to start to
see his way.

he never lies; even if he lies, it is not sin. but humanly this is next to impossible to convey. HE KNOWS HOW.

trust Him. and it is done.

 

[Reborn]

ooops........ not quite. hopefully in love not actually. not on purpose. but rather 'human' way of seeing things.

yahweh sees things differently - and it takes a lifetime plus , all in amazing generous overflowing grace to start to
see his way.

he never lies; even if he lies, it is not sin. but humanly this is next to impossible to convey. HE KNOWS HOW.

trust Him. and it is done.

How so?
I'm assuming the OP is like the rest of us.
She (like us) probably wants an answer to her question, that she's "hoping" for?
That's what a bulk of these thread are aimed at. Nothing against her....like I said, we all do it.

This is an example of how we sometimes hope that we can find character flaws in God...that way, we can get the "answers" we really want.

Anything Jesus may have done while on earth, doesn't take away from God's perfect character and choices.
He CAN NOT and DOES NOT change His mind.
Not possible.---That makes Him indecisive.

Indecisiveness is a flaw.

Do I really have to defend God here?

I'm game, if anyone can show me one undeniable proof/scripture in the Bible that God "changed" His mind.
Shifted a plan, yes.
Changed His mind, because He didn't like where His original plan was going......no.

 

[SoulWeaver]

he never lies; even if he lies, it is not sin. but humanly this is next to impossible to convey

I want to quote my husband on something he tells me often when I'm in dilemma whatever you do, just do it in Love (meaning, love of God). Impossible to sin doing things in Love... God's kind of love... unselfish and perfect and pure. So yeah even if God introduces changes into His plan at times, He does it because He loves us and for our sakes. I'll agree with you Jeff that God must be absolutely trusted... He really deserves our trust so much!

edit sorry miscapped He out of a habit... lol

 

[p_rehbein]

I'm game, if anyone can show me one undeniable proof/scripture in the Bible that God "changed" His mind.
Shifted a plan, yes.
Changed His mind, because He didn't like where His original plan was going......no.


that's rigging the game..............and not exactly what the OP asked.........now, for God changing His mind.......on more than one occasion, God was ready to destroy ALL of Israel, but one of the Prophets "stood in the gap" and prayed to God to "change His mind," and, because of their faithfulness...................He did.

 

[Reborn]

I'm game, if anyone can show me one undeniable proof/scripture in the Bible that God "changed" His mind.
Shifted a plan, yes.
Changed His mind, because He didn't like where His original plan was going......no.


that's rigging the game..............and not exactly what the OP asked.........now, for God changing His mind.......on more than one occasion, God was ready to destroy ALL of Israel, but one of the Prophets "stood in the gap" and prayed to God to "change His mind," and, because of their faithfulness...................He did.

He did not "change" His mind though......no human can make God second guess something?
He answers prayers. He still knew that they would have to pray to get that answer.
Thus pushing the power of prayer.....not
"you know what, you guys are right, thank you for correcting me...I didn't see that one coming..... Ill fix it"

We are trying to give her an answer, PR buddy ol pal....... Right?

I say God does NOT change His mind.
Some are saying He does indeed "change" His mind.
Conflicting answers.

I say "changing" your mind is a flaw, because maybe you didn't like the outcome of your first choice.
Not possible for God.....He knows all.

 

[p_rehbein]

Hmm, a wee bit of "predestination" in that Brother............

An appropriate question would be: Does God change His Master Plan? No.

God IS NOT FLAWED, man is.............and, even though God foreknew what was going to happen, He allowed man to choose to be obedient or disobedient. He did not force man to comply with His Master Plan.

This is what I am getting at. Example again. With Moses and the exodus........when the people were in the wilderness and disobeyed/disrespected God...........while His initial promise to them is that they would be led to a land of milk and honey, He changed that plan and condemned that generation to wander for 40 years in the wilderness until they were all dead......

This is not a "flaw," of God's, rather it is the penalty of sin by man. Does that make more sense?

Gonna go back and reread the OP to see what exactly the intent may be behind it.

 

[p_rehbein]

I have a question. My whole life I was always told that God is the All Knowing, in which I agree. Many stories in the Bible God changes His mind with doing things, like destroying Nineveh with Jonah and when God wanted to destroy the people of Israel with Moses. Does He actually change His mind? Would it be a lie if He said one thing and then changed His mind? God dosent lie tho.....am I missing something? lol

No, it would not be a lie........circumstances changed............Yes, God foreknew these changes, however man had to choose to stand in the gap............and petition God to be merciful to Israel.

His Master Plan does not change.........circumstances may alter certain events, but that does not make God a liar. Rather, it makes Him merciful, just, and faithful to do what He says He will do with repentant children.

 

[Reborn]

Hmm, a wee bit of "predestination" in that Brother............

Okay. Maybe? .....huh?
Yeah...that's a little off on what I was trying to say?

I am one that is SO against predestination, tampering of free will...etc, etc.

Well, there you have it Rachel some say yes, some say no.
It goes back to you and trusting God for answers.
Pretty much the outcome of every debate or questioned asked here!!!!

 

[p_rehbein]

Here is an article that may or may not help in clearing up this concept of God changing His mind. Offered as FYI only.

Excerpt:

The issue, of course, is whether or not God actually goes through a process of changing His mind due to learning something, as the open theists would maintain. But, is God actually reacting to knew "Turn from Thy burning anger and change Thy mind about doing harm to Thy people. [SUP]13[/SUP]'Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Thy servants to whom Thou didst swear by Thyself, and didst say to them, 'I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens, and all this land of which I have spoken I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever. [SUP]14[/SUP]So the Lord changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people," (Exodus 32:12-14, NASB).

Found Here:

[h=3]Exodus 32:14, "...the Lord changed His mind..."[/h]

 

[blue_ladybug]

nope.. he doesn't..

 

[chootchooot]

God though?
When someone changes their mind, the are basically hoping for a different end result.
If God already knows the outcome of option A, B and C, then He really can't "change" His mind.

He may shift plans, so that we humans can understand a little better.....but He still knows the final outcome of any plan He "goes" with.

A lot of times God changes his mind depending on who is interceding, there was a plague breaking out against the Israelites in the wilderness but the plagues ceased when Moses interceded.