Does God can change His mind?

[royalscot]

and to think, he changed, all us, orphans, to sons and daughters, that now, have a heavenly father.
it is, all of us, that cant, keep pace, with the change, that god already has made, promised, and prophetically, been spoken,
in the bible, or by rheman words , he spoken to an other human etc, from the start of gods time, to the completion, of his plan.


[SUP]44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
[/SUP]

 

[just-me]

Yes God can change His mind at times in a positive way like what He did in Nineveh Jonah 3 (NLT)

10 When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.

In Exodus 32 (NLT)
14 So the Lord changed his mind about the terrible disaster he had threatened to bring on his people.

He really did change His mind at times because of His mercy and grace He LOVE us, but of course He HATED sin and He is true to His PROMISES.
He is the Lord that does not tolerate sin but He is a Loving Father to us His princes and princesses.

I wouldn't use the term "change His mind" for some may misunderstand, and have conflict with
Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed .
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

The word repent, or in the case of Jonah 4:2 "repentest" means 5162 nacham naw-kham' a primitive root; properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself):--comfort (self), ease (one's self), repent(-er,-ing, self).

And he prayed unto the LORD, and said , I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

Therefore God knows before hand what will be the reaction of the people He is dealing with. So He doesn't "change His mind," He sighs and breathes strongly. He is sorry in a favorable sense, and pities. He wants to console as a reflex to a situation that is unfavorable. He avenges Himself, comforts Himself by desiring above all things to have mercy. It's a reciprocating action toward His creation based on love.

 

[Jason0047]

There are many topics in the Bible that people just do a quick surface reading and they do not care to look deeper. Every passage that appears to say God changes His mind is God dealing with man in our linear sense of time and relating to us as a human. For if God just kept letting His people know every time that He was already aware of their choice, it would make it seem like God doesn't care or desire to relate to us personally; And such an ongoing response would make His people become apathetic towards Him. That is why He talks to us from our linear perspective or as a human in the present moment of time using our language. In addition, the Word (Who is God) becomes flesh. This is God Almighty in the flesh of a man dealing with us as a man. Jesus is the theme of the whole Bible. Jesus who is 100% God and 100% man died on the cross for man's sins desires to relate to us on a human level so as to comfort us when we are tempted. God needed to take on flesh so as to be our substitute and to pay the price for our sins.

Anyways, I believe if you think God is capable of changing His mind (Which means God does not know everything), you are trying to attack who God is. God is more powerful than you can imagine. He holds all the planets together in the countless galaxies by the Word of His power. God is aware of each and every cell in the human body. God is aware of every hair on your head. For has them all numbered. Just read the story of Job. Job was upset with God over his situation. But what was God's reply to Job? Did God sit down with Him and lay out His plan for Job's life in why did what He did? No. God just told Job about the wonders of His creation - And wanted Job to drop His jaw in awe of God. See, Job thought he knew better than God. That is what I hear every time somebody thinks they know better than God in the fact that they could change God's mind into doing something that He is not already aware of. You are trying to be God thinking you can get God to change because you KNOW better. But God knows what you are going to ask before you even ask it. That is what the Scriptures say. Man's attempt to limit God is dangerous. It is your attempt to be like God. It is your attempt to put God inside a box and limit Him into an image that you see. It's wrong and it's un-Biblical; And a limited God is not the God of the Bible. For with God, nothing is impossible.

 

[sacraig67]

There are many topics in the Bible that people just do a quick surface reading and they do not care to look deeper. Every passage that appears to say God changes His mind is God dealing with man in our linear sense of time and relating to us as a human. For if God just kept letting His people know every time that He was already aware of their choice, it would make it seem like God doesn't care or desire to relate to us personally; And such an ongoing response would make His people become apathetic towards Him. That is why He talks to us from our linear perspective or as a human in the present moment of time using our language. In addition, the Word (Who is God) becomes flesh. This is God Almighty in the flesh of a man dealing with us as a man. Jesus is the theme of the whole Bible. Jesus who is 100% God and 100% man died on the cross for man's sins desires to relate to us on a human level so as to comfort us when we are tempted. God needed to take on flesh so as to be our substitute and to pay the price for our sins.

Anyways, I believe if you think God is capable of changing His mind (Which means God does not know everything), you are trying to attack who God is. God is more powerful than you can imagine. He holds all the planets together in the countless galaxies by the Word of His power. God is aware of each and every cell in the human body. God is aware of every hair on your head. For has them all numbered. Just read the story of Job. Job was upset with God over his situation. But what was God's reply to Job? Did God sit down with Him and lay out His plan for Job's life in why did what He did? No. God just told Job about the wonders of His creation - And wanted Job to drop His jaw in awe of God. See, Job thought he knew better than God. That is what I hear every time somebody thinks they know better than God in the fact that they could change God's mind into doing something that He is not already aware of. You are trying to be God thinking you can get God to change because you KNOW better. But God knows what you are going to ask before you even ask it. That is what the Scriptures say. Man's attempt to limit God is dangerous. It is your attempt to be like God. It is your attempt to put God inside a box and limit Him into an image that you see. It's wrong and it's un-Biblical; And a limited God is not the God of the Bible. For with God, nothing is impossible.

I think this is very well explained. For if we say God changed His mind would be to say "God did not see that coming". God speaks to us this way to help us better understand His grace. If we can change God's mind in any way takes away His omniscience which is a very dangerous thing to do.

 

[Jason0047]

I think this is very well explained. For if we say God changed His mind would be to say "God did not see that coming". God speaks to us this way to help us better understand His grace. If we can change God's mind in any way takes away His omniscience which is a very dangerous thing to do.

Thank you.

Here is one verse I would like to add, that will hopefully let folks know, that God is aware of every little detail about our life.

Job 14:1, 5

1 "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.​

5 "Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;"​

For man's days are determined, the number of his months are with him, there are appointed boundaries of his existence or life that he cannot pass. In other words, God knows the exact day when we are going to die. If God knows other events in the future (Like in Revelation), surely He knows about our future.

 

[dcontroversal]

God can change his mind about certain things that are within His will and in Line with His truth, But God cannot lie as he is bound by his very nature which is HOLY and RIGHTEOUS......so the point being is....concerning the promises found within the Word of God that have been given....God must honor his word, as His word has been magnified above his very name!

and Kudos to ChapoNiBlest as Hezekiah was the first thing I thought of when I read the OP...thumbs up...

another one is...God had decided to wipe men off the face of the earth with the flood and had even said the end of all flesh has come before me, BUT NOAH found GRACE in the EYES of GOD!........................

 

[dcontroversal]

I wouldn't use the term "change His mind" for some may misunderstand, and have conflict with
Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed .
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

The word repent, or in the case of Jonah 4:2 "repentest" means 5162 nacham naw-kham' a primitive root; properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself):--comfort (self), ease (one's self), repent(-er,-ing, self).

And he prayed unto the LORD, and said , I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

Therefore God knows before hand what will be the reaction of the people He is dealing with. So He doesn't "change His mind," He sighs and breathes strongly. He is sorry in a favorable sense, and pities. He wants to console as a reflex to a situation that is unfavorable. He avenges Himself, comforts Himself by desiring above all things to have mercy. It's a reciprocating action toward His creation based on love.

The above bolded is in accordance with his nature and character..........which is unchanging!

 

[Jason0047]

Thank you.

Here is one verse I would like to add, that will hopefully let folks know, that God is aware of every little detail about our life.

Job 14:1, 5

1 "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.​

5 "Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;"​

For man's days are determined, the number of his months are with him, there are appointed boundaries of his existence or life that he cannot pass. In other words, God knows the exact day when we are going to die. If God knows other events in the future (Like in Revelation), surely He knows about our future.

I was using "OpenBible.info"'s cross reference search tool (Bible Cross References) for Job 14:5 and I found even more cross references on this passage (That makes it all too clear).

Psalm 39:4
"LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am."

Job 23:13-14"But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him."

 

[Jason0047]

The above bolded is in accordance with his nature and character..........which is unchanging!

There are two meanings to the words "repent" and or "repentance" in the King James Bible. One is to feel sorrowful and the other means to change. This is what "repentance" means. In the case where God says He repents, it is using the first definition that is saying God is sorrowful. It is not saying He actually changed His mind. The Scriptures say God is not a man that He shoulld repent. This is referring to God not changing. If you say so otherwise, then you would have a contradiction in Scripture. For the Scriptures use essentially the same word showing God repenting of man's evil and in saying God is not like a man where He would repent elsewhere in Scripture.

 

[sacraig67]

I know the will of God doesn't change but he can change his mind doesn't that take away his omniscience? I mean if we can do something that changes his mind....I am not fighting here but this is kinda a tough subject. Can you try to explain a bit. Personally I don't think God changes His mind but we can all learn if we are willing to listen right. My view might not change but I sure the heck could learn something new!

 

[sacraig67]

I mean sometimes we have to be willing to listen what others say. If we close our mind lock it and throw away the key we will NEVER learn.

 

[Jason0047]

Dear DC:

As for Hezekiah: Well, first, some Open Theists might think that God would be lying from our perspective or belief. However, God did not lie when he said Hezekiah was going to die. This was based on the the conditions of God's Word that if you choose life you will be blessed and if you choose evil you will be cursed (Deuteronomy 30:17, 18, 19). Hezekaiah or his kingdom had done something wrong towards Assyria and he wrongfully tried to make it up to them by giving them gold out of the Temple of the Lord (2 Kings 18:14, 15, 16). Which obviously did not please the Lord. Therefore, Hezekiah was going to pay the price for his wronging the house of the Lord. Yet, God also sets a condition that if you turn from your evil and pray to the Lord for His mercy, then you can be spared Judgment. God was merely responding to Hezekiah from a linear perspective because Hezekiah cannot see the future like he could and he wanted to use him as an example for others to pray and change their ways (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Second, God did not say, "You will not recover." either. For this does not appear in the King James translation. You might find it in a more modern translation based on a more corrupt manuscript if you like. However, I am trusting in Jesus words in Matthew 24:35 that His words have not passed away, though.

Third, God adding 15 years to Hezekiah's life is not an Open Theistic type of a thing. It is a pre-determined "Classic Theism" type action that states that God is sovereign over His creation, including time itself. For God is so confident that Hezekiah's future deserves to have 15 more years. Not two, not four, not 20. Fifteen specifically. Why 15 and not these other numbers? Does God do things at random or does He take shots in the dark? No, most certainly not.

For Hezekiah's situation was not about God changing His mind, it is about getting Hezekiah to change his mind. For if a child refuses to clean their room against their parent's wishes, that parent can threaten their child with a spanking (that is a very real threat if they do not obey). In fact, that parent can even make it sound like it is a sure thing that is going to happen soon if they do not cooperate. However, if the child changes the conditions of the scenario by obeying, then that child will not be spanked (if that parent is honorable).

Besides, the Open Theist is being inconsistent with their thinking, too.

For if God knew Peter well enough that he would deny him three times, then how did God not know Hezekiah well enough that he was going to give him mercy if he prayed??? Was not God just being consistent with His own Word???

For there was a reason God knew Hezekiah would repent and have 15 more years. For God knew Hezekiah was not going to die because Hezekiah was chosen to be within the line of Christ.

Furthermore, if Open Theism is true, then how do you explain the 144,000? In fact, I believe this is the nail in the coffin for Open Theism. No way can God force to create 144,000 Jewish believers that have not been born yet. The only way God could know this is if either He created man without a free will or if He could clearly see all details in the future. Also, was it a coincidence that God created Abraham's succeeding generations as believers so that he could fulfill his own promise? What about God saying he loved Jacob but hated Esau before they were born?

Also, God has already set a limit for the days of every man, too (Job 14:5) (Psalm 39:4). So the Lord adding to Hezekiah's days could not go beyond the set number He already had pre-determined for Hezekiah. For God knew what Hezekiah's response was going to be. For he did know him just as much as he knew Peter, right? So things only appeared to have changed or had been added from Hezekiah's perspective. For Hezekiah's story is obviously not written from God's eternal perspective, but from man's linear perspective.

I mean, think about it.

What about the Scripture that says that God does not change His mind (Numbers 23:19)?

What about the passages in Scripture that talks about God's Omni-Temporality (Isaiah 46:9-10) (Isaiah 57:15) (Psalm 90:2) (Psalm 102:24)?

For our destiny was planned “before the beginning of time” (2 Timothy 1:9) (Titus 1:2) and“before the creation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4) (1 Peter 1:20).

See, all these things have to be ignored if a person wants to make Open Theism work so they can put God in a box in order to limit the Lord as if He was a man.

Anyways, I hope this helps.

May the Lord's love, blessings, and peace be unto you, dear sir.
And please be well.

With loving kindness to you in Christ:

Sincerely,

~Jason.

...

 

[RedTent]

I know the will of God doesn't change but he can change his mind doesn't that take away his omniscience? I mean if we can do something that changes his mind....I am not fighting here but this is kinda a tough subject. Can you try to explain a bit. Personally I don't think God changes His mind but we can all learn if we are willing to listen right. My view might not change but I sure the heck could learn something new!

So many posters have such a wonderful way of explaining this. Scripture tells us God is one, God is eternal and never changes, and then it gives examples of when God changes His mind. We are asked to understand.

If you explore each time God changed His mind, it was always about how God would deal with us only. God has set principles that never, ever changes so God doesn't consider the times He acted with more mercy and forgiveness toward us that He is changing anything that God fundamentally is. Once we study scripture to learn what those principles of God are, once we learn to know our Lord, we can depend on those principles never ever changing at all. We can know and depend on justice, love, mercy, and such from our Creator, they never have changed and never will.

 

[Jason0047]

No magic trick distractions (Hey, don't look at that, look over here!). This is a very important topic, my friend. God does not change because God is Omniscient. God knows all things. Everything. To say that God does not know all things is an attack upon how God is described in the Holy Scriptures. For man wants be his own God and think He can change and or surprise the Almighty. Let me ask you. What was God's response to Job when Job thought he knew better than God? God just listed the wonderous things within His creation. Which basically was God's way of letting Job know that He knows everything and Job knows nothing.

 

[Jason0047]

I mean do you think God was hoping Job was going to pass the devil's test? Do you think God's choice in mentioning His servant Job to the devil was a random pot shot choice (Where God was hoping Job was going to prove himself)? God does not worry about what we may do or not do. He is not a God of fear. God does not wait for us to influence Him. No, no. God influences us. God already knows what we are going to do. God wants to work in our lives. It is not us trying to work and influence God down to our level. Who is the God here? Is it you? Or is it God?

 

[sacraig67]

From Westminster dictionary of theological terms. God, omniscience of "God as knowing all things, all events, and all circumstances in a way that is perfect and immediate." So here is the conundrum I am at. If this definition is true how could he not see what was gonna happen in areas where it seems God changed his mind? I still don't see it as God changing His mind because He knew those situations were gonna happen.

 

[sacraig67]

From Westminster dictionary of theological terms. God, immutabilty of. "God's freedom from all change, understood to emphasize God's changeless perfection of divine constancy." Can you see and understand from these two definitions my question of God changing his mind?

 

[RedTent]

From Westminster dictionary of theological terms. God, immutabilty of. "God's freedom from all change, understood to emphasize God's changeless perfection of divine constancy." Can you see and understand from these two definitions my question of God changing his mind?

There are many things in scripture that are not completely explained in minute detail. It is a huge book with layers upon layers of meaning in it, and you can spend a lifetime exploring it and still not fully understand. You couldn't if God sat you down in a study room and told you all of what God knows, because your mind is not the mind of God.

I found that with each day we put on the mind of Christ and die to self, a little more is opened up to me. But none of us can expect to understand all the answers. God gives us what we must know today.

 

[sacraig67]

See I don't think it was God actually changing His mind but His way of explaining His grace to us. Does this make sense?

 

[sacraig67]

I should say helping us understand His grace towards us.